Living Hunger

The night pressed heavy against Frederique's window. The pale moonlight painted jagged shadows across her bedroom walls, and the rhythmic creak of tree branches outside felt too loud, too unnatural. She sat cross-legged on her bed, the hunger a constant gnawing ache deep in her stomach.

It had been hours since Arno left her in that alley. Hours since the monster had dissolved into nothing but black residue, since those words echoed in her mind.

'You're possessed.'

The words felt raw, jagged. She had replayed them over and over. Something inside her had stirred during the fight, something she couldn't explain... claws she hadn't willed into existence, strength that didn't feel like her own. And now...

Now the hunger was worse than ever.

The void pulsed beneath her skin, deeper than mere emptiness. It felt like a presence, as if something... or someone... was curling tighter around her, pressing closer with every breath.

"You're there...aren't you?" she whispered, voice trembling.

* Silence. *

She swallowed, her fingers clutching the edge of her blanket as her heart pounded harder.

"I know you're real," she said louder. "Stop hiding."

At first, nothing.

And then...

"You called me."

Frederique's breath caught. The voice was inside her mind, a whisper both soft and sharp, echoing in the hollow of her chest. It wasn't like hearing someone speak. It was more like the feeling of teeth pressing against her thoughts.

"I didn't call you," she whispered.

"Yes, you did."

The hunger surged.

"You prayed for it. Remember? You wanted to change. To be...better."

Frederique's stomach twisted. Memories surfaced... the endless bullying, the whispers in the hallways, the pain of being invisible except when mocked. She had prayed.

But not for this.

"I didn't ask for you!" she snapped.

"You did."

The voice was calm, patient. Almost...amused.

"You asked to be stronger. To be thinner. To make them stop hurting you. I made that happen."

Frederique shook her head.

"You ruined my life! I'm starving all the time! I keep blacking out, and... and..."

"I kept you alive."

The voice sharpened.

"You would've died tonight without me. Or did you forget that thing in the alley?"

Frederique flinched. The memory of the monster, of how close it had gotten, sent ice through her veins.

She felt the Hunger stir deeper, a ripple through her body.

"I fought for you. I protected you. I'm part of you now. You don't have to be afraid."

Tears welled in her eyes.

"But I am afraid," she whispered. "I don't understand what you are...what you're turning me into."

Silence stretched between them, heavy and thick.

"I am Frideria."

The name echoed through her mind, lingering like a whisper against her ribs.

"Frideria..." she repeated softly, tasting the name like a bitter fruit.

"You and I are bonded now. I cannot leave. But I can give you power...if you let me."

Frederique's breath shuddered.

"You mean control me."

A pause.

"Only if you refuse to listen. If you trust me, we can become something greater."

Frederique pressed her hands to her temples.

"What's the catch? What do you want from me?"

The voice was quiet now, softer.

"I want to survive. Same as you."

Frederique blinked, heart slowing slightly.

' Survive? '

Before she could ask more, Frideria's voice darkened.

"But if you fight me...if you keep resisting...one day, I will take control."

Frederique stiffened.

"You'll what?"

The hunger surged again, clawing at her insides, but this time it felt different. Like a pulse of warning.

"I'm trying to help you, Frederique. But if you keep pushing me away...you will lose yourself."

Silence fell again, the words lingering heavy in the air.

Frederique shivered.

"I don't want to lose myself..." she whispered.

"Then stop fighting me."

She hesitated, heart pounding.

"What...what do you want me to do?"

Frideria's voice curled through her mind, softer.

"For now...just listen. Learn. And trust me to keep you safe."

Frederique nodded shakily, tears still clinging to her lashes.

"Okay... I'll try."

And for the first time since this nightmare began, the hunger eased. Just a little.