“i asked chatgpt—" well i asked hannibal lecter and he looked at me like i was a rare cut of meat and said ‘all sorrows can be borne if you put them in a story’ and now i’m in the oven at 350°.
Warning(s): Cannibalistic Tendencies, Intentional and Unintentional Cannibalism, Kidnapping
Prologue | Next(soon)
I exited my car with sigh, tired from my day of teaching. I adored the children I taught, but at the end of the day I was always exhausted. The drive back home alone was enough to irritate anyone. But I wouldn't ask my husband to up and move. He's lived in this old house for years, even before we met.
It was his childhood home after all, anyone would be reluctant to leave it. Though he never spoke much about his childhood, I could still tell there were fond memories attached to the home.
I walk up the trail leading to the porch, the old wooden stairs creaked a bit as I step up each one. I reach under the door mat for the house key, the one my husband had made especially for me. He wasn't home as often as I was, and always kept every door of the house locked.
For safety, he would tell me. But of course. After all, this house was practically in the woods, all alone. Any crazy person could have been lurking about. Which is why my husband kept guns. Well, he mostly used them for hunting. But it would do in a pinch if, god forbid, anyone tried to break in.
I opened the door and walked inside. I knew my husband was home, as his car was parked out front. I wasn't expecting any sort of welcome, I rarely ever got one.
I knew he'd be busy, or too tired from his long hours at the radio station. He wasn't a very loving husband. Not to say he didn't love me at all, I knew he did. He cared for me, truly. He's done so much to prove it.
He's kept me housed, fed, taken care of. If that's not love, then what is?
I had gotten use to his way of loving, so it never bothered me much, not like it use to. I should be so lucky to even have a husband. Not many men took much interest in me. I was a rather boring woman, what man could want me?
It shocked me that my husband took any sort of interest in me at all. He was the complete opposite of me in every way. He was lively, extroverted as could be, and a downright people person. He lived for excitement, his entire career was based in entertainment.
So why he ever looked my way, decided to marry me of all people? Well, I suppose it would always remain a mystery to me.
The further I walked into the house, an alluring scent filled my nose. He must have been cooking, he loved cooking. Almost as much as he loved hunting, I couldn’t stand it.
But he promised any catches would be taken care of in the old shack behind the house. He stored the meat down in the cellar in the ice box. All done away from my view, which I was very thankful for.
I made my way to the kitchen, and there he was. Humming a tune as he finished up the meal. I started to greet him, but he beat me to it.
"Hello Y/n."
I smile, a curious look on my face. "You always know when I'm behind you. How do you do it?" I asked.
Alastor chuckled, turning off the stove before facing me. "I have keen ears, my dear. The very way you breathe must have set me off."
"I do hope I don't breath too loudly then." I laugh lightly. Alastor hummed in amusement. "Nonsense. It's the same whenever I go hunting. I can pick up on the slightest of noises, I can hear just about anything you know?"
“Right.” I look to the stove. “So what did you make? It smells wonderful.” I didn’t miss the prideful look on Alastor’s face as he answers. “Something special. One of my best masterpieces yet. Now take a seat.”
I do as he says and sit at the dinner table. Alastor served up what appeared to be steaks. I assumed it was venison, a specialty of his. I’ve had it before, and every time it was delicious.
At first I wasn’t thrilled about it, but I got use to it. Eventually I got a taste for it.
We both ate, discussing our day, and talking about nothing in particular.
“Oh, Alastor. Have you heard? There is an ongoing investigation, apparently, someone has gone missing. Someone pretty important, it seems.” Alastor hums as I speak, not looking up as he cuts into the steak.
“Kenneth Williams. A lawyer, you know him? Wasn’t he at that party you were invited to?” I asked.
“Oh? Williams went missing? I’m afraid I hadn’t much time to look at the papers. Much too busy down at the station. I’m really starting to work my way up and pretty quickly at that.” Boasted Alastor. “Impressing those in charge was easy enough. A charming smile, some quick wit. And of course, stroking their pathetic egos never hurt.”
