Arachnophobia (Yandere Arachne x Reader)

Thalassaphobia

Trigger warning:

This story contains violent scenes and graphic descriptions. If you are perturbed by any sensitive topics then I advise you to read something else, however, if you are not perturbed by these themes then you may continue forth.

~Arachnophobia~

When (Name) L/n had woken up, it was not the blaring of an alarm clock that caused her rise, but the gentle rocking of the boat and the cool waves beneath her. The seas were a sweet mistress, singing her song like a lullaby as night blanketed the crew under a dark, starless sky. With little light upon the boat and the moon as her only refuge, (Name) couldn't help but go out on the deck, bored out of her wits. The ocean was a vast expanse that forgave nothing, so unlike the decorated streets of the busy, urban city. A sting pulled at her gut, a feeling that she had grown used to in the past week. Likely, it was homesickness, for only someone foolhardy would decide to go on a journey such as this. Right, a fool...Just like her father.

Leaning over the edge and staring out into the cold waters, one couldn't help but feel that little itching nerve to jump. It was an intrusive thought, one followed by questions that plagued the woman's psyche as she stared into its black depths. If she jumped, would anyone even notice that she had disappeared? Before the crew could send out the buoy, she'd likely have already sunk to the bottom, waiting for time to edge her soul to the next plain. She didn't jump, thankfully, for the thoughts were only that: intrusive. Shocking her for a second, a hand laid itself atop her shoulder, blowing away those little bits of memory and consciousness with the light, sea breeze.

(Name) turned, glimpsing the sight of the greying man with the round glasses. His eyes crinkled, revealing a face that, despite getting on in its years, still seemed to retain some of the beauty of its youth. Silver locks intermingled wistfully with brown, making the brunette look even more eccentric than he'd been before the journey. It was his smile that disarmed most people, including his daughter. (Name) had seen its magic work one too many times on the tight necked executives, cold doctors and unwitting strangers who watched him in the news, yet, despite all this, she could not bring up the will to smile herself.

"How are you doing my little bug?" Isaac entreated, flashing those pearly white teeth of his.

"I'm fine."

An awkward pause rang between the two of them, inciting the man to clear his throat before speaking once more.

"It's a nice night. The sea's as beautiful as ever, wouldn't you say? I'm sure your mother would've loved to be here with us if she could."

Straight to the point as always, Isaac was never one to dawdle when it came to his words. He was a man of science after all, not some spokesman, though, he was also a father. Pulling her close, Isaac hugged the woman, his grey eyes looking hopefully into her own as she stared blankly into the dark, wading waters.

"This," He paused, clearing his throat before continuing, "This is a new beginning for the both of us! What a magnificent journey it'll be! Just you and me, the crew and the wide-open world. Doesn't the prospect of finding a new and uncharted land make you excited?" he beseeched her, though she said nothing. "Come now (Name)! I know you're just as curious as I am. Just imagine what your mother would have thought."

Noting his words, (Name) instantly pulled away from him, a solemn pit growing within her stomach.

"(Name)?"

"Stop. Just...stop it, Isaac." She spoke in a low, venomous tone. "Look, I get why you want me out here, but this is it for me. New lands, animals, species, they're your obsession. Study them if you want, but I want no part of it. I'll do what needs to be done, but don't expect anything more, okay?" (Name) asked, not mincing her words as the older man flinched in response.