Perhaps that's why I was driven to the forest, away from civilization. Or maybe it was my workstation. People vilify what they don't understand, after all. I couldn't speak, and I couldn't explain my projects to people, so they thought I was a witch. A monster.
So maybe that's why I feel an ache in my chest when I hear you scream.
I haven't seen anyone from the village here in what, decades? I can't be sure. My status has become something of an urban legend nowadays, but make no mistake, I've been here, lurking. I see everything. So I know why you're screaming, and I know why you're running through the forest. There's a group of angry villagers chasing after you, shouting obscenities at you, calling you all the things they called me. Witch, monster, demon, even slut. God, these people are so close-minded, aren't they?
You duck into a crevice, breathing heavily. The villagers stop and form a circle, discussing what to do and how to catch you. Then, they disperse. If I don't act now, they WILL find you, and they will kill you.
So, I step in, materializing in front of your hiding spot. I grab your arm and yank you out. I can see the terror in your eyes, and you're about to scream again, but I muffle it by stuffing your head into my mouth. In just a few quick swallows, I've sealed you away in my gut.
Almost immediately, I feel... guilty. I can't explain why I'm doing this, that I'm taking you someplace safer. You think you're going to die, so you're thrashing around and screaming. I know, I know, you're scared. What kind of person am I, to be able to do such a thing like swallow someone whole? I find myself asking that same question, too. As I gaze upon my claws, I wonder: am I even human anymore?
No time to ponder about it. They're getting closer. We need to leave, now. With that in mind, I set off quickly, with my belly gently swaying like a hammock. As I travel, I gently rub soothing circles over my distended stomach.
You will be safe. I promise. I hope you realize that soon...
A prey that LOVES their pred, and they know how hungry they are, so when the pred finally snaps, the prey goes down without a fight, only whimpering slightly as throat muscles squeeze them down. Eventually, they're pushed into a tight, hot stomach, one that immediately flutters around them and comes to life, churning and grinding into the prey's skin
And the prey, they REALLY love their pred, so they try to stay with them for a while, stay awake. Even as the stomach walls around them undulate regularly and start secreting acid, the prey tries to keep their eyes open and stay awake, and they try their best to muffle any pained whimpers and quiet sobs that escape them. Even as the acid starts rising, they try to stretch, to keep their head above that caustic liquid that's bubbling around them and starting to make them tingle and itch
It's ALMOST made worth it when they feel the pred running their hands over their stomach and whispering words of encouragement. "I'm sorry, I love you, you're doing so well, you tasted so good," stuff like that.
The prey's time is limited, though. They're running out of breathing room as the acid continues to rise. They can't stop themselves from breathing rapidly and hyperventilating, which only serves to make them more lightheaded. Try as they might, they soon pass out due to the lack of oxygen. The pred can feel the moment they lose consciousness; their body goes completely limp inside the pred, and somehow, their gut feels heavier than before. As they gently run their hand over their distended stomach, the pred finds themself solemnly thinking that it's better that the prey passed out. Being conscious for the rest of this... it would just be cruel.
A pred who thinks if they consistently hunt prey it will keep their urges in tact.
That if they can just take a day or two out of the week to hunt and sadate that hunger then they can be gentle and docile the rest of the time.
And they convince themselves it's working, but in reality it's only worsening their blood lust, and eventually they snap, devouring someone they care about, because without realizing it they've lost all self control.
Pred that gets addiction withdrawal symptoms from not eating prey for prolonged periods and they get more and more unhinged, agitated, hangry, paranoid, on edge, sleepless, the longer they go without that fix and it becomes more and more apparent to everyone around them that the pred is kinda not good at masking the fact that they're losing control and it's becoming socially disruptive, the people that know the pred can't put up with the pred's bullshit anymore so they throw a random prey as sacrifice at them because it would be a little loss in comparison to them losing their job or reputation with having such a unruly peer.
