For a moment he stared at her, incredulous. Was this a joke? Was she just fattening him up for breeding or eating? Why would a monster help him? For that matter why would anyone help a stranger? Growing up as he had, Carter had rarely been the recipient of selfless acts.

Further, he had researched monsters a good deal in preparation for this journey, and everything he read about them, in particular the mantis, made it seem unlikely that this was simple kindness.

Regardless, his hunger overcame his trepidation. Ravenous, he quickly devoured the three Large apples on the branch. This immediate need met, he took stock of his benefactor, who had watched him silently the whole time he was eating. He braced himself to confront her, to demand to know what she planned to do with him, but, apparently satisfied that he had eaten enough, the mantis simply scooped him up and threw him over her shoulder again.

“Hey- wait a sec-ahhhh!!!"

His complaint was cut short as her sudden leap caused his recent meal to threaten to come back up. His mind swam, and he feared he would faint as she carried him with amazing speed through the forest, leaping from one tree's branch to another, sometimes even rebounding horizontally off the trunk. Her feet seemed to somehow stick to even smooth bark, and her strength was such that carrying him seemed to hardly hinder her. Such was her speed that the forest soon became a blur. Carter ceased to struggle, fearing the fall if he did get free, as well as accidentally bumping the sharp scythes on her arms.

Then, before he knew it, she had deposited him in a truly huge tree, well over a hundred feet high. Or rather not in the tree itself but in a structure built mid-way up within the center of its widely spanning branches. It appeared to be a tree house of sorts, fairly simple in design but practical and effective. Various handmade tools and supplies from the forest were scattered about, with a bed of animal skins and soft blankets in one corner. A hung and dried animal skin served as a door while the doorway was simply a Large opening on one side that led out to a wooden platform like a porch. Looking out the single window, he noted the drop to the ground appeared to be some fifty feet.

With nowhere to run, he turned back to face the mantis, trying not to tremble as he spoke. "Did you... bring me here to eat me?" he mentally kicked himself for asking, afraid he would remind her to devour him.

She gave him a perplexed, but still cold, look. "Monsters can't eat human flesh, it's been that way for generations. The mere thought instinctively disgusts us. Humans seem to be slow to accept that."

He'd certainly read of this aspect of monster girls before, but different books said different things and he wasn't sure what to believe. So her words did relieve him a bit but still left him confused. "Then why did you bring me here?

"You need shelter, clearly you have none of your own."

“Then you want me to stay here, with you? Just like that? You haven't even asked a thing about me."

She blinked with disinterest. "I know enough. Your ragged clothing and desperation to flee to such a remote place alone indicates you are an escaped slave.”

He was stunned that she had been able to make such an accurate guess.

“That's... how did you-" he decided against pursuing the question, not wanting to reveal too much about himself just yet, so he changed subjects.

“I mean... why even bother with me? It's not your breeding season..." indeed he had timed his departure to be outside of most monster breeding seasons. Not that that guaranteed safety from most, who were said to be horny all the time, just more so in season, but the mantis monsters in particular, unwed ones at least, were said to show no interest in men outside the breeding season.

“Did-" he began again when she failed to respond, “Did you just feel sorry for me?"

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "No. Until we have mated my kind have little understanding of such emotions."

“Well I guess we have a bit in common. Figuring out emotions was tough for me growing up too," he tried to empathize, thinking of how much various books on psychology, trauma and childhood emotional development had influenced him. Maybe he could use that commonality to get her to let him go?

She ignored his remark. "You are pitiable, even I can see that, and I was taught that I should help those in need, but that does not include going out of my way for them as I have for you.”

He was a bit miffed at her reaction. Little understanding of emotions indeed. "Then why?"