The Hunger Was Subtle
By Lisa Stewart
The hunger was subtle, yet unrelenting. They knew friends were dying as they entered the cavern hole. They knew some friends went in, and never came back out. They knew they could satiate their appetites with regular living. After all, they had homes. They had families. They had food. But this home…281 Wild Side Lane. This home was epic… They had rice, and tampons and Christmas light wires. They had cotton balls, arts and craft bins full of fabric -- with lids slightly open! They had baskets full of untouched children’s dress up costumes, with the softest fabrics. They had dinner leftovers on the table at least a few times a week. And the crumbs…holy heavens, they had CRUMBS GALORE. They had bowls of dog food, and best part… They did NOT have mouse traps and the humans were out of town for several weekends in a row. The mice elders warned that this home was not worth the risk. The elders told tales of relatives who entered homes and didn’t make it out, but one after another the mice entered through the dingy concrete cracks into paradise. They ravaged whatever they could get their grimy little paws on and delightfully made nests in spaces of the home which were essentially untouched by humans. They hopped about cheerfully, filling their nests with the comfiest tampon fluff, and ensured they had enough dog food nearby to keep their families happy if they need a midday snack.
When the mice wanted a real rager, they ate the wires of Christmas tree lights.
HVWP COMMONPLACE 28
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