Page 41 of Eat Me

“I hope you’re hungry. I brought something light for you. Just some porridge, toast and juice.” Her smile fades a bit as she looks me over, “My name Is Evangeline, or Ava if you like.” She moves and sits the food tray on the side table by the bed before turning to me.

“As you can guess I’m the boy’s mother.” She gives me a sympathetic smile, but I don’t have any words. I’m speechless that this kind woman was their mother.

I stare at Evangeline in a stunned silence, trying to reconcile this cheerful, maternal figure with the brutal family I'd come to know. Her bright smile and gentle demeanor seem so at odds with the cruelty I'd witnessed from her sons.

"I... um, thank you," I finally manage, my voice hoarse. I eye the food warily, memories of the last‘meal’I'd been given still fresh in my mind. "But I'm not sure I can eat anything right now."

Evangeline's smile dims slightly, concern creasing her brow. "Oh honey, I understand. The boys told me you had a rough time with the last test." She reaches out as if to pat my hand comfortingly, but I flinch away instinctively.

She pulls back, a flicker of hurt crossing her face before her smile returns. "It's alright, dear. I know this must all be….a lotfor you."

I stare at her, unable to understand her gentle demeanor with the brutality I've witnessed from her family. “A lotdoesn't begin to cover it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "How can you... how can any of you think this is normal?"

Evangeline's smile falters slightly, but she quickly composes herself. "I know it must seem barbaric to you right now, dear. But our ways have kept our family strong for generations. In time, you'll come to understand."

Shaking my head, disgust churning in my stomach, "How can you be so calm about this? How can you act like cannibalism and murder are just normal family traditions?"

Evangeline sighs, her green eyes - so like Elijah's, look at me with understanding and pity, "Oh, I know, sweetheart. It is far from normal…and it's always difficult for the new girls at first. But you'll adjust in time, just like I did."

Her words send a chill down my spine. "Like you did?" I echo. "You weren't born into this family?"

Evangeline shakes her head, a faraway look in her eyes. "No, dear. I was brought in much like you were, many years ago. It was... challenging to say the least.” She pauses for a minute before giving a tired smile. “It was worth it in the end. I got beautiful children…and my life got better once I stopped fighting my husbands.”

I stare at Evangeline, trying to process what she’s telling me. The idea that she had once been in my position, that she’d been kidnapped and forced into this twisted family, made my stomach churn.

"How?" I whisper, my voice cracking. "How could you possibly accept this? How could you go from being a victim to... to raising your children to do the same thing to others?"

Evangeline's smile turns sad, her eyes fill with a mix of pity and understanding. "Oh, honey. I know it seems impossible now. But when you have no other choice, when your survival depends on it... you'd be surprised what you can adapt to."

Shaking my head vehemently, anger flaring inside me, "There's always a choice. You could have tried to escape, to get help."

Evangeline let out a soft, humorless laugh. "I did try that…. multiple times. I got punished for each attempt as well.” She gives me a knowing look. She probably knows I would try to escape this place with all that I am.

“If you try the same…. I can tell you my boys won’t be so nice with their punishment when they catch you.” I can hear the warning and silent plea in her voice when she says that. I will try to escape though. If there is an opening….a way out…I will take it.

I stare at Evangeline, trying to process her words. The idea that she had once been in my position, that she had tried to escape and had been punished for it, sends chills down my spine.

"What... what kind of punishments?" I ask hesitantly, not sure I want to know the answer.

Evangeline's eyes darkened slightly, a haunted look crossing her face. "It's best not to dwell on such things, dear. Just know that it's not worth the risk." She pauses, her voice softening. "My boys can be... intense when they feel betrayed. It's better to accept your place here."

I again shake my head, anger flaring inside me. "Accept my place? As what? A prisoner? A broodmare for your twisted family?"

Evangeline flinches at my harsh tone. "As a cherished member of our family.” I pause at this. ‘Family’.I didn’t understand it before, and I still don’t. Family doesn’t mean much to me right now…and how things are going it still won’t mean anything with this family of crazy phsycos.

“I don’t want a family though.” I mutter quietly, “I want to go home to the life I made. I want to gohome.”I know I’m repeating myself, but it’s true. I don’t want to be here. I want my apartment, my bed, and even my crappy jobs. I made that life, and it feels like the life I built is being brushed under the rug.

“Sweetheart, you will learn to love this life.” She gives me a sad look, as a knock on the door sounds out, she sighs before the smile returns back to her face.

“Now…. you should try to eat. We are prepping for the last test…” She pauses as she takes a deep breath. “You may be in here for a day or two…relax and gather your strength.” The ‘you’ll need it’ seems to be implied but is left unsaid as she gives me another smile and was out the door. The sound of the lock sliding into place makes me almost collapse in on myself.

My mind is going in circles at this situation, and I only thought this family was just crazy…but now, adding theirdiet,they’re certifiable.This is a whole new game. I don’t know how to process it all. I feel like I’m going to reach my breaking point soon. If I break…, will I be able to pick the pieces up or will this family pick those pieces up and put them together how they want me?

I look at the food before deciding not to bother with it, I laid back down on the bed with a sigh. Closing my eyes hoping when I open them again things will be better. I know it’s wishful thinking...but that is all I have right now..so wishful thinking I would do. I curl into myself, trying to ignore how comfortable the bed is as I let sleep take me.

Chapter Thirty

Victoria

---