Page 36 of Eat Me Alive
Datu is incredibly beautiful right now, it hurts my eyes. I have to look away.
“You are not afraid to be eaten.”He states this like it’s a fact.“You are afraid to have fun. I refuse to let you live on my island like youdid back there.”He says before pulling me up, dusting my toga off.“Come, we must make haste. The sun rises in a few hours.”
Surprised we aren’t doing something frisky at all, I self-consciously straighten my toga. Somehow, this makes me all the more eager. His mood is infectious, my skin thrumming at the rush of dopamine.
He takes me up his back again and before I know it, he’s running. It’s not an easy jog. The terrain here is rough and full of protruding roots, and yet, he glides through—quick-paced and steadily breathing. Datu stops every now and then to point at a creature, telling me its name and what it does, including opalescent fungi growing from what looks like poop.
“These are very delicate, but they are only sproutlings. They are very special to Esoterra.”
I lean down and stare in fascination. It looks exactly like overgrown mushrooms with moving, swirling colors. “Do you eat them?”
He nods.“They will choose someone to eat them. Their life cycle is very short, so it is an insult not to if you are chosen.”
Interest piqued, I ask more questions. “What happens when you eat them?”
There’s that cute, boyish smile on his face again.“A good time.”
“Psilocybin!” I squeal in delight. “It looks amazing…” I look up at him. “Can I touch them?”
Shaking his head, he says,“No, they are resting. If you wake them, they might imprint on you.”
Respectfully, I back away. “Imprint?”
For a second, his face disappears, and all I see are his upturned mouth and sharp teeth.“You will see soon enough.”
I’m too curious to brush it off. “What, like ducklings? Will they think I’m their mom?”
His laughter is booming, echoing through the forest.“Nothing so emotional. Although they will chase you around.”
“They will grow legs?” I balk.
“Amongst other things.”Patting my butt, we travel once more.
I’ve never been so happy riding piggy-back on a tall plant-man. Teva had not been exaggerating. These boa constrictors are just as thick as my whole body. I breathe a sigh of relief as soon as we emerge from the forest.
I nudge him with the heel of my foot. “Put me down.”
“I am enjoying you pressed up against me.”
“Yeah, but my human legs need to stretch.” Not me shitting on my species again.
When we arrive in the east village, I’m not sure what to expect. Datu sets me down and keeps a hand on my head. It’s ridiculous how it makes me feel protected.
“Does east village have a name?”
“Sikat. The sunrise here is one you must not miss.”
I look up at the sky. It’s still dark, but who knows with Esoterra? A snap of a finger, it might just light up. Their day and night cycles are mercurial at best. He makes a loud, whistling sound that echoes all over, indicating his presence. There’s a responding whistle before another Terra jogs up.
Female. Approximately six-seven, willowy with soft, sloping curves. She has thick, needle-like hair that stops past her waist. She is absolutely stunning.
“My chief!” When she smiles, there’s those same set of sharp teeth again.
Are all the females here carnivores? She doesn’t look as destitute as the ones I saw back at the shore, but maybe it’s because she has a naturally more slender form than the rest.
Her call summons more Terra, and they gather around. It’s as if Datu’s presence enlivens everyone—they can’t get enough of him. They treat him with utter devotion, touching and sliding their hands all over him. Is this the culture here? It is overwhelming.
I have no idea how to respond, but one thing’s for sure. I don’t like it.
