Just One Bite, Man.

Here's my first story for this site. I hope you all like it.

You smell that?

            Ugh, yeah. It’s like they tried cooking spoiled eggs. Stinks of sour pork too, man. Raunchy freakin’ stench.

            I checked the back for supplies already. Don’t think they have much.

            Of course they don’t, look at what they were eating.

            You think it’s still edible?

            The hell is wrong with you!? It’s a baby, you dumbass.

            I know, I know. But, I’m starving. Just step back a second, alright? They have a lot of food here, it’s just not what we’re used to.

            They were fucking cannibals, Cain. We aren’t cannibals.

            So we’re just going to let this fresh meat go to waste?

            Fresh? This is rotten. Look at that, it’s covered in maggots. I think that’s part of a dog.

            Doesn’t mean it’s too far gone. It is kinda tempting, really. All we gotta do is take off that moldy ear there, cut out that hunk of the rib cage that has been eaten and I think it’ll be good. Just pretend it’s either ham or beef. We could do it, man.

            I swore I would never eat another human being. Not unless I turned, at least.

            Why do you have to be on your high horse all the time Andy? It’s not like it’ll change anything.

            You wouldn’t understand. You never do.

            Well, if you want to die of hunger, go right ahead. I’m not going to go another minute without eating something. That slab on the counter looks good, right? Hey, I think I saw some signs of a generator that could be in the garage. I’ll go check and see if there’s any propane left. We could eat a hot meal again!

            That’s a long shot, man. I doubt they’ll have any.

            Can we at least check? Maybe we can get some air conditioning on or something. Or listen to some music, man! Wouldn’t that be great? Bring some nice memories back?

            Alright sure, let’s do it. But be careful, and nothing too loud. There might be more of those bastards out there.

            Ha! I was right! Look at all this: it’s like a miniature hardware store in here!

            Yeah, fan-freakin-tastic. I don’t know if this is a good idea, man. This garage doesn’t look soundproofed.

            We’ll proof it then. I saw a couple of mattresses in the rooms by the hallway. Gimme a hand and we’ll spruce this place up.

            Dude, how long are we going to stay here? And do you really want to consider eating that stuff? It’s got a pretty hairy smell. What if it attracts them?

            We’ll be fine if you’ll help me get this generator on. Thanks man, I got the switch. Geez. Well, that’s not too loud, right?

            I hope those bastards are deaf. Back to Mr. Lecter’s kitchen, then?

            It’s Doctor, man.

            Whatever. Like that really matters?

            Don’t diss the doctor, man. He’s legendary.

            You’re fucking nuts sometimes, Cain.

Oh my god, this stuff is amazing. First real meat we’ve come across in weeks.

            I’m not eating any of this, man. Can we just leave?

            You can go barf outside if you have to and nurse your weak stomach. Stay away from the good bits if you upchuck though, I saw some nice slices drying out back.

            Dude! It could be infected! Don’t eat it, you idiot!

            Look pal, I’m tired of you acting like you can boss me around.

            What? Boss you around? You’re trying to cook fetid human remains. Maybe some dog meat on the side. That doesn’t even look like a steak, man.

            No, you want me to die. So then you can eat me.

            The fuck man? Are you serious? I don’t want any of this gross shit, or your gross ass. I know how filthy you and I are. I’m not eating anything here. You can have all of it.

            Right. Like you’ll just give that up. Probably shoot me while I’m standing here with my back turned, huh? Well screw you pal, ‘cuz I ain’t gonna die here.

            Whoa, take it easy. Put that knife down. I don’t want either of us getting tetanus. Don’t do anything rash, we used up our last meds patching up your hand. Just stop for a second and chill, man. Please.

            Don’t eat my meat, Andrew. I’ll kill you if you try.

            Dude, you’re going to get sick and probably die if you eat this. Do you understand that?

            I understand. I understand perfectly well.

            Eat your freak meal, then, and choke on the kid’s bones. I’m going upstairs.

            Okay. Go then.

            If you die of some disease, it ain’t my fault.

            I know.

            It’s on you, man.

            I know. Leave now.

            Hey, uh, Cain. I found something you’ll want to see.

            Dude, I’m eating.

            Wait, what? Are you for real, man?

            Just stop it if you’re going to argue again and tell me what it is you got.

            I’ll tell you what I got, you indecent sack of shit! Here! Take a look at these!

