Carrion Comfort

by Dan Simmons

  But on other days— cold dark days such as this when the clouds move in from the north— I remember the silent shape of a submarine moving through the dark waters of the bay, and I wonder whether my self-imposed abstinence has been for nothing. On days like this I wonder if such a gigantic, final Feeding might not make me younger after all. As Willi used to say when proposing some mischievous little prank of his: What do I have to lose?

  It is supposed to be warmer tomorrow. I may be happier then. But I am chilled and somewhat melancholy today. I am all alone with no one to play with.

  Winter is coming. And I am very, very hungry.