as i read this it did get a little bit confusing but your note helped me understand so i read it again and it slowly started to make sense to me.
i too enjoy the stories from Poe and Stephan they are tremendas writers for the genre horror.
i do enjoyed your story though very interesting idea. only one thing though, if the painting is a depicting a cannibal the cannibal was in her room all along?

...
(shiver)
Scary. No, really and honestly, scary. I just *had* to read this alone... in my bedroom... at night... shortlye before I'm going to go to bed...
NO I AM NOT STUPID!
Ahem...
I really liked this though. And even though it scared me, kudos on creating a genuinely frightening story.
And yes, I like Poe and King too. Very excellent writers. I don't have enough of King's work though... just Misery, The Stand, and 'Salem's Lot. I should get more.
(wanders off mumbling about King to herself.)

- Harriet.