Hollow

I don’t get out often, I’m usually busy directing artists,

sinking my teeth into the bigger picture, and visualizing scenes. Thankfully I get to stay home,

and the pay is great; plus my wife doesn’t need to work. While I’m usually busy all day,

it’s nice to have her around, she’ll pop in with lunch and a bright smile.

Seeing her happy keeps me motivated, and the thought of a hot dinner at the end of the day

guides me along the bumpy days of hard work.

The start of the week is always the worst, it’s just a fact of human life.

I’m already missing my time with Raina, the weekends tend to be a blitz, then the cycle repeats.

Work goes by, it’s the same old same old, getting the job done; I’m just seething for dinner…

Raina loves to cook, she has so much time to put effort into it, and it comes out stupendous.

Any meal from her is great, and any meal with her is fantastic…

I’m reinvigorated with life as my work settles, I shut down my computer

and escape my tomb, climbing the stairs up to the first floor and letting the smells hit me.

A pot roast stews, almost ready for our dining experience, my mouth waters,

and my brain bounces in the skull that houses it; relaxation is now!

I slump down on the couch and lie still for a second, releasing the tension in my body…

“Hey, mister”- Raina clenches my shoulders and begins to rub them slowly

-“dinner is almost done” she softly whispers in my ear.

I let out a short chuckle and grab her hand, gently caressing her…

“Thanks, Raina, I appreciate it” I smile, relinquishing her hand and loosening my posture

Raina meanders back to the kitchen as I pick up the tv remote,

switch it on and play my favorite show “Archaic Bygones”, a show about robots gone sentient

and taking over the Arctic while the humans fight over a final decision.

I love the cold metal art style clashing over the almost primal state of being alive,

even though they are robots they still feel, and the style complements that perfectly;

I could gush all day but I’d like to relax…

“Dinners done!” Raina beams from the kitchen as dishware clatters about.

I turn off the tv and saunter into the kitchen, gitty for the meal,

yet my body is ready to slumber. Raina turns to me and offers a hot plate of food

with a gorgeous bright smile; it’s almost unnatural…

“T-Thanks – not only does it smell fantastic but it looks wonderful!” I approve,

Raina nods and I take my steaming dish to the dinner table.

Raina shortly follows with her own plate, sitting opposite to me,

as I add a dash of salt and pepper prior to noticing something peculiar…

“Hey, Raina, the meats a little grey – is this more than just pot roast?” I ponder,

stabbing my fork into the chunk of meat.

“It’s a surprise…” she eluded with a cunning grin. I raise my eyebrows and tilt my head,

whatever surprise it is, it has to be good!

I set the mysterious roast in my mouth and begin to taste — it’s – sweet? Like veal…

I finish chewing the meat and offer Raina an inquisitive glance, I say she smiles at me

but she’s already beaming with joy; still, something is off…

“So, you going to tell me what mysterious meat you added?”

Raina just stares, eventually forking a piece for herself and lightly chewing;

still staring hollowly into my eyes…

“You feeling alright hun?” her smile heightens as she opens her mouth

“Sorry, I’m just seething for tonight” she disclosed, faintly giggling to herself.

This response raises my eyebrows even further

“You planned something for tonight?”

“Yes, you silly goose, and the faster we eat the sooner we can have dessert”

Even with this new insight I still take my time and enjoy the meal,

the sweeter flavor adds a little spin to an already great dish.

I continue to relish in the hardy dinner with Raina eagerly anticipating “dessert”...

We finish our plates and lock eyes, Raina seems like she’s in a different world,

her face says one thing but her eyes look hollow…

She keeps switching from giddy to soulless… It is making me uncomfortable…

“S-So… What’s this – dessert?” I wonder, rinsing my plate and setting it in the sink.

Raina just chuckles to herself, not saying a word, and heads for the bedroom.

My gut is telling me something is up, and not in a good way… I – it’s Raina,

the love of my life, I know how she gets, sometimes she has a hard time

expressing her emotions; I can’t blame her for that.

I walk up the stairs and enter the bedroom…

“Raina?” I flick the light switch and reveal her sitting on the foot of the bed.

Hands-on her lap, staring at the floor, and not moving an inch

“Hey, Raina”- I gently walk up to her, placing my left hand on her shoulder

-“I got you, baby, I’m right here for you”

“You’re not the same…” She meeks out in a cold stale voice.

“W-What do you mean?” I solicited, laying my right hand on her cheek.

“It’s a shame I have to do this…”

She looks into my eyes, takes her right hand, and with an ungodly amount of speed

she tears my stomach open, spilling my guts onto the floor. The pain erupts,

almost taking my consciousness with it, yet, I hold it together;

slowly walking back into the bathroom. Raina stands, her right hand malformed,

sharpened like daggers, and covered in my blood.

“I’m sorry – I feel bad about dinner… That was cruel” she vocalized callously.

My vision starts to fade as I fall into the bathtub, although I notice it’s stained red.

I muster my strength to peer to the right, there I see – R-Raina, s-she lies limp,

t-there’s chunks missing out of her flesh. H-Her jugular – i-its ripped open,

s-she’s lying in what once was a pool of her own b-blood.