Posted by PK on October 21, 2001 at 18:57:12:
Well, in lieu of a really good contest, a good meal. But it needs spice...
Carol hid herself in a patch of ferns. They smelled spicy and fresh. Recent rainfall. She bit off
a stalk and chewed it. Her bare belly was in touch with the Earth.
Tomorrow, I'll wake up in my own bed and this will all be over, she thought. Something
crawled over her legs, she ignored it. One of her shoes was wet, it felt slimy. She tried to
ignore that too. She imagined herself melting into the ground. Camouflage.
Amanda knelt down beside her and tapped her on the shoulder. "Got you!" she announced.
"I'd have said something sooner but I was lost in admiration of your perky little rump."
First thoughts are always right, Carol decided. She rolled over, belly up. Fight? Forget it.
"Okay," she said. "You've got me, now what?"
"Now I kill you and eat you," Amanda said. "I think we've covered that."
"So why are we still talking?" Carol had a spark of defiance in her.
Amanda shrugged. "Your choice," she said. "We can get to know each other or I can just kill
you now. I do like a little pre-dinner conversation but it's not a prerequisite. Either way, you're
food." She glanced away for a second. Carol twisted and brought her knees up in an attempt
to throw Amanda off. Amanda handled her as if she were a child or a puppy. "Points for
spirit," she said cheerfully, "But no prize."