The Butcher's Husband and Other Stories by Amy Cross

Author:Amy Cross [Cross, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

“But he's a dog!” Justin says yet again as I follow him through the forest, heading toward the bog. “I mean, there's no way around that! He's a dog, he can't just talk to you like that!”

“You can test him again when we get back,” I reply. “Believe me, I was as surprised as you are. Then again, is it really any stranger than what we're doing now?”

Reaching the side of the bog, we both set down the canisters that we brought out here.

“Is it really any stranger,” I continue, “than some kind of bog that's sending mold-covered tentacles under the road and into our building?”

“Yes,” he replies, “it is stranger. I mean, the bog stuff is weird, but I can still just about understand how it's happening. But the talking dog?” He hesitates. “You have to admit, it stretches the limits of credulity just a little.”

“So what's the plan?” I ask. “Or do I really need to ask that at all? I mean, you've brought several cans of petrol out here, and lots of matches. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that you seem to be planning to set fire to this thing.”

“I'm going to burn it up,” he replies, “and the root too.”

“Have you considered just trying to cut the root? That way you could maybe sever the connection with the building.”

“I tried, and it's too hard. I don't know what it's made of, but I tried everything I could get my hands on and I still couldn't even make so much as a dent. I even tried using an electric saw, and the blade broke! This thing is unstoppable, but nothing can withstand fire.” He pauses, before picking up one of the canister and then opening the lid and starting to pour the contents into the bog. “This is the only way.”

“What if even this doesn't work?” I ask.

“It will.”

“But what if it doesn't?”

“Then God help us all,” he replies, as he tosses the canister aside and starts emptying the second into the bog, “because then I don't see what's to stop this bog growing until it's taken over the whole world.”

I take one of the canisters and start helping, even though I'm worried that this plan won't work. For one thing, it might be dangerous. For another, we might get into trouble. And on top of all that, I'm starting to think that we're out of our depth. Sure, Mr. Dorchester might have decided not to intervene, but I don't really trust his judgment. Instead, I'm starting to wonder whether we've come across something that's truly unique. A while back, I'd have simply listened to the experts and done whatever I was told. Talking to dogs, however, has made me rethink what is and isn't possible in this crazy world.

“Isn't that enough?” I ask, as Justin opens yet another canister.

“I'm not risking anything,” he replies, his voice filled with a sense of steely determination as he pours out the canister's contents.

I grab the final canister and get to work.

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