Satan's Hunger

7

Jacob was sitting so close to Kaitlyn that his hip was pressed up against hers. His hand was on her thigh. It was trembling a little but she couldn't be sure whether it was from fear or anger.

'The blindfold,' Kaitlyn said. 'Did you remember to bring it?'

Jacob let go of her thigh. She heard him fish around in his pocket. He slid the sash over her eyes, tied it hard at the back of her head, then laid his hand on her knee.

And so they drove. Nobody spoke. The engine rumbled. It sounded a little rough, as though the car was old. It certainly smelled old. Was it her imagination or could she smell stale BO? Kaitlyn grimaced but didn't complain.

Her stomach growled.

'Won't be long and we'll stop for food,' Jacob said. 'We just want to get as far away as possible first.'

'Okay.'

'How do you feel?'

'Weak and tired but all right.' She gave a faint smile, then grimaced at another hunger pang. 'I'm just a little ... worried.'

Jacob's grip tightened around Kaitlyn's knee. 'I'm sorry, Kaitlyn, for being so ... angry. I just needed to get you out of there.'

'I understand.' She rested her hand upon his.

Kaitlyn gazed blindly towards the ceiling. They drove straight for a long time before eventually turning sharply to the left. She heard a car roar past. A horn tooted, making Kaitlyn jerk.

'It's nothing,' Jacob said.

Kaitlyn leaned back in her seat, though her heart was still racing. She couldn't wait for her life to get back to normal, when she wouldn't jump at silly things and have to keep looking over her shoulder. Her stomach gave another growl.

Soon, Kaitlyn was falling in and out of sleep, despite still feeling groggy from her long sleep earlier in the day. A bump jolted her awake. A sharp turn made her grip onto the armrest. Samuel's seat squeaked continuously as the road became rougher.

Kaitlyn drifted into sleep again, only to wake up soon after at a flash of blue eyes. She sucked in a breath at a sharp pang in her stomach. She tried to shift position, but a second, much more significant, jab of pain froze her to the spot. Turning away, she bit her lip, trying not to alert Jacob. It didn't work.

'Are you okay, Kaitlyn? What's wrong?'

'I'm fine. Just hungry, I think.'

'There's a place not far ahead,' Samuel told her.

'Do you need to stop to relieve yourself?' Jacob said.

'It's not that.' She couldn't keep the tremor out of her voice.

Jacob paused. 'Then what is it?'

She heard someone twist in their seat. 'Kaitlyn? Do you need help?' David.

Kaitlyn gripped at her stomach again. She could feel it more clearly now—and it wasn't gut pain. It was coming from somewhere lower. Her heart began to pound.

Kaitlyn wiped her mouth. 'Yes. I need a—I need a bathroom.'

'You're not telling me something,' Jacob said suspiciously. 'I can hear it in your voice. What is it?'

Kaitlyn shook her head.

'Kaitlyn.'

Kaitlyn winced at another stab of pain. She sucked in a shuddering breath as a lump swelled in her throat. 'Just—just pull over when you can.'

'Won't be long,' Samuel said.

Maybe fifteen minutes later, she felt the car slow, then ease to the right as they pulled over. A car roared past. Jacob helped to unbuckle her belt. Car doors opened.