The Haunt at Hogg Run: A Creature Feature Horror Suspense (Lorestalker Book 4) by J.P. Barnett

Author:J.P. Barnett
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Evolved Publishing LLC
Published: 2020-09-14T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Ten Years Ago

“What the hell is that?” Pops asked.

Al smiled. Not one of the smiles he used to trick people into thinking he was okay. A real one, borne of pride. He’d gone to a lot of trouble to get this thing, and even though it would take some work to fully pay off, he felt certain this would turn some heads down at the haunt.

“It’s called a babirusa,” he replied.

Pops rubbed his stubbled chin. “How’d you even get this thing?”

“You don’t wanna know, Pops.”

He really didn’t. Smuggling animals into the US was no joke, especially the invasive kind. But Al had connections from his days overseas and one of those had put him in contact with a guy who got him the goods. Sure, technically it was illegal, but who had time to hunt down one animal when other people were smuggling in thousands of more desirable exotic creatures? Only a mama could love this thing.

“Well,” Pops said thoughtfully. “It’s an ugly bastard. Small, too.”

Certainly compared to the hogs they raised, the babirusa looked tiny. Fully grown, it would weigh in at two-twenty at the very most. Hardly an animal to terrify the souls that visited Hogg Run. Scraggly, thin and nearly hairless, it barely even looked like it belonged in the pig family. Multiple tusks sprouted out of its head, some from its lower lips, others straight from the bridge of its nose. He knew they were just protruding through the skin, but he’d be damned if they didn’t look like some sort of antlers.

No, it wasn’t much to look at now, but he had a plan, and if it worked, he could turn this ugly brown thing into something special.

His father grunted, clapped him on the back then firmly gripped Al’s shoulder. “Listen, son. I just want you to know: I’m proud of you. For pulling through.”

Tears stung at the corners of Al’s eyes. He wasn’t “through” it. He’d never be over it. The nightmares would never stop. Some days, the pain faded a little bit; when he managed to keep his mind focused on other things. Haunts. Babirusas. Her.

Al nodded anyway. He’d put his parents through enough grief. If his Pops thought that he’d gotten over it, all the better.

They went in for lunch. Another bologna sandwich, this time with barbecue flavored chips. His mom seemed chipper today, flitting around and talking about all the sales she’d found at the supermarket. Apparently, one of them on barbecue chips. Al listened politely, scarfing down his sandwich, looking forward to his sojourn into the woods. To his stump. To the joy he’d find there.

After he finished, his mom scooped up his plate. “That was fast, dear. Want another?”

“Nah. Gonna take a walk.”

She shared a look with Pops. Al recognized it. They worried about him. The walks seemed to signify one last holdover from the pain. They didn’t know the half of it; how many times they almost lost him out there. But they wouldn’t lose him today. He could say that with certainty.

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