0:00

When you looked away, the chalkboard was blank.

0:02

When you look back, someone

0:05

or something has written on it. Pseudopod

0:08

is a horror podcast. This will be

0:11

your last warning.

0:15

Pseudopod Episode 873 July 7th, 2023 This

0:22

week's story, A Box of Hair and

0:24

Nail by Geneve Flynn, narrated

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by J.Y. Tan.

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Audio production by Chelsea Davis. Hosted

0:31

by Alistair Stewart. Hi everyone,

0:34

welcome to Pseudopod, the weekly horror podcast. I'm

0:37

Alistair, your host, and this week's story, audio

0:39

produced by the amazing Chelsea, is from

0:41

Geneve Flynn. Geneve is a multi-award

0:43

winning fiction editor, author, and poet. She

0:46

is the co-editor of Black Cranes, Tales

0:48

of Unquiet Women, along with Lee Murray. The

0:51

anthology won the 2020 Bram Stoker

0:53

Award and Shirley Jackson Award, and

0:56

shortlisted for the British Fantasy, Aurealis,

0:58

and Australian Shadows Awards. Geneve's

1:01

short fiction, non-fiction, and poetry have

1:03

been published in various markets, including

1:06

Flametree Publishing, Pseudopod, Crystal

1:08

Lake Publishing, Blackspot Books, and

1:11

Space and Time Magazine. Her poetry

1:13

appears in the 2021 Bram Stoker

1:15

Award winning collaboration Tortured

1:18

Willows, Bent, Bowed, Unbroken,

1:21

and has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and

1:23

the Elgin, Riesling, and Australian

1:26

Shadows Awards. She is a recipient

1:28

of the 2022 Queensland Writers' Fellowship,

1:31

and you can find out much more about her

1:33

online. We will include the links in the show

1:35

notes.

1:36

Your narrator this week is Jay Y. Tan.

1:38

Jay Y. is a Malaysian-Chinese writer

1:41

and freelance translator, and alumnus

1:43

of the 2023 Futurescapes Writers'

1:46

Workshop. Her short stories have appeared

1:48

in three consecutive volumes of the

1:50

Nutmag Zine series, as well as the

1:52

Nutmag Homegrown anthology. She

1:55

also co-curated a reprint anthology

1:57

titled The Best of Malaysian Writing in English.

2:00

2010 to 2020 in 2022.

2:03

Currently, she is trying to get her first novel

2:05

published before she gets distracted by another shiny

2:08

plot idea, with mixed results.

2:11

So, without further ado, whatever

2:14

you do, don't answer

2:16

the door, because what's behind

2:18

it is a true story.

2:28

A Box of Hair and Nail

2:30

by Genevieve Flynn. Narrated

2:33

by J. Y. Tan. Little

2:37

sister clipped the last nail from

2:39

big sister's slender toe and

2:42

carefully placed it in the carved rubberwood

2:44

box.

2:45

She made sure she had 20 clippings, and

2:49

although her club foot made it difficult to

2:51

crouch, she checked that every

2:53

piece of hair she had trimmed from her

2:55

sister's head was accounted for.

2:59

Big sister snorted, not unkindly.

3:01

You

3:02

don't still believe that old tale, do

3:04

you?

3:05

She examined her reflection in a pocked

3:07

mirror on her bedroom wall.

3:10

Even with the window open, both

3:12

sisters were covered with a sheen of sweat.

3:15

At least, little sister perspired,

3:18

big sister glowed.

3:20

Papa was only trying to scare you

3:22

into behaving. The

3:24

young women shared a sorrowful glance.

3:27

Their mother had passed six years ago from

3:29

tuberculosis. Last month,

3:31

their father had been killed in a logging accident

3:34

in Sabah, another piece

3:36

of their shrinking family gone.

3:39

No, it's true, little

3:42

sister said, pushing the egg

3:44

in her chest away. If a

3:46

man seals your hair and nail clippings, he

3:49

can take it to the bono and have him cast

3:51

a spell on you. Then you'll be under

3:53

the man's control. You'll have to be

3:55

his wife forever. I will

3:57

be no one's wife. Big

4:00

sister said with a sniff, I

4:02

don't care what magic the shaman does.

4:05

She shrugged out of her slip and pulled

4:08

on the brightly coloured top and skirt

4:10

of her cabbiah.

4:11

It was much more form fitting than

4:14

their father would have allowed.

