Lunch

A silent Sunday... the park was empty except for two young middle schoolers on their third date. Tyler was a strapping blonde with perfect teeth and angel’s personality. Claire had silky brunette hair and straight A’s as well as perfect citizenship.

Tyler spread the red-checked blanket out on the lush grass for their picnic. He placed the basket in the center as he and Claire sat down. “ I’m starving! ” she said in a rich, loving tone.

Tyler smiled. “So am I,” he said softly. He lifted the silverware and plates out of the basket and put them on the blanket. Then he put two slices of bread on each plate with crisp lettuce and two succulent tomato slices.

Claire put one hand on the blanket and looked at Tyler with a confused expression. “There’s no meat,” she said.

Tyler chuckled as he toyed with one of the steel forks. “Not yet there isn’t.” Tyler brought the fork down sharply. The end rammed through Claire’s delicate hand, tore into the blanket, and lodged itself in the dirt below.

Claire was too shocked to scream. “Tyler! W-what’s going on?!” she yelled, flabbergasted. Tyler just smiled. He took a plate and smashed it is half. Claire whimpered, trying to free her hand like a trapped animal. Tyler took the shattered plate and using the jagged, sharp end, he slit open the vein on her neck that can bleed out your body in minutes. He picked up a cup from the basket and held it under Claire’s neck. He removed the crystal glass when he saw crimson blood fill it almost to the top. Claire watched in horror as he took a sip of the warm, oozing blood.

Tyler took a knife and fork in hand and began carefully carving a piece of flesh of Claire’s forearm much like one carves a turkey, except Claire was still breathing. He placed the slab of meat into the center of his sandwich and closed it. He looked into Claire’s dark green eye and picked up a toothpick. Tyler stuck the toothpick far into her head and pulled out the eyeball. He held it up with the toothpick and examined the glassy eye. He stuck the toothpick and eye into the top of his sandwich much as restaurants skewer an olive. He lifted up the delicacy and stared with hunger. “Time for lunch!” he said.