chapter 1

Catherine was a rather normal girl. She was just out of college and had just gotten a job at a local bakery. She was medium height and thin at 5'5 and 120lbs. She was excited, but a bit apprehensive about this new job.

She had a history with having a sweet tooth, but she'd managed to keep her sugar cravings under control for the past few years. "Eh, I'm sure I can handle myself around a bakery," she assured herself, "I'll be fine."

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Catherine buttoned the last button on her work shirt and slung her bag over her shoulder. It was time to head to her first day on the job.

The beginning went fine, as older employees showed her around and taught her what she needed to know. But then there was an accident. One of the pastry chefs nearly sliced off her hand with a knife and one of the employees passed out because of the blood. The EMTs came and took away the initial pastry chef and the passed out one. And yet another employee accompanied them in the ambulance probably because she wanted an excuse to leave work.

That left only Catherine and Andrew, a lanky college kid who'd worked there for quite some time. They kept working together up until 7pm, when Andrew began to pack up.

"Don't we close at 8, though?" Catherine asked, uncertain.

"Yup," Andrew replied, unconcerned. There was a pause where Catherine contemplated dropping the subject, but it became more obvious that Andrew was about to just leave the bakery--and her--behind.

"But, um, why are you leaving?" Catherine blurted.

"Shift's over," He muttered, snatching a discarded piece of what appeared to be a croissant off the table.

"What about me?" Catherine didn't mean to sound panicked, but urgency leaked into her voice nonetheless.

"You close up at 8. Keys are over there." He responded over his shoulder, pointing at a nearby table. And he promptly walked right out the door. And left Katherine all alone.

Because there was still the occasional customer, Catherine kept up her station at the counter for the next hour. When the clock struck 8, Catherine went to the front door and flipped the "Open" sign to "Closed" and locked the door. She turned off the main lights and walked back into the kitchen to collect her bag.

She had been too busy earlier to really process the bakery. But now all the smells hit her nose. She realized that she hadn't eaten since her apple at lunch. She tried to turn away, grab her things and go, but she couldn't help herself. She walked quietly over to the table where all the pastries that didn't get bought remained.

No one would want to save these, they would just go stale, she reasoned. So, she scooped up a muffin and started to eat. About 5 muffins in, she started to feel full, but she couldn't get enough of the rich chocolate flavor. By the time she'd finished the muffins, her empty hand had found its way to her stomach, rubbing the slightly distended mound to soothe the ache.

Catherine thought she would be done there. But then she saw the pan of chocolate cake slices. Despite her desire to gobble them up immediately, she picked up the pan gently and laid it on the floor, sitting down in front of it. Much better. Her belly didn't hurt as much sitting down. And she started eating.

The chocolate was so decadent the frosting smeared on her chin as she ate piece after piece of cake. She simply could not stop. She didn't notice how much more distended her belly had grown until she finished the cakes. She cupped her hands around the bottom curve of her tummy and moaned quietly at its fullness. Suddenly she was so thirsty.

It took her a moment to stand and balance herself, unused to her full belly. She meandered toward her bag with her water bottle when she had a sudden realization. This bakery also makes milkshakes. She turned her attention to the fridge.