Top of the Foodchain (kaigen and Darkangel)

It seemed as if no one knew what exactly struck the world. The news spoke of pandemic and gave advise on how to stay healthy. Most talked about diet and exercise. And how a fit body was less apt to become sick. But it was too late for those preventative measures. Politicians called for changes to health regulations. But none of it mattered. People still died more got sick. And at the rate it was spreading it wouldn't take long before the entirety of the world population was infected.

Early on James decided that it was time to make himself scarce. He had already been hunting when the sickness began to spread. So once he had his prey he took her to the small cabin that he selected for this particular encounter. An encounter he knew she would not survive.

The late thirties man had been hunting, as he called it, for his entire adult life. Though unlike the other greats, he had no patern, kept no schedule, and had no specific type or so it seemed. He met only the bare minimum of the typical traits of a serial killer. Though those same traits matched roughly half the male population in his age group. Independently wealthy his freedom of movement gave him reason to travel at will. Allowed the tall, well built man to be where he needed to be, to change his hunting grounds and stay one step ahead of those that would stop him.

The law didn't even know he existed. None of the various agencies and departments saw any pattern to claim that any of the women James had taken were taken by the same man. Each and every one appeared so entirely different that they all looked like random dissaperances. One was black married and professional. Another had been Asian petite but middle aged and divorced. Some were young. A few had even been elderly. The only connecting factor had been that all of his women were women. The twenty two year old woman who lay bound in the trunk of his car however was exactly his type. And yes he did have a type. Though he went through great pains to hide that fact. She, much like him was athletic and educated. Though unlike him, who was well over six feet tall, was rather short. She, unlike his muscular form was rather thin. Yet like him she was defined. Though this woman had long red hair as opposed to his blonde medium length hair.

After a long drive spent listening to the news reports on the radio he finally turned onto the gravel road that lead to the small cabin in the mountains of West Virginia and after a short quarter mile he brought the car to a stop. Heavy booted feet crunched the gravel rocks while he rounded back to the truck and opened it. He then then lifted the attractive young woman's unconscious from where he last put her and carried her inside.

He spent weeks preparing this spot for his visit. Though he wondered to himself if his preparations would last. He only planned on keeping her for a few weeks. Just long enough to satisfy his craving. To fulfil his desires. And then dispose of her. But now he needed to prolong her life because of the state of the world. For all he knew she could be his last. He could have already been infected. So could she have been. Either way He could very well die before finishing with her. Though he did not believe that was the case. He had spent a great deal of time with people that ended up passing and he did watch her very closely while he was hunting, stalking her.

Once inside he cut the tape that bound her wrists and ankles. Then shackled her wrists to the chain that hung from the celing and stripped her nude. As he looked over her athletic body he grinned. He waited several years before taking his type again and was now happy that his time with her was going to be prolonged. After waking her with the smelling salts he immediately pricked one of her nipples with the tip of his pocket knife. He hadn't cut her deeply but the sharp blade split the little nub and caused her to scream a shrill scream. The sound excited him and caused his slack manhood to stiffen under his pants. What he really wanted took longer to seep into he alabaster flesh than the pain registering in her groggy mind. A half secnd or so after he cut her He finally saw what he really needed. That deep crimson liquid. It slowly oozed from the fresh cut down over her pert breast. Then while she began to babble almost incoherently he leaned in and ran his tongue over the red liquid.

The radio told him that everyone. Infected or not should go to their nearest pharmacy. Apparently one of the pharmaceutical companies had a vacine. But despite the news James decided instead to satisfy his desire. At least for now. He told himself that he would not go back to town unless he started to feel sick. If he hadn't been infected yet. There was no reason to go back and run the risk of someone finding her while he was gone. So he stayed to play with his new girl.

Day after day he toyed with her. Some days he beat her with crops and whips. Others he simply nicked her skin with one knife or another. And despite his need for release. He waited. He left her where he first put her. Hanging from the rafters. Her toes barely touching the ground. He enjoyed the release. He longed to feel the tightness. But he wanted to savor the build up. He needed to see just how long He could wait before he defiled her. Filled her every hole and more. So he waited, played with her and listened to the news.

Head north. That was about all Taryn kept telling herself since she'd been ousted from her tiny apartment located in Miami, the place overridden by sick tenants as people came down with some bizarre illness and started dropping like flies. It had been a day just like any other. She'd gotten up before the sun, grabbed her tea on the go and headed to the ballet studio so that she could get in some practice time. A performance was coming up—Sleeping Beauty—and though she was just part of the chorus this time, she wanted to be the best damned chorus dancer on that stage. And that meant giving it her all if she was going to be noticed and finally score prima ballerina. It was a dream, a wish, probably the stuff of silly girl's whimsy. But it was hers and she held onto it.

All that work, those hopes and wishes...now, they were for nothing as Taryn drove along the interstate at break neck speeds. Her direction—north. She had family up there supposedly, an uncle she'd never met but her father had always said she'd like if she'd ever gotten the chance to really meet him. She thought she might remember him from back when she'd been little. But it was too difficult to recall. That had been years ago. Now she was twenty-two, living her life in south Florida and trying to make it as a dancer. She'd attempted New York, given the place a worthy shot, but...it was far from home, her family. And everyone said she needed more experience.

Taryn was hoping to get just that. Fat lot of good that did now that everyone was dying. Everyone! She'd lost her parents, her older brother, Mike. And now she was taking a chance that her uncle was still alive and kicking up in Ohio. As she whizzed along the roads, her window down, she couldn't help but notice how many cars seemed to just litter the road way. It was appalling. Why would people abandon their cars? Were they that afraid, that panicked? A few times, she thought about stopping, seeing if any of them might be unlocked. But she was alone and didn't have overly much in the way of defending herself. Besides, Ohio was far enough of a trek that she didn't want to waste her time stopping. She had a mission. She could check things out once in Ohio.

The air slowly got cooler, less humid the longer Taryn drove. After a while, she closed her window, the wind no longer whipping her long dark hair. Ugh. She'd been driving for hours and she needed to get gas for the car. As much as she didn't want to stop, the thought of stretching her legs seemed like a nice idea and maybe she could stock up a bit more on some food. She'd managed to bring a lot of snacks with her from Florida, but anything extra certainly wouldn't hurt.

Pulling off at a nearby exit, Taryn went to the gas station. She ran her credit card and held her breath. She let it out and giggled softly when the thing actually worked and the gas started flowing into her tiny Volkswagen Jetta. The thing was small, but it was gas efficient and had more room than she expected as she popped open the trunk to do a once over on the things she'd managed to bring along. Her suitcase was in there, stuffed to overflowing. There were some extras thrown in as well—shoes, blankets, even a first aid kit. But her clothes and toiletries were all in the big suitcase along with a few memories of her family. The food was still there and it made her tummy rumble just looking at it. Biting down on her lower lip, she grabbed a granola bar and bottle of water. She then shut the trunk, walked around to the front and threw the food items on the front seat. When the gas finished pumping, she put the pump back and glanced about.

The place seemed deserted.

Taryn tilted her head, long dark waves spilling over her shoulders as she tried to see if anyone might be nearby. She heaved a sad sigh. Fixing her blue eyes upon the adjacent store, she wondered if she should take a peek. Deciding to check, she locked her car and held tightly to her keys. Carefully, cautiously, she moved toward the store. She peered into the window, the place dark and empty. The owner must not be around...or maybe they're dead. She hated to think it, but she knew it was most likely the case. People were moving to bigger cities, leaving the smaller towns, heading to where they had a chance for vaccination.

Vaccination. Taryn wasn't sure she believed the things worked. Her entire family had managed to get them, but she was the only one still standing. What were the odds of that? It made her wonder...and she didn't like wondering at all.

Rubbing her hands nervously on her jean-clad legs, Taryn dared to push on the door to the store. It creaked open, the sound of tiny bells tinkling as she slowly entered inside. The floor was covered in dust, like no one had been around for ages. She frowned, but decided it was a good time to get any supplies that might be hard to come by. She began to move quickly along the aisles, still neatly stocked with items. Her slender fingers touched everything, searching until she picked through everything she decided would be useful. In the end, she took more water and some Gatorade along with more snacks. She'd found over-the-counter medicines, batteries, a flashlight and some large scissors that could come in handy for many things. She also found a small pot and a few other camping items. It took her a couple of trips, but she got what she wanted and no one stopped her. Full of smiles, she then got back in her gassed up car and continued heading...

North.

Days turned into weeks as the news reports continued to flood in. Each one was more accurate with a higher death toll. Though the government didn't know It, James knew this sickness was an act of murder. He knew murder when he saw it. His keen mind saw through the load the media tried to spill and figured out what the government did not know. Or was not saying. The deaths were too quick. Too efficient to be a naturally occurring virus. Whatever it was he knew he needed to stay away from it. He read stories online about how some people seemed to be immune. Though he believed he had simply gotten away before being infected despite his contact with people that were sick.

