The Half-Blood Giant

Chapter 3: Losing Control

Being new parents was harder on the couple than either of them expected. Jackie was fatigued from taking care of the baby, but also from her magic being drained every time she breastfed the child. For whatever reason, he continued to sap blood magic from her even after birth. Jackie had hopes that he would grow to be a powerful spellcaster, so he could defend himself if he ran into trouble.

Jackie was grateful, at least, that she didn't have to work a job. While the baby was often up all night, he still had to sleep at some point, and sometimes she could get rest during that time as well. The care of the child was almost entirely up to her, since he was too small for her giant husband to handle safely. Chester helped to the best of his ability. Indeed, his assistance was necessary for Jackie to get around their colossal home, use appliances like the sink and the lights, and access necessary supplies. As was their norm beforehand, Chester also did all the cooking and housework, since Jackie was too small.

Regardless of the minor things he could do to help, Chester felt terribly guilty for not being able to do more. He felt like a bad husband and a bad father. He feared his child would not bond as well with him. The most he could do was hold the baby in his palm, as he did when Jackie first returned from the hospital, or touch him gingerly with the tip of his finger. In those moments, he felt connected to the baby, but otherwise he could only stand back and watch as Jackie did everything. His only consolation was that his infant son wasn't frightened of him, as he worried he would be.

He could plainly see how tired and overworked his wife was from the experience. Unfortunately, Chester still had his innate powerful appetite for human meat to contend with. He hated to be more of a burden on Jackie, but he had difficulty restraining himself when he had fewer chances to eat or even taste her. Jackie was unable to cast her protective anti-digestive spell for weeks at a time, and when she wasn't taking care of the baby, she urgently needed rest.

Chester was disturbed to find himself reverting to strange habits as he felt more and more starved for human flesh. He would prowl about through each room, padding silently up behind Jackie as if stalking prey. His sense of smell sharpened to a keen edge: He could smell Jackie's irresistible scent all over the house. Even his hearing seemed to improve, to where he could pick up her vitals, the faintest heartbeat and breathing that made his own pulse quicken with excitement. He was constantly drooling, drowning in his own saliva. His gastrointestinal organs growled and complained for living meat. Even worse, Jackie seemed oblivious to his hungry fixation on her, his constant predatory stares, perhaps because of her fatigue and her focus on caring for the child. She would be easy prey, if only he were willing to lower his inhibitions.

The giant did everything he could to resist his overwhelming impulses. He gorged himself on fresh meat and ate multiple meals and snacks throughout the day. He kept his distance from Jackie when he started to feel like he was losing control. He'd run errands to get out of the house, if only for a short time. He found ways to distract himself, retreating to his study to write or read. He struggled more and more to focus on his work, however, and instead found himself fantasizing about devouring Jackie. He would be typing up his novel, or working on a freelance gig, and he'd instead have pages written from the darkest recesses of his mind, sick fantasies about eating his wife, sometimes more bloodthirsty and violent than he had ever imagined in the past.

Of course, Chester did not wish to harm his beloved or eat her against her will. He was horrified by his intrusive thoughts and struggled to repress them with all his willpower. The more he was denied, however, the stronger they grew. He distanced himself from Jackie, so he wouldn't be tempted to shove her in his mouth and scarf her down, but she always needed his help. Also, she required his love and support, and appreciated his huge presence around her. Jackie knew Chester well, but since he was ashamed of his inner thoughts and needs, he failed to communicate his problems with her. Consequently, she failed to understand his behavior and was hurt by the indifference she perceived from him that masked his darker intentions. His hunger was driving a wedge between them.