"Feed" by Sebastian Westbrook

Feed

by Sebastian Westbrook

 

It was woodlands Bella wasn’t familiar with. 

She was taking time off from the job having not had a real break since starting with the law firm two years ago, fresh from her training. She’d got herself a little lost in the work and so was trying to ‘find herself’ again, immersed in the beauty of nature. However, she got turned around and couldn’t remember which way she came from. She tried to find her way back to the hostel, but couldn’t find any familiar spots among the maze of trees. She’d tried her phone but couldn’t get a signal. After an hour of wandering, possibly deeper into the woods, she had to admit she was completely lost. 

A couple of nervy hours later and Bella began to feel hungry. She still had water but hadn’t eaten before she left, a decision she was regretting. But then, as if by a stroke of luck, she came into a clearing with a cosy looking cottage in its centre. If someone lived here, surely they knew the way to a nearby town. Where else would they get their supplies from? 

Bella knocked on the door, and was greeted by a woman some decades older than her. She raised an eyebrow at twenty-something standing before her.

“Can I help you, dearie?” There was an edge to her voice; she was clearly not used to having visitors. 

Regardless, Bella answered optimistically. “I’m lost, and I was wondering if you could point me to the nearest town so I can find a phone signal and call for help?” 

The lady’s expression softened and she seemed to warm up, but before she could answer, Bella’s stomach rudely interrupted her with a noisy growl. 

The old woman chuckled. “Of course! I’ll lead you where you need to go, but first, perhaps you would like to come in for a quick bite?” She nodded to Bella’s stomach. “My name… is Willow.”

Bella debated between her desire to get home and her hunger. She didn’t want to stay in the woods for longer than necessary. On the other hand, even if she picked up something to eat in the nearest town, who knew how long the walk would be before she reached it? What harm could a little food do now? She accepted the offer.

Willow smiled and led her inside. The cottage was just as cosy on the inside. The lounge had a warm fireplace, a comfortable rug covering most of the floor, gorgeous forestscape paintings on each of the walls, and a large plush armchair that Willow guided Bella to sit in. “Wait here while I make something for you,” Willow instructed and Bella relaxed in the chair. 

Moments later, the pleasant smell of vegetable soup wafted in from the kitchen. Bella was excited when Willow brought in a steaming hot bowl. Bella immediately swallowed a big spoonful, not bothered by the heat. 

A sly smile played on Willow’s lips as Bella continued to eat. Once she finished her stomach growled again, surprisingly, and she still felt hungry. Willow offered her more. Despite her initial reluctance, Bella agreed. 

Bella continued, each dish more substantial than the last, but after each one she was somehow still hungry. After the fourth course, Bella’s hunger became more intense, and Willow was more than happy to feed her. The young woman was bloated from all the nourishment, but she couldn’t ignore the hunger. It was a raging desire that wouldn’t stop tugging at her until she was satisfied.

By the seventh dish, Bella’s stomach was distended and she was in a lot of pain. Despite this, her hunger was greater than ever. Willow didn’t stop feeding her, nor did Bella stop eating. She felt herself swelling, filling the armchair. She tried to object but the only sound she could make was from her stomach, irrationally demanding more food with audible growls. Willow chuckled as she cooked up more for Bella to eat. 

Eventually, Bella managed to choke out a protest. “So full…”

Willow turned as Bella’s stomach betrayed her with another ravenous rumble. The old woman smirked. “Your belly tells a different story, my dear. It’s still famished, and I intend to feed you until your greedy little tummy is satisfied. I have plenty food to spare and it’s so much fun to watch you grow fatter, my dear. Of course, those who enter my home are always insatiable. It is the desire of the forest, after all, and I embody its heart.”

In the unnatural food stupor it occurred to Bella that Willow was something other. Something that’s only purpose was to feed her until her stomach stopped growling. Either the forest, or Willow’s food, made Bella inexplicably hungry for more. She wondered if she’d ever be truly satisfied.

“Open up, Piggy,” Willow teased as she brought stew to Bella’s lips. Despite the pain and bloating, Bella was too hungry to refuse and let Willow fill her up. Even after finishing the dish, Bella’s stomach still protested.

“My, my, you really are a greedy piggy!” Willow mocked before going to prepare another feast. As she cooked, she continued to talk. “I suppose you’re wondering what happened to others who came here before you. I’m sure you’ve worked out by now that you are not my first guest. Let’s just say that this forest has as large an appetite as you, and I intend to feed it only the most abundant food sources. Your tummy will only be satisfied once the forest is satisfied with you. Then I shall lead you where you need to go.”

Willow pulled the rug from the floor and a large, fleshy pit in the ground opened up, lined with sharp, yellow teeth. Bella stared into the void of the pulsing maw, as it awaited her bloated form. Willow smirked at Bella’s horrified expression as she continued to cook. 

“Don’t look so scared. You’re not quite big enough yet… But I will help you with that.”