James left the woman hanging by her wrists for almost the entire first week every day, nearly all day, he beat or cut or otherwise tortured the attractive young woman. Though he never said a word to her. Speaking wasn't something he needed or wanted to do at that point. He wanted to hear her scream and see the pain and fear in her eyes. It wasn't until he let her down from the shackles that he finally spoke. And even then they were not words she wanted to hear. It was then that he began his brutal rape of her body. There on the bloody wood floor he violated her ass while she writhed in pain. Covered litterally from head to toe in bruises and shallow cuts. Her alabaster skin was now a deep purple color mixed with trails of red.

Over the next several weeks he continued to abuse her. Raping, beating and taunting her with periodic opertunities for escape. Though her battered body never made it far. She never even made it from the grassy patch in front of the cabin to the gravel before he swooped in and dragged her back inside. The beatings along with the small amount of food he allowed her left her to weak to make it far. There was no escape and he wanted her to know that.

Just before the news reports stopped and the power grid went down the truth finally came out. It was the pharmaceutical company that had the cure that engineered the virus. And the vacanation was simply a booster to it. It had been their way to ensure those that hadn't been infected got that way. But by the time the world figured it out It was too late. Upwards of ninety percent of the population had died. So there was no organized group that could form an assault on that company. They had succeeded and effectively made the human race an almost extinct one. Though none of this news changed anything for James. He was still exactly where he wanted to be. And with social services broken he knew he would be able to hunt at will with no one to stop him.

With the grid down James had to rely on candles and lanterns for light and wood for heat and to cook with. They are canned greens and potted meats after they're ran through what little food was left in the now non working fridge and freezers. Then at one point she refused to eat. It seemed that she had become so broken. So hopeless that she resigned herself to her fate. But wanted to go out on her own terms. That meant starving herself. But James had other plans. So he simply broke her jaw and pulled her teeth. Then forced the mashed foods down her throat. The sound of her pain while he pulled her teeth had been exquisite. But paled in comparison to what was to come.

Weeks turned into months and the abuse continued. But every day he saw a little more of the light go out in her eyes. By the end she barely grunted her dissatisfaction when he would rape her. And hardly made a sound as he beat and tortured her. The time has finally come. He had hoped that she would last a little longer. But they were almost out of food And his desire to actually feed had grown strong. So he took the woman from where he had her hanging by her wrists and bound her to the table. Arms above her head. Legs strapped down next to her head so her sex and ass was fully exposed to him. She didn't even fight him. It was a position he had her in many times before. But this time he had other plans than to rape her. He could tell that she wanted to die. But there wasn't a way for her broken mind to fathom what was to happen.

As she lay there with her eyes staring at the ceiling he retrieved the tools of his trade. A trade he had become expert at over the years. Had He planned to end her this way he would have had supplies and equipment that would keep her alive for hours while he took her insides out one by one. But this would have to do. He was hungry for fresh meat. And her body had become useless to him. He had violated every hole so many times with so many things that he got no pleasure from them. He thought about making new holes. But knew that he would need to harvest as much meat as possible if he was to survive out in the cabin while he hunted for a new girl. So he laid out a short blade on her chest between her bruised breasts. Something that she was used to seeing. But what he laid out next was something new. A tool used by deer hunters for field dressing their kills. He then laid a set of scisors next to her and began to grope her firm breasts.

His touch no longer made her flinch. She experienced so much pain over the Last few months that her body stopped reacting at all. The knew that was about to change. So he held the blade orange tool before her eyes and spoke in his deep almost sensual voice. "Today we are going to do something different And after we're done you will be dead." He exclaimed while he waved the tool in front of her. "You see whore. I'm going to guy you alive. And then turn your tone little body into jerky." His free hand gripped the side of her waist just above her hip. "Except right here. This I'm going to turn into steak." the words he spoke took several seconds to register. But when they did her dead looking eyes went wide with fear. A look he hadn't seen in weeks. So with a smile he forced the buttout tool into her ass. Her battered torn ass that he had so many times sought comfort in. It seemed so long ago that he first raped her there. He always enjoyed the first time he violated a woman with his large rod. The feel of taking a woman always stayed fresh in his mind. But then again every detail of their refinement. Every cut of their flesh every strike of his whip always remained in his mind in vivid detail.
.
She didn't complain much when he first shoved the tool into her. It wasn't until he pulled and began to twist her rectum that she screamed. She tried to fight the invasion. The twisting. But the position he had her bound in left almost no room for movement. With several inches of her insides pulled out and twisted he pinched one end and cut through the thin material and tied it. The sounds she made were exquisite. And again his hearty rod hardened as he stood in the kitchen of the cabin nude. His muscular form on display for the woman that lay bound in agony. Short hairs covered his broad chest and defined abs. As did they flank his girthy shrouded member. She continued to scream even after her insides retracted back inside her and her precious lifeblood flowed from the fresh wound.

Next he began to cut around her sex. A deep cut that completely seperated it from the skin around it. But he made sure not to cut through her tunnel or urethra. He needed her tunnel for later and needed to make sure any involuntary relief from her bladder didn't soul the precious meat under her skin while he removed her insides. Unfortunatly, for James, his captive passed out mid cut. Her mind Had experienced all the pain it would allow. So he quickly finished the cut then moved her legs down into the table and strapped them tightly. Again he woke her with smelling salts just as he had done every time she passed out from pain before. He knew he needed to be quick. To experience this with her awake was an ultimate high for him. So while she struggled against her bindings he picked up the short knife and made a small incision just below her breast bone. Then as she screamed and fought he inserted the tip of the blade and his forefinger about an inch below the skin and started to cut her open.
.He found long ago that guy hooks really dodnt work. They dulled mid way through the process and ripped the skin instead of cutting it. While he made the long cut from breast bone to pelvic bone she passed out again. So he again woke her as the blood flowed freely from the gaping wound that exposed her insides. Pre leaked from his shrouded tip and leaked down the underside of his shaft. The shaft that reached well past his navel.

Again she began screaming. But couldn't hardly move her lower half with her tight tummy cut open the way it was. Terrified eyes looked down over her bust to what he was doing. Yes she wanted to die. But not like this. Not like an animal being slaughtered. With blood covered hands he picked up the scissors and carefully cut through her throat. Careful not to sever any arteries in the process. Screams were replaced by the wet gurgling sound as blood flowed down her throat and into her stomach and lungs. It was time, time for what he had been waiting for. He reached his arm into the gaping wound and wiggled his way over her lungs and heart between her ribcage and organs until his fingers entered her neck. It was this moment, the moment where there was only one way for her to be closer to him, that caused his pleasure to reach its peak. While his fingers reached round her severed windpipe he came. Hearty shot after shot of thick white cum sprang free from his large rod and landed on the table, sprayed across her bloodied and bruised tits and landed on her face while he pulled. He felt her heart beat against his arm Probably faster than it had ever beat before.

In one swift pull while he came he pulled the entirety of her insides free and let them land on the table next to her. It always amazed him how everything stayed together during the action. Then for several seconds after. Until the weight of her organs acted against the thin connective tissue and arteries. Her heart still beat. And her diaphragm tried to take air into her lungs. But there was no use. She only had seconds left to live. Her mouth was agape in a silent scream while her insides lay next to her slowly falling from one another in a mass of blood and organs. And then he saw the life fade from her eyes. Eyes that were and always would be fixed in a perpetual look of terror and pain. They would stay that way until he desposed of what parts of her he didn't want to keep.

What happened next was little more than a chore. He hung her from her feet and quickly skinned her. An action that only took minutes. Then with her skin free from her body and laying in a heap on the ground along with her severed head he went and dug through her organs. He wanted that little bit of flesh he used so many times. He needed it before it turned cold and stiff. He wanted to use it one last time. And while he did he imagined her disembodied spirit watching him continue to defile her even in death.

He let her corpse hang in the cool air of the cabin for a full day. He knew that the meat would be more succulent if he wanted to process her after rigor had ended. And so he did. He sat there almost the entire time watching her corpse. Licking his lips in anticipation of what was to come.

He cut away the choice cuts and laid them on the counter. The sides of her waist and the muscles of her back would make excellent steak despite how lean she was. Everything else he laid out and cut into inch thick strips. He planned on using the large grill outside to turn it all into jerky. But first he wanted to eat. So he cleaned up his mess and fired up the wood fueled grill. Then began to cook the delectable meat from the sides of her waist while he sipped on a bottle of bourbon.

It wasn't until he was outside cooking that he noticed the change of the seasons. Summer had clearly turned to fall. So while the meat sizeled on the grill he went back inside and retrieved a coat to keep him warm. He had only been wearing a t-shirt jeans and work boots while he processed her and the temperature was no longer that of the balmy summer like it had been when he first arrived with her.

It was amazing how different life had become in such a short amount of time. And now on the road, so far away from home, it was even more apparent than ever. Taryn couldn't help but watch how the highways had changed as she sped along in her Jetta. What had once been a major roadway had transformed into a ghost town, a metal graveyard she had no want nor will to explore. Sure she had her choice of vehicles to scout and search, but the effort just didn't seem worth it. Not when it was getting harder and harder to find working gas stations and any delays she made heading to Ohio increased her risk in ensuring she'd be able to get what she needed to make it.

That meant she only stopped when she had to.

