Deadweight

by Forster, Paul

  Natasha gently stroked his chin as if to comfort him, then launched herself at tiny corpse. Biting into Renton's neck and chest, she coughed as the fur entered her mouth but didn't stop until she had a good mouthful of flesh. She chewed through the tough tissue and swallowed. Sweet relief. Natasha picked out a lump of fur from her mouth and looked at it closely before fixing her gaze on to Renton. She couldn't work out why, but it tasted good. The kitty meat scratched the itch that all other food had struggled to. She didn't feel bad for Renton. She was fixed on him, but not out of love. She saw meat, and she wanted more. She grabbed a large knife and took Renton's head off in one hard chop. Natasha placed it to one side, she'd return to it when she needed to. She hacked at the body and pulled Renton's skin off, not cleanly, it was a gory, slippery struggle. She didn't know the best way to skin a cat, but believed there were many alternatives. Hers wasn't elegant, but it did the job. Her mouth was watering, her impatience growing. Natasha licked the blood from her fingers on her left hand as she began sawing through Renton's shoulder blade, about half way through she put the knife down and pulled at the leg twisting it until with a crunch, it popped free. Natasha pushed it against her lips and took a bite. Cat was even nicer without the fur. She groaned with pleasure at the relief.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  IT HAD BEEN the happiest week of her life since that magical date with Joshua. The sex had only got better. She had continued losing weight and now turned heads wherever she went.

  Natasha had never had this kind of attention before and she was loving every minute. Even Joshua had shed a few extra pounds. She was due to meet him that afternoon, and she planned on grabbing a quick bite to eat and then hitting the lingerie shop, a treat for her and Joshua. Their first night apart had been hard, she missed him greatly, but the revelation of Renton had nearly made it worth it. She had thought about the fresh meat, how it scratched that hunger itch that anything else she had eaten had failed to. Maybe she should go to the butchers or get another cat. She left her flat, as she locked the door, she turned and saw Mark. At least Kelly wasn't with him. He was just going into his flat when he saw her.

  “Hello sweet thing, are you lost?” Mark had a wide smile. Natasha looked around, unable to believe he was talking to her.

  “I live here.” She mustered.

  “You're the whale's new roommate?” He genuinely didn't recognise her.

  “Yes, I just moved in, I'm Nat... Natalie, it's a lovely place, Natasha is lovely.”

  “If pigs are your thing, I guess. But that flat, it's a shit hole, you should see my gaff its top-notch. You need to come and have a look, see how sweet these places can be. How about now?” He was eager. Natasha looked him up and down. He was an arsehole, but he was a fit one. She liked Joshua, a lot, but the chance to shag Mark and rub Kelly's nose in it.

  It was too good to turn down. “I've got a few minutes.” Natasha smiled and Mark let her inside.

  It was her first time in the flat. Mark wasn't lying, it was nice. Everything was expensive from the sofa to the TV to the rug. She could question some stylistic choices, it was a little too chavvy for her liking, but you couldn't dismiss the money that had been spent.

  “It's lovely. What do you do for a living?” She was intrigued, she thought they were council tenants on benefits. This was closer to an investment bankers pad than that of a job centre regular.

  “A bit of this, a bit of that.” Mark smiled widely. A thief or drug dealer was Natasha's first thought, probably both and nothing that required a great deal of intellect. But damn, that arse was tight. Natasha carried on looking around, she heard her tummy rumble, best make this quick.

  “And the bedroom?” Natasha took him by the hand and invited Mark to lead the way. She should have eaten before she left. She wanted him and he was definitely keen too. They entered the bedroom, and she pushed him onto the bed. Mark could not believe his luck, he eagerly unbuckled his belt and slid his trousers down, exposing a forgettable penis.

  Natasha placed herself on top of Mark rubbing herself against him, slowly at first as his erection grew until he was inside her. She began building up speed and Mark grabbed her thighs and squeezed. He was already ready, Natasha wasn’t, this was far too quick. Natasha stopped and looked at Mark.

