Monster

He breathed softly before panting heavily as he opened his eyes. The robed man moved his pudgy hand over his bulging belly protruding through the fabric and creases from his thick rolls. No pangs yet. But he was hungry. He moaned while carefully lifted himself from his stone bed. The creature planted his feet on the ground and got up. He waddled with his massive legs in heavy steps.

Cordelius walked as his gelatinous figure jostled in his dirty gray robes. He exited the archway leading into a small tunnel and continued walking until he heard the all too familiar roar of his stomach pangs. He placed his round hand on his well-fed belly and his pace slowed down slightly. After ten steps, another stomach pang, this time more harsh than the last and it slowed him down even more. Cordelius moaned loudly, desperate in finding his next meal. His upper body bend to the ground while holding his belly tightly.

Then he heard something.

A rat. With all the strength he could muster,  Cordelius endured his pace while pinpointing the source of the critter’s whereabouts.

Another hunger pang.

He collapsed to the floor and slowly crawled to search for the hidden rat before finding scurrying. Cordelius grunted loudly and picked up the huge furry rat. He held on it with his tight grasp as it struggled in his hand. The robed creature opened his mouth with a slobbering tongue and sharp teeth…. He gorged on the rat, tearing into its juicy flesh and fur until nothing remained. Afterwards, his hands drip with the critter’s blood but continued moving.

***

The creature trekked slovenly in the catacombs before approaching another entry way leading to a flight of stairs. It led him into a gutter where it was a part of a orphanage. Cordelius opened the hatch door and climbed out. Again, it was dark. With his piercing red eyes glowing under his hood, he knew he was in the orphanage storage room.

He continued on. The man had been visiting this orphanage for many years, seeing from being a monastery and renovated to its current place as a refuge for unwanted or poor children. He always had a careful step into avoiding being detected by someone as he didn't want to be sought out. The demon didn't want particularly like his situation but it was the only place that nourished him and kept his curse in check. Cordelius never paid attention to the people around him very much.

The creature reached the hallway leading to the kitchen. Being very cautious he pushed the doors quietly as possible and wide enough for him to squeeze through. He stepped into the kitchen very slowly until something startled him. He looked around for the possible intruder.

Nothing.

He slowly waddled towards the refrigerator until the hunger pang returned. He slowed down and held onto his gut, he coughed a little. He approached the refrigerator… but unfortunately he found hardly anything in there.

Another shuffle alerted him.

He turned around. Due to the bright light coming from the fridge, there was someone else in the room with him. He heard footsteps. Small ones.

Then his hunger grew fiercer, causing him to collapse.

The footsteps grew closer as the interloper approached him. Ignoring his hunger, Cordelius looked up and saw a little orphan in a nightgown.

They looked at each other. The girl didn't seem to scared the man sneaking into the kitchen. And Cordelius didn't know what to register of this child. He was hungry. Did she had something or knew the whereabouts of more food?

Another hunger pang.

The child slowly revealed a basket of red apples. Cordelius leaned towards the latter with very little strength he had left to examine the apples. He stepped towards her slowly as she held them out patiently.

Once he got near her… he loomed over her. He looked down at the apples… but…

Then, he pounced on her. The child yelped as the apples dropped to floor. Cordelius pierced his sharp teeth into the girl’s small neck and gnawed at it. Then, it wasn't long until he actually mauled her and chewed on her flesh. He smacked greedily, licking on the bones, blood and skin; he purred viciously at his meal, suddenly feeling more rejuvenated, his strength gathered. The monster continued eating the dead child. The thought of human flesh never crossed his mind until now. He never thought he wanted it. And it tasted wonderful. Blood and pieces of the child were spread on the floor and all over his robe.