With that I faced in the direction I was heading then partly hobbled on my throbbing foot further along the path. In the distance I could see where the path left the confines of the trees, adjoining a cobblestone road and a cottage in which the beast called home. My heart began to pound with so much force that I was sure I would soon to die from fear alone, while part of me wished I had.
Chapter 4 – The Cottage
The sky quickly darkened the moment I reached the end of the path and a chill filled the air. The trees were more scarce leaving only stumps in their wake as though recently felled, yet it was clear they hadn’t been chopped down by an experienced axe-man but rather an clumsy oaf leaving broken wooden stumps in a haphazard fashion. Some of the remains of the smaller trees looked as though they had been snapped rather than chopped down. Even within the clearing I felt confined with an overpowering feeling of claustrophobia causing me to stop within my tracks.
To the right the beast’s dilapidated cottage, looking more like a dank hovel, was visible within my peripheral vision. I dared not look directly at it out of fear but part of me wished to get this over with as quickly as possible. I took just a moment to look behind me, at the path lined with flowers and the lush forest, before fixing my gaze upon the cottage and heading directly for it. My stride was confident defying how I felt inside. It was lucky that I had fasted for three days for if I hadn’t my meal that day would have been expelled, and likely from more than one orifice.
The front door was off its hinges and covered with flakes of peeling black paint revealing rotten wood beneath. There was a knocker on the front upon which I tried unsuccessfully to knock on the door but failed due it being rusted stuck. The small cottage window was filthy with dirt so I couldn’t tell if anyone was inside.
“…, …,” I said silently as my mouth couldn’t form a single word.
My empty stomach winced and my heart grew audible once more. I had to take a large intake of breath then licked my dry lips before gulping.
“Greetings,” I said in the tone of a timid mouse, “Is there anyone home?”
I dared not make an attempt to open the door as it was likely to fall from its frame so instead I peeked my head around the side poking my head inside the cottage. It appeared deserted, the fireplace filled with ashes, the furnishings coated in mould and a large grandfather clock stuck at twelve. There was no discernible odour either other than what was to be expected from a deserted hovel. For a moment I suspected I had stumbled upon the wrong cottage but then noticed the dried bloodstains splashed against the brickwork around the fireplace.
Squeezing my way around the broken door I fully entered the cottage keeping my eyes firmly focused upon the blood splatter hoping that the poor unfortunate soul it came from had experienced a swift painless death.
“Greetings,” I said this time in a louder tone.
There was a narrow staircase at the far side of the room so I made my way closer to it and looked up the stairs. It was a wonder anyone, man or beast, could climb such damaged rotten steps without risk of injury.
“I am here for you!” I called out, “I’m to be your… I wish to speak with you.”
There was no response so I sat down upon a small wooden stool in front of the window. It wasn’t long before droplets of rain started to form against the filthy pane as I proceeded to wait patiently whilst trying to keep my mind clear of thought. The more the rain fell the more loudly I could hear dripping in the corner of the room as a puddle formed in the corner, the cottage was in a bad state and needed far more than minor repairs. It wouldn’t be long before the entire place collapsed hopefully trapping the beast within. The splashing of water drops against the surface of the puddle was more than just an irritation however, for I wanted so much to keep my mind clear of thought, it was a distraction which only reminded me of my predicament. Forcing closed my eyes I took a number of deep breaths only to suddenly open them again as I heard hurried footsteps making their way closer to the cottage.
Chapter 5 – Examination
My first instinct was to jump to my feet but my legs simply wouldn’t move and I froze to the spot petrified with fear. Large fat fingers, with dirty yellow nails, could be seen as they held the sides of the broken door before lifting it out of the way with ease.
“Greetings,” I blurted out not wishing to surprise the beast before he entered the cottage.
There was a momentary pause while my heart continued to pound. The fat hands placed the door to one side then slowly a head peeked through the doorway. It was frightening yet far less so that what I was expecting. He was more man than beast yet every feature of his face was exaggerated to the extreme. His beard was wide and scruffy, his nose long and twisted, his forehead protruding and his eyebrows thick. There was even a wart upon his head that was swollen to at least an inch across. His large eyes were bright while his smile revealed a set of contorted bad teeth. He appeared pleased to see me.
“Pardon my ingression for entering your humble abode uninvited, I was…” I stared to speak but the beast interrupted me.
“I was looking for you in that there woods,” he said, “You’s from that kingdom place, selected for me, yea?”
I couldn’t help but let out a small smile for I didn’t expected the beast to speak. It was clear the rumours of the beast’s appearance and mannerisms had been far from accurate, however remembering that he still intended to kill me my smile soon faded.
“Yes,” I said nodding my head.
The beast entered the cottage hunching his shoulders and stooping his head. He must have been at least eight feet tall yet lived in such a confined space making me wonder if the cottage itself was just for the benefit of his selected victims. The only clothing he wore was a large loin cloth made of fur but he was still protected against the elements due to a vast amount of hair covering the rest of his body. He held a large cloth sack which he dropped in the corner of the room not bothered that it was resting against the puddle of rain water. There was a wooden chair which was far too small for him to sit upon so instead he crouched upon the floor atop a moth eaten rug. A ghastly smell wafted from him.