  “What are you doing, don't stop, finish me off!” He pleaded. She slid down, he was fully erect, Mark leaned up and looked at Natasha. She smiled and got on to her knees, pulling him closer. Her stomach again rumbled as she started licking him, before she gently kissed the tip of his penis. Mark smiled and laid down flat. Natasha started sucking. Mark used his hands and forced her deeper on to him. She tried to pull back but wasn't able, so she went with it.

  “Faster, faster.” Mark was ready to explode. “Look at me, look me in the eye!” Mark was so close.

  Natasha obliged. “Ow! Jesus less teeth!” Natasha didn't oblige, she bit down hard.

  Mark screamed with pain, he tried to pull Natasha off him and failed. She clamped down firmly until she turned her head and ripped his penis clean off. Natasha stood up in shock at what she had just done and spat out the appendage. Mark grabbed the area streaming blood, but she wasn't done. She jumped on top of him and bit hard into his neck, ripped a chunk of flesh then another. Mark tried to push her off, but he couldn't muster the strength. Natasha chewed and swallowed the meat, maintaining eye contact all the way through. Mark couldn't fight back, after the next bite he stopped even trying to resist, he was done. His arms flopped down, and the bed was awash with red. He blinked one or two more times then just stared at the ceiling.

  Natasha carried on eating, less frenzied, becoming content. Mark may not have been able to find her g-spot, but he satisfied her in the end. Natasha was no longer shocked or upset at what she had done. She looked at Mark's bloody, lifeless body and didn't feel regret, she felt a desire to carry on eating. Which she did.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  THE BATHROOM WAS full of steam Natasha stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel to dry herself. Her clothes lay bloody, spread across the floor, red smears present on every surface. She walked back into the bedroom, Natasha had covered Mark with a sheet, his face still exposed, his cheeks picked clean of their flesh, bone showing through. A phone rang and grabbed Natasha's attention, she looked around and found it next to the severed penis.

  “Hey Josh, really sorry I was called into work, I tried to call but I didn't have any reception.” She sat on the bed and continued drying her legs. “Yeah, I think it'll be a late one but how about lunch tomorrow?” She looked back over at Mark and moistened her lips. “That sounds great. I miss you.”

  Natasha put her phone down as she heard something vibrating, it wasn't her phone. She looked around and saw Mark's. Four missed calls and nine text messages - all from Kelly. Natasha let a wicked smile grow across her face, she looked at some of Mark's previous messages then she began to respond. “Hey babe. When u commin home, ive got a surprize for ya!!” That seemed to capture the tone, she was confident Kelly wouldn't question it. A minute passed then another message arrived. Kelly had taken the bait. She was on her way.

  Natasha was clean, but very naked. Her clothes soaked in blood. Kelly was about her new size. Natasha opened the wardrobe and began picking clothes out, throwing them onto the floor in disapproval. It was all so slutty. Natasha loved her new and improving figure, but this was just trash with a label. She found a nice pair of jeans and a top that she thought would show off her breasts, she placed that carefully to one side and then put on the most ridiculous outfit she could find. She didn't intend on wearing it for long. Natasha looked at herself in the mirror and smirked, red leopard-skin print leggings, a hot pink boob tube, and a blue pair of knee-high boots. Not a combination that should ever be worn together, but she really didn't think the trio were any more ridiculous for being together than they would have been alone.

  Natasha made her way into the kitchen, she was hungry but she wasn't looking for something to eat. S
he opened a few sets of draws and examined their contents. Kitchen towels? Next. Tin foil and clingfilm, nope. Cutlery, getting warmer. Natasha rustled through the contents and pulled out a steak knife, she gently touched the tip, it was sharp, but it wasn't very big. She placed it on the side, a reserve in case she couldn’t come up with something better. She opened another draw and produced a stainless steel meat tenderiser, this was more like it. Natasha gave a few practice swings in to mid air, it seemed okay, a usable weight. She took a swing at the front of the microwave, the glass panel smashed and the head of the tenderiser was stuck but a good strong tug freed it. She placed it next to the steak knife. Her arsenal growing. Where were the big knives? Natasha smiled.

  “There you are.”

