Hidden Fear

The Yearly Feast

My father lifted himself off the floor and gave one more bow before taking his place again next to mother. "Who are you?" Dolly asked . My mother's head whipped around so fast I was about to get ready to catch it if it fell off. "Dolly! Manners," she said through gritted teeth. The good-looking man before me lifted his hand, " No need for discipline. I am the son of the blessed ones who will give you what you wish for." His bright amber eyes landed on me," if you humbly accept the honor of becoming a guest of house PineHollow."

I didn't even get a chance to answer or even to say one last word to my family. My mother pulled a knife from between her breast and sliced the palm of my hand, she pushed me into the man and held my hand palm facing up in front of him, "We thank you for your gracious honor upon us." Why couldn't you have chosen my sisters? Hell, why not my mom. The man looked down at me, he took the knife from my mother and sliced his palm. With a smile on his stubbled face he said, "May you live a long and healthy life." He pressed his large uncalloused hand against mine and recited words I did not understand. Once done, he gave my parents a quick bow. The more I focused on the man before me, his appearance became a blur. I turned my head to face my family and the room started to spin around me. I drunkenly reached for the man's arm and struggled to stand," W-w-what did you do to me?!"

I awoke to the sound of serving platters being scattered on a table. Forcing my eyes to open, I looked around to find myself in a large dining room. Seated around the large marble table was six chosen guests and the hosts themselves. A tall willowy woman in her mid-50s stood up from her chair at the head of the table and looked at each of our faces. She cleared her throat, " welcome, our honored guests. We thank you for joining us for this year's feast." She motioned for the servants to approach the table. They lifted the lids from each large silver platter and bowed before stepping back in the shadowy corners of the room. "Please enjoy your fill," she opened her arms out wide. I watched as the others jumped from their chairs and tore into the platters like wild animals. I felt sick. How could they eat that!? I watched in disgust as a man tore into the crisp limb of an older woman.

I had to fight the urge to vomit. The woman tilted her head," Dear , are you not hungry?" I watched as the others were digging into various corpses, gnawing on their flesh and bone. The older man sitting next to the woman stood, " You must eat, child. Only strong and healthy are chosen." I flicked my eyes to the man that brought me here. He sat silently beside the woman, his amber eyes burning into mine. "Why?" I choked out , "Why are you doing this? Is this some sick twisted game for you!" The woman slammed her hand against the table and growled, "These bodies are old and weary. Only the young and healthy can ensure our survival." The older man walked behind the guests and watched with pure satisfaction, "The young devour the old, it is tradition. Once you've had your fill, we will choose the one blessed to continue our life."

He stopped behind the chair of the man beside me. The man gnawed at a leg bone like a rabid dog. He looked up at his wife and bowed his head. She motioned for the servants to take the man. "Hey! What the hell?!" He kicked and screamed as they dragged him away. The old man took his place beside his wife. "You see, child. You and your fellow neighbors are so very precious to us." She kissed her husband's cheek and took her turn walking around the table. The man continued where she left off, "we must choose a new host each year. " I watched as the woman came closer. No, please not me. She stopped behind my chair and gave my shoulder a light squeeze, "It's a quick and painless process, you won't feel a thing." With her last words, I felt hands wrap around my arms and yank me from the chair. I was too scared to speak. Flicking my eyes one last time at the man at the head of the table, I silently pleaded for my life.

"No! Stop! Ahhhhhh!" I covered my ears, wishing the screaming would end. Heavy duty chains bounded my feet to a wall. The screams grew more and more louder. The sounds of machinery buzzing, and bones cracking made my stomach churn. Minutes passed and finally the screams had ended. I turned my head to where they had taken the man. Through the glass I could see his skull open and on full display. Lying on the table next to him was the old man. His body had been dismembered. His skull open and emptied. "It's your turn now, sweetie." I looked up to see an older gentleman in blood-stained scrubs smiling down at me. The sound of a steel door opening startled the man."Sir....what brings you here?" I gasped at the sight of the handsome man that dragged me to this agonizing hell. Is he here to save me? His amber eyes took one look at me then focused back on the doctor. " Mother, wishes to speak to her host before the surgery." The doctor bowed and handed the young man the key to my chains," May you live a long and healthy life."

As he dragged me down the corridor, I prayed silently that he was helping me escape. But I was wrong, we exited through a large steel door brought us right in the center of the vast dark woodlands. The woman stood there with that same sickening smile as before, "I needed a little fresh air, the smell of blood gives me a headache. I hope you are well, sweet child ? I'm saddened that you didn't eat. But don't fret, I'll make sure to fill your stomach with many delicious meals once the procedure is finished." The man pushed me towards the woman. I gulped. Her wrinkled hand brushed the loose strands from my face with gentleness, "don't be scared, you have been blessed with a honorable opportunity. Your family will be well taken care of."

"Until the next feast," I spat. She smirked, "Yes. That is how our tradition works." I jerked my head to the side," and what about him? Is he like you too?" She eyed the man behind me and shook her head," No. he was to be my husband's host, but the poor bastard felt pity and decided to raise him as our son." She sighed, running her long nails across my cheek. "Such a beautiful host you are." She took my hand in hers, "May I hug you? It's been so long since I've felt the softness of a younger body." I slowly nodded. She wrapped her arms around me and laid her head on my shoulder, " I'm honored by your sacrifice—" Crunch! The old woman jerked away; she pressed her trembling hand against the side of her neck. "W-what did you do!?" I took a step forward and reached out to touch her face.

My sharp tipped claws dig into her skin as I glided them along her cheek. "Run," I whispered softly. The woman's eyes widened in shock, "What...what for?" I took another step forward and licked my bottom lip," I love a good chase. " She shakily backed away, "Wh-h-hat, are you?" I could feel my body stretching and twisting. The hard twisted horns pierced through my skull and curled around my ears; the smell of her fear excited me. I tried to speak, but only a grotesque growl left my throat. "I am the daughter of the blessed ones; I am honored to be a guest of PineHollow". "No! Wait" Crunch! The man knelt before me and crossed his hands in front of his throat with his eyes closed," I bless thee for honoring me with your presence. May you live a long and healthy life, your majesty."