A Crying Shame

by William W. Johnstone

  Dr. Lewis flipped the TV off.

  It is your belief that the Links will go on the offensive, Jon?” Karl asked. Tonight?”

  The six of them sat in the den of Despair Plantation house. They had carefully cleaned their weapons and placed them close-by. It was late afternoon in Fountain Parish, the sun a hot, bubbling ball of blood red as it sank slowly into another cauldron, to bring light to yet another continent that waited for its share after its allotted period of darkness.

  Now the creatures of night began to stir in Fountain Parish, to flap their wings in the air, to slip silently through the swamps and bayous, to slither on the ground in search of prey.

  To watch. To wait.

  To kill.

  They’ll have to,” Jon replied, his tone confident. It’s their only chance. But they won’t strike here. They’ve lost too many of their kind around this estate. Some of them—perhaps many of them—may be insane, but they most definitely are not stupid.”

  And the ones who are not insane, Jon?” Debra asked the question Jon knew was coming.

  Say what is on your minds ... all of you. Don’t step lightly around the issue. You all know I detest pussyfooting about.”

  How will you tell those who are maddened—diseased—from those who are not?” Dr. Lewis inquired. That is something I have been mulling about in my mind all afternoon.”

  Jon leaned back on the couch, beside Linda. Well, obviously, I can’t . . . won’t be able to distinguish between them. But we will not—I will not—be dealing with a race of productive, intelligent beings. We all know who and what they are—and what they represent. They are a threat.”

  To whom, Jon?” Karl asked.

  The professional soldier of fortune met the German’s eyes. To mankind, Karl. You know that. Even those who are ... normal have kidnapped and raped.”

  In order to propagate their species.” Walter offered his defense. And that must be taken into consideration. Just as you or I would have done under the same set of circumstances.”

  Karl nodded his agreement with his colleague.

  Jon looked at Linda, curled beside him on the couch. Your brother was related to them.” Not a question.

  Yes. I know, Jon.”

  And your brother wanted me to destroy them. Paul was a man of high learning and intelligence. He saw their threat; why can’t you people?”

  I believe we do see the threat,” she said, her voice soft. But I can’t help but remember what that young girl said about one of the Links helping her to escape. That proves to me that there is some good in them. Perhaps a lot of good. And I believe you know it, as well, Jon. That act of kindness has to be weighed.”

  The mercenary sighed. Then he smiled. A quick curving of the lips, then it was gone. I was wondering when all this rhetoric would be thrown at me.”

  Dr. Lewis had stuffed his pipe. Now he lit it, puffing rapidly. I really don’t believe I have to tell you, Jon, just how great the scientific ramifications of this discovery would be. Surely you see that.”

  Yes, Walter. Yes, I do see all that. I also see an entire parish that has been evacuated, its residents running in fear. I’ve seen innocent people killed, horribly, some of them eaten by savage beasts ... maddened by this virus you men have discovered that rots their brains. I’ve seen and heard of women kidnapped and raped, forced to breed monsters, and I see my duty—no! my obligation—as clearly as I’ve seen a thousand sunrises over the veldt.

  All right, if there is a way I will spare some of these Links for your studies. But I will make no promises. To any of you.” He looked at Karl. With that knowledge, Karl, can I still depend on you to back me?”

  The German bristled. I should smash your face for even asking!”

  Es tutmir leid, Karl,” Jon apologized.

  Well you should be sorry. Accepted.”

  Jon smiled. We’ll see what’s happened to the men who went in—although I think I know what’s happened to them—then finalize our plans. I’ll find us a good craft in the morning.”

  You don’t have to do this, Jon,” Linda said. ”I won’t think you less a man for not going in.”

  Testing my courage has nothing to do with it,” he responded.

  Her gaze was level, eyes searching his face. I just don’t believe that.” She rose from the couch and walked from the room.

  Lugner,” Karl said.

  And I don’t need any crap from you either,” Jon said.