To the prey they were given a number for a set up with a potential date, what could go wrong, later they realize based on how long of a duration the pred was starved that this is more terrifying then pred encounters they've escaped before, they're too intense, too unpredictable, too fast, running won't work this time, the pred is too high on adrenaline, Until after the pred eats them like a rabid animal and than they'll probably be chill again. well, the pred will be... Maybe not the ravenous digestion process though..... or the prey... If they managed to get past those razor teeth unscathed in all the pred's hurried indulgence the only chance they have of escape at this point is waiting for them to crash from the high into a food coma, maybe if they stop panicking it'll make that easier but the pred won't fall asleep fast enough and the acid is rising.
Pred that's never eaten prey thinks he's different than other preds. He mingles and makes friends with prey, assuming he will always be in control of himself because he has never tasted the flesh of prey, nor desires to.
However, one day, his predator instincts come knocking, maybe a situation arises where food becomes sparse, or he ends up accidentally getting a taste. Either way, he finds himself struggling to keep himself together, to keep from behaving like the rest of the preds he looked down upon.
It's only a matter of time before he devours his first prey and discovers how wonderous they taste, what it's like to have a truly full tummy. He'll never be able to stop, just like the rest of the preds.
(An idea in which preds are a rare species that crave prey on a fundamental level)
This is about angsty as hell so you've been warned
We all know the trope of "Needing to protect/hide prey in stomach and it's safe but the prey doesn't know that and so they're terrified" right? And most of the time, it comes with the prey kicking and crying, but imagine this
The prey just fucking dissociates and goes limp as soon as the pred takes the first gulp
I'd like to imagine that the prey is a pretty pessimistic person and think that nothing will save them once they're in the preds throat, once they're in the stomach, instead of the usual kicking and profanity throwing, they just curl up into a ball and cry, while the pred REALLY WANTS TO FUCKING COMFORT THEM CAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE AN ABSOLUTE DICK BUT THEY CAN'T BECAUSE THEIR FENDING FOR BOTH OF THEIR LIVES AND AAAAAAAAPWOFJCJWKDIFKALDOKCJRKOAOCJKD
Contents (Warnings): The Downburst (Angsty, vore mentions, and character/monster info). Read full chapter on - A03
Wordcount: 3,400+ (HEY SORRY EVERYONE FOR BEING SO LATE WITH THIS! I had a lot of life jazz hitting me at once!)
Side note: This will contain experimental writing; first person (Lynette's view) will be implemented alongside third person for the two other essential characters, (mostly) Alexander and (occasionally) Drake. All their text will be italicized for those third-person moments, with the characters' names in Bold at the start and their thoughts in Bold. There may be other characters I write for using this.
His whole body ached. Why the fuck did I agree? Why did I just want to get my ass kicked? He glared back at Drake, who stumbled behind him.
After his first game with Wicks, he didn't want to admit it, but it made him want to train his magic again. And especially now since that psycho, Wicks, repeatedly beat him into the ground with a smile.
Though, he started to remember why he stopped training so much too. He felt less in control and vulnerable when he pushed himself too much in an unfamiliar environment. And what made it worse was the smell.
Her scent is everywhere. Alexander cursed in his head. It had been difficult to be in the house without feeling hungry. It was worse now. All his instincts made him want to find her because he was so low on energy.
He looked at Drake again. You get your damn drink, then I-
His thoughts dropped immediately. His body jolted as she stumbled back. She held one of the cold water bottles to her nose.
He had been avoiding her and supposed she was doing the same. The only time they ever really saw each other was for events.
“M-morning.” She muttered.
He felt his mouth start to salivate. She’s so tiny...fuck. He then threw his head up and swallowed hard. It took him a second to respond and move.
“If you’re going, go,” Alexander growled. He let her through.
Drake was about to say hi, but Lynette went between them. Alexander’s legs twitched.
