Fem fatal

At last he’d found it. He’d been searching in vain for most of his life and finally he’d found a strand.

Gently, almost tenderly, he reached out and plucked the massive cable. Even that seemingly insignificant motion had caused a low vibration that rippled up and down the strand with ever higher harmonics. His instinct told him to wait; to remain absolutely still. Quiet.

After what seemed like an eternity, the last of the coursing vibrations faded into the general background hum of the web.

He gave it another pluck.

This time the web shook and flexed as the enormous fem at the center shifted in response. He hastily pulled back, breaking all contact with the strand. Again, instinct said “wait”.

Again he approached the strand and this time, throwing caution to the wind, he mounted it with the ease and grace of his species. The fem bounded toward him and for the first time he felt fear wash over him like a flame. He’d hunted all his life for this and now he was facing the unknown.

He froze.

The fem advanced and then stopped dead, unsure what to do next. Most visitors broadcast their intent with trashing and flapping and frantic clawing, making the encounter a contest. But this was different, strange.

He saw his chance and leapt at the fem embracing her robust abdomen with all his might. This was it! The goal of his entire life. Rejoicing in his grip, he mounted her and began his injection. Rapture! It was as if heaven itself had opened up and showered joy upon him.

At the height of his euphoria, the fem hugged him tight against her and with one quick motion, bit his head and upper body clean off, as many spiders often do when they mate.