Begging, they’re always begging. Sat there waiting. I just want to eat, a person needs their nourishment. Sometimes, whilst they’re asleep, I quietly creep to the kitchen and prepare a meal. It’s like treading on eggshells. Sometimes they hear me, sometimes they don’t. It’s a risk I’m willing to take.
Nearly there, nearly there. Oh gosh, what’s that? Nothing! Just the wind, yes the wind, just the wind. “Who’s there?” I spin round to an empty kitchen doorway. They’re sleeping, I know they’re sleeping. Little pooches need their nap time. Chicken, beautiful chicken. At last! Finally! It’s been a long time. “Who’s there?” Nothing! Must have been those pigeons outside.
I creep with my meal in hand back to my seat. If I’m quiet enough, they won’t hear me. I begin to chew. “Mmm.” Every bite is delicious! Not long to go. I did it. My mind races. I suddenly feel like a thousand eyes are watching. I look over to where the two little dogs are sleeping. Both are still fast asleep on the other chair. My armchair. They took that too. One small bite to go. I lift my fork and breathe a sigh of relief.
Oh shit! They are now both sat beside me. Staring. A stare to last a thousand lifetimes. Cold! Blank! I should hand it over, but a surge of reluctance and defiance ricochets through my body. No, not this time. I’m not having it. I worked for this chicken I bought. My blood, sweat and tears enabled me to purchase this meal. Their eyes become more vacant. Colder, darker!
No drool from these dogs, just a dead stare void of any empathy. “No! Bad dogs. Not this time, it’s my food,” I stammer. Fuck it, here goes nothing. I lift the fork and begin to eat the last piece of juicy, freshly prepared chicken. Now the plate is empty. I look at the dogs and, to my amazement, they’re still begging. Their heads move simultaneously from side to side.
Oh no, they are changing. Like werewolves, they begin to morph. Flesh tears, teeth enlarge into ferocious fangs. The noise, the sounds! Incomprehensible terror. What have I done? What monstrosities have I unleashed on this world?