“Pity,” he said, “because now you’ve just admitted to me that you taste delicious!” He watched as he saw she almost broke down altogether as she began thrashing and screaming. “Hey! HEY!” He gripped her again and raised her head, threatening to slam it down again. “Be a good girl and nobody gets eaten today,” he warned and leaned in closer to her. “I promise you that. Clear?” She slowly nodded as she calmed down. Handy blinked. He saw the distress and fear in her eye, the tears streaming down her cheek, her terrified muttering, the small trickle of red on the floor from where he had hit her…