“Can I sit on your knee?” Lucy asked.
“Come here Pumpkin.” Lauren pulled her close, and they sat in the rocking chair.
Steve felt uneasy. Lucy looked, so cute with Bunkie clutched in her arms, and she was chewing on one ear. It had been so long since the toy had been this important to Lucy. He had even thought she left him home. He felt a tug on his arm and looked down at Chase.
“I can help dad,” Chase said.
Steve watched nervously as they rocked back and forwards in the chair, a steel hand seemed to clench his stomach. Chase looked on.
“Okay. The baits out back. You get that. I’ll get the rods. He rubbed Chase’s head and took one last look at Lauren and Lucy rocking in the chair. They were so happy and relaxed, so why did he feel such dread. “Back in a jiffy,” he said and ran from the deck.
Lauren rocked the chair gently back and forwards. The motion was soothing, and Lucy was almost asleep clutched to her mum. Lauren began to hum the tune of Mocking Bird again, a gentle sound in tune to the rocking. And then she started to sing. “Shush little Pumpkin don’t you cry.” As she rocked backwards. “Cos Daddy loves you and so do I.” As they rocked forwards.
“Again, again.” Lucy snuggled her head deeper into Lauren’s shoulder her eyes closed.
Lauren stroked Lucy’s hair and as she did her own hair became straighter, she looked distant. The chair rocked backwards. “Shush little Pumpkin don’t say a word.” The chair rocked forwards “Mummy’s gonna ring your neck like a bird.”
Lucy giggled at the alternate words. “Mummy that’s silly.”
The chair rocked a little faster now. Lauren pulled Lucy tight and nuzzled her hair, with a strangely predatory gesture she breathed in Lucy’s scent. Her own hair seemed shorter; more old fashioned and her eyes stared blankly. The chair rocked back. “Because it’s dead that bird can’t sing.” It rocked forwards “So Mummy’s gonna give you a good beating.”
Lucy tried to sit up, but Lauren held her tight. “Mummy sing the proper words,” Lucy said the words muffled against Lauren’s chest.
The chair rocked backwards. Lauren sneered down at the child, holding her so that she could not move. “A beaten child would look so crass.” The chair rocked forwards, and Lucy struggled but could not move. “So Mummy’s gonna stab your face with glass.”
Lucy could not understand why her mum was holding her so tight. The words made her want to hide, and she felt like she needed the toilet. As the chair continued to rock she struggled to move, but Lauren held her firm. With her face pressed against Lauren’s chest, it was hard for her to breath, and she could not cry out. Bunkie dropped from her hand onto the deck as she struggled for breath.
The chair rocked back. “Because that glass is already broke.” The chair rocked forwards. “Mummy’s gonna hang you by your throat.”
Lucy’s struggles were desperate now. She fought against her mum trying to move her mouth to get a breath of air into her aching lungs.
The chair rocked back. “If after this you’re still not dead.” It rocked forwards. “Mummy’s gonna get an axe and chop off your head.”
Steve stopped the chair with his foot. His face was thunder as he grabbed Lucy from Lauren’s arms and pulled her to him. She clung on tight to his neck, crying into his shoulder. Her sobs shook her tiny frame as he looked daggers at his wife. He was shaking, not as much as Lucy, but his anger was hard to control.
Lauren stood; as she did her hair seemed to spring back into its normal style. Steve shook his head, was he going mad. Lauren looked confused, as if she wondered what all the fuss was about. She reached a hand out to touch Lucy, but Steve pulled her away. He held her out so he could see her face and looked into her sky blue eyes, eyes so like her mum’s.
“How you doing, Pumpkin?” he asked.
She smiled and hugged him close. “I’m okay daddy. I just don’t like the scary words.”
“No sweet pea me either, but mum was just joking.” He kissed her nose and put her on the ground. Chase was stood back, just off the deck his mouth wide open. “Chase take your sis down to the boat, but stay in sight.”
Chase snapped out of his shock and waved a can at Lucy. “Come on Pixie Face, I’ve got wormies.”
