Happy October 🎃

Day 20: Joren

Joren whimpers as he clutches his thin body, walking into his Master's bedroom. He doesn't like to disrupt him, but he knows he can't wait any longer.

"I-I am hungry, Mr...." Joren whines, looking at his small feet.

The man grumbles. "Then go make food, you're the servant, not me."

"B-but Mister, I-I feel too sick to cook right now."

"Too sick? To do your job? Nonsense!" He scolds. "I want you downstairs preparing dinner right now. If I hear any complaints from you, I'm firing you. Is that what you want?"

"N-no, no, pl-please don't fire me, Mister!" Joren whimpers and slugs his way back downstairs into the opulent kitchen. He runs his bony fingers over his face, his skin sucked into his skull. He lets out another whine as he trudges over to the fridge.

He knows he can't just eat, his Master is much more complicated than that, he knows he would get into big trouble if he tried to eat raw ingredients or snacks. He shakily reaches out to grab some ingredients, rolling up his oversized sleeve.

He quickly tries to think up of something he can make with these ingredients. He feels his insides churning, like he's about to barf. But he swallows his hunger down, knowing he'll have to deep clean the floors if he pukes.

Joren quickly rushes to the stove to take out the proper utensils and seasonings, quickly starting dinner. He was going for something fast, yet delicious enough for his Master to be full and satisfied.

He decided a fancy tomato sauce pasta would do. His Master loved pasta, and tomatoes. Joren also threw in some sausage, knowing he needed the protein to get better. His stomach growled as he could smell all the different flavours.

"Please... please... pl-please get th-this over with..." Joren begged as he waited for the pasta to boil, stirring up the sauce and sausage in another pan. He tried to think of something else, anything else, other than food. Joren gently lifted his shirt, swallowing hard as he looked at himself. He ran his fingers over his torso, feeling each individual rib. He gasps, his breath getting heavier with worry.

He tries to focus back on his food, ignoring his malnutrition. Finally, the noodles were done. He quickly adds them to the pasta, stirring in some pasta water to keep it moist. Now, he just had to call up his Master. He plates the food and sets it on the table, before rushing back upstairs.

"What do you want now, Joren? Is dinner ready?"

"Y-yes, M-Mister. I-it's done. Pl-please come and eat," he begged, pleaded.

His Master took his time to get downstairs, as well as situating himself into his seat. Once he picked up his fork and took the first bite, it was like he was eating in slow motion, teasing Joren. Joren was sat next to him, drooling over the dish. He whimpered, his stomach growling louder. He felt like he was about to cry right there over a plate of pasta.

After a few measly bites, his Master hums, shoving the plate towards Joren. "Finish it for me."

Joren immediately picked up the fork and stuffed his face until he choked. He cried as he ate, licking the plate, trying to chew before he swallowed, but he was so hungry, he was basically inhaling it.

"Jeez, slow yourself," his Master scoffed. "You act like I starve you."

Joren frowned. He did starve Joren. But he couldn't complain.

"I'm full. You can have whatever leftover you have in the pot."

Joren nodded. His Master liked to eat a full meal, but perhaps he ate after work. After Joren scraped his dish clean, he served himself more until he was bloated and sick. His Master watched every second of it in amusement. Joren burped quietly, rubbing his bloated stomach.

"Better now? Hm?" His Master tittered.

"Y-yes, M-Mister. Th-thank you f-for letting m-me eat a-a lot."

"Better than scraps, right?"

Joren nods. "Y-yes, Mister. B-better than scraps. Th-thank you."

"Good. Now get out of my sight."

Joren nods and quickly retreats to the kitchen to do the dishes. He was full, and slightly overstuffed, but he felt more fed than he had his entire life. He hoped there would be more days like this, more days where he got to eat, rather than dream of eating.