This was once a longer piece I did some time ago, the AFMBE crowd may remember it. Figured I’d rewrite it down below 350 and see how it came out. I could probably play with it a bit more, but it turned out decent.
Alone and Hungry
Dawn broke, casting bright beams through cracks in boarded windows. He stood in the cramped little tool shed, trying to remember how long he had been there. It was quiet now, the damned things outside having moved on or found other prey. He returned to a pile of dirty blankets and rags and sat, cramped legs fighting him.
Just how long had he been here? His mind was beginning to wander through lack of food. He had wanted to go and find some, but whenever he tried, he would hear the creatures outside, making noises to each other. He forced his sluggish brain to focus and vaguely remembered running, fighting, monsters tearing at him, hiding, blocking the openings, and then closing his eyes. Each day ran into the next, fearing the creatures outside, yet becoming ever weaker with hunger.
Shifting, shambling noises approached, and the door rattled. He stood silently while the things outside made those harsh, guttural sounds, whether to each other or just as a reflex, he wasn’t sure. Something hammered the door and a board pulled free. It shuddered again, and two more boards clattered to the floor. He wanted to scream, but his throat would not work. He poised to sell himself dear, hunger tearing at his insides, and lunged as the last nails came away.
He clutched the first creature that entered, attacking with the only weapon he had, biting down on yielding flesh. Sweet food coursed into his mouth and he tore the beast’s throat away. As it fell, the black stick it carried thundered and a portion of the shed splintered. More guttural grunts and groans erupted and something slammed into his back, knocking him to the ground. He rolled, trying to stand, but a beast held him down with its foot. He clutched at the thing’s leg as its black stick pushed his head against the dirt. He was still hungry, so very hungry, and he moaned his need.
White light flared.