Lucy squealed and jumped off the deck running before her brother towards the boat, all of her fears forgotten.
Steve watched the kids and then turned to Lauren. His face was red, and his anger was barely under control. “What the hell are you doing?”
Lauren stepped back at his tone. “Don’t talk to me like that, I just fell asleep.” She watched Steve but his expression did not change if anything he looked even angrier. Why was he behaving like this? “Steve what’s all the fuss about?” she asked.
“Fuss... You say you were asleep. Lauren that was mean, those words could give her nightmares, damn it they will me.” He finished and felt so tired; all his anger gone and still she stared at him with that damn perplexed look.
Lauren raised a hand to her head, to try and understand what was going on. “We were just rocking,” she said.
Steve could feel the confusion from his wife and felt so tired. “Maybe we should just go home, have you checked out.”
She slapped his face hard, the contact stung and pushed him backwards. He corrected his balance as she turned and stormed into the cabin. “Honey, listen,” Steve said. The door slammed closed behind her. It felt final, it felt like he should give her some time. He stared at the closed door, and then down at the lake, the children were throwing stones again. He looked back at the door, still closed and walked down to the lake.
Chapter Fourteen
Lauren sat at the table she felt confused, why was Steve being so mean; it just wasn’t like him. She knew she was exhausted, every time she sat down she fell asleep, had she rolled and hurt Lucy? Even if she had it was an accident, so why was he so mean? She thumbed through her recipe book absently. She had so looked forward to some time cooking, and she knew the cabin had to go, she just felt that part of her parents were going with it. What is happening to me?
She got up and crossed the cabin to a wall of old photos. They were some of Lauren, and Steve and the kids from previous trips but she moved to one of an older couple, her parents. “Well, Mum is this what it felt like?” she asked the photo. There was no answer, did she really expect one. “If you could talk to ghosts, then talk to me now.” The silence stretched. Lauren laid her head against the photo and began to cry. Am I going mad, was it hereditary?
She rested against the wall not expecting an answer but feeling comfort. At last she stood upright and walked out of the cabin; deep worry lines marred her forehead.
As she walked out the sun seemed too bright, she blinked her eyes and almost walked into the chair. It seemed to draw her to it, she so wanted to sit down, but she should be cooking. She could almost hear the chair say, “Have a rest, sit down, and all will be better.” She laughed maybe she really was going mad but still she sat in the chair.
She closed her eyes and began to rock, backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, gradually, imperceptibly her hair changed, straightened and shortened. Her expression of sorrow became one of rapture as she rocked gently in the sunlight.
***
On the lake Chase and Lucy dangled rods over the sides of a small wooden motor boat, one each side with Steve in the middle. They all wore bright yellow lifejackets. It was obvious that Chase knew what he was doing, and he was deadly serious. He had a beige canvas hat on his head, the bait close by his side. He cast out confidently into the still waters and gently reeled the line in. He was happy and relaxed but serious.
Lucy on the other side of the boat was bouncing her line up and down in the water. Chase harrumphed every time she rocked the boat and Steve was poised at her side, ready to catch her if she leaned too far out. She was busily chatting to the fish. “Here little fishies, come and eat my wormies.”
Chase laughed and said, “I don’t think it works that wa
y.”
“Yes it does,” she said bouncing the line. “Grandpa used to tell me how he charmed the samilons out of the rivers in Scotland. He said he used to tickle them as well, but fish don’t have feet, so that’s just silly.”
Chase giggled behind her, fighting to control his laughter he said, “It’s Salmon, and when he said charmed, he didn’t mean by talking to them.”
Lucy was serious as she replied, “Mummy says Daddy talks like a real charmer, so I think that’s what he meant. Dad?”
“I’m not taking side,” Steve said. “Who’s caught the most fish?”
Lucy looked down at the bottom of the boat. Chase had three nice fish near him; she had none. Her lip pouted for a second, but then she smiled. “I’m letting him win. Besides we’re not done yet.” She sidled up to Steve and whispered in his ear, “I need some magic. Can we just get some fishies for me?”
