Days of Horror

Day 11: Hunger

Hello. Are you hungry?

Wait, wait. Don't leave. There's no need to be afraid.

I just wanted to know if you were looking for some food. Everyones been getting so hungry these days. Fighting over scraps in the streets like rabid little animals. Not that I can blame them. There's barely a morsel fit for a little mouse to snack on.

Believe me, I know all about hunger. For the longest time, I was starving down here. With nothing to eat or feast on.

For years, I withered away, becoming nothing more than skin and bones.

But then... ohhohoho!

Then I found a bounty of food!

Bread, cake, chocolates, soup–

Twinkes?

Yes, even twinkes! Full of fluff and flavor that fills you to brim! You like twinkes, don't you?

...y-yes. There my favorite food in the whole world.

Mine too! The golden outside, the nice fluffy, juicy inside. Such a wonderful little invention. They're simply the best!

Do you... do you have any twinkes down there?

Well... let me see...

Aha! Why, yes! I do! In fact, I have a whole case of them down here! Would you like one? You look so hungry. Practically skin and bones!

Well...

What's wrong? Don't you want something tasty to eat?

Well, yes... but my brothers looking for me. And I really shouldn't be gone for too long...

Ohhhh, don't worry. This will be quick. Take only a moment. Well... maybe two. I promise you though, your brother will find you before you know it. Besides... aren't you hungry? I know I am! Your lucky I'm willing to share!

...Alright.

Great! I have them right here. You just have to come a little closer.

That's it, closer now.

Closeeeeer.

Clossssseeeeerrrrr.

CLOSER.

Stephen could feel the brackish water leaking through his shoddy shoes, wetting his bare feet with the remains of God knows what.

Stephen shivered and let out a sigh of disgust, shuffling through the muck, his flashlights weak beams cutting through the dark.

He knew he shouldn't be down here. His parents had told him to steer clear of the sewers. Always told him they were no place for a child.

And yet, here he was, making his way through the garbage. All because his little brother had run off.

In truth, it wasn't all his fault. He'd been saying for days, nearly a week, that he was starving, in need of something to eat. Stephen himself wasn't feeling any different. Even know, with the rank smell of the town's sewers filling his nostrils, all Stephen could feel was his stomach rumbling against his belly.