Taryn rolled up her window, her dark hair no longer whipping about her face and shivered. The air was colder in...West Virginia. Yes, she'd finally made it that far. It was hard to believe she'd been driving for so long on her own with barely any resources. But she had and she was proud of that. The roads twisted and turned, running in ways that made her tummy ache and her ears pop. But at least she knew she was about half way to Cleveland. Suddenly, she thought about her uncle, what he might think when she showed up.

Would he even be there?

Of course he would. He had to be. Taryn wouldn't accept that everyone in her family was gone. It was bad enough that everyone in her family had been taken by the disease. All the precautions in the world and the only one still very much alive from her family was her. It couldn't be a coincidence. But dwelling on such things frightened her.

Taryn finally saw signs for a rest stop and decided that it would be nice to stretch her legs for a bit before forging on ahead. She pulled off and parked and then locked car. She missed her dance studio, the rigorous workouts, the performances. If things hadn't gone to hell, her performance in Sleeping Beauty would've been a success. She'd have gained the attention of every choreographer and director and the audience would've loved her. She'd be asked to star in the next one. Somehow, she just knew it.

But it wasn't meant to be.

With a heavy sigh, Taryn checked the trunk. She rummaged through her suitcase and pulled out a pale pink hoodie to slip on over her bare arms. The low cut tank was just not enough as the sun slowly began its descent beyond the horizon. Goose bumps had formed on her pale skin and the moment she put the thing on, she let out a sigh of relief. She rubbed her arms over top the material, the gesture squishing her breasts together causing the swells to peek just above the deep neckline. Her eyes then caught sight of the dark green peacoat she'd thrown into trunk and she giggled softly, shaking her head. She'd gotten the coat as a gift. At the time, she thought it frivolous and silly. But now, she was glad she had one. Given how cool the air felt, it would be useful when winter came.

Grabbing a water, Taryn closed the trunk and got back in the car. She revved the engine and pulled back onto the deserted highway. Her thoughts drifted back to Miami, what she might be doing right then if she hadn't decided to make the road trip to Cleveland. More than likely, she'd probably be heading to her parents house for dinner, her brother would be there too.

But none of that could happen. They were all dead and gone. And so was nearly everyone she knew. The hospitals had become crowded, her apartment becoming a place to house the overflow. It rendered homeless, alone, with nothing. Everything she had was in the car.

Just then, Taryn slammed down on her brakes. She saw a silhouette flash before her eyes. But it was too late. She hit whatever it was, causing her car to skid, the airbag to deploy. Despite it all, it did nothing to ease the pain she felt as her face struck the bag and the her head the seat in which she was sitting. When she came to a stop, she immediately glanced around and tried to start the car.

The Jetta wouldn't start. Taryn frowned, her blue eyes filling with tears. "Start, damnit!" she shouted. But it was no use. The bag slowly deflated against the steering wheel, dust and debris settling about her and causing her to cough. "No, no, no..." Panic was beginning to consume her. She was stranded! Alone!

Taryn swung her door open and stepped outside. She kicked the tire and immediately the tears began to fall. Panicking, she raked her hands through her long, dark waves and bent over to catch her breath. A loud sob finally bubbled up and she couldn't help it. She let herself cry, slowly accepting that this was her new reality...and she'd made it so far!

Frantic, desperate, Taryn glanced around for something. Anything. Just then, she saw something peculiar in the distance. Smoke!

Taryn allowed herself to feel a glimmer of hope as she sniffled and wiped her tears away with her sleeve. Smoke meant people. At least that was what she'd been taught. Opening her car door, she grabbed her purse, phone, charger and water. She then retrieved the flashlight and some batteries along with the scissors. After locking things up, she set her jaw and made her way toward the smoke.

It was rough going in the woods. Taryn was a city girl, not used to such things. But the idea of being so close to people, to help...it was more than enticing. As she neared the smoke, a smile lit up her face and a giddy warmth washed over her. It wasn't long before a delicious smell reached her nose and made her tummy rumble. Finally, she came upon a clearing and, in her excitement, ran out into it, catching sight of a welcoming cabin. She squinted her eyes and saw a figure sitting there, just relaxing, seeming to enjoy his day. Elated to see a friendly face she ran up to the man.

"Hello?" Taryn spoke, her cheeks reddened and she suddenly felt shy.

As Taryn walked closer, the food so tantalizing as the aroma wafted her way as it sizzled on the grill, she wondered if she'd be welcome. Food and resources were becoming limited. But so was companionship. It had been a while since she'd seen anyone who appeared healthy and it didn't hurt that he was easy on the eyes. Yes, times were hard. They were scary. And she was in need of help.

"Sorry to bother you, I..." she gave him a smile. "My name's Taryn. Taryn Carlyle." She bit down on her lower lip and clasped her hands together. "My car had trouble and I saw the smoke so...would you mind helping me with my car? Please?"

James used to wonder why he is the way he is. He was never abused as a child. Didn't have mommy issues. He wasn't violent with animals as a child. He never had a girlfriend break his heart as a teen. Yes He always had dark thoughts. When he was young he thought about hurting people that hurt him. But assumed everyone did. It wasn't until he was older that he actually acted on it. In college a girlfriend of his lead him on. Played the game got him worked up and then shut him down just as things were about to start. He heard from friends that she did that often. So he decided to have her anyway. There was no progression between rapist and murder. The moment he finished he killed her and then disposed of the body. Yes He was questioned, for hours in fact. But something changed in him that evening.

Months passed and he tried to com to terms with what hed done. He was raised with morals. Likely the same as most other people. So for a time he wondered what was wrong with him. But he soon came to realize that he was born this way. Or so he believed. So why should he feel bad about how he was born? Thus was the justification he used to excuse his dark desires. And so a monster was born. A monster that soon became one of the most notorious killers the world would never know about.

James thought he heard the sound of a car in the distance. The sound of a car followed by the screetching of tires and crunching of metal. But he couldn't be sure. He was taken up in the excitement of his impending meal and was reliving the events of the last few months. But still he believed he heard something. Sound traveled differently in the woods. Especially in the fall and winter. In towns and cities buildings blocked sound , absorbed it. Something that happened a quarter mile away in the city might never be heard. But in the woods sound traveled. Even through thick wooded areas something that couldn't be heard a block away could be heard from a great distance. So despite his excitement he began to keep a watchful eye.

After a while as he flipped the steaks he cooked and rolled the chestnuts over the grate he noticed the sound of leaves rustling. And though he didn't turn round he could tell that the person coming toward him was alone. That did not mean there was no danger. Even a lone attacker could land a lethal blow. Not that he didn't deserve it. But he wasn't done yet. He now lives in a broken world. A world in which he could rejoice in his depravity. He knew that there would be prey to hunt. It was only a matter of finding it. Little did he know that the sound coming closer was actually his next plaything and not a threat that needed to be eliminated. However, he knew the moment he heard the sound of her voice exactly what she was.

The tall muscular man feined surprise when she spoke by turning round toward her with wide azure colored eyes. Though try as he might he couldn't hide that predatory glare from the look of shock he forced his face to make. Hearing the way she stumbled on her own words and the way her skin flushed he could tell that she was nervous and shy. Likely from months of having only herself as company. And so a gifted several long seconds of pretending to gather his composure he answered the sweet sound of her voice with his own alluring deep voice but added a bit of uncertainty for effect. "I, ah, was just about to eat." He answered. For all she knew he could be worried that there were others waiting in the woods ready to strike. But he knew there weren't. Years spent hunting with his father and two decades of hunting Intellegent prey after that left him with an almost sixth sense to danger.

Almost as quickly as he answered her query he continued. "S, sorry. I've been eating old canned meat and berries for weeks. Finally managed to hunt a deer. Y, you could join me if you can wait. I'll try to help after we eat." slowly as he spoke he made it seem like he was warming to the idea of company figuring thst making it seem as if he had been as lonely as her would put her at ease. "

Taryn's blue eyes flitted to the grill with the steaks. They smelled absolutely tantalizing and it had been ages since she'd eaten anything like what this man was offering. For the past several days all it had been were granola bars, trail mix and the occasional apple when she was lucky enough to find them. But to eat fresh meat, hot off the grill? No way she could pass that up. Besides, it was nice to see a friendly face, to no longer be alone. She wondered how long it had been since this man had seen anyone. From the looks of things, it had been a while for him as well.

Giving him a smile, Taryn nodded happily and ran her fingers through her dark hair. Ugh, she should've brushed it before traipsing through the woods. But how was she to know that at the end of the trail there'd be a beautiful man staring back at her. "Sure, that would be great," she said softly, her cheeks reddening slightly. The blush swept down her chest and along the swells of her breasts as they peeked out over the collar of her tank top. "Thanks so much." Her expression said it all as she moved closer and took a deep breath, appreciating the fine smell of what he'd been preparing.

Taryn took off her purse from around her shoulders, setting it down on one of the chairs that was on the porch. It felt nice to lighten her burden; the strap had been biting into her shoulder since she'd stuffed it full as a precaution. But her mind felt much more at ease now that she'd found someone kind and willing to lend aid. Maybe, just maybe she'd make it to Ohio after all. And, who knew, perhaps this guy would want to tag along. It would be nice to have company for a change.

