Eaten Alive

Chapter 3: Eaten Alive

"Chuck?" Maybe he was just messing with me?

"Chuck?" Perhaps the line was dead?

"Chuck!!" Or maybe, just maybe he was dead. I shudder at the thought, but there's only one way to find out.

I struggled to my feet, collapsing soon afterwards, even with the wall supporting me; I'll need some time to rest before going any further. I used that time to address my wound, and reflect on what just happened. That man.... he killed himself. why?

"It's because you proved yourself worthy..." Her voice again.

"What do you mean, 'worthy?'"

"That's for me to know, and..." She trailed off, leaving me alone in the darkness.

'Leaving me alone?' Where did that thought come from? I was alone the whole time... right? Regardless, my thoughts helped me pass the time as I gathered my strength. I waited just long enough for my eyes to adjust, any longer, and I wouldn't be able to stave-off my guilt. Something happened to Chuck, I needed to know what.

With my eyes well-adjusted, finding my way is an easy task. Actually walking it is another story; while not sprained, my ankle is suffering a terrible agony. Each step makes it worse, but I'm too determined to turn back, so I use the wall as my crutch.

It's a long walk to chuck's office. Six flights of stairs­­- each one seemingly longer than the last. With one leg dragging behind, my ascent is nearly unbearable, so i flood my mind with thoughts to dull the pain.

'The old man... why did he- no, it's best not to think of my certain death.' I shudder at the thought. I need to think of something else, anything else.

'Two years ago... No! Anything but that...' I tried to drive the memory away, but something coaxed my mind back. 'Marlene's funeral...' Please, stop! 'I wanted to, but I couldn't shed a tear....'

No more, please!

'I cried at her mother's grave, but why not hers?'

"Beacuse..." Her voice.

"Stop it!" I actually said that out loud.

'Why can't I mourn her?'

"Why can't you just let go?" Once more, her voice taunts me; and once more, I foolishly search for my dead daughter. A moonlit landing; no one else to be seen. One flight left; thinking isn't helping.

Ignoring the pain, I charge up the stairs. My feet pound into these steps harder and faster than they ever would've if I was fine. Darkness seems to emenate from above, but i push through anyway, not giving myself time to adjust. Practically running, I burst into the hallway before Chuck's office.

My nerves finally take hold, and I pause in front of his door. Reality sets-in: He's most-likely dead, and his attacker is probably eitherstill in the room, or not far behind. The door is still sht tight; a wave of hope overcomes my core. I reach for the handle...

"Don't do it!"

I hesitate for a second, foolishly searching for a vestige of Marlene. I shook my head, sighing, before finally opening the door.

It was a swift motion, the same way you'd peel off a band-aid. There was no turning back anymore.

Not even the faintest glimmer of light is visible in this room. Shadows enveloping shadows, darkness within itself. A thick, coppery stench permeates; a thick, fleshy lump sits far ahead of me. I want to approach, but instinct dictates caution. A long, lean shadow slices through all others; feminine, and accompanied by near-orgasmic moans. Chuck had been murdered, and I was face-to-face with his assailant.

I turn back around, attempting a swift exit. I had seen what I came to, and the last thing I wanted was to join Chuck in his fate. Fumbling in the dark, I eventually find the door-knob, and turn it slowly to avoid detecion.

Steel grinds against steel, ending in a harsh snap. "Click."

"WHo'sss tHere?" The voice was like a body of hissing cobras, with a slight touch of distinctly feminine lust.

'S**T!' I almost said it aloud, but instead dove for a hiding spot. Grimacing the whole way, I find myself packed into the nearest corner, molded as a part of the wall.

Inch by inch, the figure rises, seeming to grpw even taller than its shadow, even thinner. An oversized white gown covers her from shoulder to toes, making her odd, jerky movements that much more menacing.

My body packs even tighter into the corner, and I try my hardest to disguise my heavypanting. Her head snaps forward, sending a cascade of blue-back hair into a chaotic gaze lands directly upon me, but she shows no signs of recognition. She doesn't react at all. Instead, she sniffs at the air, beginning her approach.