            Why should I care about some old photos? They aren’t even ours.

            Aren’t even ours?! Do you know who are in these pictures man? Take a wild fucking guess.

            Hmm. I got nothing. You gonna tell me or not?

            Goddamnit, Cain! They’re of the people who lived here! You see this woman here? She’s the body you’ve been filleting for your lunch or whatever. I bet you they were a family, man. A family! With pets!

            Why does that concern us? They’re dead, it doesn’t matter anymore.

            Just stop and listen to yourself, man! Doesn’t matter? Of course it matters! You are eating the remains of a normal fucking family. And those people outside might have been neighbors or relatives and shit. Oh man, you can’t be eating people. Cain, stop that shit! It’s revolting!

            What? I haven’t left the kitchen.

            I smelled it on the second floor! I could hear it sizzling and popping, man. Human, baby, animal, all of it just being lumped together and eaten by a fucking troll named Cain. It’s nasty, man. How have you not thrown up yet?

            There would be nothing to throw up. I’m starving. This is meat. I’m eating it.

            But, it’s fucking human meat, man! Human!

            Dog and cat, mostly. I don’t know though. It’s not bad. Maggots are kind of a turn off, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers, right?

            Quit trying to joke about this man, it’s not funny and it’s not right.

            Again with your stupid morals! I didn’t hurt anyone! I’m just eating meat!

            That stuff is so beyond gross, even for you. We’re leaving tomorrow.

            But there’s so much here! We haven’t come across this much food since the mall! Tell me you aren’t hungry.

            Hell I am! How could I be with your gross stew there?

            I think you want to try it. You know what, I think I was a little harsh earlier. I’m pretty sure I was all pissy because I was hungry, that’s all. Maybe you will calm down too and quit cursing so much with some hot food in your belly.

            Fuck that! I’m not touching any of that!

            Dude, it looks and tastes just like steak. I was kidding about the maggots. This meat is fresh, it was just aging. That’s all.

            No way am I eating that. I’ll die first.

            No, you won’t. You’ll eat it. You don’t have a choice.

            The hell are you smiling for? Get that shit out of my face.

            Just one bite man, it’s all you gotta take. One bite, see if it’s any good.

            I said no, Cain. I’m not that hungry.

            Bullshit. Your bones are sticking through your skin like it’ll tear. You look like a holocaust survivor. Probably whined like one too.

            The fuck did you just say?

            Sorry man, forgot you’re Jewish. Listen, just eat the meat man. Religion has nothing to do with survival. Or is it just not kosher?

            Don’t bring that up, man. You’re walking on some thin ass ice.

            All I’m saying is that you’ll die if you don’t eat something. We’ve tried it your way. We’ve eaten grass. We’ve eaten rotten vegetables. We’ve eaten out of dumpsters. But those dumpsters are all empty now. The gardens aren’t so easy to find anymore. And I haven’t seen one living livestock animal in the last month. This is meat, man. Honest to god meat. We don’t have to go without any longer when there’s piles of bodies to pick from like produce at the supermarket. It’s like we landed in a butcher shop that was stocked the day before this mess, you know? What is your deal?

            It’s wrong, man. What makes us any different from those mindless monsters if we eat it, huh? Tell me that.

            We don’t kill people for it. We’re just scavengers, like we’ve always been.

            No lives lost yet huh? So tell me, what happens when this shit is all gone, and you’ve hooked yourself on fucking long pig?

            One piece man, it’s all I’m asking. Here, it ain’t even human. Promise.

            You sure it ain’t human?

            Positive. It’s cat or dog, not sure which. But my god, it’s delicious.

            Lord forgive me, I’m too damn hungry. Is that salt in that cabinet?

            Holy shit. You actually like it. Oh my god, that’s hilarious!

            Quit laughing, you bastard, and hand me the pepper.

            Umm, Andy? I think there’s something I gotta tell you.

            What?

            Umm, that hunk of meat I handed you? I think it might have been part of the baby. I might have mixed them up when I grabbed for seconds. I’m sorry, alright?

            No, don’t be.

            Why? Are you okay man? Aww dude, don’t cry. It ain’t manly.

            I’m not fucking okay, Cain. I ate a goddamn baby. I’m a fucking monster.

            It was already dead, man. No use crying over spilled milk.

            No, you don’t get it. I’m not crying over the dead baby.

            Then, why are you crying?

            Because, man. Because I liked it.