A sad story of isolation and unnecessary cruelty. You character was very sympathetic.
I have to admit to a bit of phobia where spiders are concerned. If the spider is small enough I usually trap it under a glass and set it free outside. But this one time the spider was so big and hairy, I trapped it under a glass and it did have to live there for a few hours before I could find someone brave enough to set it free. I swore after that ... no more basement suites.
There is something primeval about the fear of spiders but they have their place in creation. I admire your bravery where they are concerned. But there are few that will lunch on you when you are sleeping. Probably not these guys though ... they look like daddy long legs, which actually have the most poisonous venom of any spider but teeth not sharp enough to bite through human skin. It's a wacky evolving world we live in:)
Well, perhaps the story could use a happier ending but the five minute timer went off.
These spiders move really slowly and stay up high out of the way. They haven't caused any problems and don't make much of a web but I have moved some of them out of the house and into the garden. I usually leave them alone in the bathroom and garage where they seem to prefer living but when they encroach too much on other areas, I relocate them.
We are lucky to have spiders. They keep insect populations in check:)