“Alexander…”
He knew Drake was listening to his heart. He put his hand into his mouth. His flesh alone tasted so gross to him. He pressed down on it until he allowed himself to puncture it.
He pulled it out immediately after. The taste he hated lingered on his tongue. It kept his attention.
He healed his bleeding hand. He grumbled as he saw Drake take a blood pouch from the fridge. Alexander walked further inside the kitchen and leaned on the counter at the center. He crossed his arms and leaned back on it, watching the door.
He heard a light, "blegh," from behind him. He looked back at Drake over the sink. "It's magus blood, so gross."
“I don’t think I’m that gross,” Ace said, walking in.
His whole outfit and hair looked as dis-shelved as the rest, and so did Koi. She walked in after him.
Alexander never saw her as he did today. She always wore a suit. Today, she wore a tank top and shorts to train with them.
"You're not; they're just too taste-specific." She pressed her bangs back, getting them between bobby pins. "And Drake, if you are going to dump it, I'll gladly take it."
She leaned over the other side of the counter as Drake leaned over the sink to give it to her.
Ace moved to the fridge to get a water bottle. "I’m a little disappointed Lynette couldn’t join us. Watching and fighting Wicks was so much fun. It’d probably be fun to fight with her too."
The menace himself entered. It almost pissed Alexander off just to see that smug, grinning face. Asshole.
“Lynette’s too busy to beat us up,” Wicks said.
Alexander didn't understand the lie. Why does it matter if people know she's a human? It won't change anything. All they have to do is confront her to know.
Drake passed Wicks a water bottle and got himself a new pouch, this time of the right blood.
Wicks caught Alexander's eyes, and he smirked, “What’s wrong, buddy?”
Alexander was rarely ever on the defensive with his magic. And with Wicks, he had no choice but to be.
Alexander glared down at the magus; he was five inches taller. "Fuck off." He said, pulling his attention away. At least being in a room full of beings he didn't want to eat calmed his nerves slightly. Until it started to wander back to his hunger.
Damn it.
He couldn't wait for Drake. "I'm going out."
"We're all leaving soon. Why don't you chill with us for a while?" Ace questioned.
If I have to go to the wedding where she's the only human and I haven't eaten... He swallowed lightly at the thought. He pushed off the counter, "I'll meet you all there."
...
Lynette
We were in a room together, Charletta, Madre, and me. It was a bride's dressing room, connected to the bigger dressing room for all the bridesmaids, but it gave us the seclusion we needed.
Madre did Charletta's long hair. Usually, it would be down past the middle of her back, so she braided it up for her. Madre hummed while doing it. Her movement looked like second nature. I know she was the oldest of six girls.
I interrupted Madre's hum with my question. "Madre, you were never really a hairdresser, were you?" I asked. It wasn't because of her skill. She did an excellent job of cutting and styling our hair and her own.
"No," she admitted. "Though I've had a passion for doing hair." She was the one who taught me different braids and hairstyles. I touched on my favorite one she taught me that I have now. The Rapunzal braid. It perfectly tamed my wavy and slightly curly mess.
"Do you work at the C.P.P.A.?"
She shook her head, "I couldn't while you were all so small and Padre wasn't home..." She said. "Pero luego todos ustedes se hicieron tan grandes, tan rápido."
She sighed.
"Sí, y ahora me dan una conferencia sobre volverme loco durante el juego." Charletta replied smugly.
What game...oh right, the marked thing. I got to watch them all play fighting. They were all great, weren't they? They always are.
"Wicks did say you went a little wild," I slid my comment between them with a chuckle.
Charletta burst into laughter, turning back, causing Madre to huff as she was in the middle of finishing her hair.
"It's rare that I get to let loose!"
"Charletta, trae tu cabeza de vuelta aquí, no he terminado." Madre said and Charletta complied, swiveling back in her chair to face the mirror again.
"Lo siento," Charletta looked at me in the reflection, "but you know, speaking of beasts, I'm glad Wicks doesn't think Ulysses is a terror. I can imagine he'd try to destroy him."