"Yeah, I was silly and..." Taryn's voice trailed. "I think I hit a deer or something." She laughed a little. "The woods must be filled with them now that..." She stopped right there, not wanting to finish the sentence or thought. Everything had changed once people started getting sick. Everything. And anything reminding her of that, of how her family had died, her friends...she didn't want to think about it. Not now. But it was everywhere. She couldn't escape it. Not even if she went to Ohio. "Anyway, it messed my car up good." She sighed thinking about her Jetta. "Mmm...that really does smell delicious."

Taryn moved a bit closer and peered over at the steaks, bending over slightly to get a better look. She reached up to hold her hair back, so it wouldn't fall onto the food. Oh, this man was lucky. A definite survivor. If only she knew how to hunt like he did.

James grinned at the attractive young woman as she continued to fumble over her words and obviously tried to avoid mentioning anything that brought her mind back to the sad state of affairs the world was in. To James however. This attack that was litterally killing billions was a blessing. Now was his time to shine. He fully intended to preserve the meat her cut from his latest victim's corpse and set out to find someone new to hunt and eventually torment. But she just happened to stroll right up to him.

He did his best to keep his eyes either fixated on hers Or elsewhere so he didn't stare at her ample bust. The last thing he wanted was to run her off when she was in such a vulnerable state. Yes he enjoyed the hunt, the chase. But there were many types of chasing. So he ignored the alluring way the flesh of her chest seemed to glow with her blush and lifted a large metal baking sheet from the table then scooped the steaks and chestnuts onto it. "They're in rut." He said as he carefully removed the steak that she was bent over. "The roads get pretty dangerous when all they care about is finding a mate." He continued as he stole a look at her firm posterior just before he took the sheet over to the small table and set it down.

The sheet was large enough so that they could both eat off it like a plate without litterally bumping heads. A plan had already formed in his keen mind. A plan that would be more rewarding than any hunt had been before. Something new and exciting that he hadn't done before. And so he turned back to the young woman and smiled a shy smile. "Im James O'Donnel. S, sorry that I didn't give a proper introduction at first. I've kind of been on my own for a while. I'm not used to having company." He lied. He knew exactly what he was doing and why he was doing it. He always knew what to do. But part of this game he intended to play was building a raport and luring her in. He wanted her to start to trust him to sit down and eat dinner with him. That way he could rip it away. Psychological torture was sometimes more fulfilling for the handsome man who stood before her dressed plainly in blue jeans boots and a tan carhart cost that he left unzipped and revealed the green t-shirt below that did little to obscure his obviously masculine physique.

"Come. Sit please. Its been a long time since I've had someone to talk to." He said while he slid the sole set of knife and fork over to the side of the wooden table where her purse rested. Because she acted uncomfortable when she started to mention what happened to the world he decided to avoid the subject. Though planned to plant the seed of their situation. So instead of asking how things were out there he stood behind his chair and asked. "You don't seem to be from around here. You sound like you're from further south. You traveling somewhere?"

It didn't take much to persuade Taryn to sit down at the table that had been set up on the porch. She was weary after everything that had happened and the idea of spending time with another person appealed greatly. As she settled in her seat, a breeze blew through the area, the smoke billowing above the grill and her dark hair mussing around her pale face. She shivered and tugged on her pink hoodie, unable to hide her smile. The air was definitely colder than what she was used to, but she supposed if you'd grown up in a place like this and were used to it...it probably wasn't too bad. She then shifted slightly, making herself more comfortable. It wasn't hard when the person across the way looked like James. He had a handsome face, eyes that seemed kind as he smiled at her, being a gracious host as he offered not just to help with her car, but didn't mind sharing his dinner. Yes, she needed this. She'd seen so much chaos and bitterness over the past several weeks that it was nice to be somewhere quiet with someone who didn't mind sharing that bit of quiet with her.

Taryn's eyes lingered on James' face for a few moments, drifting down along his jaw as he spoke. He had a nice voice, soothing, one she wouldn't mind listening to if he felt like talking more. But it was clear that he'd gotten comfortable being on his own. No doubt he hadn't seen anyone since people started dying. She wondered if he'd lost anyone. But she shoved that thought aside. Of course he did. Everyone did. It was the way of things.

"Yes, I'm from Florida," Taryn offered up. "Miami to be exact." She frowned as she recalled her last days there. Her apartment had turned into a hospital ward. So much death, so much anger. "Bad stuff going on down there," she added. "Not quiet like here." She smiled brightly trying not to think about her dead family. "I'm heading north to Ohio. Cleveland." She tucked a lock of brown behind an ear, her expression turning shy. "Got an uncle up there who's waiting on me."

Taryn wanted to ask if James wanted to come along. But, she'd just met him, had no idea if he had ties to his home or even cared to leave. He seemed pretty set up with the cabin and knew a lot about the woods. Plus, given that he had deer steaks...the guy could clearly find food—good food—on his own without any help. But wouldn't he like to have company, to have others? She knew if it were her, she would. As it was, she was already missing the people she'd left behind, those who'd been ripped away due to illness. But she couldn't get any of them back. Now was the time to move forward, to forge new friends and alliances. Maybe James wouldn't mind one with her.

Ugh, what was she thinking. Like she had anything to offer.

"You? What about you?" Taryn then asked James. "You from here? Is...is this your place or did you find it?" she smiled sweetly as they as they began to eat. She brought up a bite and took it into her mouth. Her blue eyes fluttered shut as she chewed and swallowed the succulent morsel down. Oh, it was the best thing she'd eaten in a long time. "Mmm...delicious. This is so good."

Once she sat and began to cut into his last victims cooked muscle James smiled. If she only knew. A small almost inaudible chuckle left his lips as he thought about what it would be like once she found out exactly what she was eating. But pushed the thought asside and sat then retrieved a small pocket knife from his coat pocket and unfolded the short yet exceptionally sharp blade. It was old. Older than he was. His father had given it to him when he was a boy on their first hunting trip. His father's father had been the original owner. He used the little blade with its bone carved handle not only to fit his first deer but to slit the throat of his first victim. And now he used it to cut into the steaming meat while he held it still with his finger.

"No. I'm actually from Arizona. But travel, well traveled a lot for work. I came up here a few months ago to kind of get away from everything that was happening and decided to stay. I figured things were going to get bad. So yeah." he exclaimed as he split one of the chestnuts in two then dipped the steak into the mashed potato like substance inside and took a bite. What was essentially a flank steak seasoned simply with salt and pepper mixed well with the sweet nutty flavor of the chestnut. But it wasn't just the flavor that caused him to close his eyes and savor it. In addition to the flavor and aroma of the lean meat was the fact that he was consuming the woman he spent so much time preparing. While he enjoyed the beatings and whippings they also served a purpose. What would have been a tough cut of meat had been made tender by his abuse. That coupled with the flavor of her fear and the fact that there was no other way to be closer to a person than to consume them made the experience almost orgasmic. Yes. How a person died affected the flavor of their flesh. Endorphines that were released to block the pain. Adrenaline also changed the flavor and texture. Every bit of how she had been treated affected it in some subtle way.

He enjoyed the chill of the evening air. He thought it contrasted well with the warmth he felt from his meal and his new company. As he slowly chewed the meat his eyes opened and looked to his new quary. For a brief moment his piercing azure eyes took on a hardness. They lost the soft look her forced on them and looked at her as a predator. Not unlike how a raptor viewed a fieldmouse as it soared high above. But he quickly forced the look away and smiled.

The sun was slowly setting behind the trees, streaking the sky with pretty shades or orange and purple. Taryn glanced up and took in the sight of. Twinkling stars were dotting the sky where it was darkest, such a beautiful thing to see. She'd lived her whole life in Miami, though she'd made the brief attempt at living in New York City for a while in hopes to make it big with her dancing. But that fell flat really fast due to her inexperience. But regardless, she was indeed a city girl, not one for spending too much time in the wilds much like she was in that very moment. Though, she had to admit, the wilds didn't seem so bad if it meant she got to tag along with someone like James. Maybe there was something to be said about roughing it.

Taryn's cheeks heated as her thoughts went to darker places. She took another bite of steak, savoring the flavor, the juicy texture as it danced on her tongue. Her eyes flitted to James. Oh, was she glad he couldn't read her mind in that very moment! He'd probably tell her to kindly put down the fork and just leave...forget about helping her with the car! She felt a bit silly, but she couldn't help it. Times were different now that everyone was dead or...

She didn't like thinking on all the dead bodies she'd seen piled up outside the hospital, along the beaches. Taryn's favorite beach had become a dumping ground, the waters infested with greedy sharks as they were given a free meal. It had been horrifying.

"Wow," Taryn said, the smile still playing on her full lips. "That's quite a trek." She tilted her head and let a finger idly twist a lock of dark hair. "You like it here compared to the desert?" Her eyes moved back to the food. "I think I like the beaches better. Though...uh...ours aren't quite what they used to be." She paused a moment and sighed. "Nothing is."

Taryn sat in silence for a moment as she dreamed of the past. She wondered why...how? But she didn't expect to ever learn the answers. All she had now was the moment and she had to hold onto that for all it was worth. She glanced over her shoulder toward the woods behind her, her car somewhere behind that on the deserted highway. At least her moment turned out better than she'd expected. Really, it could've been so much worse.

