Insatiable Crush

He only caught a glimpse of her at the grocery store. It was from behind, so he didn’t even really see her face. Still, he couldn’t stop thinking about her on the way home.

She was exactly his type, he thought. Not too thin, not too heavy, and not overly fit. She wore a simple blouse and stretchy jeans that hugged her hips just right.

Wait, was that what she was wearing? Already, his memory was fading. It had only been a passing glance. But she definitely had red hair. And blue eyes. Just his type…

The next day, he found himself walking past the grocery store. He popped in, telling himself he was just there to grab something to drink. But deep down, he knew he was hoping to see her again. It’s not creepy, right? I just want to introduce myself. Unsurprisingly, she wasn’t there.

It was a workday tomorrow so he went to bed early but tossed and turned, thinking about her. What would our kids be like? I bet she’s really kind…

The entire workday he was distracted, barely listening to his coworkers. I bet her name is Samantha. Or maybe something more exotic, like Freya…

He zoned out on the drive home, still thinking of her as he arrived. Was it a blue or green blouse that she was wearing? I bet that’s her favorite color.

As he entered his room, he noticed the window had been left open. The cold fall night breeze caused the curtains to bellow out. A figure sat on his bed.

“I hope you don’t mind—I let myself in,” she said softly.

Is this really happening? he thought. It’s her—the woman I’ve been thinking about!

“Who... who are you?” he stammered, caught between shock and trying to play it cool.

Her hands are up by her face, pushing her hair around absentmindedly. “I’m Freya. I saw you a few days ago in town and thought you were cute.” She smiled sweetly.

Freya? Seriously? I had guessed her name? “I’m John. Nice to meet you.”

“Come here, have a seat.” She tilted her head, motioning him over. She was still wearing the same green blouse and jeans from the store.

As John climbed onto the bed, she placed a hand behind his head. Her touch was surprisingly warm, considering the cold room.

He knew this was moving too fast, but he was too entranced by the woman he'd been crushing on to care. He leaned in for a kiss.

She turned her face away, gently guiding him to her chest instead. John kissed her lightly. “Tee hee,” she giggled, the sound almost comically girlish.

“Take your shirt off,” she urged, pushing him back before returning her hands back to the side of her face, palms out. Is this some kind of cute bunny pose? Is she shy? Just awkward? John didn’t dwell on it. He quickly complied, and she followed suit, undressing slowly.

He leaned in to kiss her again, but once more she directed him to her chest. “Mmm, I like you here.” He kissed her collarbone, then her nipples, then lower. Maybe if she was too shy to kiss, he could please her another way. Her hand, gently pressing the back of his head, encouraged him to move lower.

John was kissing her belly button when something shifted. Her body fell away, and he lurched forward. Suddenly, he couldn’t breathe. It was wet. He was drowning. He struggled but couldn’t pull away. Sharp objects dug into his neck, and a large, soft muscle smothered him.

John kicked and flailed, screaming. His arms struck wildly at whatever was holding him. For a moment, the grip loosened, and he tumbled off the bed, landing on the floor in a tangled heap.

“I’m sorry, dear. I got a bit carried away.”

John couldn’t see her, but her voice was as sweet as before. Trembling, he tried to right himself but froze, unable to look over the edge of the bed.

Something moved above him. Two hands hovered at a distance. They were pinkish-red, with large blue eyes set into their palms. Her eyes.

John scrambled to his feet, backing against the far wall. He could now see her true form. 

Though she had the body of a fit woman, her skin glowed a warm pink. It had no eyes, nose, nor mouth on this face, but in its stead, eyes sat in the palms of its hands and a large, grotesque mouth nearly split its torso in half. Large red bat-like wings spread from her back and cherry-red hooves tip the end of her pointed ‘feet’.

“You’re—you’re not her!” he stammered.

“I thought you liked me! You haven’t stopped thinking about me!”

“No! I mean... no, no, no!”

“You need to be careful with insatiable crushes, John. They have a nasty habit of eating you alive.”

In a flash, the demon darted across the room and devoured her prey.

---

Mable was at the store picking up the cheese she forgot last week. Her red hair contrasted with her blue coat and spandex jeans. As she stood in line, she grabbed a newspaper.

‘Man Missing After Possible Home Invasion,’ the front page read. The photo caught her eye. He looks familiar. Where have I seen him before? Maybe in the neighborhood… or the grocery store?

She took a deep breath, letting the unease pass. That’s too bad. He was kind of cute.