Corky Loses

Down into the hole. Into the warped, swollen coffin.

Down to the white worms.

But even in her screaming terror, Corky’s body responded, remembering the cheerleading skills, the moves her body had practiced over the years until they had become reflexive, a part of her.

She landed hard on her feet. Absorbed the pressure of the landing by bending her knees. Then pushed up, up—into a high standing jump. Raised her hands. Caught the top of the open grave as the wall of dirt began to swirl back down on her. Pulled herself up and out as the dirt began to lower itself back into the hole.

Panting loudly, she crawled away from the hole, away from the horror.

Jennifer had already turned away, turned around to face the three cheerleaders.

Still acting by reflex, her mind still paralyzed by the horrors of the open grave, her body forced to act on its own, Corky flung herself on Jennifer. Caught her from behind. Wrapped her arms around Jennifer’s waist. Swung her back toward the open grave.

She struggled to wrestle Jennifer into the hole. Into the coffin. To wrestle the evil spirit back to where it belonged, as the dirt continued to rain down, down, down.

Jennifer cried out in her husky, deep voice, trying to pull out of Corky’s desperate hug.

The pennant, which she had clutched all the while, fell from her hand. Corky watched it drop into the hole. It landed silently among the bones and worms.

They wrestled nearer to the edge of the hole. Corky pulled, pulled with all her strength, tightening her arms around Jennifer’s waist, trying to throw her down.

Jennifer pulled back, crying out in protest.

Closer to the hole. Closer to the edge.

I can do it! Corky thought. I can do it!

But then Jennifer turned to face her, her eyes wild with fury. She opened her mouth wide, wider—and a wind blew out, a stench, a vapor, a wind that howled over Corky, covered her face, filled her nostrils.

Jennifer tilted her head, closed her eyes, and the vapor roared out of her, reeking of death, of decay, of all that is foul.

It blew into Corky’s face, hot and wet and sour. Corky gagged and turned her face.

But the wind still howled out of Jennifer’s mouth, encircled Corky and choked her in its thick, hot stench.

I’m going to suffocate, she thought.

I can’t breathe. I’m going to suffocate. The smell. The smell is too sickening!

Corky realized she was weakening, about to lose the fight.

One last tug. She held her breath and braced herself, summoned all of her remaining strength for one last tug.

Now! she told herself.

And heaved with all her might, her arms wrapped tightly around Jennifer’s waist.

Into the grave! Corky thought. Jennifer—go down into the grave!

But Jennifer was too strong.

The foul wind raged and howled from her open mouth.

Jennifer didn’t budge.

I’m lost, Corky thought.

Date: 2015-04-20; view: 566