He knew the moment he noticed that look on her face. The look she seemed to think she his well. That his new and exciting plan would work. He would not only have her body. But her mind. Something he had never had the opertunity to try. He read about slaves that had been ripped from their lives abused and tortured to the point where their minds cracked and they began to enjoy their bondage. No. He held no illusions about her ever truely liking being with him. But he knew the mind was a funny thing. It sought comfort and when there was no true comfort to be had it found it in things they used to find repugnant. Even if he was able to accomplish destroying her mind he knew that she would run if she was ever given the chance.

James was always good at reading people. Good 1st getting into their heads, figuring out what made them tick. It was a natural skill that not only made him a more efficient hunter of women. But it gave him an edge in business. Yes it was a small idea he had when he was in college that propelled him to where he was before the world ended. But his ability to handle people was the vehicle that took him there. Not that simple idea. Most of the individuals he dealt with in his life believed that they were complicated but the truth was actually the opposite. People were simply semi Intellegent animals. And like all animals their thinking processes were simple. Give them two options and most choose whichever was the most beneficial. The only real difference between people and dogs was how far ahead they are able to see the benefits of an option.

Taryn didn't seem to be any different. Though he only spent a few minutes observing her James believed that she was an open book to him. It was almost as if the thoughts that rolled through her mind were painted on her face. But he wasn't about to let it known. Or begin to assume too much. For all he knew she was as crafty and deceitful as he was. So despite his desire to reveal what exactly it was that she was eating and to begin the process of breaking her, he decided instead to sit, talk and observe her. People tended to be honest when they are comfortable. And the more he knew about her, the easier shattering her soul would be. So instead he ate his victim's finely prepared flesh with the chestnuts and looked into her eyes while the sun painted the sky behind him.

She certainly appeared to be at ease. Understandably so after such an ordeal. Loosing everyone you cared about and watching the world break around you was sure to unsettle even the most robust person. It was just another example of how the mind sought comfort. James however did not remember a time when he had been more at ease. In a way watching the world crack had been a comfort for him. While he enjoyed his craft, his art, he valued his freedom. Being found out. Being caught and locked up meant the hunt would end. So with most of the population gone his new freedom brought him comfort. That fact coupled with the meal he ate and the new company he had settled him.

He gave her several long moments to ponder things, to process her thoughts before he answered. With a nod he gave a weak smile. "Yes. I like it here very much. The desert can be beautiful. It really can. But everything here is beautiful." He was looking around at the scenery as he spoke. But his eyes settled on her with the last sentence he spoke. It was a deliberate act. A kindness that would come infrequently once he started in on her. Something she could hold onto once he ripped all other good thoughts from her mind. "And the trip wasn't so bad." He suddenly continued as he adverted his eyes back to the darkness that begin to spread across the sky to the east. "I left early on in this whole mess. I figured if it was my time I should be somewhere I enjoyed." In feigned sadness he added. "I really didn't have much back home anyway. Mom and dad passed years ago. So there really wasn't anything keeping me." Throwing a clue that he was single when it started was also intentional. A way to test His earlier theory about her thoughts.

After he finished the last of his steak he took a pull from the fine bottle of bourbon then offered it to her and asked out of random curiosity. "So what was it you did? For a living that is." He wanted to learn as much about her as he could before he started with her. Maybe it was habit. When he hunted he always stalked his prey for a long time. Learned as much about them as he could. But now his prey had come to him. He had only minutes to learn who she was. Precious little time. Minutes instead of months.

Taryn sat back as she continued eating the delectable steak James so kindly shared with her. She had to admit that if things had to go haywire with her car, that at least she'd been lucky enough to have things happen so close to this man. Never did she expect that one moment she'd be stranded and the next sharing a delicious meal with a beautiful man. Her eyes sparkled like sapphires as the sun set lower, the stars shimmering in the soft twilit sky. It was the perfect evening and just what she'd needed after seeing so much death and misery. Her eyes lingered on James for a moment as he spoke—it was hard not to—and his compliment didn't go unnoticed. The moment their eyes connected, she felt her cheeks heat up, her pulse begin to race. Immediately, she averted her eyes and smiled.

There was something warm and honest about James and Taryn felt herself drawn to him because of that. Maybe it was because of everything that had happened in Miami...everywhere! Or maybe it was just her. It was hard to say. But she couldn't deny the connection she felt as she sat there, enjoying the time they were spending together even if it was just a chance coincidence. She listened intently as he told her about his life, about being...alone.

Again Taryn felt the warmth rising to her cheeks. She looked at James, her expression one of empathy mixed with that hint of hope she couldn't help but have. Like her, he had no one. No one to turn to when times got rough, when times were...like this. She knew right then and there after he helped her with her car that she'd ask him if he wanted to head with her to Ohio. For the briefest of moments, she smiled, but it faded as she averted her eyes, he cheeks a healthy shade of red. She raked a hand through her dark hair and let out a soft sigh and nodded.

"Me?" Taryn went on. "Oh, I'm a dancer." She smiled, her eyes finding James' again. "Well, I'm trying to be. I've been studying it most of my life and I tried to make it in New York, but..." her voice trailed. "New York didn't agree with me." She leaned forward on the table, her breasts pushing together between her arms that propped her head up as she leaned. "They said I needed more experience, better references...all sorts of things. So, back to Miami I went." She giggled softly then. "I did manage to get a job with the local ballet company. But, that was before everything went to hell. Guess I won't be doing much dancing now." Her voice was sad, bitter that all her dreams had been dashed.

Taryn frowned, but shook it off and replaced it with a smile, an idea suddenly striking her.

"Although, if you'd like," Taryn suddenly said trying to lighten the mood. "I could dance for you! It would be fun!" Her face was happy, eager to please as well as show off. "Besides, it's been ages since I've danced for anyone."

His eyebrows arched when he heard her profession. At first he thought she was a stripper. Her athletic frame coupled with her generous busy would certainly be a hit with the men that frequented those places. But he quickly realized that his assumption was wrong when he heard about her trying to make it in New York. Assumptions, James knew, lead down a forked road with no signs. So he mentally chastised himself for making one.

His mind was instantly torn from the mistake he made when she leaned forward. An act that caused her firm bust to press together and created a deep valley of flesh. Though James was a calculating man who's every act every word was thought out he was still a man. A man who greatly appreciated the sight of a beautiful woman. So he couldn't help but glance down at the valley she created. Brief images of his hearty manhood splaying the crevice of her clevage while he sought comfort in her supple flesh. Images that he banished as he tore his eyes from the brief glance and brought them back to her beautiful eyes.

When she didn't take the offered bottle he assumed that it meant she did not drink. Not that he minded. He rarely partook himself. But tonight was a time to celebrate. So he brought the bottle to his lips and took a small sip of the strong liquor and savored the burn as the liquid, chilled by the night air, ran down his throat and warmed his belly even more than the hot meal had. Finally as she finished speaking he replied with an excited looking smile. "I'd like that very much." Then looking to the night sky he continued. "It would probably be better that you stay here tonight. I'll see what I can do with your car when there's light. The cabin is small. But there's more than enough room for two." actually three he thought as he spoke. "To sleep comfortably."

Immediately, Taryn felt her face flush, her skin growing warm underneath her hoodie. It had been a while since she'd danced for an audience and this one consisted of just one individual. James certainly would be the most intimate audience she'd performed for save her family back when she was a little girl. But she wasn't a little girl any longer and her desire to do something that might make them both happy was growing stronger by the second as she peered into his eyes and the sun set lower beyond the trees.

Taryn couldn't hide her smile as she stood up, a hand moving through her dark curls as she pulled it back with the hair tie that had been around her wrist. "Thanks, that would be great," she said, glancing up, the sky darkening. James was right. It would make more sense to wait out the night and she hardly minded. It would give her more time with him...and an opportunity to ask him to join her on the drive. Her tummy fluttered at the prospect. Surely he'd come along. He had no one left.

Smiling, Taryn removed her hoodie and wrapped it about her waist. She giggled as she mock fluffed it, pretending it was a tutu. Her eyes locked with James for a moment and a wave of jitters suddenly washed over her. She was about to dance for him. Him. Alone. Ugh, she hoped he liked it and wasn't just obliging her something silly. Either way, she figured it said something about his character, the man he was. Already he'd shared his dinner and offered shelter. And in the morning he was going to help her with her car.

The air had a bite to it and caused tiny goose bumps to form along Taryn's arms. She gave them a quick rub, but tried to ignore the chill. Instead, she focused her blue eyes on James—his kind face, eyes she could easily get lost in. She raised her arms, turned out her hips and began to dance. The steps were simple enough...graceful and elegant. But her eyes stayed with his. The moves suddenly became more complex, her breaths a bit heavier due to the slight exertion, but it was clear she was happy. As she continued, the steps became more stylized, her own, merely influenced by the art that she loved. She moved closer, subtly displaying herself for him to see and hopefully enjoy. Finally, she finished, curtsying low before him, bowing her head.