Steve had an idea, something his dad taught him. “Bring your rod out of the water.” He took the hook, removed the worm and placed a brightly colored spinner onto the line.
“Wow, that’s pretty,” Lucy said looking at the yellow and orange spinner.
Steve helped her cast the line out further from the boat and then together they reeled it in slowly. They cast out again, and on the second try they hooked a fish. Lucy dropped the rod and jumped in the boat. Steve had to hold her tight and reel in the fish at the same time. He started to laugh, it was good to be here. Gradually they brought the fish in, and Lucy helped with the net to bring it on board, turning her head as her dad finished if for her.
“Dad no cheating,” Chase called but he was also smiling.
“Pretty girl, pretty bait.” Steve winked at his son.
“Dad is mum okay?” Chase asked.
Steve took a deep breath and looked at his son’s back. He thought about not answering, but Chase turned around. His face lined with worry. For once the boy looked his age, no longer trying to be brave. Steve patted his knee and the two kids put down their rods and came to him.
“Did something else happen?” Steve asked.
Chase and Lucy shared a look, and they nodded. “No,” Chase said, “but she seems different.”
“Sometimes I don’t think she’s mum,” Lucy said, her big blue eyes searching her dad’s brown ones for answers.
Steve took his time, deciding what to say. How could he explain to them what he could not understand himself? “Mum’s been under a lot of stress and she’s probably exhausted. Sometimes that can make people do funny things, but she is your mum.
“Will she be all right?” Lucy asked her eyes misting with tears, her bottom lip shaking.
Steve hugged her tight. “If things aren’t better in a couple of days, we’ll take her to the doctor and she will be fine.”
Chase pulled away a little. “Maybe if you stand up to her.”
Steve felt a little sad, this was the last thing he wanted his son to be thinking. “It’s not like that son.”
“Maybe I should give her lots of kisses,” Lucy said her eyes now hopeful.
Steve felt a stab of fear. He did not know why, but he did not want the kids near Lauren, especially when he was not there. It made no sense, but he knew they should keep away. “Little Lucy Lockett, I think she needs to be alone. So both of you, promise me you will give her some time.”
“Why dad?” Chase asked.
Steve could not think of anything to tell them, without scaring them, and maybe he was being paranoid. “She just needs time, so promise me, I mean it promise.”
“I promise this, if daddy gives me a kiss,” Lucy said in her singsong voice.
Steve hugged her to him and kissed her soft, golden curls. “Chase?”
“I promise dad and I’ll take care of Lucy.” Chase looked at his father for long seconds. He seemed older than his years. Steve ruffled his hair and pulled him close; they would all be fine.
Chapter Fifteen
Lauren wandered around the grounds, in a patterned skirt and a white blouse. It was a beautiful morning. The sun shone down, and birds sang in the trees behind her. She carried a white lidded bowl in her hands, and she looked happy. She would spot something on a bush, a tree or even in the grass, and would rush across, reach out and put it into her bowl. As she scoured the garden, she whistled the tune to Mocking Bird strolling from bush to bush around the yard.
She looked out at the boat on the lake, a tranquil scene, and the sounds of happy laughter drifted towards her. She smiled for a second and looked like her old self, but as she turned away her face went blank. Her eyes seemed to change from warm summer blue to the ice-cold blue of winter.
Occasionally as she walked, she would curl her hair under with her fingers, almost forcing it into a bob, and then she would continue searching the garden, a manic expression marred her face each time she popped something into her bowl.
She shook the bowl to measure its contents, a dark mass slipped from side to side.
***
Out on the lake the day was drawing to a close. The lakes water looked darker as the sun lowered in the sky. There was no wind and the surface was mirror still. To the south they heard a noise, gradually the high pitch honking of a flock of pink footed geese grew closer. Steve pointed to the sky, and Lucy followed his arm, about forty geese came over the hills in front of them and headed to the lake. They were small for geese, with a dark rounded head and stubby beaks.