4:16

She swept her thick glossy hair

4:18

up into a bun and applied

4:20

a slick of lipstick.

4:22

She grinned and headed for the door.

4:26

My life is going to be only kissing

4:28

and fun. Little sister

4:31

watched as Big sister walked along the

4:33

path that led to the village, her

4:35

hips swaying with each step.

4:38

Any number of suitors would be awaiting

4:40

her presence at the dance.

4:42

Little sister never went.

4:44

No one could see past her deformity. She

4:47

only ever left the house to visit the wet

4:50

market or to buy fruits

4:52

and vegetables. As

4:54

Big sister rounded the bend and disappeared

4:56

from view, the bushes behind

4:58

her parted. Little sister

5:01

stared, breath held. There

5:04

had been wild boars in the area lately.

5:07

They could be dangerous if meddled with. A

5:11

thick set, bowlegged man

5:13

emerged. The bummo. Little

5:16

sister frowned.

5:18

Had she summoned him with her talk of

5:20

love magic?

5:22

What if he had overheard Big sister's

5:24

disparaging words? She

5:26

watched as he crept after her.

5:28

Prickling cold ran down Little sister's

5:31

spine. Even from her

5:33

position at the window, she could

5:35

see the avarice on his face. The

5:40

next day, the bomore appeared

5:42

at their door. Is Big

5:45

sister home? His smile

5:47

was open and sunny. Little

5:49

sister had no good reason to refuse him.

5:52

He was respected in the village.

5:54

It was said he had followed someone

5:56

beyond the edge of death and lived

5:58

to tell the tale. She kept

6:01

her face smooth as she nodded and

6:03

stepped aside. His

6:05

gaze lingered on her as he entered the

6:07

house. Then his eyes

6:09

dropped to her twisted right foot, and

6:12

this taste crossed his face.

6:14

"'Who is he?' Big Sister

6:17

called. The BOMO's expression

6:19

cleared as she entered the living room.

6:21

"'Oh, Duan,' Big

6:24

Sister said, using the honorific

6:26

reserve for people of high regard. She

6:29

dipped her head. "'How kind

6:31

of you to visit us?'

6:34

The BOMO settled himself in a chair and

6:36

stretched his bandy legs out. "'Tea,'

6:40

he said to Little Sister. "'Bali

6:42

water if you have it. Not too

6:44

sweet.' Little

6:46

Sister hesitated for a second.

6:49

Then at Big Sister's scowl, she

6:51

hobbled into the kitchen.

6:53

My condolences, Big Sister. His

6:56

voice rumbled from the living room. It

6:59

must be difficult for you to manage. Now

7:01

you have to look after her cripple on your own.

7:04

She's more capable than you know.' Big

7:07

Sister's voice was low and firm,

7:10

and Little Sister's heart swelled.

7:13

The BOMO chuckled. "'Still,

7:15

without a father and no husband,

7:18

it's hard, yes?' Big

7:21

Sister made no answer. "'I

7:24

find, despite my position, I am

7:27

without a wife. I think

7:29

we could come to a sensible arrangement.'

7:32

arrangement?" Little

7:35

Sister slowed her stirring. She

7:37

had put double the sugar into his barley

7:40

water, and it was taking a long

7:42

time to dissolve. "'Yes,

7:45

you need a husband, and I need

7:47

a wife,' he continued. "'You're

7:50

of age, and your beauty makes

7:52

you a suitable match for a man of my stature.'

7:56

"'Duan, I'm honoured,

7:58

but it...' We haven't observed

8:01

the proper 40 days of mourning." Big

8:04

sister's voice wavered artificially. It's

8:07

only been 36 days since

8:09

we lost our dear father.

8:12

There was a creak of a chair. Of

8:15

course, it wouldn't do to disrespect the

8:17

dead. I understand completely.

8:21

Little sister peeked out from the kitchen as

8:23

the bomo walked to the front door. He

8:26

turned and smiled. This

8:28

time, it was as dark and laden

8:31

as a monsoonal storm cloud. I'll

8:35

return the day after tomorrow. When

8:38

he had rounded the bend in the path and

8:40

was out of sight, little sister

8:42

spun. What an odious

8:45

man! Big sister sighed.

8:48

But he's right. Without our father

8:51

or husband for me or you, we were

8:53

at the mercy of fate.

