Page 13 of Fresh Flesh

Lurg

I stepout of my quarters and look around at the house. It is very neat and tidy indeed. Maisie has spent days chasing every last little bit of dust and grime out of every corner and hidey hole they were in.

I admire her work ethic, among other things. She has slipped right into our lives and fits very well indeed. Even the grousing Mlarx seems happy to have her around now.

Last time I did not get to take her fully. I want to rectify that, as soon as possible. Alas, I have been so very busy.

I want more from her than just a little playtime. Maisie hardly helps matters, being as she is such a tease. I know what she’s up to when she ‘accidentally’ drops things when I’m standing behind her. I know all of her veiled smiles and half lidded gazes are intended to drive me crazy.

I’m getting more and more frustrated with it, and it’s worse every day.

Finally, one day when it’s about time for a harvest I see her sashaying her way across the kitchen, and I decide enough is enough.

“Come here, Maisie.”

She puts down the plate of grapes she’d been carrying and comes my way. Her eyes are wide open, eager, and they dance with just a little bit too much impetuous light for my taste.

“It is nearly time for a harvest. You are to go to the corral, and pick out only the fattest humans for our next meal. I am in the mood for something greasy.”

I lick my lips. She frowns.

“I don’t want to cook my own kind.”

“I never said you were to cook them. I just want you to go and pick them out.”

I shove the door open and then shove her through it. Before she can protest I slam the door shut behind her.

She straight up vanishes for a long while. After the first hour, I figure she’s out doing the job that I gave her. I hated doing that part of my job, anyway.

I don’t like having to look my food in the eye. I’m not like Mlarx who can go out and slaughter his food personally. That’s just one of the differences between the two of us.

After two hours, I begin to wonder what’s wrong. I pace about the house awaiting her return. I almost ask one of my subordinates to go and search for her, but I fear that would tip my hand to the fact I’m keeping her as a pet and servant.

After the third hour passes, I finally give up and head out of the house to go and find her. The search does not take me long. She has not gone far at all. I'm surprised to find her sitting on the front porch, her knees drawn up and her arms hugging her legs.

She does not look at me as I stand over her, arms crossed over my chest as I stare down with disapproval.

“How long have you been sitting here?” I demand to know.

She shrugs in response, still not looking at me.

“Have you done as I told you to?”

Maisie looks over at me at last, her eyes fierce and hard.

“No, I didn’t. I’m sorry, I can’t do that. I can’t do that to my own people.”

Anger rises in me, boiling like lava ready to explode in an eruption.

“You’re going to do it.” I grab her arm, dragging her to her feet. She offers no resistance, but neither does she stop acting sullen.

I shove her ahead of me into the corral. Frightened humans look our way, all of them wondering what she’s doing among them. Unlike the rest of them, she’s clean and wearing untorn clothing.

“Choose,” I snarl. “And never forget that you could be one of them with but a snap of my fingers.”

She looks over at the pathetic gaggle of humans in this section, and points one of them out.

“Him, the one with the beard and glasses in the back.”

I nod, and then gesture at two of the guards. They go and club the man over the head, knocking him to the ground, before they drag him off.

We repeat the process at every section, always getting the biggest, plumpest human around. Maisie has tears in her eyes when we finish. I stare at her and sneer.

“Let this be a reminder of what can happen if you don’t follow my commands.”

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