  He walked from the room, stepping out to the porch. He stood watching the last of the sun fade into twilight. Was he testing his courage? Was that it? And was Karl correct in calling him a liar?

  Nonsense!” Jon muttered.

  Night fell heavily on Fountain Parish.

  As if sensing through their madness that their time on this earth, in this great swamp they had called home for hundreds, thousands of years, was rapidly coming to a close, the young male Links went on the attack. They slipped easily through the police and military cordons on the edges of the swamp, making their way to small towns. There, they did what they felt they had to do—kill.

  But this time they did not seize the women. This time, they had a plan. With any luck, it might work.

  Pennypacker is an idiot!” The husband was lecturing his wife. Monsters and beasts and the like. I have never heard of such a thing. Ridiculous! Evacuating the parish. Sealing off the bridges and roads. For what? Fairy tales, that’s what.”

  I just can’t believe the head of the state police would go along with the order to leave if he doubted the truth in it,” his wife contradicted him.

  She received a look that was half disgust, half mockery. Sure, right. Go ahead and defend that mule-ridin’ goofball. You voted for him. Silliest damned law I ever heard of in my life: allowin’ the candidate from one party to be governor, the candidate from another party to be lieutenant governor. Goddamn it! It ought to be whole hog or nothing.”

  Will? Let’s get out of here—obey the orders. They’ve extended the deadline for leaving. Nine o’clock.” She glanced at the clock. We can just make it. Just leave for a day or two. Drive up to Alex; see my sister. I just don’t like this feeling I’ve got. We’re close, too close to the swamp.”

  Quick anger in the man’s eyes. Helen,” he said, losing patience with her, there is nothing in that swamp ‘cept ’gators and snakes and gar. A few deer. Damned few. But no boogeymen, no monsters, no Devil’s beasts, no half-men, half-creatures.”

  To some degree he was correct; some of the maddened Links from the Crying Swamp were, at that moment, standing on his back porch.

  They had killed and eaten his dogs.

  Now they wanted to kill him and have sex with his wife.

  You care so little for me?” she asked. You won’t do just this one thing for me? Do you want me to beg you, Will? Is that it? All right, Will, I’ll beg. I’ll—”

  Helen,” he waved her silent. Don’t, please. I do care for you. I’ve loved you, and only you . . . ever since we were kids, and all my adult life. I’ve never been unfaithful to you. But what you’re asking is stupid. I’m sorry, but it is. Things like . . .”—he fumbled for a word—. . . missing links just don’t exist. If there is ... something out there ... some Big Foot something or the other, well, we’ve got a house full of guns. The kids are visiting Mom and Dad in Lafayette; we don’t have to worry about them getting hurt. And we’re safe, honey. I’ve protected you all my life, haven’t I?”

  She had to agree to that; yes, he had. She smiled as a twinkle came into his eyes. She knew that twinkle.

  Besides,” he said, kneeling down beside her, I was thinking ... with the kids gone and all ... you know. . . .” He slipped a hand under her blouse and cupped a full woman’s breast.

  Will,” she breathed, you’re awful.”

  But she was working at the buckle of her belt as she mildly protested.

  She was surprised at his ardor. She offered no resistance as he pulled her jeans from her. She simply said, Will?”

 
; Hell, let’s be daring, baby. Do it right here in this chair.” He was pulling down her panties.

  She laughed at him. Will! For God’s sake!” But her juices were already flowing, wetting her.

  Then his finger was in her, plunging in and out. She fumbled with his belt buckle, unzipped his pants, and pushed the trousers down. His erection sprang free, hot and pulsing.

  Let me get in the chair, and you get on top, baby,” he panted. I know you like it best that way.”

  Will,” she said, straddling him, gasping as she took his thickness, I . . . ran out of pills last week. Oh, God, that feels so fucking good!”

  She rode him up and down, while the Links watched from the outside.

