Hunger Pains

Katrina tried to concentrate on the wash but the sharp pains in her stomach kept reminding her of its emptiness. She could hear Melanie in the background stoking the fire, complaining dramatically; which only furthered Katrina’s irritation. Where the hell was Daniel?

Daniel had gone out the day before with his gun. Her brother hadn’t been blessed with a sharp intellect, that was for sure, but he was very able at procuring food. She and Melanie, his equally dim wife, had been waiting for him to return ever since. They fully expected him by night fall, but when he hadn’t returned, they went to bed with empty stomachs. Now, they were growing desperate with hunger. She hoped nothing had happened to him- she shuddered at the thought of existing in the isolated cabin with just Melanie for companionship. At least Daniel didn’t waste his breath speaking of things he nothing about. Melanie was a constant irritation, going on about some of the strangest things.

She was about to comment angrily on Melanie’s most recent stupid remark when she saw him, through the window, emerging from the tree line. It was Daniel, and he had food with him! He was toting it behind. She shrieked and Melanie came to the window and clapped her hands like a child. Katrina could not be bothered with her sister in law’s ridiculous childishness. She was far too happy to have Daniel back with supper for them all.

She went to the block and gathered her things, instructing Melanie to do the same. It would be difficult to prepare the meat with the hunger pains spurring her on. But she was the most skilled at preparation and she only hoped that Melanie wouldn’t mangle the fine meat too badly. They watched the window and ran to the door as Daniel approached.

Flinging the door opened, her brother smiled a broad, broken tooth grin. He was sweating profusely from dragging the sack behind him. With a great effort he hauled it to the middle of the great kitchen. Inside, they could hear the muffled whines.

"It’s still alive?" Melanie asked, looking at the sack with disdain.

"Of course- you stupid girl," Katrina said as she worked hurriedly to untie the sack. With an effort on the tight knot, she finally freed the draw string and the sack fell away. They all three stood over their prospective meal with lusty eyes.

The girl was young- her stricken face, bloodied but her eyes were wild with excitement- fear. She was bound at the wrists and ankles and masked over her mouth. Daniel rubbed his hands together, "I almost lost her. She was with some others but fell behind. We are lucky."

"He provides for those that help themselves," Katrina said plainly, gathering her things and handing something to Melanie and Daniel both. Melanie looked at the instrument in her hand and smiled. She knew she would be eating well soon.

They stood on three sides of the girl and bowed their heads, Daniel leading them in some prayer in a foreign tongue. After a brief silence, they looked down on their prey and crept in close.

The girl looked up in unbelieving horror as they all raised the hammers in their hands and she closed her eyes, unable to scream.