Are You Happy

"Starved," Dorian answered.

Gabe agreed.

"I could eat," Cindy said, her hands in her pockets as she studied the room.

Blood sounded good, I thought but said nothing.

"Please, have a seat." She indicated a wooden table. The centerpiece was filled with radiant purple flowers I didn't recognize.

When we were seated, plates were positioned in front of us.

The food smelled divine.

It looked like fish covered in a creamy yellow sauce, green beans, and freshly baked rolls. My friends looked at me before shoveling it in.

Obviously, it tasted good, but I didn't even try to fake it.

My stomach was already in knots. I wouldn't add human food to the mix.

My mom ate a little too, but mostly she answered questions from random people who came in and sent wary glances at my friends and me.

I stared at my plate, and I caught my mother watching at me.

When they finished, my mother addressed us.

"Better?"