Voretober 2022 - CRUEL

Ding-dong! Lucy hopped up from the couch as she heard the doorbell ring. The deer skipped over to the door and swung it open while saying, “There you are! I’ve been waiting all... Iskra!”

The one standing in the doorway wasn’t who she was expecting. Namely, it was a woman, a black cat she knew. She was her fiancé’s ex. But he told her they were amicable, and she was even holding a pie. “Hi Lucy! I hear you guys got engaged, so I decided to bring over a treat!”

Lucy scratched the back of her head, feeling a little awkward. But she did like the look of that pie. “Oh, sure! Thank you! Yeah, you can come in.”

Iskra strolled in, the goth-looking cat out of place in the comparably plain household. She placed the pie on the first table she saw, then turned back towards the deer. “So,” she started, “Where’s the lucky man?”

Lucy sat back down on the couch and said, “Well actually, I was expecting to see him sometime today, but he hasn’t shown up yet.”

“Damn,” Iskra said while leaning back against a wall. “Hopefully he’s okay. Probably just caught up somewhere.”

The deer smiled, appreciating the concern. “Yeah, I’m sure he’ll show up. He’ll be surprised to see you!”

Iskra cracked a smile as she said, “Yeah, he would be. Hey, want to dig into this pie while we’re waiting? Wouldn’t want it to get cold.”

Lucy tried to dismiss the offer, but she was rudely interrupted by her own stomach growling. It did look good. “Oh... Maybe a little. What kind is it?”

“Oh, it’s kind of a mix of things. I can show you how it’s made later, but I promise it’s good. Plates?”

“Oh, should be the cabinet on your left. It does smell good!” She didn’t want to sound too longing, but the smell reminded her of Tyler. He always wore the most flowery cologne. Iskra soon brought her a plate with a slice of pie and sat down next to her. She could see now it had some red filling, also reminding her of the squirrel. She couldn’t help but laugh sadly as she took a bite. At least it was delicious.

Iskra didn’t take a bite from her plate, instead asking, “Oh Lucy, are you okay?”

The deer swallowed down a piece of pie and said, “Ah... I’m fine. I just hate being so clingy. It’s not like Tyler often leaves my side.”

She watched as she took another bite, chewed, and swallowed. Then she said, “Yeah, you shouldn’t worry! If anything, I’d say he’s the clingy one. I mean, you just got engaged, right? Sounds like he’s going to stay on your side for a long time.”

Lucy nodded. “You’re right. I’m just a worrywart is all.” She went for another bit of pie, but realized she had already plowed through the slice. While the cat hadn’t even touched hers. She blushed and said, “Oh my gosh, that pie was so good, Iskra... I didn’t even realize how fast I was going!”

“I’m glad you like it! Here, actually, have my slice. I’ll get another. Or actually, I’ll just bring the whole pie over. I’m sure Tyler wouldn’t want it to go to waste.”

Lucy’s first instinct was to turn down the offer, but the smell of the whole pie really was appealing. Better to drown her sorrows in a nice pie than just sit there, she supposed. And so she did, for about half an hour. Going through slice after slice while having casual conversation with her fiancé’s ex. When she finished the pie she relaxed against the couch, feeling completely full. Her belly even seemed a little more visible than usual.

“I can’t believe I ate that whole thing. But it was sooooo good. Thanks, Iskra.”

“You’re welcome! Glad you liked him.”

Lucy nearly continued complimenting the cat before the choice of pronoun hit her. “Wait... him?”

Iskra smiled widely, flashing her teeth. “Oh you know, Tyler! Didn’t you notice?”

She sat up immediately. What Iskra was saying made no sense, but she was still worried. “What are you talking about?”

“Come on Lucy,” she said, rolling her eyes. “The pie? The one you just finished? You’re telling me you really didn’t notice?”

“Iskra. What. Are. You. Talking. About?”

The cat sat up too, putting a single digit on Lucy’s tummy, busy working down the pie. She looked into her eyes and said, “I’m saying you ate your fiancé, sweetheart.”

“That’s not...” Lucy looked into the cat’s eyes for any sign that she was joking. But for once, the cat’s demeanor seemed dead serious. She started wavering, audible in her voice as she said, “That’s not possible...”

Iskra stood up, walking around. “Isn’t it? I’m sure Tyler told you I’ve dabbled in some magic, occult-type stuff. Turns out there’s some real magic in the world!”

“No, this is just... Just some mean joke! You couldn’t have... I couldn’t have...” Despite trying to deny what she was hearing, tears started to roll down her face.

The cat looked over with an almost irritated expression as Lucy started to cry. “Oh, come on. Wasn’t he tasty? And now he really will be by your side. At least until you go on a jog or something.”

Lucy’s face was in her hands. She still couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but it fit so many details. Why Tyler was gone so long. Why Iskra suddenly showed up. The smell of the pie, the flavor... She couldn’t believe her fiancé was reduced to nothing but a dessert. She sniffled, “Why? Why would you do this?”

Iskra scoffed. “Why? Cuz fuck him, that’s why! Listen, my dear little doe, I promise you he’s better off like this. He’s doing much more for you than he would otherwise.”

“I’ll... I’ll tell the police!” An anger was building up inside Lucy, even if she didn’t know what to do with it. “I’ll tell everyone!”

The cat laughed meanly as she headed for the door. “And tell them what, you ate a pie? Please. Either way, if you tell anyone anything, I really will show you how it’s made.” She opened the door and took one last look at the distraught deer. “Have a good rest of your day! Glad you enjoyed~” Then she slammed the door shut behind her. As she started to cry again, Lucy could hear Iskra cackling while she walked away.