Taryn then peered up into his eyes, her smile shy as her cheeks tinged pink. "Hope you liked that," she said, panting just a little. Slowly, she stood back up to her full upright position. She fanned herself and looked up into the sky. It had fully darkened and, like it or not, it was time to head in. Giving James a smile she grabbed her purse off the table and began heading toward the door to go inside.

He was a man of many parts. Equally comfortable in camouflage with a bow as he was in a tuxedo at the opera. James enjoyed all of the finer things in life. Everything from exquisitely aged wine and a fine woman to a perfectly cold morning in the mountains tracking a buck through the brush all the way to the perfect woman's perfect scream in exquisite terror. So he knew potential when he saw it. And he saw it in her. Had they met a year or two ago he may have sponsored her, pushed her through the finest schools so he could see her rise through the elite ranks in New York just so he could tear her down and destroy her in the basement of a rented house under an assumed name. But it wasn't a year or two ago. It was here and now. So he was forced to enjoy what luck had brought him.

Already thoughts flowed through his mind of her enpointe before him, her breasts bound while he whipped her naked flesh. Though he once again had to force those images from his mind. He adored the anticipation. But knew that if he did not maintain his control over his urges that he would strike before it was time, and that time was coming soon. Before long her flesh would bleed under his knife and her body would quiver because of his assaulting rod. So he turned his mind back to the show she gave him. The enticing movements of her femine form and the chill of the night conjoined with the gooseflesh on her skin with the setting sun.

Ballet, he believed, in itself was a form of submission. It was a form of dance almost strictly reserved for the royality it was preformed for. In the beginning anyway. Dancers toiled for years learning the art. All in an attempt to entertain their betters. In a sense the ballerina admitted during her performance that she was subservient to her audience. A fact that James was sure was lost on the dancers in modern times. But ignorance of history did not change history. So he saw it fitting that this beautiful woman who was about to become his displayed her art for him, the man that was soon to destroy her.

Once she finished he clapped his hands in applause. But said not a single word. Instead he waited for her next move. And when she grabbed her purse and started for the door James grabbed the bottle and joined her. A step or two before they reached it he gently placed his hand at the small of her back. Instantly the contact with her toned body sent an almost electric jolt through him. Though he stayed his desire and instead of forcing her movement. Instead of using the contact to bring her closer he gently guided her while the hand that held the bottle turned the handle and pushed open the door. Then while it creeked open he ushered her inside as he said warmly. "You are tallented. I hope you will preform for me again." hoping to draw her attention from what she would soon find inside.

Inside the small cabin his former captive still hung in the kitchen. Bound by the feet upside down the corpse hung without an ounce of flesh on her decapitated body. Only bone and sniew remained. Just before her corpse was the table which still had many of her organs piled atop each other. Though he disposed of her lower intestine and stomach. And just below her corpse lay a pool of dried blood her skin and severed head. Though it was obvious that it had not been haphazardly discarded. Instead James laid out the skin that formerly covered his victim's beautiful body and had wrapped himself in it like a blanket. That was where he slept the night prior using her head as a pillow.

The rest of the cabin was unremarkable. Save for the chains and ropes that hung from the celing in various places. Against one wall sat a large bed. In the center of the cabin was a short table and two chairs. And along the opposite wall of the bed was an old couch.

The kitchen other than the gruesome scene was equally unremarkable. A simple wood burning stove with a small counter a deep granite sink and a fridge that had long been silent from the lack of electricity were all it held. Beyond the sleeping area sat a dividing wall to a very basic bathroom with a toilet a sink and a shower which was fed by a well though since there was no gas to hear the water heater all that flowed was cold water. There wasn't even a fireplace. The stove was the cabins only source of heat.

James suddenly shoved the young woman well past the threshold and pulled the door closed behind him. The door, that door he blocked was the cabins only exit. What few Windows existed were set far too high for her to reach. "You sure you don't want a drink?" he asked with a chuckle.

One moment Taryn was smiling, having a relaxing evening and enjoying herself. All those fears and worries that had consumed her when she'd crashed her car had dissipated thanks to the beautiful man living in the woods. And the next... She stumbled forward, James' touch going from soft, gentle, inviting to something she didn't quite understand. Had he just shoved her? Oh no, she must be mistaken. He was playing, continuing the light fun she'd started when she'd danced for him. She was about to turn around, to playfully tease when her blue eyes were suddenly fixed upon the most horrific sight she'd ever seen.

Taryn dropped her purse, the thing landing on the floor with a loud jingling thud. She wanted to turn, to run, but her eyes felt deceived as they tried to take in and process what they were seeing. Blinking several times, everything started to get blurry. No, it was the tears. She shook her head back and forth, her face twisting and contorting, trying to make sense of everything.

"Th-that's not real...that's not..." Taryn's voice was growing frantic as panic began to surge. Just what was this? Any of this?

Thoughts flew through Taryn's mind. James had been so kind, so hospitable. And so very beautiful. Ugh...he still was! But...she continued shaking her head, denial and disbelief coursing through her. Turning around, she saw him blocking the door.

"D-drink?" Taryn stammered only half hearing James' words. She glanced over her shoulder, the body hanging there, skinned and lifeless, it's head missing from its body. As her eyes flitted through the place, she saw the rest of what used to be a girl.

Oh god!

Terrified, sick, Taryn turned again, eyes wide with fear, and lunged for her purse knowing the pair of scissors were hidden inside it.

The wait, all the niceties had been worth it. James could swear that he heard her heart skip a beat when she saw the scene painted in all its grotesque beauty in the cabin. Her adrenalin had to flow so freely through her attractive body that it had nearly been paltable in the air around her. In that split moment everything changed. Moments ago the attractive man that fed her and gave her company went from savior to tormentor. And he loved it.

Upon hearing her almost incoherent words James responded with a chuckle. "That was dinner." Then when she suddenly dove for her purse he lunged forward. In one deft move the now monsterous man kicked the purse away and brought his knee upward. The sick thud his knee made when it connected with the bridge of her nose was music to James's ears. It filled the silence of the cabin and caused his desires to resurface. He kneed her hard. Probably harder than she had ever been struck before. Though it was controlled and calculated. Enough force to break her nose and daze her. But not so much that her sinuses would shatter.

Even as she was sent careening across the kitchen and into the pile of flesh and blood James was moving. The same moment she came to a rest on the dead woman's flesh was the same moment James was on her. He flipped her over and planted his knee on the back of her head, mashing it into the dead flesh as he wrenched her wrists behind her back. In a matter of seconds while she was dazed he began to string her arms together with a lattice work of knots. Tight enough that she wouldn't be able to free herself. But not so tight that the ropes cut of circulation to her hands. Finally after less than a minute passed he looped the rope over her neck and terminated the live end back at her wrists.

Everything happened so fast. Taryn reached for her purse, the thing harboring the only weapon she had. But she was too slow. Too slow and too confused and suddenly she had the worst headache in the world! Her head hurt, her nose hurt and she could taste blood dripping down her throat. It was hot and thick and had a metallic aftertaste. She spit it out on instinct, some of it dribbling along the sides of her mouth. But she was unable to think, everything a blur as she flew across the room.

As Taryn skidded backward across the floor, she suddenly smacked into something that had a bit more give than a wall or cabinet. As her thoughts came together and James' words about dinner began to register, she suddenly wretched the moment she was flung onto her stomach. Once her belly was emptied, her face was shoved against the remaining flesh of what had once been a living, breathing girl!

Oh god, was this her fate!? Was she his next meal!? This beautiful man—no, monster—a devil in disguise!

"Please..." Taryn sobbed, her words muffled since her face was pressed against the dead woman's remains. " Don't kill me...don't eat me..." Her sobs were hardly pretty as she begged for her life, for mercy while she felt James tie her arms behind her back. "I'll do anything, anything! I promise! P-please..."

Taryn was still so very confused. How could this be happening? How could this be real? The world was already so fucked up, but this... There were no words. To think she'd thought her night had taken a turn for the better.

When it had truly become worse than any nightmare she'd ever had, any devastating horror she'd encountered before.

Her fear was almost tangible in the air around him. It seemed as if he could almost reach out and grab it. Her panicked pleading only emboldened his actions. It excited him, made him want to rush the experience. Though he didn't rush. He knew that his pleasure would come soon enough. So once her arms were secured behind her back he stood and grabbed her by the hair. He never answered her. He didn't speak as she sobbed and plead. He simply manhandled her tone body. And once she was in the center of the room he hauled her to her feet. It was then, after he painfully lifted her arms behind her back and to one of the chains that hung from the rafters. He knew that she couldn't be comfortable with her arms pulled so high that she had to bend at the waist to relieved the strain. Any higher and her feet would likely come off the ground.

Still, with her bound and unable to fight him, he didn't speak. Instead he stepped up behind her and pressed his jeanclad crotch against her rump while his hands began to explore her body. And then there it was. His pocket knife between her breasts while his other hand roughly groped one of her large breasts.

Finally he spoke quietly while the razor sharp blade began to cut her tank top. "If you're a good girl you will live." He said once her tank top and bra had been cut away and deposited on the floor beneath her. "Do what I say when I say and I will not eat you." he wasn't exactly lying to her. He did not intend to kill her like he had the woman who still hung in his kitchen. But he knew that at some point he would become bored with her. "I want to use your body to make me feel good. I'm going to rape you. But I don't want to have to kill you."

