Emily's heart pounded loudly in her chest, and darkness seemed to creep in around her head as her mind continued to focus on her mother's demands. The beast howled in the back of her mind, its demands gnawing at the back of her brain. Emily began to tremble as the beast's grip on her mind only seemed to strengthen, forcing her closer and closer to the edge. Her mother grew closer until she seemed to fill Emily's vision.
The beast's howls grew louder as it sensed Emily's weakness, and Emily could feel her resolve begin to weaken beneath its assault. Finally, with a deep breath, Emily took a step towards the kitchen, ignoring the angry cries of the beast. However, Emily wilted under her mother's glare as she slipped past her into the kitchen as the beast demanded to know why she wasn't going to 'Fat Italy' with Michael. It needed food, and this wasn't the way.
Several pots and pans were already strewn about the counter that separated the dining area from the kitchen. The sunlight that streamed into the kitchen was welcoming and warm. It provided a sense of safety and serenity as it shone through the windows above the sink, illuminating the room with a pleasant glow. The smell of late summer breezed in through the open window, mingling with the scent of the unprepared dinner that sat on the counter.
"Well, the lasagna isn't going to make itself, you know."
Emily rolled up the sleeves of her jacket and continued to walk towards the counter, her mother following closely behind. Emily's shoulders slumped, and she let out a loud sigh as she steeled herself for the meal she was about to prepare. Her eyes glazed, and the world seemed to disappear around her as Emily imagined Michael sitting alone in the restaurant, waiting for his girlfriend, who would never arrive. The beast howled in her mind that Emily should've left when she had the chance, that Michael would never forgive her now, and the only way she'd feel better was to drown herself in gluttony.
Her mother continued her tirade against Emily. She complained about her appearance, hobbies, lack of motivation, and anything she could think of. Emily felt the beast's claws sink into her mind as she ignored her mother's words. She could feel the heat of the beast's anger as she stood there, the beast's cry echoing through her mind as it grew increasingly hysterical and demanding. Yet Emily could feel the will to resist her mother seeping out of her with every cutting remark.
Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone vibrating in her back pocket, and she quickly slipped it out, her heart sinking as she saw the text from Micheal, "Where are you?"
Emily glanced at her mother, who was busy washing her hands at the sink, and quickly replied, "Helping my mother with dinner."
A moment later, another text vibrated her phone, "Seriously? Are you just going to give in any time she wants something? Fuck. Why do I even bother? Well, if you get some time tonight, come to my place, and we can have a big dinner there."
A large tear rolled down Emily's cheek as she slid the phone back into her pocket, and the beast renewed its assault with increased vigor. Hounding her for the pain she was causing Michael. The beast promised it could make her feel better, lift her spirits if only she'd give in to its desires. Emily closed her eyes and desperately clung to her will to resist, urging the beast to grow quiet, to not make a scene in front of her mother.
Emily knew the beast's promise was real. Food made her happy in a way nothing else seemed to be able to. That was precisely why she had to resist the beast, lest she returned to the life she'd lived before. It had been so hard to quell the beast when she'd been younger, but now Emily feared she wouldn't be able to do it again if she let it return to power. If the beast had its way, Emily knew she'd be fatter than Sam before too long. Just like before.
The time passed quickly as Emily and her mother prepared the meal. Minutes became hours, and Emily watched the sun make its slow descent towards the horizon as the breeze that came in through the window grew colder. Eventually, her mother seemed to finally run out of things to complain about, or maybe she grew tired of Emily's tepid responses. The two of them worked quietly on a giant chocolate cake as the beast roared in Emily's head. Emily may have missed a banquet at the restaurant, but she could quickly devour this cake in minutes.
Finally, the kitchen was filled with the sound of pots and pans clanking together as Emily washed up the dirty dishes in the sink. At the same time, her mother left to grab some fresh bread from the store. The beast demanded that Emily feast at dinner stuff herself as much as she could, and Emily found it hard to resist. Her heart ached at the thought of Michael's disappointment, and gorging herself on food would make her feel better in the short term. She could feel it.
Emily took a deep breath as she gazed at the meal sitting on the table, waiting for her mother to return and the rest of the family to gather. Her mouth watered in anticipation of the meal, the beast urging her to take a plate and stuff her face with everything she could. She longed to dull the ache in her chest, to feel a moment of pleasure after such a verbal beating.
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