CottageCore cannibalism

They turned back and sighed as their once home was getting further into the distance. They remembered the good times. When the oddly cheerful environment sent the occasional shiver down Azuls spine. They continued to pick the bright and colorful berries as always. They always intrigued them. How could they get such pigmented color? As they walked away with a woven basket in their small delicate yet soft hands, they made their way back to the village on the dirt path. The smell of fresh truffles and bread filled the air as Azul got closer to the village. They saw a person being exiled and how quiet the person was compared to the usual subject. Very odd

Azul thought as they got closer to their small home. Built to look like a giant mushroom it always brought comfort to Azul. The red and white polka dot top with the base just made them so happy. They're walking into their house and smell the fresh truffle their mother must have made. They walk into the kitchen and see their mom plating the truffle for later. A smile of delight filled Azuls face as they gently placed the basket of different fruits on the kitchen counter. They walked away and went to go to their sister's room to check on her and sneak her extra fruits.

As they open the door they see their quiet sister is gone. The realization hits them like a bus and they scream in agony as they know their sister isn't coming back. They were so loud and their mother knew why. Guilt consumed their mother even if Azul didn't know that. Turning in their child was one of the most painful and heart-wrenching things she's ever had to deal with. The screams stopped suddenly and weeping can be heard from what once was her daughter's room. Everyone in the village knew what happened and a pang of hurt hit everyone.

Azul was a wreck knowing the last time they saw their sister they didn't speak much. Why didn't they say more? What would happen if things would have changed. They stopped thinking what if and got off the floor. They wiped their tears that didn't seem to stop running down their face. They walked to their room, their mind was so fogged and destructive. Once they reached their room, they collapsed on the floor and fell asleep. Hours seem to pass by and Azul could only dream of their sister. Someone who was gone, as no one made it out once they were exiled. Azul had heard many stories about people who died while they were in exile as none of them had ever come back.

Tears started to stream down their face once more, almost like a waterfall. They woke up hoping it was all a dream. They walked to their sister's room once more. They saw a shadow go out the window and they froze. Why was there someone in my sister's room? What are they doing here? They were too scared to move from their current spot.

Soon they fell asleep and fell to the floor too tired to move. Soon morning came around yet Azul couldn't find a reason to get up off the floor, so they simply didn't. They lay there sad and feeling defeated. How could they not protect their sister? Wasn't that their job? Yet here they are sister, not insight. The pain struck them very fast, they started to breathe heavier and couldn't get enough air. All was far too overwhelming for Azul. They focused on their breathing more to try and calm down. Nothing seemed to work as she was hyperventilating on the floor in distress. They stayed wallowing in their silence as it was too hard to speak or breathe. As if death was coming for them like a personal target.

They soon calmed down and cried about their current condition. What brought them to this low point in their life. They decided right then and there that they needed to act normal and play along. However, they were going to find their sister. They needed a plan to escape and still be able to come back. They quickly jotted down in their diary what they were going to do. Then hid it in their sister's room so their mother couldn't find it.

Azul quickly went downstairs to help their mother with lunch. They smiled kindly at their mother and just nodded, the ingredients to prepare a pizza set upon the counter. Azul quickly grabbed the vegetables and started chopping them rather quickly. Careful enough to not chop their fingers in the process. Their mother was only slightly concerned but dropped it as her child was still doing work.

"Are you doing ok in the kitchen honey?" Azuls mother asked

"Im fine mom just missing you know who" Azul responded

"Oh sweet girl, are you sure you want to make dinner?"

"Mom i'm sure and besides I don't identify as a girl im non binary"

"Sure that's just a phase besides what even are They/them pronouns? Ridiculous if you ask me"

"Well mother I wasn't asking and its used everyday if you dont know someones gender"

"Lies, go to your room i'll make dinner for you ok sweet girl"

That stung, truly stung, like being stabbed in the back type of sting. Azul simply walked away as an attempt to avoid any more conflict with their mother. Almost as soon as dinner was ready they would have to face her but now was not that time. They grabbed one of their many drawing journals and started doodling whatever came to mind zoning out in the process. Soon they looked down and saw a face amongst stars and planets orbiting this sun-like figure. Not very detailed and kind of sloppy looking.

Azul quickly started erasing certain lines and cleaning up the drawing to make it more aesthetic and presentable, they were very proud of this drawing. Soon after Azul's mother called them for dinner so they slowly made their way out of their room. They quickly sat down and waited for their mother to walk over with dinner. The pizza smelt heavenly as their mom placed it on the table. They took a slice of the doughy, stringy, vegetable-loaded pizza and took a bite. Only this time it tasted a little different. Almost like there was a blood-like taste on the pizza.

They ignored and took another bite with the safe effect. They kept eating till they were full and confused. Azul had to look in their sister's room for some sort of clue. There was no way this was a coincidence, was it? They helped wash the dishes to avoid any suspicion from their mother. They walk to their room and close the door only to open it again and sneak into their sister's room. They looked for their sister's journals and once they found them, they left and went back to their room. They gently opened the journal and fear immediately filled their once-peaceful face. The first page was hard to process but it was true.

"Dearest Azul,

I know you'll have read this journal by the time I'm gone and they already sent me away. Mother always thought this journal was rubbish but check the back and read to the front and it'll all make sense ok? I love you so much and please do not come find me ill be ok!

-Much love Luna"

Their sister left on purpose? No, they said someone sent them away! But why would father allow that. His daughter being sent away from home leaving the other to grieve? Were they trying to control me?

So many thoughts rushed through Azuls mind when a knock on the door startled them back into reality.

"Sweetie you doing ok?" It was there mother

"Yes mom I'm fine just tired I think I'm going to head to bed now" They said yawning to make it more realistic

"Oh ok are you changed do you want me to tuck you in?"

"I'm changing right now I'll be done in a moment"

"Oh ok"

They heard footsteps walking away and they sighed. Why must my mother want to still tuck me in? They thought but quickly changed into there pajamas. They grabbed their sister's journal and crawled into bed hiding it with their soft and somewhat cold covers and snuggling it tight before calling their mother.

"You ready?" there mother asked calmly and soothingly

"Yes mom sorry I took so long" they responded

There mom tucked them in and planted a soft kiss to there forehead

"Goodnight Azul I love you"

"Love you to mom goodnight"

They laid their head down and pretended to drift off into sleep. But they were startled when their mother started going through their stuff. They remained calm as their mother lifted their pillow but didn't find what she was looking for. She eventually walked out and closed the door behind her. Azul was shocked to say the least.

Was there mother looking for the journal? But why there was no need for that! Thoughts flooded Azuls mind and soon it was 11:06 pm. They hid the journal walked quickly to the bathroom and turned on the light locking the door. They grabbed the backpack they placed in there earlier that evening. They double-checked to make sure everything was there and ready for travel.

To be continued ...