Page 25 of Eat Me Alive
The memory of Mother soured my mood, making the apples taste bitter in my mouth. I’m afraid of gaining weight, but I don’t want to waste food, too. The duality of my struggles. I can almost laugh.
“Finish it.”
I blink, check my ears, but there’s nothing that could make that noise. In a panic, I look around to see if someone had stumbled this way.
In his lackadaisical lounge, he throws his head back, and I hearactuallaughter. It’s deep, and I feel it reverberate around my ribs like a ball in a coked-up pinball machine.
“Is that you?” I ask, shocked.
“One must be fed by me to hear me, yes.”His lips don't move, but I hear him. He repositions himself closer to me. One hand trails down my waist to my hip.“It is a commitment I have to make for you to cater to me.”
My brows knit together, baffled. “Makes work a lot easier.” I chuckle woodenly before feeling awful about what I just said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to brush you off like that.”
His smile crooks, and he reaches out to place his hand over mine. I’m amazed at the size difference.“There is no need to sugar-coat your purpose here.”
“If I were you, I would feel so used. But yeah, I would feel worse if they cloaked their intentions with lies.” I really need to learn how not to overshare with Datu. There’s this welcoming air about him that invites vulnerability.
“Can you tell me exactly what you will do to me?”
I look away, shame filling me. It’s horrible. Shame feels like the liquid that accumulates underneath a trash can that’s been left to rot for a while. But instead of being in the trash, it’s inside my mouth.
“I have a list…” I pat around but realize I don’t have my satchel. I must have left it in the forest. My necessities are there, but I can’t go back there. I shudder just thinking about it. “Basically, it stated why there’s a drought. Plus, I need to collect…pollen? I’m not sure what that means. I was actually led to believe I was going to an undiscovered island close toTierra del Fuego.I thought I was just studying plants…not people.”
Datu rubs his chin, taking in what I just said.“The drought was caused by my imprisonment. However, my imprisonment was necessary to stop my dormancy. The males…”He trailedoff.
Timidly, I pat his shoulder. “It’s okay, you can tell me. I will do my best to help you and the Terra.”
If Datu notices my awkwardness, he doesn’t make a mention of it.
“They have fallen ill to a disease the humans brought so they are dormant.”
Illness seems far-fetched. Maybe he means something more external…like excessive logging or whatever. Is that offensive to say? Holy barnacles, I’m a fish out of water.
“Can you tell me exactly what they did when they got here?”
The friendliness in his expression is gone. It’s scary how he can switch so quickly at the mention of humans.
“I do not think it matters now. My sister has brokered a treaty between Terra and humans when I was…locked away.”
“I have to make sure you don’t go dormant then.” I try to steer us away from an uncomfortable conversation. I say this like it’s so simple. Like doing this won’t bite me in the ass. I absolutely have no idea what my plan of action is. “As per my knowledge, plants are forced to go dormant through harsh conditions. Maybe it really just needs to rain here.”
“It has not rained in decades.”
I balk and sputter out, “W-what? How old are you?”
“I stopped counting after a millenia.”He bites his lip as he focuses that uncanny gaze on me.“There was no immediate need for rain, but as my condition worsened, so did the island’s.”
Understanding this is like pulling teeth. I’m in a constant state of shock. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I understand.”
“I am old. And the island’s wellbeing is tied to my health.”
Oh. Something breaks in me, and I can either giggle or have a cognitive dissonance. I chose the former. Like a nervous, fascinated girl, I release an incredulous laugh. “Shit, Grandpa. That’s actually amazing.”
His face changes, softens.“You think so?”
“Yes, and don’t you say otherwise. I’ll fight you on it.” For the first time, I smile at him. It feels freeing.
My eyes feel puffy for some reason. It’s still night-time, but every corner of this smooth platform surrounded by a forest is lit by bulbous fireflies. Are these real, or just a lamp shaped like it?
