In previous episodes, we have examined stories of impossibly oversized creatures whose mere

existence appears to defy belief, and this week we will be looking at perhaps the most

horrifying of these alleged beasts, a gigantic species of spider known to those who have

survived encainters with it as the lurking horror.

Turning to see the fatigue and exhaustion etched upon the faces of the men stumbling

along behind him, Remy Jansen shook his head in frustration and signaled for the column

to stop and rest up for a while. Watching as his few remaining men moved amongst the

survivors, administering carefully Russian food and water, the sergeant was amazed they

had managed to survive thus far. The mercenary attack upon the outpost they had been guarding

could be short and brutal, with half of his small command perishing in the opening moments,

the remainder fleeing alongside the surviving missionaries.

On some level he could not resent those who had attacked him and his men. They were simply

carrying out their duty, themselves in the employ of the local slave trading gangs, whilst his pay

instead came from the far removed Belgian government. It had been his idea for them to head north

into the jungle away from any of the settled areas, in the hope that the relative isolation

would discourage their attackers from pursuing them. But now they had become hopelessly lost,

roaming aimlessly through a maze of impenetrable vegetation, their supplies dwindling,

with each passing day. An unexpected commotion roused Jansen from his thoughts,

his hand reached down instinctively for his rifle before he hurried towards the rear of the column.

When he arrived, he found one of his men slowly backing towards him, the soldiers weapon pointing

nervously towards the surrounding undergrowth. In fearful and hushed tones, the man informed him

that something had come creeping out from the trees, before then seizing hold of and abducting one

...