Page 31 - Demo

31before the fish ate them, Carla thought. And if her lover was in the water, maybe it could detect that and come in the night to visit herself and the beautiful Martha. She dearly hoped so. Martha loved sex. Carla loved the creature itself. She paddled the boat back and tethered it.Night-time. Martha had made them supper, a chilli based meal. It was the first proper hot meal that Carla had eaten for many years. Her mother and father never cooked.Martha had given her the box and together, they picked up all the leeches that had gorged and let go, now resting either where her tee shirt was tucked in or in her shorts. One or two continued to feed, and Carla left them in place.%u201cHow many, Martha. I saw you counting them?%u201d Carla asked, snapping the lid closed and making sure that Martha had skewered the lids so that her little, many-teethed, imprinters could breathe.Martha looked at her in amazement. %u201cSixty-three. Too many. They will have taken close to two pints of blood from you. How do you feel?%u201d%u201cFine,%u201d Carla replied.%u201cWhat did you do when you went out in your boat? I saw you through the window.%u201d Martha asked.%u201cI released the creature%u2019s babies.%u201d%u201cWhy?%u201d Martha asked.%u201cTo tell it I%u2019m here. If it comes, we can experience its aim together, mind its babies, and ensure they survive in the swamp. We can share sex in return for helping it.%u201dMartha studied her. %u201cYou are a most unusual person. You, beyond all I have encountered, are a child of the swamps. Be careful that others don%u2019t find out and attach a name to you?%u201dSwamp Tramp