Every ounce of courage I can muster is poured into a single step. Only one small step, inching me closer to the door. Still pressed against the wall, I make another move, trying my hardest not to be spotted.

"Sssso HuNgry..." A message halfway between a moan and hiss. She looked me dead in the eye without seeing me. A cataract made sure of that. "So much meat, but still not enough... " She drew nearer, and I silently drew back. The woman began sniffing the air, and a grotesque smile spread across her thing lips, contorting her already hideous features. "TherrRre you arRrrRre...." Her grin changed, bearing a set of blood-drenched fangs, her eyes held the look of a starving child, wanting to make me her next meal. "You might jusSsst be the onnNNe who can fillLLllllLL me.... tHe oNe wHo caNnn sate tHe Gluttony withinnnNnn..."

I wanted to throw myself at thedoor, fling it open, and run like I've never run before, limping or not. But she was too fast. Thin, bony fingers clawed at my throat, but did not manage to reach it. Instinctively, I clasped her wrists, stopping her just short of clutching my throat. I was easily overpowered in my weakened state, and she was on top of me in a heartbeat, hissing with her scarlet-tinged fangs bared, mouth gaping wide.

Using everything in my power, I struggle backward; away from her cataract eyes, large forehead, long, bent nose, and of course, the mouth that seemed to consume everything in it's grasp. I could practically see the crimson miston her breath, as I vainly struggle with her superior strength. An evil hiss, accompanied by a warm mist coats my hands, neck and face, as her face steadily draws closer. Panic sets-in, and I pull myself even farther, bringing my head especially far back before impacting it into her skull.

A single thrust was all it took to send her reeling, while my own head throbbed with what I hoped was a lot less pain than that of my adversary. Ignoring this pain, I scrambled to my feet, making a mad dash out the door. Without knowing where I was going, I fled. My only thought was getting away, and before I knew it, I was lost.

I needed to srop. My legs were tired, and my lungs were burning. I needed to find my way and catch my bearings. But I wouldn't dare; not with "Gluttony" on my trail. maybe, just maybe she wass just as lost as I was...

"Idiot!" Marlene's voice once more, spitting harsh venom in my ear. "What makes you think this'll work? She'd going to find you and..."

I round yet another corner, making a wide turn and crashing into something soft... and round... 'A pair of- Oh, s**t!' It was Gluttony, and I opened my eyes to find my eyes at chest-level with her. A combat knife presses into my throat.

She moans halfway between Interest and orgasm; sniffing the air around me. "SsssSo much troubllle...." Her face is practically touching mine again. "But I know you're worth the wait.... You'll ssSsslide down easSssy and filLLllllLL me for a long, long time...." I clasped my hand around her wrist, stopping her knife hand. Instantly, I was behind her, wrenching her arm in my grasp. Her free hand clawed at my face, but I dodged backward, following up by slamming her face-first into the wall. Taking advantage of this, I ran away, and the chase was on once more.

I rushed forward, not even thinking about making a turn. I didn't look back, either. not evn for a second does my gaze waver from my destination: forward. Still looking straight, I duck into an open doorway; no time to second-guess myself, I was in the stairwell. I rush down thefirst flight, and Gluttony begins a frightening, wordless chant. Her breath dances along the nape of my neck, and I jump down the first flight of stairs; aggrivating my already injured leg. I spin around, catching a brief glimpse of her making unnatrual movements in her pursuit. Trying to block the image from my mind, I continue barreling down, forcing my way through the pain.

I descend two, three, even four steps at a time, but I can't seem to put any distance between us. Before I realize, razor-sharp talons are clawing at my shirt. I turn quickly, asserting my fist into her face, all in one motion. Her hands grab her now bleeding nose, and I continue my descent, even faster than before. Bounding sown the remainig steps, and two whole flights, I duck through a door, and into what I thought was my floor.

Instead, it was a labyrinth of cubicles. Not quite what i wanted, but a good second option; I could easily find a good hiding spot in here.