  He unbuttoned her blouse, and she shrugged out of it. Her bra hit the floor next. She never missed a pump. Bending his head, Will took a nipple in his mouth and sucked until it was a jutting hard nubbin against his tongue. His penis was throbbing as it rammed in and out of the velvet wetness of her.

  You get me pregnant, you’re gonna make me very angry,” she hissed.

  Make the priest happy though.” He spoke around the nipple in his mouth.

  And the Links watched and waited. This was their plan. Some of the women they assaulted on this night would be uncertain as to the father of the child. If just a few elected to birth the child, they would have won in some small way.

  He inserted a finger into her rectum and she squealed with delight, the first climax building within her. She shivered as the delicious feeling took her and rammed herself downward, loving the feel of him.

  And the Links fought to keep from chuckling. Humans had sex in such funny positions. It looked terribly awkward.

  The woman screamed. The Links were startled by it. The human’s organ looked so small; surely that little thing was not hurting her.

  Fuck me, Will!” she yelled. Harder! Harder!”

  I’m cumming, baby!” he said.

  The Links did not understand all this conversation while having sex. It was not a time to discuss anything at all.

  The woman groaned and the man moaned. Then she put her head on his shoulder and whispered something. They sat in the chair for a time, then the woman pulled herself from the man and wiped herself and his softening penis. They laughed.

  Something crashed to the floor of the back porch and the woman jumped in fright.

  Will buckled his belt and patted her on the shoulder. No, baby. Them old hounds of mine would have been raisin’ hell if there was anything out there.”

  They were barking and howling awhile ago,” she reminded him.

  So were we.” He grinned.

  You’re awful, Will.”

  You sure got some good stuff, baby,” he kidded her.

  How would you know?” She put her hand on her hips in mock anger. You said I was the only woman you’d ever had.”

  Since I been married, honey. I was quite a ladies’ man in high school.”

  Oh ... go on with your nonsense.”

  You want me to look around outside?” Will asked.

  I’d like to know what caused that noise a minute ago.” She looked up at him.

  Will walked to a gun cabinet and took out a pistol. He checked the loads, then snapped the cylinder closed. Be back in just a second.”

  Will opened the back door and stepped onto the porch, one hand still inside the house, on the light switch. He never got a chance to flip on the light. He froze in paralyzing fear, for one terrifying instant standing face-to-face with the most hideous creature he had ever seen. Will opened his mouth to scream and the Link stuck his clawed fingers in the man’s mouth and jerked. Will’s lower jaw became separated from his head. Blood gushed, splattering the Link, the wall, and the floor of the porch. Will passed out from the shock and pain of seeing his entire lower jaw tossed out into the back yard.

  The Link tore out the man’s throat and Will bled to death on the back porch he had built.

  Honey?” Helen called. Will? What is it? What’s the matter?”

  She walked to the archway between kitchen and dining room. For one long, heart-stopping second she was frozen in absolute terror, staring at the monsters that had entered her house, tracking in blood and gore and a hideous odor. Her eyes flicked to the dangling maleness that flopped about between their hairy legs. She began screaming.

  Helen turned to run, making it as far as the living-room floor before they caught her, forcing her to the floor, on her knees. They ripped the clothing from her and savagely raped her, snarling at her screams of fear and pain as they violated her.

  Two of them took her, then clubbed her unconscious with one practiced blow on the neck. They left her raped and bruised on the carpet, then ran down the road, toward the lights of yet another house in the country, on the edge of the great dark swamp.

  If we can take enough women this night, impregnate enough, a few will birth our offspring, and the chances are good their children will be in human form. That way the humans can never really destroy us. One day, we shall return.

  In some form.

  But the call of the swamp will always be in our offspring.

  Always.

  I still think what we’re doing is dumb!” the young man said to his wife of only a few months. The state police told us to leave; we should have obeyed that order.”

  The young wife said nothing in reply. She stood on the dark front porch of their home. She could not take her eyes from the great swamp, looming dark against the backdrop of diamond-pocked sky, just a couple of miles away, across a rice field.