  A series of knives were held to a strip on the wall. A large carving knife fitted the bill, she checked the sharpness of the blade and was satisfied. She took the knife and the tenderiser to the living room and took a seat. She produced Mark's phone and composed another message.

  “In the bedroom babez, close your eyes 4 ur surprise”

  Within minutes a key entered the lock, and the door swung open, Kelly threw her handbag to the floor and removed her jacket as she shut the door behind her. She stopped, adjusted her bra and skirt then calmly walked towards the closed bedroom door.

  “Marky babe, I'm ready for my surprise.” Kelly entered covering her eyes with both hands. Natasha quietly strode behind her.

  “Marky?” Kelly uncovered her eyes and stared in disbelief, not able to process the scene before her. She took one step back and bumped off of Natasha and turned to face her. “Fatasha?” She recognised her, good, that would make it more satisfying.

  Natasha smiled as she brought the tenderiser down onto Kelly's temple. She staggered back, surprised she didn't even try to defend herself from the second blow as the stainless steel crunched into her nose and mouth. She crumbled to the floor and tried to scream, but all she could muster was a frightened, muffled sob. She struggled to breathe through her smashed nose, her broken teeth with blood and enamel finding their way to her throat. Natasha tossed the tenderiser to the floor and produced the knife. Kelly's eyes widened as she realised these were her last moments. Natasha pinned Kelly to the floor and held the knife to her eye.

  “I'm not fat now bitch.” She slowly pushed the knife into Kelly's eye, it popped as the tip entered and the blade slowly slid into the socket. One last push and brain met metal and Kelly's life was extinguished.

  Natasha stood back, looking at her work. She saw meat and didn't want to waste it. Moving to the kitchen, she emptied the fridge, throwing the contents onto the floor. None of it was any good to her now, she finally could satisfy her hunger and a jar of gherkins or low fat yoghurt would not cut it. A slice of Mark and Kelly though, would hit the spot.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  WITHOUT RENTON THE apartment seemed empty and soulless, for so many years he had been a dedicated companion. He had calmed Natasha when she was upset, made her feel loved and needed. He had done nothing but love her. Now what remained of his carcass was in the kitchen bin, covered in household waste, slowly rotting. Natasha sat silently, waiting for her next meal. She had been ducking Joshua for the few days since she made her first kills, with no intention of seeing him until she had finished with Mark and Kelly. He had kept calling, sounding more and more desperate in each voicemail. He had been banging at the door on and off for nearly half an hour. Natasha remained quiet and still. Calm and relaxed.

  “I'm so hungry Natasha, I have to see you. I've done something terrible. Please!”

  Desperation tinged with anger in Joshua's voice, Natasha recognised it. She wasn't sympathetic, it irritated her. He had been getting progressively louder and desperate. Natasha didn't need the attention so relented and threw the door open, dragging Joshua inside. He looked a mess, his skin was pale, he was sweaty and his shirt covered in food stains. He ran straight into the kitchen and ransacked the fridge and cupboards.

  “Where's the food, I need to eat!” He pleaded with Natasha.

  “I don't have any, it's all gone.” Joshua continued his doomed search before slumping to the floor in failure.

  “I don't know what's wrong with me. I can't concentrate. I have to eat. Look at me, I'm a fucking mess!”

  “What did you do Joshua, what's this terrible thing you did?” He was like her, she knew as soon as he had knocked on the door. She wondered if she looked as bad as him, Natasha glanced down at her arms she wasn't as pale or sweaty but she had changed. She had calmed since she had tasted human flesh, so maybe that was it. Maybe she could give him a little of Mark or Kelly. A taste.

  “I stole.” He quietly admitted.

  “You stole?” What a pussy, she'd killed and eaten a cat and two people and he had stolen something.

  “Yes, I, I took two packs of sausages.” He seemed ashamed, he still had shame.

  “That's not too bad.” She let out with a breath.

  “I ate them raw in the shop, they threw me out.” That was disgusting, but still lower league stuff compared to Natasha's recent exploits.

  “I don't know what's happening to me.” He was tearful. He was pathetic. Natasha pondered, should she share her meagre meat supplies or just kill Joshua? Use her precious chunks of human flesh or add to it. Joshua didn't look in great shape, but he would be a few meals at the very least.