Three-walled prisons become dark-grey blurs as I rush past in a desperate attempt to gain distance. The moaning and hissing were far away now, I slip into a pathway, lined by two rows of cubicles. back-tracking and zig-zagging through the maze, I try to confuse my scent trail. A window runs along the far wall, I rush for it, but re-consider jumping out. I backtrack my initial path, catching sight of her trying to find my scent. I begin searching for options.

Silently praying she doesn't notice, I climb over a wall, making a mess of someone's precious workspace. Ignoring spilled papers, and broken hardware, I rush forward, and do the same a few more times. My adrenaline rush was waning, and the pain from prior injuries set-in. I needed time badly, and I hoped I would get it.

I ws breathing heavy, knowing that death could be around the corner any moment. My mind started to wonder, and I began searching my surroundings: It was dark, but my eyes had long since acclimated. These walls were overrun with stereotypical office knick-knacks: a "Hang in there Kitty" wall poster, various newspaper comic strips, a offee mug with the sentance "You don't need to be insane to work here... but it helps." and a picture of the worker's family.

They were a handsome bunch; Big, fake-looking smiles plastered on their faces; each one looking slightly to the left, as if something amazing happened off-camera; the man was tall and handsome, the woman short and plump, and three children. I reached out to grab the picture, and a knife cut through the woman'd face, and nearly penetrated my hand.

"FfffoUNd You..." I looked up to find my adversary's blind eyes staring down at me, as she rested on the cubicle wall. A crooked smile spread across her dim, ugly features; I leapt to my feet deciding whether to run or fight. Then, the wall behind me erupted, making my choice for me.

The force of the "blast" propelled me away from her, the wall itself not far behind. Fortunately for me, I hit off on a rolling office chair. Skidding forward, propelled by momentum, I managed to gain massive distance from Gluttony. I look back to find her bounding after me, splattering a trail of drool in her wake. She began a terrifying, wordless chant, and I began to propel myself using my good leg, resting myself on the chair.

Her knife glinted in the moonlight, and her chant grew louder. I looked back again, and she seemed to be floating gracefully, overflowing with murderous intent. I kicked faster, using all my might to speed up in this straight-away. Then, it came to an end, and I needed a change of plans. I was moving too fast to make a turn, let alone stop. The woman was gaining on me very fast, as well. Then I saw it: My salvation. A support pole running from ceiling to floor. I grasped it tightly, intending to use it to make a turn, but let go too late. Instead, the chair lurched out from under me, and was sent hurtling towards my foe.

Somehow, she saw this coming, and she flawlessly, and gracefully evaded the chair. In three seconds, she'd be on top of me, I had to figure something out. My momentum held me to the pole, swinging around a second, then a third time. It was then that I came up with something. Using my momentum to add power, I simply stuck both feet out, jamming them into her stomach when we finally connected.

She let out a screech that could wake the dead; but she wouldn't let me go easily. Through sheer force of willpower, she held my legs against her, and i wound up breaking her fall. I found myself looking up at her ugly face once more, with her legs straddling me. One hand pressed into my chest, holding me down; the other raised high above her head, gripping her knife. She was about to strike, but something stopped her.

I wanted to shut my eyes, just let the end come, but I couldn't. All I could do was stare up at her twisted face, waiting... I had given up hope, when something caught my eye. A silvery glint near her midsection. A ring of crimson stained her gown in a ring around it. A blade had pierced her chest from behind, and I was saved.

Her face froze somewhere between anger and surprise. Her body went limp, her gaze flat. She had been killed, and I had survived.

Author's Note

Well, same rules as always apply. I'll try to get back to you. Depth rewards depth, y'know?

Reviews

[Paige Sperry]

Oh, wow I did not see that ending coming. I wonder it is that has saved him?

The same comments about errors and formating still go from my last review. I'd recomend copying and pasting this into a spell checker, most of your errors should be caught easily enough with that. The only thing that's confusing me is thought/what's said/and what he hears his daughter's voice say, I'm not sure how you'd fix it but it does get rather cofusing at times.

Still a very interesting story,
shall read the last posted chapter later,
Paige.