As preparations to hold the entrance were underway, Chris and Harlan had made it to the roof and began making calls.
Unfortunately, trying to convince authorities about the situation was harder than expected.
"Did it work?" Harlan shouted to Chris, who had climbed the antenna.
"NO!"
"Who did you try this time?"
"National Guard! They told me to get the mayor on the line to make a request for support."
"What! Didn't you explain to them what is happening!?!"
"Of course I did! But—"
"SH*T!!! The spiders are climbing up!"
Seeing over the edge, Harlan noticed several spiders beginning to climb up and shouted toward Chris.
"SH*T! Ok I'm trying the league!"
RING RING RING RING CLICK
Hello— you have reached the Justice League hotline. If you are currently witnessing a crime in progress, please hang up and call your local police department.
All our operators are currently business with other calls. Leave a message after the beep and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
BEEP
BANG! BANG!
Hello? Hello!?!
goddammit!
Hello! We need help! our town Prosperity is under attack by... spiders!
Huge!
Massive!
Spiders!
BANG! Chris! there are too many! I only have a couple slugs left!
SH*T!! PLEASE! SEND HELP! WE ARE BEING OVERRUN!!
SHRIEEEEK! BANG BANG
*Click
While Chris was desperately calling for help the pounding of the barrier became louder and louder. Soon dents began to appear.
"Here they come! Everyone into positions!" Shouted the sheriff.
As everyone got into position, I moved towards the back of the group and silently prepared the lawgiver.
BOOM!
The metal barrier was torn open by a large spider leg before another leg entered and expanded the hole.
"Hold" The sheriff warns
The legs enlarge the opening before pulling back and from the outside one can hear the scurry of many creatures.
"HOLD"
The noise outside got louder
"HOLD!"
Several spiders, all about the size of an adult cat, enter the mall.
"NOW! FIRE!"
The sound of various firearms goes off in sequence all aimed at the breach, obliterating the spiders that have already entered, but it does not phase them.
More enter and begin to scurry onto the walls and the ceiling. Then a spider the size of a refrigerator climbs through the opening.
"Perfume!" Calls out the sheriff
Several townsfolk begin to throw bottles towards the breach, which shatter on impact. The smell of the perfume disorients the spiders which stops them from advancing.
"Good! Keep it up! We just need to buy time!"
Morale was high among the townsfolk as they continued to throw perfume and shoot the spiders. I myself continued to observe the defense at the back of the crowd.
Until the entire barrier came crashing down.
Hundreds of spiders of various sizes rushing in, but the one that truly frightened everyone was the one that knocked the barrier down.
A tarantula the size of a motorhome, its pitch black eyes starring straight at us.
SHRIEEEKKKK!!!
It produced a noise so intense that any nearby glass cracked as a result.
No amount of perfume was going to distract the horde now.
"Retreat! Fallback! Throw whatever you have left! Pete! Once everyone passes tip the jugs over!"
"Got it!"
As everyone runs pass, I watched as the Deputy Sheriff tips over several oil jugs, spilling their contents across the floor.
"Ok that is the last one! Run everyone!"
Walking backwards I watch as the spiders reach the spilled oil and I draw the Lawgiver once more.
I call out 'HOTSHOT!' and fire.
WHOOOSH!!!
SHRIEEEEK!!!!
The spiders at the front of the pack are caught off guard and are engulfed in flames. Those following behind stopped cold in front of the fire barrier watching their brethren be cooked alive.
Although the fire won't last long, the plan was working... until several spiders jumped over the fire.
"Run!"
Running with the crowd the spiders chased after us, as we raced toward the storage entrance.
"Watch out! Aahhh!" Those who fell behind were being pounced on, but there was no stopping to help them.
Eventually I made it to the storage entrance and proceeded down the stairs.
Once those who made it entered the room, several of the men began to barricade the door as others counted whatever ammo they had left.
It wasn't good. Some only had a few rounds left while others were completely out.
"What now sheriff?" One of the townsfolk asked
"By now Chris and Harlan had made a call for help. With any luck the national guard out of Florence will come. While staying here might be the best idea those... creatures will break in eventually. We need to find a way out."
"Mom... I think I just found one"
Turning around everyone stares at the daughter of the sheriff who points out a secret door at the back of the room. Several members run over and remove the boxes blocking the entrance before pulling the door open, revealing a large opening.
Several of the townsfolk identified it as a back entrance to the mine, however only a few were aware of a second entrance and nobody knew it connected to the mall.
It seems like the mayor was hiding this from the rest of the townsfolk.
"Okay everyone listen up!" The Sheriff spoke "This is the only way out. I need everyone to remain calm and remain together as we travel through the mine."
But before anyone could enter the tunnel, a teenage boy came running in screaming. Several spiders were following him closely before being eliminated.
"Bret!?!" Called out the Sheriff's daughter
"I... We... they're dead! All of them!"
"Who?"
"I.... I have been riding through the mine trying to escape for the last couple of hours. I... god... they got Wade."
Looking at the frightened boy one could image what awaited us inside the mine. But there was option. The Sheriff took a deep breath before addressing the crowd.
"Regardless traveling through the mine is a much better option then making a last stand here. Get ready everyone!"
- Meanwhile-
"Batman to Flash"
"Go ahead"
"A call from the hotline was just flagged. Caller stated that the town Prosperity, Arizona was under attack by giant spiders"
"Spiders?"
"... Yes"
"Could be a prank call.... If I had a dime every time a hotline call turned out to be a prank, I would be able to rent Wayne manor for a day."
"Perhaps... except that every call made goes unanswered and satellite images show numerous burnt-out wrecks outside the local mall."
"Alright... I on my way."