Let it

"OK," you say nervously. "I'll let you do that."

A thin tentacle moves slowly towards you, and curls towards your left ear. You can barely keep yourself from flinching as the rubbery skin makes contact, and you feel several tiny tendrils moving deeper into your ear. You feel a tingle deep in your ear, and then nothing for a few seconds.

Then a deep voice speaks in your head. "You are a very lucky, and very foolish girl. Had I been my younger self, you would currently be bouncing up and down on my tentacles, thinking of nothing but how quickly you can get pregnant.

"Falling for my scent lure could have happened to anyone, and if I were so inclined, they would be mine before they recovered, but to willingly allow me access to your mind was foolish in the ****."

"I figured that if you wanted to do that you already would have," you think, opening your mouth to say it, but he responds before you make a sound.

"There are creatures out there who require consent to perform their magic. Fortunately for you, I am not one of them, nor am I a **** to my instincts anymore." He pauses. "And yes, I can hear your thoughts. Tell me, girl, how did you come to be in my cavern? And don't even think about lying. I will know, and I will make sure it is the last thought you will ever have that doesn't involve carrying my children."

You explain (in your head) about the Arachne and the fate of your village, how you had escaped into the forest and taken shelter in the entrance to the cave.

"Hmm. I see. Your village disregarded safety for personal gain. How very typical of humans."

Well, that's rather insulting.

"As for my cavern. It is mine, and so is the entrance. However, I am feeling generous, so I will do you a deal.

"You may stay for tonight. I do not begrudge you a place to sleep which you were unaware was occupied.

"Beyond that, the deal is this: cavern space for cavern space. You may have free access to any part of these caves you wish. They are safe, and nothing will threaten you, and you may come and go for any period you desire. All I ask in exchange is that while you are here, your womb will swell with my children.

"Consider it," he says. "If you return here tomorrow night, or any time in the future, I will take that as your answer.

"Of course, if you want me to make you a drooling sex addict who spends her entire life impaled on my tentacles, then that can be arranged too.

"Now go. Sleep. The decision is yours. I will remain awake so that my scent lure does not affect you tonight." The tentacle withdraws from your ear, and points sharply at the exit.

You hurry down it and try to get some sleep.

You rise with the sun, the question from the night before still in your mind.

You need a long-term shelter. Your encounter last night only confirms that. A monster who gives you a choice is far better option than one which takes what it wants, and you may not be so lucky next time.

Is the price too high, though? Tentacle pregnancies tend to be relatively easy on the mother, but you would still be pregnant.

A tiny voice in the back of your mind reminds you of his other option. Carefree, safe and happy, all at the low, low cost of your sense of self. It seems a bit much.

You might as well decide right now, because if you choose to leave, you'll have to find somewhere new.