Hunger.

Hunger, like three days with nothing to eat. Hunger gnawing at the guts, eating from the inside out. Hunger, the worst hunger ever.

Thirst.

Thirst that makes the filthiest water irresistible. Desert thirst. Dry, scratching, aching thirst.

Darkness. Darkness that eats the world. A void both huge and small. Nothing.

Hunger.

Thirst.

Noise.

Small scuffling. Reach out. A hand, without thought, comes to the mouth holding a small, warm body. Fangs sink in. Suck. Pain. Like the ache of the first drops of water into a parched mouth.

The body stops writhing. Suck, suck. Empty. Need another. Toss this one aside. Grab a second. Suck, suck, suck.

Small body. Fur. Hairless tail. Rat. Empty. Grab a third.

No repulsion to the ones who have nibbled in the past. They are food.

Fourth, fifth, more.

Hunger eases. Tired. Sleep.