The laugh that followed sounded so carefree. A whisper came after, "Not that I wouldn't fight him to the death if he tried."
"Charletta," Madre gave a light tap on her head.
"I was kidding...mostly."
She got tapped on her head harder.
Is Wicks that strong? Of course, he is...there's a lot I don't know about him, or...any of them isn't there.
I looked back up, and I could hear Charletta and Madre. Yet, I felt so far away. I was right beside Charletta, at arm's length of her right side.
I shook away my thoughts. Madre got to the other side of Charletta next to me.
"If you ever want to talk, Lyn, I'm here for you."
Her eyes always looked soft. She could yell at me, hear my stubborn voice fight back, punish me, or listen to me on my worst days, and that had never changed.
Wicks definitely had her eyes.
"I know; thank you, Madre."
...
Alexander
They were standing up over the crowd. Alexander's eyes wandered to his "problem." Why did it have to be you? You could have been related to any other magus's. He was frustrated by that fact. He glanced at the male to his left, Wicks. Since they met, this was the first time that the stubborn magus's attention was on something else. Precisely the bride and groom. They took the attention of everyone. Alexander hadn't known Charletta well.
He'd met her at Edgar's house once before, but that was it. Ulysses did talk about her frequently, though. I never imagined it would lead to this so soon...
They said their vows to one another.
Yet, his attention went to the rings and what was to come.
His muscles clenched, he could feel tight in his chest, and his breath became shallow. He closed his trembling hands. He could see, along with their rings, they were sealing a bind together.
His heart was starting to beat faster, and his lips trembled so hard he had to seal his lips. He pulled his eyes away and looked at the crowd to escape his thoughts.
It was then his swirling cloudy blue hue fell to his father. His feet shifted, but he stopped. Someone gripped the back of his suit. Drake had bent over and tugged it from behind.
He lowered his head, feeling Drake let go. He could hear the cheers around him once the newlyweds shared their kiss.
...
Wicks
He stuck to Lynette, intercepting many conversations she would have had with individuals he didn't trust. He rationalized that he did it simply for her safety and his promise to his parents, but...it was more than that.
Lynette was different and had been since Saturday. He walked away from her for only a few moments. He saw she was talking to Ace.
He hadn't seen her smile much this whole week. Ace seems to make her happy. It made him a little jealous. She was his best friend. He had plenty at the C.P.P.A., but Lynette...she had always been there. She had never left his side, always been the best sister he could ask for, a perfect partner in crime.
Maybe...she needs more time? Wicks thought to himself.
He wanted things to go back to how they were. He hated feeling so cut off from his best friend.
Not that he didn't expect it.
Yet, from what he understood, Ace had been a long-time friend of Charletta's and Ulysses'. So, he trusted him around her way more than any other human-eater, especially her coworkers. Which he didn't see around at the moment.
As the music began to change and more started to go to the dance floor at the center, Wicks saw Ace bowing to Lynette for a dance.
He hurried over and took Lynette's hand first, "Brothers get a first dance, sorry." He stole her away from Ace, to both of their surprises.
Once they got to the dance floor together, Lynette raised a brow, "Brothers get a first dance? Didn't we do the family dancing already?"
Wicks sighed, "Alright, you caught me..." He didn't see a point in playing coy. "I wanted to make sure you're okay. I know how you get when strangers are a little too friendly."
It wasn't a complete lie.
"He seems nice..." Lynette replied, then sighed, "But go ahead...tell me what kind of monster he is."
Wicks dropped his shoulders. Jeez, did I really make you think all monsters are bad? Or did those jerks at your job make you believe that? He kept his hold on her.
"He's a magus," Wicks said.
Lynette questioned, "Oh, like you guys."
"H-hey!" Wicks heard the tone. It definitely plucked a few heartstrings. What could I say? I'm the worst of them all. I've been lying over and over again to your face.
