Words

Twelve

My eyes were wide open, staring at the ceiling with unwavering concentration. Something woke me up―a pain in my stomach that I was far too used to. A grumble suddenly echoed in the room, so I pulled myself out of the bed and tiptoed to where I remembered placing my bookbag.

Taking out the first notebook my fingers brushed against, I ripped it from my bag along with the pen that would soon become my fork. I licked my lips when my eyes landed on a blank page.

Hunger. That was the only instinct driving my actions as I scribbled words onto the crumpled paper. My stomach growled and gurgled like a creature of the night, emitting sounds so monstrous that even the devil would tremble. I wrote with haste, as if every second wasted would bring me closer to my demise.

The overwhelming need to eat; I couldn't take it anymore. Using the moonlight that illuminated the room as a guide to write, I continued to devour my words under its gentle gaze. The shadows cast by the words hovering above me seemed to dance with every letter I ate.

With every word that passed my lips, the storm that rumbled within me settled. I smiled in relief when my food graced my tongue with its presence. The knowledge that came with my midnight dessert was satisfying. Each word laced with the memories and secrets of its existence. It was saddening to think of what I needed to sacrifice for this gift, yet my hunger for words won over my worries. For this, it was worth it.

I looked above, savoring the sight. The way the starlit sky reflected off of my words was beautiful. The universe was in my hands, bouncing on the walls as I ate. Briefly, I wondered what would happen if I swallowed those very stars. I licked my lips, staring at my pen with hungry eyes. I wanted to taste it; to have infinite knowledge all to myself. What would happen if I ate the universe? The possibilities were endless.

Excited butterflies beat their wings in my stomach as I hesitantly reached for the pen. I licked my lips once more, ignoring the uncertainty that lingered in the back of my mind. The paper crumpled under my hand as I trembled from a mixture of fear and impatience.

For a moment, I let the pen bleed a single dot through the page before breathing out a ragged sigh. Moving my hand in a sloppy manner, I slowly traced out the 'U.' Something stirred within me, an inhumane greed that I never experienced before. More the reason to eat, I suppose. It wouldn't hurt anyone, right?

I gulped, beginning to write the next letter when the door suddenly opened, snapping me from my trance.

"Ziv? Are you up? I heard something and wanted to see..." Light flooded in the room as Mother entered. I was forced to shield my eyes from the doorway.

"M-mom? What's wrong?" I questioned, shutting my eyes to block out the light.

"That's what I should be asking you." Her voice was demanding, which usually meant that I was in trouble. "What're you doing up at 2 am? I thought we put you to bed hours ago."

I averted my eyes from her, instead gazing at my notebook. What was I about to do?! I allowed the pen to slip from my fingertips, closing my mouth before the incomplete word could enter. I let my hunger get the best of me again. With trembling hands, I held my forehead in frustration. "I... I was eating," I croaked, unsure if that was the response she wanted.

"Hmm, I see. Well, it's late dear. Make sure you get ready for bed soon; you shouldn't be up this late." The shadows that darkened her normally bright features were intimidating. She looked at me with a sigh before walking into my room, her hand sliding off the door frame that she was leaning on. "Come on, I'll help you clean up." She then picked up my empty notebook and held it to her chest.

I nodded, distracted by my thoughts as I cleared the floor. I was about to eat the universe. Isn't that against the law or something? Even for me, that's too much. This was too much power; could I control it? What... what would happen if the world learned of my existence? Will I be taken away? Will I be experimented on? No! I don't want that.