Prey

I woke to the smell of soy sauce and teriyaki. I was still half asleep and I wondered who was cooking before I tried to get up and realized I couldn’t move. The sound of gunshots and broken glass came rushing back and I almost threw up.

I tried to get up, but I was strapped down tightly. I struggled, feeling straps tight against my chest and one arm. The other, I couldn’t feel at all. I remembered Hojo shooting and figured it must be nerve damage.

Hojo stepped into my range of vision then, snacking on rice and pork while he watched me struggle.

“I always wondered about the Wutaian legend that eating the flesh of your enemies would give you their strengths. I wonder if this would taste better if you were dead.”

It took me a long time to realize what he was talking about, probably a combination of horror and whatever sedatives he had me on. Maybe my brain just refused to comprehend on general principle. As soon as the pieces floated together – the way I couldn’t feel my arm, the words – the thought itself loomed up in front of me and wouldn’t go away. This time I did throw up, turning my head away from him.

When I stopped retching, I could only say stupidly, “You’re eating my arm.” It was such a huge and consuming thought that it spilled out of my mouth as soon as it was there, not waiting for me to shape it into something clever or biting.

“It’s not as if you were using it anymore.”

“That’s because you shot me.” I could hear myself whining, arguing with him as if it’s going to do any good. I knew it wouldn’t, not that far gone, I’ve known enough mad men in navy jackets to recognize it in a white one. I felt far away from myself, like I was only watching the words come out of my mouth.

“If it’s any consolation, you’re not very good. Kind of stringy. You taste like you’ve gone off a bit. Are you spoilt?”

I think I tried to answer him, but all that came out of my mouth were growls.

“Ah, there it goes. I was wondering how long it would be before the transformation kicked in.” He set the chopsticks down and returned with a needle, sliding it into my remaining arm. I was farther and farther away from myself, and the noises my body was making were becoming louder.

“You don’t think I’d engage in cannibalism, do you, Vincent? Of course not. Luckily, I made sure you’re not human anymore.”

I could feel pain in my body and the restraints biting into my chest and legs. Hojo laughed for what seemed like a long time. My muscles weren’t just tight, they were twisting, like pulling a muscle everywhere at once. The chest restraint gave and I bolted upward, and Hojo jumping back like a scared fox was the last thing I saw before everything went black.