Silent Secrets

Chapter III

IMPORTANT!!!

Dedication to @the_potions_master for being my 100th follower!!!!! Thanks so so much!!!

~~~~~~ CHAPTER III ~~~~~~

 I made my way to the kitchen, foraging for any food my father generally liked. I came up empty.

I groaned. That meant I would have to risk life and limb to make scrounge up something with what we had, which was a stale bit of bread, moldy cheese, and a carton of spoiled milk. Not much to go on. With a sigh, I looked outside into the darkness, the dingy glow of the streetlight flickering at the end of the block. There was no way I was venturing outside again. I would just have to make do with what I had...which was almost certainly going to get me thrown into a world of hurt beyond what I could handle. I wanted to lock myself away in my cupboard and forget everything, to curl up and cry myself to sleep, but as I thought of the agony that would result, I somehow managed to drag myself together, my mind racing to come up with solutions to the problem at hand.

Ugh. I wish there was just a pre-prepared dinner in the cabinet and I didn't have to do anything or worry...I could just relax...maybe shower... I shook myself from my fantasies, chasing them away into the shadows of my consciousness. I refocused on how in the world I was going to conjure something to suit my father's tastebuds without foraging outside, in a world of monsters and strangers where I knew next to nothing. Don't get me wrong--thanks to my dad, I have brilliant street skills, but also because of him I barely know anything about the real world beyond the darkness, pain, and suffering that exists in it. I sighed, my mind drifting away once more.

A slight skitter and strange thunk in the pantry drew my attention. I shrugged, figuring checking once more to be certain I hadn't missed something was at least a start--it was better than standing around lost in my mind, anyway. As I swung open the cupboard doors, I was astonished to find a steaming dish of what looked like chicken bathed in a creamy white sauce with curly noodles, and a side platter of thinly sliced potatoes covered in cheese. Awed, I dragged both warm dishes into the open and set them on the counter, the heated ceramic bringing life to my numbed hands. Eagerly, I peered into the fridge, not daring to hope for a second miracle. But there, next to the carton of spoiled milk, was a stunning bowl filled with wobbling red gelatin, bright chunks of strawberries quivering within it. Unable to contain myself, I gave a whoop of joy and placed it on the counter next to the rest of the food. Spinning toward the other half of the kitchen, I skipped to the opposite counter and scooped up the flask of brandy, then frowned and selected the whiskey. It was insanely stupid of me, especially now, but the meal looked so extravagant, that brandy looked cheap and sad next to it. Setting the crystal flask next to the meal, I eyed it hungrily. Surely he wouldn't want the wobbly gelatin? He'd never even notice it's absence.

I don't know what possessed me to snatch up the plate and a spoon and gobble down the gooey substance, the smooth, slippery, cool bites sliding down my throat with the taste of heaven. It was the same impulse that caused me to switch the brandy for the fancy, highly intoxicating whiskey. Whatever it was, I quickly forgot my fear of what would happen to me, loosing myself in the stunning burst of flavor exploding on my tongue. Once I'd licked the last dregs of gelatin from the saucer, I looked at it forlornly, almost wishing for more and at the same time scolding myself for not being grateful for what I had experienced. As I prepared to wash the plate, it suddenly sparkled, and grew strangely heavy. I leveled it out just in time as the plate refilled itself, the same mound of sugary delight I had just consumed wobbling on the white dish. Astonished, I looked to the other dishes, wondering if this phenomena would extend to them as well. Curious, I cautiously dug my spoon into the potatoes and lifted it to my mouth, watching the vacant spot expectantly. The warm flavors seeped over my tongue; I craved to polish off this dish as well. The spot soon sparkled, the sudden reappearance of the food I'd taken was all I needed. I dug in, gobbling down the food as though I'd never eat again--which could very well be the truth. My father only fed me when he thought appropriate; besides that I was left to my own devices.

I didn't even check before diving into the chicken, having finished with the potatoes. There was a good half of the potatoes left, as they occupied a platter that could easily feed a normal family of three or four. My eyes popped open as the delicious taste flowed into my mouth. I was shoveling the food down my throat now, unable to get the spoon from the plate to my mouth fast enough. I was terrified my father would return before I could finish eating, or before the food could replenish. Forcing myself to stop as my stomach seemed to be stretching to the point of bursting in my gut, I quickly washed the spoon and shoved it back into the drawer, breathing heavily. The food soon returned to the state I'd found it in, and I felt myself relax. I had a full stomach for once; filled with good, fresh food that hadn't been rotting in a garbage bin for weeks on end. I scuttled upstairs, unwilling to push my luck with a shower, squirrelling myself away back in the darkness of my closet.

A/N:

See @the_potions_master, I didn't forget your dedication! I just...got a little...sidetracked.

Oops. Finally, everyone, the update you've been waiting for!! I hope to update again today to make up for lost time... :)

Adios, my precious pineapples! Please don't forget to Comment, vote, and maybe, possibly, fan?