Blood Tether

A Short Story

Leaves parted as the last head broke the earth’s crust, rising like some cracked egg. Ester knew him as Mister Aubergine, on account of that’s what Momma had always called him, but Ester didn’t think that was the man’s real name.

“Good evening, Mr. Aub—”

“Nay, I proffer,” he said, voice full of gravel and his eyes gloopy and milk-white. “Thou mayst not re…