Plump and strong, shiny and new, the baby takes its first reluctant step
on the table, reaching for the bowl of glistening grapes. Its feet wobble and
it falls on all fours. Twisting its tiny features into an expression of focused
determination, it takes long, hard looks at each limb. With pearls of sweat on
its wrinkled forehead and constantly moving lips, it looks up and lifts its
frame on trembling knees. The baby’s on its way! Growing more and more
confident, it finally reaches its prize. Greedily, it stuffs its mouth with
fruit and lies on its back, cooing and giggling. It lies there, content with
its hard-earned victory.
As its eyes start to glaze over, the baby turns its attention to its
audience: their pale, stretched faces barely visible beneath their black cowls;
their eyes slow-burning flickers of amber; their tongues gently lashing through
the air; their twisted claws smoothly scratching the surface of the table. They
wait.
The baby sleeps.
Dinner is served.
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