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“I asked where you lived and you said outside the city in the country. I asked if you worked on a farm and you said…” her finger traced down the page, “never in a million years.”
“You’ve done a lot of terrible things, Nick,” the man said, his voice a low hiss, “and it’s time you set them right.” He took a sudden step forward, his eyes growing into a bottomless shadow. “It’s time to go back to the Black Farm.”
You tainted the Pig. You infected it.” He took another step toward me. “You made it violently, horribly sick.”
“No, Nick. Not good,” Ramiel said quietly, “because you see...as bad as you think that place was...things can always get worse. And I’m here to tell you—things are about to get worse.”
Jess sat naked at the kitchen table, her arms splayed out before her. Two crude spikes had been rammed into her hands, pinning her to the table.
Jess screamed, trembling, her eyes bloodshot and red. As she did, the creature holding the leg grabbed her by the throat and shoved our son’s severed limb down her throat.
“I’m not doing anything to you, Nick. I’m letting you decide.”
“Danny? The guy at the Barn? The one who does the orientations? He’s with the Pig Born! He hates us!” Ramiel shook his head. “Not anymore. They turned on him once the Pig disappeared. He is their captive now.
Do you think he’s lying? Do you really believe he’ll just leave your family alone? “I cannot do this.” Then pick a coffin you think Theo would look good in.
They are going to rip your child apart. Sinking now… They are going to mutilate Jess. “Stop it…” There is no way out. “Please…” You are helpless.
Every evil you left behind, every wrong, every act of violence...it’s all waiting for you, Nick.
If you kill us, then the clouds will spit us out and we will start again. But not you. The Pig is GONE! Who will give you life again?”
You had to kill him. My boots trailed in my wake, leaving divots in the mud as I was pulled. Think about your family.
“You’re crazy if you think you can put things back the way they were.” “Are you saying you won’t even try?” Danny said nothing for a moment, then, “The thought of helping you makes me actually want to vomit.”
You’re doing this for them, I reminded myself, whatever pain she’s suffering, it doesn’t compare to the pain she’d endure if you didn’t.
“What’s about to happen here?” Danny kept his eyes on the ocean. “A lot of us are about to die.”
Danny suddenly appeared over me, his face pale and grim. He dropped to his knees next to me, his hands running over my body. “Jesus Christ, I thought you were fucked,” he muttered.
“Why...why did you help me? Could have...gone…” Danny turned away, his voice low. “Shit if I know…”
“You know where we’re going? You have a plan?” “You’re the one hell-bent on putting this place back together. I’m just along for the ride.”
He looked directly at me. “I had to eat a piece of its flesh. To bind us, in a way, to one another.” My face drooped in disgust. “You...ate...a piece of the Pig?”
“It’s OK, sweetie,” I said quietly, stroking her hair, her face buried in my chest. “It’s over. They’re not going to hurt you anymore.”
The little girl’s voice was a trembling plea in my ear. “Don’t make me be alone again…” I stroked her hair, eyes on Danny. “She’s coming with us.’ Danny shook his head. “You have got to be kidding me.”
The addition of a child to our small group wasn’t going to make things any easier, but I couldn’t just leave her. I couldn’t. How the hell did a kid get to the Black Farm anyway? What had happened to her? I knew now wasn’t the time to ask and so I kept my arms around the child and walked in silence.
“Never mind what he said,” I interjected, “that’s just Danny. He’s a little grumpy right now, he doesn’t mean it.”
Danny cocked his head at Emily, who was peeking at him through her bangs. “Am I scaring you?” She nodded. “I’m one of the friendliest faces you’ll see around here, kid,” Danny said, finally mellowing out. “Enjoy your new friendship while it lasts. He’s the only protection you’ll get in a place like this.”
“Mom always ate vitamins when she got sad,” Emily said quietly, “but I don’t think they made her happy.” I looked back at Danny and was met with a stony gaze. I licked my dry lips and gently whispered, “Emily...did you ever take your mom’s vitamins?” Emily said nothing for a long time, her hand fidgeting in mine. After some time, I heard her speak again, very gently. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not supposed to.” I squeezed her hand. “It’s OK, Emily. You’re a good kid.”
