The Appalachian Elixir

at me. The unease turn

rs. I heard their loud ta

o stay put, bol

sounds from the s

ied down. New

ds. And a rhy

haking, but I u

iver, casting lon

still house, staying

ard on one side, one

pulled

like rotting fruit, but also metallic, li

through

de, lit by a co

wasn' t clear.

ers, were... inte

I thought.

things... extr

faces, couldn'

e outline of it,

me. I clamped my hand over

, heart pounding

olted the door, and w

. Extractin

urned itself

later, a st

ike the usua

rties. He had a haunted look in his

d for J

just stared at each o

t tension, thi

er' s name

atching fro

busy, Caleb found

tha' s girl," he sa

was quie

ew my m

ng time ago. She

the still house,

eems, girl. And your ma... he

his eyes se

is? It' s got a dark se