Chapter Six: Hunger
Karen Wright's eyes slowly opened. For a long moment, she was unaware of her surroundings or the time. She shifted and felt a soft breath on her collarbone, and it all came back to her.
Martha stirred, slowly, and Karen turned her attention to the sleeping blonde in front of her.
Martha's shorter hair was bed-rumpled. The dampness of her hair from the bath she went back to finish before she went to sleep caused above-ear ringlets to form. Her brows were peaceful and untroubled, and her lips were parted.
Karen turned in bed to check the time.
When she turned back, half-open blue eyes were regarding her, and she answered them with a soft smile.
"Hello. Rested?"
"I feel much better, thank you Karen."
"The nap was a good idea. You were so exhausted you were ready to drop anywhere."
"And I feel like I could sleep ages more." Martha slowly stretched. "I haven't slept in your bed since the thunderstorm our junior year. Do you remember that?"
"I remember. You were sweet to keep me so safe from the very dangerous loud noises."
Martha giggled, "I didn't mind a bit."
They lay there, smiling at each other.
They're the people who believe in it. Who want it..who've chosen it for themselves. We aren't like that.
Karen remembered the woman in front of her, racked with sobs: Oh, I feel so damned sick and dirty I can't stand it anymore!
"Martha." Karen touched her pale cheek with her fingertips, "Does this feel sick, or dirty?"
"I..I don't know.." she responded quietly, as her eyes closed. "Karen, when you…when you…do that, I don't feel anything except you. It's always been that way."
Karen said nothing.
"..Hungry?" Martha said, suddenly nervous.
"Oh, yes.." Karen susurrated. She blinked. "Dinner, I'd forgotten!" she moved to get up.
"No, I'll do it, Karen," Martha interrupted with a quick smile, vacating the bed, fluttering fingers brushing out the wrinkles she'd left in it. "You don't know what's there. You just come down when dinner's hot again, in..20 minutes. Read a chapter or two? I'll call you down."