The Feast

October Writing Prompts- Pinterest List by ZellyKatArt

October 30- Feast of Flesh

Edna pushed up her glasses and looked through them at the older house. It loomed in front of her and her friends, Tina and James. They had been invited over for a Halloween feast by Cliff’s family. They never attended it before but they have heard that this feast was to die for. They had been friends with Cliff and his family since freshman year in high school. Now that they were freshmen in college, Cliff’s family believed they were old enough to handle their Halloween feast.

Edna followed her friends up the stairs onto the front porch and stared at the door. “I wonder what the feast is. I am hungry and didn’t eat like they said, so we could eat a lot, but I’m scared. What if it’s not something I’ll like? I don’t want to be rude and not eat.”

James shrugged. He rang the bell then knocked, his signature way of telling people he was there. They waited for a moment before the door opened and Cliff’s grinning face appeared. He looked over at his friends and pushed the door wide.

“Hey, you all made it,” Cliff said and let his friends inside.

Edna and Tina clutched each other’s hands as they looked around. Cliff led them into the living room, where his parents were waiting. They smiled at them and stood up from a stiff couch.

“Edna, Tina, James, it’s so great to see you three. Thank you for joining us tonight,” Mrs. Feldon said as she gave each one of them a hug. “I hope you’ll enjoy this meal with us.”

Tina smiled at Mrs. Feldon when she hugged her. “I am looking forward to this meal. And thank you for inviting us over tonight.”

Edna shivered as she looked around the room. “Your house is gorgeous, Mr. and Mrs. Feldon.” She walked over to a stiff-looking chair that matched the couch and sat down. “We wanted to bring something over, but Cliff said that it wasn’t necessary.”

“Oh, Edna, you are such a sweetheart. I am so glad you make my Cliff so happy.” She played with the young woman’s hair before she turned towards the dining room. “Let’s go in and eat. I’m starving.”

Cliff walked over and helped Edna to her feet. He intertwined his fingers with hers and led her into the dining room with James and Tina at their heel. Mr. Fellon brought up the rear. He closed the dining room doors behind him and took his place at the head of the table. The table was set for the feast, and they took their places around the table. Cliff looked over at Edna and kissed her hand. James and Tina smiled at each other and leaned in close, giving each other a quick kiss. Mr. and Mrs. Feldon smiled at each other as they lifted their glass of what looked like red wine and toasted in the air.

The kitchen door opened and their personal chef walked out with their servants. He smiled at everyone in the room. “Dinner is ready.”

“Good, please serve it then, Chef Reynolds.”

Chef nodded and walked back into the kitchen while the servants readied the table for the feast. Once it was ready, they entered the kitchen just to return carrying large trays full of delicious smelling foods. There were trays of mushrooms, vegetables, cheeses, and other items, but it was mostly meats and what looked like skin. Edna smiled and sighed in relief. She could eat that food and not feel like she would embarrass herself by turning the food down. Edna took in a deep breath and looked at the Feldon’s.

“This meal looks amazing. Your chef did such a wonderful job,” she said as she eyed something that looked like pork.

“We hope you enjoy. Please,” Mr. Feldon said and waved his hand to let them know they could get their food.

Cliff piled food on his plate while the others waited for a moment. Once he was done, the others filled their plates and started to eat. Mr. and Mrs. Feldon filled their plates last and ate with the others. Tina made a small noise in the back of her throat when she bit into the pork. She poured a red sticky liquid over it and ate another bite.

“Oh, this sauce makes it even better,” she said and passed it to James.

James poured it on and slid it across to Mr. Feldon, who passed it to Cliff. “I am glad you’re here to enjoy our feast of the flesh for Halloween.”

“Feast of the flesh?” Edna stopped and stared at the food in front of her. “What do you mean?”

Mr. and Mrs. Feldon smiled at Edna, their teeth sharpening and their eyes burning brightly. Edna looked at Cliff, who also smiled with elongated teeth. She moved back in her chair, her eyes filled with fear as she looked at Tina and James. They hadn’t heard, or they ignored her, and continued to eat. Edna wiped her mouth off and stood up.

Cliff stood with her and walked around the table. She stepped away from him and tried to talk, but all she could do was make a weird squeak in the back of her throat. He took a hold of her hand and smiled that toothy grin again. “It’s okay, Edna. Just eat with us and then you and I can be together forever.”

Edna jumped and pulled her hand away from him. She looked at Tina and James, who turned and grinned. Their teeth lengthened but didn’t sharpen yet. They were changing. Edna shook her head and turned, running to the door. Mr. Feldon dropped a key on the table while Edna struggled to get the door open.

“Stay with us, Edna. You are perfect for our son,” Mrs. Feldon said as she stood up and held her hands up to the scared woman. “I want you as my daughter-in-law, Edna.”

Edna shook her head, trying to open the door again. Her friends stood up, and they all closed in on her. She screamed and ducked under James’ arms. She grabbed a chair and threw it into the window. After the glass shattered, she jumped through it and ran. When she slowed down to see if she was being followed, she saw Cliff in the window, staring after her with pure sadness on his face.

Edna turned and ran, not daring to look back again. She never saw James, Cliff, Tina, or the Feldon’s again. When she returned to the house, it was in shambles. It looked as if no one had lived there for centuries. She walked around the broken door and went inside. Edna walked into the dining room and there was the feast still on the table. It looked fresh, as if it had just been cooked. She smelled the air and walked over to it, tempted. She shook her head and left.

The wind whirled behind her, and she turned to see Cliff once again in the window, staring at her sadly. Tina and James waved at her as well. They waved and walked back into the house just as it crumbled onto itself. Edna jumped back away from it and screamed.