He could see her force her lips to smile, "I was kidding."
"You know nothing's...changed." It felt hard to say. He didn't want to admit that.
"I know, you're still all my family, and I love you." It was the only thing she said where he heard her honesty.
As they continued their dance, he smiled very lightly. "Love you too, Lentils, forever and always."
I wish I could explain it all to you.
...
Lynette
I got outside of the dance square, and I raised a brow. I swore I saw Wenna tugging Alexander along the dance floor. I wouldn't think Alexander could or would dance...
It was comical to see Wenna spinning him around. He looked mad, as usual. Drake's mom looked ready for the quick interception due to their behavior.
"Hey again, enjoy your dance?" Ace asked. He walked up beside me, leaning a hand on the white-clothed table.
"Yeah, Wicks was one of the people that taught me. He and Charletta had a big dance craze when we were younger." It was one or the other coming up with new things to play...they really feed off each other's craziness.
"Well, would you still like to dance?"
I nodded. My insides quivered, but I knew everyone was there. I didn't feel as alone as I would have if we had gone to a restaurant together. It was someone I didn't know with the intention of a date... "After this song, sure."
...
I felt calm. I didn't know why I felt so relaxed with a stranger. Well, as comfortable as I could be. We were surrounded by different people of different powers, but he didn't push me. When we danced, he seemed nervous to touch me.
He even stopped mid-way through the song when I felt queasy. And that's we were on one of the balconies, looking out over the giant courtyard. A few faces were outside by the big bonfire to the far left.
As I leaned on the curved white railing, my eyes drifted to the giant hedge maze to the right. I've only seen those in movies.
Ace kept his distance. "It's a beautiful night," I heard him. I looked up and saw a handful of stars glittering above. It wasn't a clear sky. There were still a few clouds nearing the moon.
"It is." I turned back to him to see he was staring. When our eyes met for too long, he shifted his back to the sky.
I started to peer past him to the balcony on our opposite side. It looked like Drake, Alexander, Koi, Viola, and another girl I didn't recognize. I almost waved simply because I saw Viola, but I refrained.
Grabbing their attention wouldn't be best.
"Something wrong?" He asked.
"N-no." You don't need to get involved with that chaos...nor should I. I tried to distract him and pointed down. "I'd love to explore that maze. It looks like it would be fun for a Halloween thing, right?" I was a baby when it came to anything horror related...yet I dealt with monsters.
Ace chuckled and looked down at it, "Hmm, did you want to adventure in it now?"
My shoulders raise, "really?" That sounds so awesome...
My eyes went back into the room where the soft jazz was playing. The individuals inside were of various sizes and shapes. No one was over seven feet, though.
I think the parents are at the bonfire? It should be fine. I reasoned with myself. It'd only be for a little. I continued. I knew why I really wanted to get away.
"If that's okay with you," Ace said. He held his gloved hands up innocently. He awaited my answer.
Even though I felt anxious, I lifted my head and nodded in agreement.
...
It took us only a short time to end up in the middle of the too-perfectly-maintained maze. It looked like it was freshly cut today. The walls of the labyrinth went to about eight feet tall. There were also sprouts of flowers coming out at the bottom of the bushes.
I plopped onto the stone bench, holding the glass of wine he got me on our way out. Today seemed like the perfect occasion to celebrate with at least a glass.
"It would have been so cool to see you in the morning with us," Ace remarked. He walked toward the gazebo in the center, inspecting it. I didn't know if I felt like sitting under it with him, so I stayed on the bench near the way back into the maze.
"Did you guys do that training this morning that you talked about last night?" I questioned. How did that go? Everyone showed up to the wedding fine...right?
Ace grinned. He walked over and sat on the bench beside me, "we did. It was a big free for all." He jittered with a shiver. "I almost forgot how scary it is to be wrapped up by Koi."
"Wrapped up?"
