The Taxidermist

by dukemnukem

Regina laughed, the sound soft and angelic, and Cruella briefly considered placing a halo atop Regina's head once she finished with her. She thought of her other victims-ones she'd chosen for their skin, for their hair, even for their eyes. They all had one perfect, defining feature that made Cruella fall in love with them. But Regina, oh, Regina was something else entirely. Ever

1. if she doesn't scare you

Prologue

Cruella de Vil had always loved animals. Dogs, cats, rabbits, even birds. She loved their noises, a bark here, a meow there, the occasional tweet that made her heart soar. She loved their fur, and how easy it was to peel it off. She loved their bones, small and delicate, easy to break or shatter, easy to pose and manipulate however she pleased.

Cruella loved animals, but most of all, she loved killing them. She loved stuffing them. She had several pet dogs, and even a persian cat, who were much better pets dead than alive. They sat around her living room, posed like any normal pet; her dogs with a ball beside their feet, mouths open as if they were panting in excitement. And her cats, tails perked up, looking as if they were so happy to see her.

They weren't happy the day she strangled them, and the little scars that criss-crossed her arms were evidence.

But what Cruella loved even more than animals was people. Beautiful, beautiful people. Men, women, she didn't care, just as long as their features rivaled Michelangelo's David. Lately, she hadn't found anyone worthy enough of her special collection. The warehouse right outside of Maine, the biggest one on the lot, filled with her beauties. Preserved, delicate, stuffed. Organs replaced and floating in glass containers. They didn't need those anymore. They were her trophies.

And Cruella wanted a new one.