The swordsman scurried into the tavern, trying to escape from the blizzard. He slammed the heavy wooden door behind him and everyone in the tavern turned and looked at him.
He removed his big brimmed straw hat and worn out cape, placed them on the bar counter. Then he carefully positioned his sharp curved-blade sword in front of him. The heavy metal sound made many people jump. Some quickly moved away from him, some exited the tavern into the dark.
There was an aura in that swordsman that made people feel uneasy to be around him. He demanded the waiter to bring some hot dumplings and wine. He was famished and thirsty as he did not have access to food and water for two days.
As he waited for his food to arrive, he began to notice that the room was getting empty. The crowd seemed to disappear slowly. But nobody exited the main entrance.
“Maybe there is a back door,” he thought to himself. Before he could investigate, the aroma of fresh steamed buns and dumplings filled the air. Then the waiter brought him his order.
The famished swordsman broke the bun into two and the perfectly marinated succulent meat stuffed in the fluffy bun looked so mouth-watering. He was about to take a bite when he realised he had not washed his hands.
He ventured his way to the back of the inn to find a wash basin. As he walked pass the kitchen, he was met with a rather disturbing sight. He thought he saw figures hanging upside down. A chill ran down his spine. He peeped inside the room and saw several men butchering the corpses then carving them into slices. He was horrified and shocked. He had to escape before his turn was next.
The swordsman grabbed his sword and accelerated his steps towards the door. The workers were at his heels but luck was with him. He managed to escape into the dark if not he would have been part of a bun stuffing!
#fiction #cannibalism
© autumnB