Lucy was fascinated as they circled low and landed noisily onto the lake, she shook the boat as she stretched out to get a better view, creating ripples in the dark water. Steve looked down at the murky depths below them, and a shiver slid down his spine. He looked at the kids. Chase was still concentrating on his fishing, but Lucy had started to look bored. Steve was filled with pride as he watched them and admired the nice pile of fish on the boat's bottom, but he wanted to be back now. “Who’s ready for going back?”
Chase sighed and cast out again. “I could stay here all night.”
“I gotta pee,” Lucy whispered.
“Me too, Pumpkin.” Steve gathered the rods and sat the kids safely ready for the journey back. He started the engine, with one easy pull and steered the boat for home. Lucy sat next to him, leaning on her dad she started to drift asleep, it had been a long day, but Chase was happily examining the catch.
“Mum’s got lots of fish to cook, should make a great pie.”
Steve felt a moment of nausea as the taste of the previous night’s meal repeated on him. “I’m sure she’ll be pleased, but you two have to help me clean them.” Lucy stirred against him.
“Cool,” Chase said.”
“No, that’s the yucky bit. I think that’s a boy’s job,” came a sleepy voice from Steve’s side. He was about to disagree.
“It’s okay dad, I like doing it.”
Steve ruffled the boy’s hair and opened the throttle, steering the boat across the smooth waters and back to shore.
***
Steve walked towards the cabin. The kids were chattering excitedly as his side, but he could not join in. The door was closed. The place looked dark and unwelcoming. He felt a sliver of dread deep down in his guts. How would she be? He took the fish round to the side of the cabin where an old, battered ceramic sink sat against the wall. He dropped them into the bowl, smiling with pride, Chase was becoming a real fisherman.
“Chase you start on the fish.” He grabbed a chair and moved it close to the sink, out of sight of the cabin’s door. “Little Lucy Loo can sit here and watch.”
Chase had already started, a gutting knife in his hands. Steve hesitated, should he leave, but he knew Chase was sensible and proficient, he would be fine. Lucy sat in the chair; her legs curled up beneath her. She looked tired, and Bunkie had appeared in her arms. Had she had him on the boat? Steve couldn’t remember. Lucy looked ready to fall asleep.
He turned to face the cabin that sliver of dread seemed to spread, and he wanted just to sit down with the kids. He shook his head. This was ridiculo
us. He felt a pull on his shirt. A spike of adrenaline set his skin all a tingle, and he jumped inside. He looked down to see Chase tugging his shirt, his hands covered in fish blood and slime.
“Dad can you fetch me some juice, please?” Chase asked.
Steve sighed heavily and calmed his heart. “Sure kiddo, be back in a minute.”
He walked towards the cabin, and as he stepped onto the deck the chair started to rock. He felt an animosity towards it or from it; he could not decide which. He shook his head again, sure the chair hates me.
He opened the door cautiously. It was almost dark inside the cabin. Only the small counter light chased away the gloom. He could see Lauren’s outline. She was facing away from him looking at the stove.
“Hi Honey, that smells great.”
She turned distracted and waved, dismissing him. He breathed a sigh of relief, so far all was fine. “I’m just gonna get some juice, do you want anything doing, any help? You know the kids caught—.”
Her voice sliced through his words. “Peace to finish one bloody meal.” She had turned to face him, her hands on her hips; her face contorted with anger. A neat scarf decorated her neck.
The words stung and he stepped back, headed towards the door. Something stopped him. “Can I help?”
“Just get out.” Venom dripped from her voice.
Steve took another step towards the door, how should he handle this? She had always been possessive of her time in the kitchen, maybe he was being unfair. No, the fault was not his, and damn it the kids were thirsty. Anger turned him from the door. He stepped past her and grabbed the juice from the fridge and three glasses. “Take all the time you need.” He walked out and slammed the door behind him. It shook the cabin and reverberated beneath his feet.
Steve and Lucy sat on the grass drinking orange juice. They watched Chase as he meticulously cleaned and prepared the fish. The boy was proud of his catch, and Steve was so proud of him. He wanted to go help, but knew that Chase wanted to do this alone. He was doing well, despite the fact that he was covered in fish slime.
Daddy Won't Kill You (An Occult Horror) Page 5