Her Ugly Monster by Kaylee Rymer

Author:Kaylee Rymer [Rymer, Kaylee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kaylee Rymer
Published: 2018-08-28T05:00:00+00:00

WEEGEL ARRIVED BACK at the mountain by dusk.

He’d only found three rabbits, but they should last him several weeks — salt should do the trick in preserving their shelf life.

He winced on his way up the tunnel. A strong, sweet smell burned his nostrils.

Weegel entered the kitchen, wafting thick smoke away. Ivy sat at the table, poking at the contents of a bowl.

“That smells... delightful,” he lied. “What is it? Burned sawdust?”

Ivy frowned. “No, porridge. A very nutritious breakfast.”

Weegel shifted his eyes. “But... it’s dusk...”

She threw her spoon down and pressed those plump lips together. “And your point is?”

Weegel glanced at the bag of oats. It slumped miserably in the corner, wishing to be loved once again.

“Porridge at dawn, now porridge at dusk,” he said. “Seems like we’re finally running out of things to eat.”

She scowled up at him. “What are you trying to say?”

He took a seat at the table. “You need to eat meat.”

Ivy pursed her lips. It was the third time they’d had this discussion; if Ivy wanted to survive the winter, she had to give up on her love for animals and eat meat. Simple.

Weegel grabbed a rabbit from his belt and flung it onto the table. Ivy flinched when she spotted it, and those big green eyes rippled like pools. No doubt she thought the rabbit looked as adorable as one of those illustrations.

“You don’t mind if I skin my rabbit here, do you?” he asked.

“No. Go ahead.” She rose from her seat and moved out of the cave.

“You don’t want to stay and watch?” he said, pulling out a knife.

She whirled around. “Of course not. Why would I want to watch such a barbaric act?”

Weegel cut into the rabbit’s fur. “It’s not barbaric if it’s already dead.”

Ivy sighed. “Look... I said no. You know I have no interest in skinning animals.”

“Then you have no interest in survival. It’s not that hard. Just watch.” He yanked the pelt off the rabbit, revealing its red flesh beneath.

Ivy squealed and covered her eyes. “Stop! You’re disgusting!”

Weegel sniggered. “Well, I’ve been called far worse lately... beautiful, for one.”

Ivy’s cheeks glowed bright pink, and she turned the other way.

He groaned and placed a bloody hand to his forehead. He’d been prepared to forget that embarrassing night ever happened. She’d been drunk, it wasn’t fair.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to say that.”

She regarded him from the corner of her eye. “It’s fine. I... shouldn’t have insulted you.”

Silence merged between them. It happened a lot, Weegel noticed. Fighting, then endless silence, but never kissing. Maybe that was what married life was like?

He shook the last thought away and went back to skinning the rabbit. Blood dripped from the table, and he released a sigh. Why didn’t he think to put a cloth out?

Ivy still hovered in the doorway.

“Well, aren’t you leaving?” he said.

She straightened. “I was just about to.”

Ivy left through the door. Weegel called out after her. “You’ve seen the rations, Ivy. We’re running short. So you’re joining me on my hunting trip tomorrow.

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