“Isn’t it just awful?” I sighed. “I hope he’s alright.”
“I’m sure he’ll turn up soon.” Alastor reassures me. And yet, the tremble in my hand wouldn’t cease. After a beat of silence I spoke again.
“You didn’t make him suffer did you?”
My question was met by silence, but before I could let my worry get the better of me, Alastor spoke.
“It was quick.” He tells me. “Quick and painless.” His words put me at ease, but I still didn’t like the idea of it. I shouldn’t think too hard about it.
Alastor said it was for the best, that it would be easier if I didn’t. And it is. It’s so much easier if I don’t think about it.
Besides…it does taste pretty good…
I can say it all I want…
But I couldn’t sleep at night, knowing about what he does. What I’ve done…What I allow to happen. What I tolerate…
All for him. I owe him that much. He’s done so much for me.
So why…why do I feel so horrible?
It’s not so bad. Alastor has been so good it me. He’s taken care of me for so many years. He’s provided for me. He’s kept me safe. He loves me. He said he loves me so that should be more than enough.
It is. It is enough.
It is.
My smile returns. “Good. Thank you for dinner Alastor. It’s delicious, as always.”
It wasn’t always like that. I had a mind of my own, I knew right from wrong. I never once would have stayed for even a second longer after I found out…
But if it was one thing Alastor was good at, it was talking. He could talk his way out of anything. He could convince even the most stubborn of people.
He could get me to forgive him for all he’s done…
But I wasn’t like that at first, I hated him. I hated him for the lying, and for the gruesome things he’s done. But wasn’t too keen on letting me go, much less, letting me tell anyone about it…
“Alastor! Please don’t do this!” I cried as I beat on the bedroom door. “Let me out! Please!”
“And let you go telling all of Louisiana about what I do in my free time?” Alastor’s voice was muffled by the door. I could still hear the keys jingling in his hand. “Afraid not, my dear.”
“I’ve gotten too far for everything to burn down all around me. As much as I’d hate it to rid of you…I won’t have this becoming public. Even if that means keeping you quiet…”
“I-I wouldn’t tell a-anyone!” I whimpered, barely audible through my crying. “Please let out!” I sobbed.
“In due time, dear.” Said Alastor, his voice growing quiet as he walked away. “Until then, you’ll stay here.”
I fall to my knees, weakly hitting my fist against the door as I cried.
He wasn’t killing me. It was a miracle he wasn’t. But at this point…I wasn’t sure what was worse. Being held captive by my killer of a husband, or being murdered by him…
Why did I go down to that shed…why did I have to question him? I should have just went to the police while I still could.
For days he kept me there, for days he tried to feed me to keep me alive…he said he’d hope I’d change my mind about all this. Otherwise he would have done away with me from the start.
And every time food was given, I refused it. I knew what it was…
I’d rather die.
I would die if I didn’t eat it, slowly. But it was better than ever putting once piece of that in my mouth.
By the end of the week, I was barely able to stay awake. Alastor came into the room to try once more to feed me.
“Honestly.” He sounded annoyed. “After all I’ve done for you. And you can’t as much as hear me out? You’d rather die here?”
I didn’t answer him, I wasn’t strong enough too.
“You’ll come around. I know you Y/n, dear. You can be as strong as you want about this. But you’ll break down. You always do when it comes to me.” Alastor chuckled darkly.
“…before…this…” I murmur weakly. “Before…”
Alastor scoffed. “I’ll come back later, see if you’ve come to your senses.” With that he left with a slam of the door.
I teared up, my stomach screamed at me to eat, despite what was on the plate before me. I was terrified. Of Alastor, of this situation…of dying…
This was no way to die…
Alone, weak, helpless…
Oh god…why did I do it…
Alastor has always kept me safe. He kept his promise. I owed my life to him. He never once harmed me.
He wouldn’t. So long as I kept quiet.
So I did.
I didn’t want to die. I didn’t want to believe this harsh reality.
I wanted Alastor back, the real Alastor.
The real Alastor, this Alastor, is the real Alastor…
I wanted him back to how he was. I wanted to forget. So I did.