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” I said for the sake of making conversation and to keep this horrid event as civil as possible.
“Ave you now?” He responded.
I nodded while giving a false smile.
“This deal you have with the kingdom has been active for a vast number of years yet for me all I’ve done is sign legal documents to continue the arrangement,” I said, “I should have made a point to come to meet you sooner, you’re certainly not what I expected.”
“You do know what you’re here for don’t yer?” The beast said directly.
I nodded.
“Then let’s get down to business,” he said as he clambered back to his feet and started rummaging though the cloth sack he had earlier placed down.
My body shook and it took all my mental will to stand from the small stool.
“My name’s Juliana by the way,” I said while loosening the tie that held my dress in place, “I wasn’t selected for this I actually took it upon myself to come here. A volunteer in the true sense of the word. This will surprise you but I’m actually…”
“Righty so,” the beast responded, “I’m Bernard.”
“That’s a nice name,” I said letting my dress drop to the floor revealing my full nudity, “It really suits you too. I often find names a good indication of a person’s true character.”
The beast retrieved the object he was searching for then turned to face me holding a rusted saw in his hand. His expression was one of genuine surprise. Cocking his head to one side he placed the saw onto the wooden chair beside him.
“I’m afraid to say that I’m a little embarrassed,” I said as I felt my cheeks begin to warm.
I wanted to close my eyes to hide myself from my own view but that would have been pointless. Instead I stretched out my arms and parted my legs letting the beas
t get a good view of my body while my face gave off a bright red glow of embarrassment.
“What is you doing?” He said, “Why are you all nude?”
“Oh, I thought you wanted to inspect me first, to see if I’m suitable, um,” I said in a panic before quickly bending down and retrieving my dress.
The beast stared at me and waved his hand in a downward fashion wishing for me to lower the dress once more. I did as he wanted and took the same pose as before while he stroked his beard. He then moved closer, his ghastly breath all the more noticeable, as he gazed his eyes up and down my body. I cleared my throat.
“I’ve fasted for three days so you’ll find nothing unpleasant within my entrails,” I said not believing the casual manner in which I was speaking about such a thing, “And my skin has been shaved smooth and bathed.”
The beast’s rough fingers touched my arm, causing me to shudder, as he stroked my skin. It took all my effort to remain still as his hand moved lower down to my hip squeezing my flesh. His breathing became rough, like a waking snore, caressing my body moving both his hands around my breasts. His touch wasn’t gentle either as he proceeded to squeezed them tight, kneading his fingers in deep, like my breasts were putty. I dared not tell him to stop in case it angered him so remained silent repressing the discomfort I felt.
“Why you have an odd belly button then?” He said still holding my breasts while looking down at my tummy.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“It pokes out?” He said before removing his hands from my body then prodding my belly button.
My breasts tingled and had become a shade of purple looking somewhat out of shape. I was perplexed however why he found my navel to be out of the ordinary, but it was then that I realised I hadn’t seen one before other than my own so wasn’t sure what normal was when it came to that part of the body. The curse of a sheltered upbringing perhaps.
“Aren’t they supposed to?” I asked to which he shook his head in reply.
“They go in,” he said changing his position and showing his belly and where his navel should have been if it wasn’t for the hairy mass of tangled hairs it hid behind.
“It goes to show we learn something new every day,” I said, “It turns out I’m unique. It’s quite fitting when you think about it for I’m certainly not a commoner.”
“It’ll give me something to nibble on,” the beast said with a grin.
His hands then returned to my body teasing my naval a little more then sliding lower touching the intimate part of my body which felt all the more sensitive having been shaved smooth.
“Oh, erm, um, so does my body meet to your satisfaction,” I quickly asked while lurching myself back from his reach.
He began stroking his beard once more pondering on my question while still staring at me.
“Comes to think of it you’s a bit skinny,” he said calmly, “More bone than flesh, but you’ll aft to do.”
Strangely I felt partly annoyed by his response.
“Now let’s get started,” he said before retrieving the saw from the chair behind him.
Chapter 6 – Learning Respect
My eyes lit up as I stared at the saw within the beast’s hand. It was a common wood saw with a worn rusted blade that he held aloft allowing me get a clear view of it. My focus was fixed, trying to blank out all thought, knowing my life was soon at an end. I just hoped he knew where and how fast to cut.
Within an instant he grabbed my right wrist within a tight grip then slid the saw across my forearm causing a piercing pain as the saw ripped into my flesh. I couldn’t believe my own eyes as I saw blood and pieces of flesh trapped between the teeth of the saw blade. For a moment I felt I was outside my own body looking at myself, as though my soul had already departed, but the pain soon reminded me that it wasn’t the case. I screamed at the top of my voice as blood dribbled to the floor.
“How dare you!” I yelled at the top of my voice, “Do you have any idea who I am? I am the Queen of this very kingdom and all its surrounding lands. I’m here voluntary. You do not remove limbs before slaughtering me first and you certainly should never use a rusty wood saw!”
