It was quiet most days on the ship. The most you could hear was the metal pieces cracking, the worms lingering in the wall, and a few whispers. What could you even talk about in this situation? What could you say to comfort?
The only one trying to keep it upbeat was Simon. He always had a dumb smile on his face like it was fucking Christmas and he was waiting for Santa. In a way, he was, but instead of a fat man with a belly and presents, he was waiting for a pregnant lady to " produce".
-Good morning everyone!said him in an uppity tone.
-I'm not fucking doing this today! said Serena leaving the room.
-Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Pregnant women, am I right?
-You're a sick sick bastard, mate! said Teddy.
-Now, now, let's not fight amongst each other. It's hard enough as it is, isn't it?
-Exactly, thank you, Henry. Now, what's for breakfast?
-No, said Teddy sharply, one meal a day. That's the rule.
-We need to eat to survive another week without food entirely. This one meal won't cut it.
-Don't you even fucking dare! I proposed to eat once for 2-3 days, but you shoved that employee card that makes you the captain and ordered me that we eat once a day. I'm sleeping next to the fucking fridge so you won't steal food.
-You're making me sound like a monster, Ted.
-Aren't you?
-Guys, enough! Let's be civil about this. Teddy, can't he have a bite earlier? You know he's fussy when he doesn't eat.
-Grow a spine, Henry, and get your lips out of his bum! We eat once a day! That's the rule and I'm not letting a 40 years sicko and his 30 years boots licker walk all over me.
-Tough words from a kid.
-I may be 23, but I can cut you down. Maybe then you'll become at least a bit useful.
-Teddy…
Serena walked into Alice's room. Her eyes were bloodshot, and filled with unshed tears, while her lips were dry and cracked. Dark shadows under her eyes were evidence of the lack of sleep.
-How are you doing?
-Aren't you scared?
Serena sat down on the floor next to Alice.
-I am. I don't want to die. We're running down on antiseptic. I might bleed to death.
-I'll never let that happen.
-You can't perform miracles, Alice.
-I promise if anything happens to you, I'll take care of the baby.
-I… it's more like a pest than a baby to me. I don't feel what you felt for it.
-Oh.
-Yeah. I'm scared of Simon.
-I'm scared of him too. Can't we kill him? He should be enough to feed us for a while. Maybe enough until we land even.
Alice's soft voice got excited.
-Everyone hates him. I don't think Henry will stop us. We can make him captain after. That should convince him.
-They're the same, Alice. Can't you see? Henry and Simon are the fucking same. Henry is just too scared to act on it.
-Oh.
Alice paused.
-We can kill both.
-Yeah, but how? We're two women eaten inside by space maggots, Lancey doesn't have a leg and Teddy is a kid.
-Oh. So we can't do anything.
-We're farm animals, Alice. Incubator at best. Who cares about a dumb animal or a machine?
-Capitalism even here, huh?
-In a way. How are you? Are you bleeding?
-It's healing. When he crawls his way out, he really rips you.
-Sounds lovely, said Serena dry.
A moment of silence passed.
-After I'm done, in a few weeks Simon will return to you. For the second harvest.
-I know. I-I was thinking of asking Teddy to do it this time. I'm… Simon is…
-I know. I wanted to ask him too, but to put that kind of pressure on a poor 20-year-old. He already has to… cook.
-He saved me some of Lancey's leg. He knew I couldn't eat….my baby.
-Yeah. He's a nice guy.
-Hi, Lancey!
-Teddy. You overseasoned the food again.
-Hah. You're just used to bland food.
-Careful there. If my wife hears that, you won't be invited over for dinner.
-I take it back then. I wouldn't miss it for anything.
Teddy's chuckle faded quickly.
-Does it hurt?
-Like a bitch.
-I'm sorry, Lancey. If I would have stopped Simon, maybe…
-Don't. It's not your fault. You were supposed to be my damn intern and help me fix the ship, not the fucking cook.
-I'm scared, Lancey. I just took this job so mom would be safe, but I am so scared. I don't know how I will prepare the… harvest again.
-Look, kid, I'm not good at comforting. You're tough. You'll pull through. And once we are out of here, I'll take you to the best post-apocalyptic restaurant there is and we'll have the best radioactive pasta there is.
-You're paying?
-Sure.
-Then I'm getting seconds too.
Lancey looked at Teddy tenderly. Poor kid.
-You can get me bankrupted for all I care, chuckle Lancey.
Simon used the time Teddy left the kitchen unattended. He opened the fridge and took a big piece of meat.
He buried his teeth in it, blood dripping from the corners of his mouth. He liked the taste, but he couldn't say that to anyone.
"I planted this. Who this kid thinks he is to tell me I can't eat it?" thought Simon.
-WHAT THE FUCK?! screamed Alice.
She ran to Simon and plucked the piece of meat out of his teeth and hands. She hugged it at her chest, protecting it.
-Alice, what are you doing?!
-GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY BABY, YOU DERRANGED MONSTER!
-It's food, Alice! We could share it if you're hungry.
-GET AWAY!
-What the hell is happening here?
-Teddy!
-HE'S EATING MY BABY! I barely saved it!
-WHAT THE FUCK, SIMON? Did you steal from the fridge AGAIN?!
-STOP YELLING AT ME! I'm your captain. Don't make me get the gun!
-The gun?
-Yes.My gun from the cockpit.
-You just threatened us with a gun?
-No, I gave you a warning.
-You bastard.
-Look. We can solve this, guys. We don't need to starve. I was thinking. Why don't we plant both Alice and Serena at the same time? It would produce double. We could also use the worms to heal them quicker so we could harvest more.
-DO YOU FUCKING HEAR YOURSELF?!
-What? I think it's a perfect plan.
-ARE ALICE AND SERENA FUCKING ANIMALS IN YOUR EYES?!
-What do you mean?
-You can't just use them like that, mate, what is wrong with you?…
-You're a kid. You don't understand.
-OH, I DO, JACKASS! YOU RISK BOTH OUR FEMALE CREW MEMBERS CUZ YOU CAN'T FUCKING CONTROL YOURSELF?
-I am thinking only of our crew, Teddy.
-What if they give birth at the same time?asked Henry who just came in.
-Oh. I didn't think of that. But the use of maggots can still help their recovery so the harvest process is faster.
-WHY DON'T YOU PUT AN ALIEN WORM UP YOUR ASS TO SEE IF YOU LIKE IT! yelled Alice still hugging the chunk of meat.
-If it would help our crew to survive, I would do it.
-We could all use a moral booster. It would help our crew survive. Do it! said Teddy.
-Don't be ridiculous. I know you are all mad, cuz I got a snack, but let's not be kids about it!
-No. Do it! insisted Teddy.
-I can't talk with you all when you all act like such spoiled brats. I'll be in the cockpit. I expect an apology, said Simon leaving the room.
-What should we do, guys?
-Oh, shut the hell up, Henry!