The Center Untitled Babysitting Story (Yes That is the Real Name, Deal With it) chapter 4 by 2kfsk

After a not-so-great deal of deliberation, Franky decided. The middle of the shoe would be best. She was a risk taker, but the depths of the shoe were dark and dank and didn’t look very fun. So, she found a spot just underneath the overhang where the shoelaces would be tied. From here, she started to arrange the carpet fibers she’d absconded with into something resembling a coat. Her bushcraft skills were getting better, and after almost thirty minutes she had a semi-functional shroud that looked rather convincingly like a spider. “Niiiiice…”

Franky swung her new costume over her shoulders, got down on all fours, and waited in a somewhat prostrate position. *This is gonna be so* ***sick!!***

*An hour later.*

Jason didn’t feel very rested when he woke up. The movie had ended almost forty minutes ago and the TV had reverted to the selection menu. “Agh, I missed my favorite part,” he said, rubbing his eye with his palm. He leaned forward. “So, that was *Revenge*. What’d ya think? I know it’s probably weird to start with the third one in the trilogy but personally I feel…”

Jason took a second look at the ottoman. He knows this is where he left Franky… so why wasn’t she anywhere to be seen?

“Franks? *Franky?*” Jason peered closely at the worn fabric of the footrest. It was fine and shallow; even tiny, Franky would’ve been impossible to miss. The carpet, on the other hand, was a thick tangle that felt divine to dig your hands or face into but was unnavigable for someone without Franky’s persistence. If she was stuck down there…

Jason didn’t want to think about it. “Franky, if you’re here somewhere… just give me a sign!”

Franky, in the shoe, was trying her absolute hardest to hold it in. The spider shroud she’d made was very comfortable, and she’d even dozed off herself after not too long of lying in wait. Luckily she got up around the same time Jason did—his massive body shifting on the couch sent slight vibrations into the floor that her ultra-sensitive tiny body picked up on. “He has no idea where I am!” she whispered to herself giddily. “Just need to wait a little bit longer…” She pulled her shroud in closer to her body, fully obscuring her form beneath the carpet fibers.

“Franky, if you’re here…” Jason said nervously, “This isn’t very funny! Your mom could be home any minute!” Jason had yet to leave the couch, but he knew he would have to soon if he wanted to better survey the area for Franky’s presence. He didn’t want to risk stepping on the child, but as long as he watched his footing… it *should* be good, right?

“Alright Franky, that’s it! I’m coming for ya!”

*Finally!* Franky had to mentally suppress letting out a verbal ‘Whoop’. The little spider’s eyes were trained upward, and she glared through the mouth of the shoe as her deific babysitter, face all twisted up in consternation, made the difficult choice to allow his feet to touch the ground. He stood up, casting the footwear in shadow. He was getting closer! Was this the moment? Was he about to put the shoe on!?

Franky’s heart was moving at breakneck pace; it was now or never. Without thinking, she leapt upwards and spread her arms out, delivering a feral screech only a child can manage. Her shroud was flung away, leaving her in nothing but her bathing suit. “You found me!”

But she received no response. The shadow that had eclipsed the show only got darker as Jason’s meaty foot stuffed itself into the hole up above. Franky cleared her throat: “I said, you *found m*—**MPHH—!**”

Franky was silenced as she received a mouthful of sole. Shoved to the rubber insole of the sneaker, Franky was entirely ignored as the equally rubbery foot filled the rest of the shoe. “**MMMPPPHHHHH!!!**” Trapped beneath the overwhelming volume of the foot, Franky was unable to move or even blink. Her very calls for help were simply reflected back to her.

“Gotta check to make sure she didn’t sneak outside,” Jason said absent mindedly as he tied his shoe before putting on the other one. “She’s been getting bad about that lately.” Once both shoes were properly equipped, Jason checked the floor for stragglers. Seeing none, he *hopped* to his feet—

*CRUNCH!*

“Huh?” Jason felt something collapse beneath his right foot, and if he didn’t know any better, a warm and wet feeling was spreading within. But Jason didn’t have time to deal with that sort of thing, he had to find Franky, and even she wasn’t dumb enough to hide in the worst place imaginable. “Whatever.” He cupped his hands to his mouth. “*Fraaaanky!*” he called again, making his way to the back door. “I’m coming to *find you!*”