Suddenly his hand on her naked breast was gone and as he stepped back he quickly jerked her pants down around her ankle. But he didn't return. He simply walked over to the dead woman's flesh and dragged it over to where Taryn was bound. With a smile he arranged the flesh like the redhead was laying on the ground her dead eyes looking lifelessly mouth agape in a silent scream. Then while James started to walk away he patted her naked rump and said. "Why don't you two talk while I go get some things ready. We have a long night ahead of us."

Taryn struggled as James manipulated her body, her arms aching as he strung her up on a chain that hung from one of the rafters in the middle of the room. She let out a low groan as he hoisted her up, her body automatically bending to help alleviate the pain she felt coursing through her arms. Her shoulders were on fire, the pain searing through the muscles making them cramp and twitch. She tried to lift her head, but her neck felt weak, the strain too much on the joint after everything he'd done. Whimpering softly, tiny wheezes came through her nose as blood poured out of it and dripped onto the floor. Was this how things were going to be now? Was this the way it was going to end?

Tears mixed with blood along Taryn's face, down her chin and neck and pooled on the floor below. Terrified, she suddenly felt something hard press against her backside. Startled, she gasped and tried to turn her head to see what was happening, what was... But it was no use. She couldn't see in back of her. But she knew it had to be James. Her body shook with sobs all over again along with the fear that had taken full control. Just why? Why?!

James's hands weren't gentle as they began to roam her body, exploring every inch like he already possessed her. Her mind was frantic, so confused! Moments ago, she knew he could've had her, she'd have been willing! He was beautiful and the idea of company was more than appealing. Didn't he know that? Didn't he understand? He didn't need to do this...he didn't need to frighten her! She'd have been his in just a few moments. They could've ended the night perfectly, wrapped in each others' arms, kissing, rolling around and making love while the rest of the world stayed in chaos. They could've had their moment, something wonderful, something...

And then Taryn felt the knife slide up her body. James' hand had found her breasts. He was squeezing them so hard that she cried out from the pain. "Oww! Ahh..." More tears, more blood from her nose, but it didn't stop him as the knife began to cut the thin fabric of her tank top and then her pretty bra. Crying, she just let his words echo in her mind, lingering as his hand moved to her bared breasts, teasing them with his fingers, his palm. To think she'd wanted this, she'd wanted him to touch her!

But not like this...not like this.

Just then, Taryn felt her pants rip down along her legs, hovering around her ankles. She wriggled slightly, but the strain of it only made her arms hurt and the blood flow more from her nose. Her face hurt terribly and it was hard to breathe properly. What she wouldn't give to just lie down and curl up somewhere no one could see her! The air felt cold as it swirled about her skin. Her nipples felt taut in the crisp air beneath James palm and suddenly...he was gone. She could hear him doing something behind her, her nervousness rising each moment he was gone. Suddenly, he pulled the dead body of his previous victim underneath her, her lifeless eyes—dead, yet so expressive—staring straight up into her own.

Was this a joke? Taryn half thought it might be. She heard James leave. Where was he going? She had no idea. None of this made any sense to her. She stared down into the woman's face, the blood pouring from her nose landing directly onto her face. A few drops dripped on the body's cheek, then into her open mouth. Another hit her eye. She half expected her to blink, but...she didn't. How could she? She was dead.

Dead!

Taryn wriggled again, her jeans bracing her ankles and her arms tied tightly enough that it was impossible to move. The air suddenly felt colder, tiny goose bumps forming along her flesh. She shivered both from the cold and from the fear. Confusion filled her. What she wouldn't give for a tender touch, a loving touch. She'd thought she'd be getting that right about now. She'd been ready to offer herself, to give herself freely. But now?

What had she been thinking? How could she have been so blind? Taryn looked back down into the face of the dead girl below, her blood pooled beneath her and was starting to coat her face. James would be back. He'd be back and then what? She wanted to live. She wanted to survive. Yes, she'd be his good girl for now if that meant living through the night, seeing the dawn.

Everything from the sound of her sobbing, pleading with him to the scent of death in the air to the fresh blood that dropped down her face excited him. It made him want to start in on her. To force himself on her immediately. To fill her while he cut strips of flesh from her body. But that was not the plan this time. This time he wanted to destroy her mind before he destroyed her body. He wanted her to learn to love his abuse. So instead of returning to her he walked into the kitchen. And began to salt and season the dozens of small strips of meat he had previously cut from his last victim then carried the tray out to the grill. The wood that fired it burned down to a slow an older the low heat it produced wouldn't seat a steak. But was the perfect temprature to cook away the little bit of fat that remained and dry out the meat. So he carefully hung the strips from little hooks that hung from the massive lid. And finally after he hung the last one he tossed a couple pieces of split oak firewood into the coals then closed the lid.

The entire time he prepared and hung the meat he found his mind drifting back to the woman inside. Despite the chill of the night air he found his body warm. The thoughts of what was to come what he was to do to her had his manhood hard beneath his jeans and ready to abuse her. But still he stealed himself to the plan at hand. So as he went back into the cabin he forced himself to advert his eyes from her bound body and instead of going to her, he lowered the headless corpse to the floor then carried it outside. As much as he wanted to bask in the beauty of the corpse He knew what disease it could create. So he piled wood onto the fire pit and set it afire. Fire had never been his chosen method of disposing of a body. It took too long to reduce the body to ashes and then there were the bones to deal with. But now there was no one looking for her. And no forensics lab to process any evidence. So once the logs caught fire he deposited the corpse onto the top and added yet more wood. Then went back inside.

He would have loved to watch her remains burn. But he wanted to observe his newest catch more. He also knew that there was much left of his latest victim to dispose of. So he took comfort in the time he had to acomplish the things he needed to accomplish. He would still need to dispose of her skin and organs. But figured that he had time enough for that later. As he neared her he picked up a long switch and suddenly struck her firm rear. Though he struck her once and only once he hit her hard enough to cause her flesh to raise in a blister. The sight was almost orgasmic and caused the large well built man to shutter in a silent groan. The moment he connected he dropped the switch and gently ran both hands over both cheeks and felt the blister. Then while his fingers moved across the welt and eventually started to prod at her tiny pink pucker he said. "First I think I'm going to use your mouth. But then I'm going to rape this hole."

Instead of pressing a finger into her dry asshole he ran his strong hands roughly down her legs to her ankles and said "If you kick me I will hurt you more than you ever thought possible." and finished removing her pants and panties.

The pungent odor wafted into the cabin, permeating the already rancid air making Taryn start to gag. She was already having trouble as blood clots began to slide down her throat, her nose bleed starting to slow to an agonizing trickle. Sputtering a bit, she spit out one of the clots, a string of saliva hanging on to her lower lip as she cried silent tears from eyes sore and so very tired. The clot landed directly on the dead woman's eye with a wet sounding splat. Shivering at the sight, the smell reached her nose. Despite the difficulty she had breathing, she could still make out the rank aroma, the stench causing her tummy to churn. It was a mix of smoke and flesh and she could only guess what James was doing.

Taryn tried to clear her head, to push away all the dark thoughts swimming about her mind as she all but hung there, feet barely reaching the floor. But it was impossible when you were cast into the pits of hell. Wheezing, aching, she waited for the moment James would be returning. It wasn't long before she heard the soft thud of his footsteps behind her as the door opened and a swirl of cold air enveloped her body causing her skin to go taut almost instantly. She lifted her head, but only for a moment as she heard a swish slice through the air and end with something striking her rear. It stung horribly, like nothing she'd ever felt before. Then she heard something fall to the floor and James' hands were all over her, spreading her cheeks, clearly inspecting, scrutinizing...enjoying?

Oh the confusion! Taryn still didn't understand any of this! Didn't he know he could've had her if he'd just asked? She'd have complied! Hell, she was ready to offer, to ask him to come with her...so many things! How could he misinterpret? How could he not notice, not realize? It was all too much.

James' words were lost upon Taryn as another wave of fear washed over her. She had to comply, to be good. Could she do that? She had to. She'd no choice if she wanted to live. Whimpering, her nose started to bleed again, the blood flowing in a slow, yet steady, stream. Would it ever stop? Could it?

James was going to rape her, do things to her. She turned her head slightly and winced. The pain running through her arms was intense and she could feel the ropes beginning to cut into her skin. Just then she felt her pants and panties come off all the way, her body completely bared, exposed and vulnerable, for him to have his way with.

The urge to kick was strong. But even the slightest movement with her legs hurt her arms. Besides, she wanted to live, to see the sun rise in the sky. She wanted to taste all that life had to offer.

"I...I promised I'd be g-good," Taryn stammered, her face hurting, her entire body sore and cold. She longed for this to be over, for James to suddenly laugh and tell her 'got you!' That he was kidding around the whole time. But that wasn't going to happen. This was real. "Please," she begged, her voice nothing but a whisper.

As she reinterated her promise to be good he closed the metal shackles around her ankles and began to tie a rope to bind her knees together. Right, but not so tight that circulation to her lower legs. No, he knew it would not be comfortable. He wanted it that way. But he knew he could not be as cruel as he had been with previous prey and still achieve his goal.