  He put a hand on her shoulder. She rudely slapped it away.

  Anger reared up in him. He grabbed her and spun her around. What in the hell’s the matter with you, Betsy? You lost your goddamned mind, or something?”

  Just leave me alone, Jack.”

  The young man could not believe that voice belonged to his wife. It rolled out of her mouth like some sort of grunting. You got a cold, or something?”

  Something.”

  A wind blew across the swamp, touching them both. The young man shivered unexpectedly; the young woman smiled. What’s the matter, Jack?” she sneered at him. Are you afraid?”

  No.” His reply came slowly. But something’s the matter with you, though. Come on in the house; let’s talk about this.”

  I like it out here.”

  I don’t.”

  That’s your problem. Leave me alone.” She turned away from him, her yellow-tinted eyes fixed on the swamp. It seemed to pull at her with some sort of invisible force. Its tuggings were almost mysterious.

  I belong there! the thought sprang into her mind.

  That’s home!

  The man put his hand on her arm. Her teeth flashed in the night.

  Goddamn you!” he yelled. You bit me!”

  Blood spilled from his torn hand.

  He slapped her, rocking her backward, against the porch railing.

  She lunged at him, her face suddenly more animal than human. Teeth snapped at him; her hands were curled, fingers talons.

  The curved fingers slashed at his face, drawing blood.

  He hit her with a fist, knocking her down. She screamed and grunted and kicked out at him, the words spilling from her mouth a language he had never before heard.

  Suddenly, the man was very much frightened.

  Never seen so many teeth in a woman’s mouth, he recalled someone once saying about Betsy.

  She grabbed his leg and sank her teeth into his calf, biting right through the khaki of his pants. He screamed in pain and slammed a balled fist into her neck.

  It didn’t seem to faze her.

  He jerked his leg free and ran into the house. He could hear her snarling and panting right behind him.

  Just like a werewolf in some horror movie! That thought leaped into his brain.

  She leaped onto his back, riding him to the hardwood floor, biting at his flesh, his screaming only driving her on, making her stronger.

  She sank her teeth in
to the softness of her husband’s neck and tore away great chunks of flesh and tendon. The blood spouted in a high arc. She lapped at the warm flow. Using her taloned fingers, she tore open the gaping hole in his throat and rose from the dying man.

  She ripped off her clothing, to stand naked over his pain-racked, quivering, dying body.

  Then she knelt beside him, ripping off his clothing. She began to feast.

  After she had eaten her fill of the delicious, warm meat of that being who was not part of her true world, she rose and went outside, to search for vines ... something with which to make her a garment to cover her female parts.

  Meanwhile Mack Atkins was driving down the country road, checking to see how many people had not obeyed the order to evacuate.

  He smiled as the noticed the lights blazing in the Parley house. Jack couldn’t tear himself away from his young bride,” Mack said aloud. I’ll bet he’s eating that pussy up.”

  Not exactly the way it was.

  Think I’ll just drop in on them—unexpected-like,” Mack grinned. Maybe catch ’em in something. Bet they’ll be all hot and bothered.”

  One of them would be. In a manner of speaking.

  Mack pulled into the drive. The front door was open. Odd, this time of year, what with all the mosquitoes and gnats.

  Mack got out of his patrol car and walked up the walkway to the porch.

  What the hell was that odor?

  Then it came to him. He’d smelled it many times before.

  Fresh blood.

  He looked through the open door. He could see Jack’s naked body lying on the floor. Looked like the man had been ...

  ... eaten.

  Something made a slight noise to his right. Mack spun, the .357 magnum leaping into his hand.

  Betsy Parley stood by the corner of the porch. Mack almost shot her. Oh, God, Betsy!” he said, holstering the pistol. Jesus what’s . . .?

  Then she stepped into the faint light coming from the living room. She was naked. And blood-stained.