Thread: Top of the Foodchain (kaigen and Darkangel)

He knew the moment he noticed that look on her face. The look she seemed to think she his well. That his new and exciting plan would work. He would not only have her body. But her mind. Something he had never had the opertunity to try. He read about slaves that had been ripped from their lives abused and tortured to the point where their minds cracked and they began to enjoy their bondage. No. He held no illusions about her ever truely liking being with him. But he knew the mind was a funny thing. It sought comfort and when there was no true comfort to be had it found it in things they used to find repugnant. Even if he was able to accomplish destroying her mind he knew that she would run if she was ever given the chance. James was always good at reading people. Good 1st getting into their heads, figuring out what made them tick. It was a natural skill that not only made him a more efficient hunter of women. But it gave him an edge in business. Yes it was a small idea he had when he was in college that propelled him to where he was before the world ended. But his ability to handle people was the vehicle that took him there. Not that simple idea. Most of the individuals he dealt with in his life believed that they were complicated but the truth was actually the opposite. People were simply semi Intellegent animals. And like all animals their thinking processes were simple. Give them two options and most choose whichever was the most beneficial. The only real difference between people and dogs was how far ahead they are able to see the benefits of an option. Taryn didn't seem to be any different. Though he only spent a few minutes observing her James believed that she was an open book to him. It was almost as if the thoughts that rolled through her mind were painted on her face. But he wasn't about to let it known. Or begin to assume too much. For all he knew she was as crafty and deceitful as he was. So despite his desire to reveal what exactly it was that she was eating and to begin the process of breaking her, he decided instead to sit, talk and observe her. People tended to be honest when they are comfortable. And the more he knew about her, the easier shattering her soul would be. So instead he ate his victim's finely prepared flesh with the chestnuts and looked into her eyes while the sun painted the sky behind him. She certainly appeared to be at ease. Understandably so after such an ordeal. Loosing everyone you cared about and watching the world break around you was sure to unsettle even the most robust person. It was just another example of how the mind sought comfort. James however did not remember a time when he had been more at ease. In a way watching the world crack had been a comfort for him. While he enjoyed his craft, his art, he valued his freedom. Being found out. Being caught and locked up meant the hunt would end. So with most of the population gone his new freedom brought him comfort. That fact coupled with the meal he ate and the new company he had settled him. He gave her several long moments to ponder things, to process her thoughts before he answered. With a nod he gave a weak smile. Yes. I like it here very much. The desert can be beautiful. It really can. But everything here is beautiful. He was looking around at the scenery as he spoke. But his eyes settled on her with the last sentence he spoke. It was a deliberate act. A kindness that would come infrequently once he started in on her. Something she could hold onto once he ripped all other good thoughts from her mind. And the trip wasn't so bad. He suddenly continued as he adverted his eyes back to the darkness that begin to spread across the sky to the east. I left early on in this whole mess. I figured if it was my time I should be somewhere I enjoyed. In feigned sadness he added. I really didn't have much back home anyway. Mom and dad passed years ago. So there really wasn't anything keeping me. Throwing a clue that he was single when it started was also intentional. A way to test His earlier theory about her thoughts. After he finished the last of his steak he took a pull from the fine bottle of bourbon then offered it to her and asked out of random curiosity. So what was it you did? For a living that is. He wanted to learn as much about her as he could before he started with her. Maybe it was habit. When he hunted he always stalked his prey for a long time. Learned as much about them as he could. But now his prey had come to him. He had only minutes to learn who she was. Precious little time. Minutes instead of months.