[ WP ] You 've been finding a lot of loose change in your couch lately . It turns out it 's the tiny speaking spider paying rent .

I opened the door and stepped into my apartment. Kicking off my shoes, I reached for the lights, flicking them on without looking. I emptied my pockets onto the small table near the door, and headed for the couch. It had been a long day, and I really just needed to zone out for a while. I stood at the end of the couch, and then let myself fall onto its inviting cushions. 
 
 `` Ow! What the shit?'' I cried. 
 
 I pushed myself up. The cushion had n't been very cushy. In fact, it had been hard, making a metallic clinking when you hit it, like it was filed with small bits of metal. I grabbed the cushion and turned it so the zipper was facing me. It was liking moving a slab of concrete. And still, a jingle of metal came from within. Like a... like a pocket full of change. 
 
 I had been finding change in my couch cushions for a few weeks now. I did n't really think anything of it. I do n't carry a lot of change, but I figured some of my friends did, and that was the source. But someone had taken out all the stuffing from this cushion and replaced it with change. I undid the zipper, and sure enough, hundreds of coins were inside. A few spilled out, and I let them. I did n't know what to do. Only myself and the landlord had a key. I sure did n't ruin my cushion, and my landlord sure did n't just give away money. 
 
 `` I hope that's enough,'' a high-pitched voice broke the silence. 
 
 I looked around. No one was in the apartment but me. 
 
 `` Over here. On the top of the back of the couch.'' 
 
 I looked at the top of the couch. There was a small spider there, but nothing else. I got up to see if the window was open. 
 
 `` Where are you going? I'm right here! I'm the spider!'' 
 
 I turned around and looked closer at the spider. It moved closer to me, legs moving too fast to see. I took a step back. 
 
 `` Hi! I moved in a little while ago, but I did n't want to make myself known until I was able to pay my way. This is my part of the rent.'' The spider waved one tiny leg at the sack of change. 
 
 `` Okay,'' I replied slowly, `` You're a talking spider. A spider who talks. A spider with vocal chords or something.'' 
 
 `` Yes, and I want to live here. This apartment building if full of delicious insects. It really is prime real estate.'' Two spider legs waved, indicating the building. 
 
 I stared at the small arachnid for a few moments. `` And you're paying rent to me?'' 
 
 The spider shook it's body up and down-oh hell, it was nodding-and indicated the coins again. `` I can only really pay with what I find, so bills are usually out of the question. But I promise I'll have a good amount every month. I'll earn my keep.'' 
 
 I stood there, looking at the tiny talking creature, not saying anything. 
 
 `` So... do we have an agreement?'' The spider asked. 
 
 I blinked, keeping my eyes closed for a bit longer than normal, then answered it. `` Sure. Why not? You can have the run of the place while I'm at work or asleep. Just steer clear when I'm home, and definitely do n't be seen if I have anyone over.'' 
 
 The spider jumped into the air, disturbingly high, then landed easily. `` Great. That works for me, you sleep a lot. I'll get you some more money for next month.'' It began crawling towards the crack between the couch and the wall. 
 
 `` But how can you speak?'' I asked it. 
 
 `` Oh,'' the spider responded, stopping for just a moment at the edge of the gap, `` It has to do with science.''