  “One more chance.” She muttered under her breath and stood over him. “It will be okay, we're changing. I don't know how or why, but I felt like you. Now I feel, well I feel fantastic. You need to pull yourself together, I can help you, but you need to sort yourself out. Stay here.” Natasha left the flat.

  Joshua wiped his tears away and struggled to his feet, he had a small tremor running down his left arm causing him to rub it vigorously. He breathed deeply and tried to compose himself. Natasha returned with a small piece of Tupperware and handed it to Joshua.

  “Try this.” Joshua took the tub and popped open the top, inside were bloody slices of meat, he picked up a slice and sniffed it.

  “What is it?” He was salivating but hesitant.

  “Just eat it.” He slowly popped it into his mouth and chewed. A smile crept across his face as he quickly scoffed the rest, a disgusting sight. Finishing the meat in double quick time, he licked at the inside of the container and when that was free of blood, he attended to his fingers and the gore spread around his mouth.

  “Is there any more?” He finally felt satisfied, but still hungry. The stingy portion he'd been afforded was a snack, and he needed a meal.

  “That'll do for now. I don't want you being sick.” Joshua had calmed, sweet relief.

  “I did a bad thing too.” Natasha confessed. She took Joshua's hand and led him out of the apartment to Mark and Kelly's. At first Joshua was confused, but then he started sniffing the air and became excited, like a hound picking up the scent of a fox.

  “This way.” Natasha led Joshua from the living room into the bedroom. Blood on the floor, the bed, the walls. Everything soaked or splashed with the deep red claret. Joshua stepped in and took a deep long sniff.

  “Where are they?” Natasha motioned over to the kitchen and Joshua entered eagerly. On the floor, two partially butchered corpses, bloody bones and bits of flesh.

  Joshua dived onto the pile and started sucking the meat off of the bones, desperately trying to pick clean the remains and not waste an ounce of the magnificent flesh. Natasha watched, she thought she'd done a decent enough job of removing the flesh, but obviously Joshua's desperation drove him to try hard for remaining scraps. She'd let him finish then tell him about the meat in the fridge and the importance of rationing it. At the moment he had to get past that initial hunger.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  NATASHA HAD INSTRUCTED Joshua to shower, he had settled since picking clean the two corpses across the hall, but even before the blood and gore he had looked a mess. She stood naked in the bedroom, admiring her slim physique in the mirror. H
er pert breasts, tight arse, long slender legs and perfect waistline. Despite gorging herself, she had continued losing weight, and she thought she looked perfect. She may have become a monster on the inside, but she no longer cared about that, she looked fabulous on the outside and suffering years of being looked at as a freak, she was enjoying her new beauty. Joshua joined her, his belly bulged with the recent feed, his skin maybe a little paler, his eyes a little greyer.

  “How are you feeling?” She enquired without looking away from her own reflection.

  “Hungry.” It was as much a grunt as a response.

  “Take it slowly.” He was still wet from the shower, fumbling with his clothes as he got dressed. He was wasn't concentrating on the task in hand, his hunger preoccupied him. Shirt and jeans barely on, he left Natasha to her mirror and left the flat, swiping the keys to Mark and Kelly's along the way.

  At the front door, he struggled to insert the key, missing the hole by millimeters several times before he clicked it into place. Joshua smiled instinctively and entered. His nose instantly picked up the scent. Must eat. A few flies had gathered around the bloodstained bedroom and the rotting pile of bones in the kitchen. This didn't bother Joshua as he made his way through the livingroom to the kitchen. He opened the fridge and there they were, maybe a dozen bloody containers each filled to the brim with meat. So hungry. Joshua popped the top off a container and grabbed a handful of meat forcing it all into his mouth barely chewing as he swallowed. The next tub didn't last any longer. Nor the next. Eat. In a few minutes, it was all gone. Every piece of Tupperware and old takeaway container was emptied of human meat. Every drop of blood licked clean. More. Joshua was frantic, he needed more, he craved it. The look of desperation on his face was nothing to the look of anger Natasha showed as she stood behind, pure disbelief of the greed.