Catfish in the Cradle by Wile E Young

Author:Wile E Young [Young, Wile E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-02-28T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

The truck bounced over the long road. It was an older model Dodge from the seventies; the paint had been beat all to hell and the A/C didn’t work, but Luc said that it was the little things that made this truck special. His father Jean Phillipe Robichaude had smoked cigars exclusively and had often snuck out to sneak a puff in the cab when his mother Felicite caught him in the house. On their way to church one Sunday, his youngest brother Leon had wedged a toy horse in the alcove on the inside door and it wouldn’t come out. His older brother Cyprien had ridden in the bed and had drawn little designs on the inside of the metal. His sister Bastienne, a few cousins and other relatives… all of them had somehow made their mark on that truck. Despite the passage of years and toll it had taken, Luc had endeavored to keep it running.

I could smell the ancient hints of burning leaves and tobacco stains that spoke of Jean Phillipe’s old habits. It was all trying to distract me from the facts Luc had told me.

Sometime ago after the Robichaudes had failed to protect their home, the Deep Folk had made a new pact. Certain citizens of our beloved little community had discovered the fishmen. They were compelled into something monstrous: the great treasures the river had swallowed were offered up to people who would see fit to sacrifice their sons, daughters, and wives in return. Not death—no, that would have been a mercy. They were taken down to the Cradle, never to be seen again.

I always thought that the official report of the Klan killing Luc’s family had been convenient. Sketchy even back then, but with the knowledge that there was a damn cult worshiping rapist fishmen, I had my doubts. Luc shared my sentiment.

“My cousin Guy brought me back a few years ago, helped me go back to the old homestead and recover what little magic that hadn’t been destroyed. Caught one of them and ‘persuaded’ it to talk.”

His grip on the wheel tightened and I thought I felt the truck pick up speed. “Half these people are probably whammied so hard they don’t know how much time has passed. They’re trying to gaslight you hard, Grady.”

I didn’t have time to ask any more questions as we tore down Vicky’s driveway and came to rest before the house. Her home didn’t look as bright and hopeful as it had earlier that morning. I noticed everything that I had previously ignored: pieces of wood that the termites had gotten to, the chipped brick, crow droppings all over the roof. Filth covering the veneer of humbleness.

“There is a way in around back.”

Luc nodded, and I loaded the revolver I had brought with me. I slung the rifle over my shoulder and offered him my old 12 gauge, but he refused, pointing to the Bible in his jacket pocket. “This is powerful protection and my weapons aren’t as obvious.

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