With her knees bound together he ran a rope up from the shackles round her ankles through the rope at her knees and eventually looped it round her neck half a dozen times. And then terminated it at her throat so her knees and ankles were pulled upward, essentially forcing her into a perverted enpoint on her big toes. But still allowed her to breathe freely. Or as freely as her broken nose would allow.

Finally as he stood and slowly walked round her his fingers ghosted across her body, feeling the gooseflesh and the way she trembled. As he touched her he spoke, almost warmly. "I'm sure that you're confused right now. And absolutely terrified. Why would I do this to you when you're whorish thoughts had you in my bed already?" He stoped in front of her. His jean clad member by her head as he towered over the bound woman. "Because I like this better." He exclaimed while he squatted before her and slowly unfolded his bone carved pocket knife and brought the razor sharp blade to one of her firm breasts. "I like this better because it's easy to please a woman. There's no challenge in it. But there is difficulty in keeping them concious while you strip their skin from their body and then have your fun with them." He slowly dragged the sharp blade across her breast but an inch or two and created a shallow cut.

No sooner than he finished His cut he pulled the blade away and began to gather her long hair in his hands. "But I will promise you, as long as you do what I say when I say I won't hurt you any more than necessary to bring me pleasure. No more and no less than that." with her hair gathered he jerked a thin rope down from where it hung from the chain and began to wrap it round her gathered blood matted hair in an intricate patern. His fingers worked quickly tying the various knots. Then ran the live end down her back and let it fall between her cheeks. Again he moved round her. Still with the same gentle touch of His fingertips almost like he was taking a casual walk around a new car at the dealership and was thinking about buying it. But he already had her. Instead he was memorizing every flawless imperfection his fingers felt. By the time he was done with her he would know her body better than she knew it herself.

Finally behind her he pulled the rope down between her silken folds and to the ropes at her knees. The coarse rope pressed against her sensitive bits and bit into her flesh while he pulled her head back and tied the free end between her knees.

With her bound painlessly and while the sea of stimuli flooded his senses he walked over to the chair in the corner and sat. Sight mixed with sound and smell and further drove his desire to take her. But he wanted to observe her. To see her reactions to it all. To hear her pained sobs. So there, with the room lit only dimly by the few candles spread here and there and a lone lantern on the nearby coffee table he sat and lifted the bottle of bourbon to his lips while he wordlessly watched her beautiful body her crimson blood run from her nose and drop from the fresh cut on her breast.

Trembling, shivering, Taryn hoped that somehow James would just loosen the ropes and let her body down. She peered into that horror struck face beneath her and hoped he'd at least have the decency to pull that away first. He'd have to...wouldn't he? But as James circled around her, his gaze penetrating deeper than anything ever could, he began tie yet more rope around her already aching body. Would this ever end? Would he ever tire of this ridiculous torture? What happened to the kind, sweet man who'd promised to help her with her car?

Her car! Taryn's car was still out there on the highway, locked up tightly with her things stashed safely inside. Her purse held the keys. Oh what she wouldn't give to retrieve them so she could make her way back to it, hide away inside with the doors locked and...and then what? The thing wouldn't start. She wouldn't be able to go anywhere. The deer or whatever animal she'd hit had seen to that. Damn wildlife! She hated it all! All of it! Fresh tears began to fall as James wrapped the rope about her neck and shackled her ankles together. She could barely move and any twitch her muscles made sent searing pain in other parts of her body that she didn't realize could ache!

James hands touched her body and Taryn thought she could almost feel a sense of appreciation in his caress. But it was hard to tell given the position she was in. It might've been wishful thinking, a hope she dared to let slip into her mind when everything had suddenly turned into the blackest of nightmares. She needed to hold onto something. Anything! This man—no devil—had to have some good in him! Didn't he? She had to believe it...she'd seen his eyes, the way he'd been with her earlier. No man could fake that.

Could they?

James spoke plainly, his voice soothing, his words vicious and cutting to the bone. Taryn's ears were ringing, her head throbbing as she went over everything again and again. Just how had she missed things...how could she have not realized things would end in this way? No! She couldn't believe it! She wouldn't! This wasn't real...it wasn't! Just then, James brought himself down to her level, his eyes looking squarely into her own. She sucked in a sharp breath, her nose aching so terribly that it caused her face to throb. There was a hint of movement near the corner of her eye, but she couldn't make it out. So, she focused on him. On his eyes. Those cold eyes she'd thought were so beautiful, so captivating. They'd lured her in, beckoning her, making her feel both safe and secure. She felt neither of those now.

"Owww..." Taryn winced softly, her face contorting just slightly as James suddenly began to cut along her milky flesh along her breasts. Despite the cut he'd given her with his knife, she didn't fight him. Her body was unable to move and she didn't want to die. Dawn wasn't that far away. She'd hold out...she had to!

Taryn felt a warm trickle run between her breasts. Small drops dripped down onto the woman's face below adding to what had already fallen upon her face, an artistic array of red splattered upon what had once been the picture of femininity. James spoke his words, did his work. More ropes secured her, pulling her head back and working their way through her hair. Her muscles were straining, hurting so terribly. She thought about dance class, the first time she'd gone en pointe. It had hurt, her feet, her ankles, her legs...all of them ached.

But not like this...not like this.

James had moved away as if to appreciate what he'd done. Taryn felt like she was going to be sick, but she managed to hold onto her resolve, tamping down the feeling and somehow forcing her tummy to settle. She felt a blood clot slip down her throat, causing her to gag. The rope between her legs was rubbing violently against her sex in ways she wasn't used to and didn't want to ever grow accustomed to. She looked over at the man who'd done this to her, her eyes flitting to the corner. Soft sobs rolled from her mouth, but they only made it harder to breathe and caused more strain. It was a no win battle! She wasn't even afforded the luxury of crying! Silent tears fell along her cheeks as soft grunts rolled over her lips, slowly becoming cracked and dry.

If only she could sleep. Sleep. Yes, that was what Taryn wanted. Sleep would help her escape this misery. It was all she had left to protect herself. But it was a pity she was too terrified to do so.

James could sit there and watch her all night bound the way she was. But he wanted her body to last. At least long enough to scramble her mind and turn her into a pain living whore. So he knew he couldn't keep her bound the way he normally would. So after a rather short amount of time he stood from his chair and again came before her. Though this time when he squatted before her Instead of pulling out his knife he reached up and began to straighten her broken nose. He could feel the cartilage crunch and scrape against the other broken piece in her nose and smiled wildly at the pain he knew she was in. And once her nose was more or less straight he dropped his hands and spoke. "There. All pretty again." but he knew it was a pointless act. Before long his pelvis would be bouncing off her nose as he used her mouth and he would just have to straighten it again. Something he would likely need to do several times before it actually started to heal. If he allowed it to heal at all.

The young woman seemed to almost have a natural submissive mentality. Something that worked in his favor at the moment. But he knew that sooner or later she would start to fight him. So he wanted to capitalize on it while he could. A part of him knew that he should reward her for her obedience. But the more sadistic side of him controlled his decisions. For the time being at least. So with her nose set properly he stood and moved away from her.

While he was gone he retrieved a dozen or so metal pipes of varying lengths and placed them on the coffee table to her side. Then the tall attractive man set about to fixing the pipes to the table so she would be fully secured in yet another uncomfortable position. Then returned to her and began to untie all the ropes save for the one that kept her arms behind her back. And once he had her free from the chain that lifted her arms up he ushered her toward the table. With him supporting a majority of her weight he said. "You've been a good girl so far. But I like seeing you uncomfortable. So I'm afraid that you're going to have to learn to deal with being uncomfortable." his words. Like before. Were almost sympathetic. Though he felt no sympathy for her. He never felt sympathy for the women he hurt. To him they were simply objects to be used, things he could hurt. To him She was not a person.

So he forced her to bend over the short, yet long wooden coffee table then moved her legs so they were spread wide and shackled her ankles to opposite ends of the table using the pipe. Then he slid a set of pipes into a fixture on either side of her waist that had two more long pipes projecting up at an angle and untied her arms. It had to be a horribly uncomfortable position. To be forced into the splits with the top half of her torso and head hanging off the edge of the table With her arms pulled up behind her at an angle to the pipes. But it was erotic in James's eyes. He could do nearly anything he wanted to her for as long as he wanted without cutting off circulation to her extremities. Yes. This was going to be a very long night.

Finally. With her completely nude and mostly covered in her own blood from not only the broken nose. But the cut on her breast James started to undress before her. Under any other more consensual circumstances she would have probably welcomed the sight of his chiseled frame standing before her with the fine hairs that covered his broad chest and hard abs there was no doubt about his virility. And with his rock hard member fully erect with the bulbous, shrouded head pointing straight jp teaching last his own navel there could be no doubt what he had in mind. And any question of his plans should have been removed from her mind as he knelt before her and aimed his shrouded head at her lips while he held her head by her hair so she couldn't turn away. "Now open your mouth so I can fuck that little throat of yours." He said with a sadistic grin on his handsome face in a voice that could have been lkened to pure evil.