syrupy muck. The pain of hunger stabbed him once more.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“Forgive me”
Jedd grabbed the body of the meat shield and tugged him, with much effort he was able to drag the cold carcass across the rubble and watch the trail of blood follow their path. His stomach churned. With a loud thud he dropped the weight and watched the man’s arm bounce off the floor. He lifted it once more and dropped it. As it collided with the ground and made a wetting clunk, he slowly sat in front of him.
His gaze was blank and his thoughts were agony upon his soul. The unspeakable acts in the name of survival, HIS unspeakable acts. Jedd felt his hand on the small black knob of the oven, closing his eyes he slowly turned it to some unknown temperature and took a deep breath.
“WHAT MA? LET ME GUESS YOU KNOW A RECIPE? YOU DONE THIS BEFORE?”
A bizarre mix of tears and anger swelled up inside him. He knew it had to be this way, but the choices he was left with plagued him. Cannibalism or death? Wow not much to work with here! He thought to himself.
Rummaging throw the drawer, he felt his hand upon a small cleaver. Ripping it from its resting place he examined it. He more than examined it, he felt the cool metal under his fingers, stared at his own demonic reflection in the smooth metal, and tested its weight under his weak grip.
He could smell the electrical coils heating. He had images of the glowing orange metal searing into his own flesh for another’s very survival. His screams and pleas for mercy going unheard as the faceless man salted his skin and cut away at his meat.
“NO!! NO. HAPPY THOUGHTS I CAN DO THIS!”
The fear in his voice startled him.
For a brief moment, the survival side of him became the alpha in his pack of misfit emotions. Anger, its right hand man. He stood and flung open the cabinets, one by one he tossed the pots and pans over his shoulder, listening to its metallic music as it slide across the floor. The glass lids shattered on impact leaving shards glistening in the small illumination of the cavern. Finally he found what he was looking for, a large casserole dish.
Tears finally fell. A small river of tears streaked down his face diluting the splatters of green blood and washing him. He sat with clever in hand, and lifted the victims arm.
He shuttered as he slid the casserole dish underneath and let the arm flop over it. His hand shaking he placed the sharp edge against the meat shield.
“I can do this! DON’T WATCH MOMMA!”
He sobbed and he hesitated. His thoughts were back to his own burning flesh.
Jedd closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He pressed down as hard as fast as he could, separating his supper from the rest of the motionless body. In haste, before he could lose his nerve, he slammed the casserole dish into the oven and flung the cleaver across the room. He cradled his knees and let the tears fall freely. He could feel the blood slowly pooling around his boots and didn’t dare move.
Jedd just sat hugging his knees, deserving to see the blood he spilled upon his own race.
“IM GOING TO HELL MOMMA!” He sobbed.
*~*~*
Chapter 13
Sometimes I surprise myself. This was huge! The first truly selfless act I ever committed. As I walk ever closer to the reality of my decision I can’t help but relate it to my childhood days. Video games. That was exactly right.
That was how my life turned out. Though tough to admit, I was never brave I simply hid. I waited for death and when it didn’t come...I waited some more. Cowered. That was the word. I cowered from life in the dark dank dungeon of a subway.
I was the character, the pods were the boss. This is my last life, there is no continue, and my health is low. I am Mario skittering on the edge of tiny blocks with fireballs whizzing over my head, one wrong move and game over. Bowser's victory, Peaches Demise.
I feel the wind lick my face and feel my grip tighten around the golf club. The pings of
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