The Half-Blood Giant

Chapter 41: Predator

"Hunter... I haven't eaten since..." Hannah shivered at the memory of the giant swallowing her whole. "I haven't eaten in almost two days... and I'm so thirsty..."

"I'll take care of you, my pet," Hunter purred down to her, his voice rumbling through his vast chest. Hannah wanted to retch at the pet name, which was far from endearing considering that she was his captive. He sat up and got out of bed—a simple act for him, but Hannah could feel the raw power of his muscles as he moved, fully aware of his immense size compared to her. She was terrified of what he was capable of if she angered him. She kept silent as he took her to the sink and held her next to the faucet so she could drink. She slurped the water greedily until her thirst was slaked.

"We'll have to go to the cafeteria for food," Hunter informed her. "However... I can't have you making any noise..."

"I promise I'll be quiet," Hannah piped up, a bit too eagerly. Hunter looked down at her cupped in his palm, tilting his head skeptically. Hannah flashed him a weak, uncertain smile. If she could just get around other people, where her cries could be heard, she'd have a fighting chance...

"No..." Hunter mumbled, shaking his head. "That won't do." As he examined her, his huge eyes lit up. "I have an idea." He stomped around the giant dormitory, jostling Hannah in his enclosed hand as he searched for something. Hannah grabbed his fingers for support, feeling dizzy from all the movement. Finally, he found what he was looking for and triumphantly held up a roll of tape. Hannah's heart sank into her stomach.

Hunter cut a small strip of fabric off the edge of an old shirt that no longer fit his tremendous bulk and handed it to Hannah. "Put this in your mouth."

Hannah stared at the rag in her hand before looking back up at Hunter, eyes blazing. "Absolutely not!"

The giant loomed over her darkly. She couldn't help but cower as she craned her neck back to meet his eyes. "It's either this, or you go back in my stomach." Hannah stuffed the rag in her mouth so fast she almost choked on it. "All the way, Hannah." Eyes watering, she forced the last bit between her jaws.

Hunter gestured for her to collect her hair and lift it up. Once she complied, he wrapped a thick strip of tape tightly around her mouth and head, looping it several times before sticking it down. He made sure not to tape her nose so she could breathe. Hannah tested the gag and tried to talk, but she could hardly make a single sound. Her voice was muffled enough that no giant would be able to hear her, even if one was standing right next to Hunter. She tugged at the tape with her fingers, but it was too tightly wound and heavy-duty for her to peel it off with her teeny nails.

After a moment of consideration, Hunter bound her wrists and ankles with tape as well. She shot him a scathing glare, but he was pleased with himself. "It's for your own good, my pet," he assured her, dropping her into his pants pocket. As much as he would prefer to hold her in his hand, or put her in his breast pocket, he worried she would be spotted with how frisky she could get. He stuck the roll of tape in his opposite pocket.

He was grateful to have her restrained and silenced after the bell rang, because soon enough his classmates came swarming back. Hunter sauntered off to the cafeteria as if nothing were amiss. He noticed that his constant cravings to eat humans weren't as strong, now that he had eaten a few and kept Hannah in his belly for so long. Even his regular hunger was subdued. He wondered to himself, yet again, if his body was feeding off of more than just their physical forms. He almost appeared to draw magical energy from consuming them. His height expansion didn't hurt his body so much.

He picked up his supplemental meal from the lunchroom and snuck over to one of the empty classrooms. He didn't find it hard to avoid people or stay out of sight, since he could sniff them out long before they could see him. He shut the door behind him and waited until the building was mostly deserted before removing Hannah from his pocket.