The beast was taken aback and lowered the saw letting go of my wrist.
“Now fetch me a bandage quickly!” I yelled holding my wound while blood seeped between my fingers, “And it better be clean!”
The beast was in a panic and had the appearance of a frightened child before rushing up the narrow staircase at the back of the room.
“Hurry!” I shouted.
My rage was repressing my fear while the pain fuelled my anger in a continuous cycle, but I knew it wouldn’t last for I was already feeling exhausted both emotionally and physically. It had only taken a single slice for me to feel such excruciating pain and I wondered how it would have coped to have the entire arm removed let alone watched the beast consume it in front of me.
“Hurry!” I shouted again with the blood continuing to seep through my fingers and onto the floor soaking the silk dress I had placed in front of me.
I heard the beast take a tumble in the room upstairs before he clambered his way back down the narrow staircase. In his hand was a filthy piece of linen looking as though he had just torn it from his bed.
“This is clean,” he said in a near breathless tone of exhaustion.
It would have to do. Before I had the chance to take it from him however he grabbed my arm once more and rapped the material around the wound. It stung and I had to grit my teeth as he tightly tied the bandage in place. It was already staining red due to the blood soaking through.
“It’ll stop, it will,” the beast said, “I’ve cut myself many a time, the blood stops. You’ll see.”
Repressing my urge to cover the bandage with my hand I stretched out my arm instead and began rocking on the stool trying to somehow will the pain away. It wasn’t working and seeing the bloodied saw on the floor only made the pain worse as it throbbed. I glanced my head away as my body trembled.
“I’m cold,” I said bluntly, “Light a fire.”
“The wood’s damp with this rain,” the beast replied.
“I don’t care!” I snapped, “Light a blasted fire and remove that thing from my sight!”
I pointed at the bloodied saw with my foot not daring to get up from the stool or move my arm. The beast heaved himself up and retrieved the saw placing it back into the cloth sack in the corner, then headed back through the doorway of the cottage and out into the rain.
“It won’t light I promise yer,” he said over his shoulder.
There was the distinctive taste of blood within my mouth yet I had no idea how it gotten there. I had to remain strong yet focus my anger on dealing with the ghastly predicament I found myself to be in for I knew collapsing to the floor in tears was the alternative I didn’t want to take.
It was just a minute or so later that the beast re-entered the cottage holding a small pile of logs that he carried over to the fireplace. They were more than just damp, they were soaked, and very unlikely to burn.
“Use… burn a rag,” I said, “You need something to start the flame.”
The beast rubbed his beard before turning and heading back upstairs.
Chapter 7 – A Cosy Chat
An hour or so had passed yet my bandaged arm still felt painful. The bleeding had stopped but I was afraid to bend my arm out of fear of it starting again so continued to keep it outstretched. I had no idea how deep the gash was, it may not have been that deep at all, yet I still couldn’t help feeling it may have been down to the bone. My bloodsoaked silk dress was ruined so I was still naked as I sat upon the stool. The cottage door had been positioned back in place to avoid a draft while the logs in the fireplace started to splutter their way into flames. I was crouched forward trying to absorb what little warmth there was within the cottage. Other than the sounds coming from the fireplace and the rain continuing to pour outside there was silence as both myself and the beast looked down at the f
loor.
I took a breath ready to speak but wasn’t sure what to say while the beast continued to rub his beard sensing I wanted to talk.
“So…” he said before remaining silent.
“Is that how you usually make your kills?” I asked turning my gaze toward him before looking at the fire.
He nodded but remained silent.
“It’s ghastly,” I said calmly.
“They faint normally,” the beast said, “Scream really loud and faint. I like screams. Gut screams are the best when they can’t catch breath. At one time this…”
“I’ve really no desire to know!” I said staring right at him, “It’s barbaric, beyond savage. You’ve no decency.”
My anger still remained so I was still brave enough to tell him how I really felt, yet I was partially keeping it under wraps repressing my desire to yell. Maybe my words were enough for him to tone down his evil nature for those selected as future sacrifices. I needed to act on their behalf not just my own.
He remained quiet as I tried to adjust my seating position to get nearer to the fire without having to bend my arm in the process. I failed in my attempt however and took a sharp intake of breath through gritted teeth. I sensed the beast was enjoying me suffer. Maybe he was toying with me.
“You can’t help what you are,” I continued, “Human beings are your source of food, I understand and accept that. But you must not cause unnecessary suffering, that’s not the way civilised beings behave.”
“Well I can’t eat you without yous suffering can I?” He responded.
“You should make your kills swift to cause the least amount of suffering possible,” I said whilst trying to remain calm, “Slaughter me as you would with cattle. After I’m dead you can do whatever you desire with my remains removing my limbs in whatever manner you see fit.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath not believing the surreal conversation taking place. The beast rubbed his beard in his usual fashion whilst in thought. The logs in the fireplace crackled as the flames increased in size filling the cottage with a warm glow as darkness drew in outside.
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