Food For Thought

It is nighttime. I lie on the large bed in the same room as Liryc. I'm unused to its dubious comfort and I squirm a little. It's so soft, and I feel like I'm going to fall through any moment. I get up and move to the floor, slowly and silently. No point waking her up. Aah. Hard and solid. So much more comfortable. My mouth twitches a little and I shiver slightly. Oh shit. It's not so cold that I might be shivering. First sign, the first sign. But, I don't want to wake her up. I'd be like some baby who couldn't even take care of herself. I'm not so helpless. I lick my lips. I bite my tongue lightly to keep myself from licking my lips. But I can smell her scent, so tantalising. I cannot, I must not. My teeth start chattering. Second sign. Shit, shit, shit. But I can hold on. I will not give in. I haven't eaten in days. Still... Shouldn't I give myself a treat then?
No! The last rational bit of my mind cries out. I will not! My stomach is rebelling, it hurts so bad, just like the time I stabbed my finger while playing Knife. For such self-control, I deserve something, yes? I stand up shakily, hand gripping my heaving abdomen tightly. Liryc's warm, soft, lithe, sweet-smelling body. I watch her chest rise and fall with the rhythm of slumber, deep sleep. So hypnotic. It'd be so easy to just rip- No! No! Not her!
I stagger back and run towards the window. I musn't! I leap out of the window with a strangled cry. By this point, nothing matters but the hunger.

-

I jolt awake from the half-scream. I look about and catch a glimpse of Rika jumping out of the window. Cold fear runs through me. No! Rika! The hunger must have overwhelmed her, that prideful girl! I run to the window and I can see her snarling as she hits the floor and runs away into the night.
"Rika! Stop! Come back!"
My voice gives her some pause, but she growls and continues running. I can't catch her, not like this. I am horribly aware that my nightgown is less than adequate for running in the cold night. There is nothing I can do. But I have to do something! I change quickly into something suitable and grab my lyre and head out in her general direction. On second thought, I grab a dagger and sheathe it on my leg holster. And another dagger goes into my hand. I hope I can find her before its too late. But I think it's already too late. She might already have killed someone.
I feel sick.

-

"Hey, girl, are you lost?"
The girl looked quite thin and dirty. Her eyes were wide and wild and he wondered for a moment if she was one of the vagrants who had been taking refuge here with the advent of the plague. He felt ashamed for such a thought and he walked over to her. She was flushed and her fevered eyes settled on him. She stared at him with such intensity that he felt as if he was being laid bare on a board. He took another step forward and she leapt. He raised an arm in self-defense and the girl sank her teeth into it. He screamed loudly as she tore the flesh off his arm and she lunged at his throat, her teeth ripping into it, swallowing the bloody morsel as hot crimson fluid splashed all about her already-stained dress and the pavement, sweet, raw flesh in between her lips.
Slowly, as she gnawed at the flesh-stripped bones, devouring all but the gall and bile, she slowly came back to herself.
"Oh... So full.." Then Enrika fully registered the sight around her and she swore. "Now what do I do?" She slowly gathered the bones, licking them clean of any residual meat. As she tried to carry them all up, she heard Liryc.
"Rika! There you ar-" Her voice stopped uncertainly as she saw the pile of bones.
"I ate him, Liryc. I feel so much better now. What do I do with the bones?"
Enrika was acting as if she had just eaten a chicken wing and was asking innocently about where to dispose of it. She didn't look as though she cared about the man's death. She had no conscience. It was all very normal to her.
What have I brought to my city? Liryc wondered. She took out her phone and quickly sent a message to Necros.
Esteemed leader, wherever you are, please get back as soon as you can. There is a situation I need your help with.
Hopefully, he would receive her message and get back soon. However, relying on Necros wasn't the best idea. She sent another message to Raewyn, the message running in the same vein. But for now, Liryc just helped to carry the bones back to her house. She needed to find a permanent solution. She couldn't keep playing for Rika. The girl was too prideful. Who knew when she'd go out and 'feast' again. And her appetite was increasing. Previously, Rika had not been able to finish one whole man. What if next time, she would-
No. Liryc refused to think about it. That would not happen.