"She's an arachne," Ace said. "And as curse magic as my specialty, I can only get so far with her." He turned his head to me, "That actually brings up a good question what do you specialize in?"
I shook my head, "Ha, come on, you don't want to get me started on that." Charletta told me to lie and say blast magic, and she told me the basics. I got ready to say it and stopped. What if he asks more questions? Before my mind ran rampant, I took a breath. He's a magus. I'm not in any danger.
"I do! I'd love to hear you talk about it" He sounded enthusiastic. "You're part of such an incredible family...I-you know..." Ace stumbled over his words, "I think it's amazing that I met such a lovely girl that, as Wicks said, could kick my ass." He shyly laughed after.
I took a deep breath. I could trust him. Wicks clearly did. He let us dance together. Ace was one of the only people Wicks didn't helicopter-parent me with.
I took a breath, "I-...I'm not a magus."
Ace started to laugh, "Very funny, Lynette."
"N-no." I didn't know why I couldn't say it. "I'm not a magus...I'm adopted."
He shook his head, "come on. I mean, you don't look 100% like them, but you could be Stefan's child with another-"
"I'm serious!" I exclaimed, I put my wine glass down on the ground next to the bench.
His usually prominent smile slowly dropped, and his eyes lost their vibrance. "Ah...I guess I was a little too hopeful." He soughed.
"Hopeful?" I didn't know where his excitement fled to.
He got up from the bench and brushed back the few loose strands of Cyan hair. "This is..." He turned to me.
His eyes trailed up and down my body. A twitch of one of his eyes and the slight curl of his lip told me everything.
He's disgusted.
"Now, this makes a lot more sense. You were reluctant to talk about any kind of magic." He lifted his shoulders, "it was hard to bring it up casually with you." He groaned, "Augh, this is awful."
I shook my head, "what are you talking about? What's awful? That I'm...human?" My chest hurt. What did I do wrong...?
He sighed, "You were my last hope. There are no other contenders in the Payton's family to court." He adjusted his suit, making sure to flatten it down. "I was interested in you because you were part of their family. I need a powerful bride for my bloodline." He rubbed his temples. "We have a strict prodigy tradition."
I weakly smiled, "sorry..."
His eyes glazed over. "I did all this when there was no point. That's infuriating. You shouldn't lead someone on like that."
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't..." I could only stare at his shoes.
He huffed and turned away. "You wasted my time."
I couldn't respond as he left me alone in the maze. Please tell me it's some kind of bad joke. I pleaded in my head. I thought he understood me. Actually liked my company for...no, of course not. I failed again.
He didn't give me another word.
I'm human...
My head sank deeper as I stared into my lap. I'm not even good at being human. I'm not close to anyone except my family and they have to stay with me out of obligation...
I felt my legs press closer together, I couldn't finish school, I barely helped with the wedding, I burdened the Paytons so much that I had to lie about what I was, I only burdened my family...
I lifted my hands to my arms, clutching them. I'm a failure at everything I do. I wanted to help people, but when have I ever helped anyone? What have I ever done? I can't even talk to people or keep any friends.
My tears soaked through my dress. I'm a burden on everyone. I know that. It's been like that since the day I was born.
I curled up bringing my feet onto the bench and leaned onto the concrete back.
I don't do anything for anyone. The Paytons just pity me, don't they?
My body tensed up as a figure moved out of the corner of my eye. I flicked my head in their direction. My blurry vision knew the shape well. It was Alexander. I couldn't quite read his face but he was huffing.
Oh...that's right...I am good for one thing, aren't I...
I tried to wipe away my tears and hide my face.
"What are you doing out here, Xander?"
I'm only good at being a meal for monsters, so go ahead, Alexander.
Eat me already.
...
Hey, you, thank you so much for reading. It means a lot that I put out a story that people can enjoy! So, I hope you continue to enjoy it as WE have a LOT more to go! YOU BETTER KEEP PROSPERING! (Nonnegotiable).
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