By: vormon
The movements and sounds that you perceive seem to indicate that Shelby's awake, so you thrash about gently enough to avoid being annoying but firmly enough to draw attention. Expecting your mentor to quickly realize her mistake, you're shocked when something warm and slimy envelopes your formerly free toes. She's finishing the job! You start to struggle in earnest, but you don't have the leverage to prevent your legs joining the rest of you. The tight situation becomes even tighter when the walls suddenly crunch together as Shelby burps.
Recalling what the nurse said about mentors, you conclude that Shelby has betrayed you. Not wanting to go down without a fight, you squirm as best as you can manage in the enclosed space for what feels like hours but was probably only several minutes. Resistance proves futile, and you are left curled in a sullen, panting, very warm ball. In the lull since you stopped wriggling and screaming, you realize that Shelby is talking to you.
"You alright in there?"
Suspicious at this inexplicable concern for your safety from a girl who's just swallowed you alive, you take several moments before responding "Yes."
Her relief is palpable in her reply. "Oh, good! For a while you were way too active for me to explain what I was doing, but then you suddenly just stopped and I was afraid my tummy got a little out of control." She giggled nervously, "Sure wouldn't be the first time."
These words are not the most comforting ones imaginable, but it's starting to look as if your mentor's guts may not be your grave after all. "What are you doing?" you ask, trying to control the tremor in your voice.
"Well first, this was a total accident. Really." Shelby sounds distressed as the prospect of you not believing her; either she's a good actor or is being truthful. When you don't immediately reply, she continues "I swear. I thought I was safe with you. But I must have got a taste. If your feet were anything to go by-", a tremor runs through her body, "Mmm... I never meant to eat you though! I just sort of woke up and you were in my belly. Honest!"
She was sort of nibbling on you in her sleep, although she was definitely awake when she gulped down your feet just a few moments ago. You inquire.
"Reflex!" she protests weakly, and although you're somewhat skeptical you decide not to press the subject. She evidently doesn't care to discuss it, and it doesn't seem wise to upset the person standing between you and a gurgly end. Heading back towards safer ground, you ask as gently as possible "Why don't you spit me back up?". With great difficulty, you refrain from appending "If it was such an accident.".
She's clearly been waiting for this. "I thought it would be a good idea if I kept you in there a little longer, since I went through the trouble of eating you and all. By accident! But I have an early class today and you're much better breakfast than that cafeteria slop. Tasty... and filling..."
As Shelby's mind wanders to food, her stomach growls menacingly. While such a noise would generally be worrisome to anyone in the proximity, from the inside it is much worse. In an attempt to keep her focused, and out of your own uncertainty, you ask the obvious question: "Won't I be digested?"
"Hmm? Not unless you want to be, of course. You're much safer inside me than out. I have classes to go to, and there are lots of girls who'd love to eat you right up. They can't get you if I've already eaten you, though. I'm an advanced student. They wouldn't let me be a mentor if I wasn't; they tried that in the beginning but opportunistic girls would just get a double meal. Trust me, you're better off in here for now."
Counter-intuitive as it seems to be devoured in order to avoid being devoured, Shelby's reasoning seems sound, although you're not quite sure if you can shake the concern that you'll end up following in the footsteps of breakfasts prior. Yet when Shelby goes to her class, you could easily be put in circumstances equally or even more dangerous. And that's presuming that Shelby will release you on command, of which you're not entirely sure.
