Grunting, she slams and bolts the steel door, then scurries back into the darkness. It reeks of meat in here. Something massive prowls outside, its footfalls rattling the steel rivets.
A feeder. She’s retreated into a feeder.
Outside, the creature growls, then huffs, knowing it isn’t time yet. Then the feeder rocks as it plonks itself down next to the reinforced carapace.
It feeds on a cycle. The automated doors open at a set time. How long now? A few hours. It only has to wait a few hours and it’ll be able to get in here. And there’s no doubt in her mind that the creature knows exactly when it gets fed.
Paddy Dobson
10th March 2023