Downward to Darkness

Editorially altered version of Downward to Darkness was published as Satan's Mistress. The restored text was published in 2000.

DOWNWARD TO DARKNESS

“You’re hungry,” she said, smiling wickedly in his dream.

His hunger became a pain that kept him from speaking or even thinking. He tore at the meat on the table and crammed a wad into his mouth. Juice and fat ran down his chin as he chewed the crackling flesh.

She shamed him by taking up her knife and fork and carving daintily. She extended a bit of meat on the fork and let him take it between his lips.

He stared at her as he chewed, desiring her with all his soul but content, for the moment, to be with her and be fed choice tidbits like a pampered pet.

“More,” he said. “More.”

And has he spoke he turned to face her — and saw for the first time the banquet that she’d served him.

As he woke screaming — screaming violently ill with the knowledge that he’d dined on human flesh.

BRIAN McNAUGHTON the secret master of horror