8:55

We still have some of the money Baba left

8:57

us, but that cannot last forever. And

9:00

my work pays so little. Her

9:03

dark eyes glistened. I make

9:05

light that I will never marry, but we

9:08

both know I must. Little

9:10

sister took her hands and squeezed. But

9:13

it's so unfair. He'll use magic

9:15

against you. Oh, little

9:18

one, you and your superstitions.

9:21

Big sister squeezed back and smiled

9:23

sadly. He

9:24

won't need to. Now that

9:26

he has announced his intentions, no

9:28

one else will dare to come forward. Big

9:34

sister had gone to work. She

9:36

taught at the local school, and little

9:39

sister hoped that the children might help

9:41

big sister forget their troubles. At

9:43

least for a while.

9:45

Little sister fussed with a skirt that needed

9:48

mending. The bomb was worth circling

9:50

her head like a cloud of noxious

9:53

mosquitoes. When she pricked

9:55

her finger for the third time,

9:57

she put the sewing aside.

9:59

She had to take precautions. She

10:02

got up and limped into the woods, searching

10:05

the forest floor and gingerly checking

10:07

thorny plants for coarse tops

10:09

of hair. Nothing. After

10:13

a few minutes, she came across deep

10:15

furrows in the ground that had filled with last

10:18

night's rain. Already, tiny

10:20

insect larvae wriggled in the shallow

10:23

water. The surrounding mud was

10:25

torn up with many boar hoof prints.

10:28

She would have to be careful. She

10:31

bent to one of the smallest impressions

10:33

and eased a broken crescent of nail

10:35

from the soil.

10:40

Little sister, where is my brooch?

10:43

Big sister was running late to meet friends

10:45

in the village, and as usual,

10:48

had misplaced her things.

10:50

True to his word, the bono had left

10:52

them alone for a day.

10:54

But the tension had soured her temper.

10:57

Little sister shuffled in from the kitchen, wiping

10:59

her hands on her skirt. Isn't

11:02

it on the dresser? Of course

11:04

not! That's where I looked first.

11:07

Big sister rummaged in the cupboard.

11:09

Why do we have these silly boxes?

11:12

There's no room for my clothes. Just

11:14

throw them out. That would invite

11:16

bad fortune. Little

11:18

sister hobbled over to the dresser and picked

11:21

up a carelessly discarded headscarf.

11:24

It was the leaf-shaped pewter jewellery.

11:27

Here it is! Big sister spun

11:29

and beamed. Ah, finally!

11:33

Little sister pinned it to her top and smoothed

11:36

a stray hair back into place. Big

11:39

sister hugged her tight, the brooch

11:41

and uncomfortable point between them. I'll

11:44

be back at midnight. Don't wait up. She

11:47

packed her on the cheek, straightened her skirt,

11:50

then was gone,

11:51

leaving only the faint scent of orchid

11:54

in her wig.

11:55

With a sigh, little sister

11:58

began writing the contents of the room. She

12:01

bent to the cupboard and stopped.

12:04

Heart quickening in her chest, she lifted

12:06

the various baskets and piles of clothing.

12:10

Her sister's rubberwood box was gone.

12:16

The BOMBOR arrived with a basket full of ducklings

12:18

and a coat the very next morning. I'm

12:22

here for my bride, he announced

12:24

at the door. Big sister

12:27

drew a fuming little sister behind,

12:29

and inclined her head. Thank

12:31

you, Duan,

12:32

but I cannot accept your proposal.

12:35

His expression darkened. She

12:37

held up a placating hand. Yet,

12:41

we must observe the full forty days

12:43

of mourning. It would not do to

12:45

have any rumours of ill conduct around

12:47

our courtship.

12:49

Yes, I

12:52

suppose you are right, he muttered.

12:55

He narrowed his eyes, then nodded.

12:58

Soon, you will come around.

13:01

You may leave the ducks and goat.

13:03

As a show of good faith, Big sister

13:05

said sweetly. He

13:08

stared at her for a long moment,

13:10

then dumped the basket and thrust the goat's

13:12

rope into her hand. Without

13:15

another word, he departed. Big

13:18

sister exhaled and said, He

13:21

will be back. Little sister

13:23

muttered, Yes, but

13:26

the mourning period doesn't end until after

13:28

tomorrow.

13:29

I bought us another two days.

13:31

Big sister smiled impishly, and

13:35

for ducks and a goat. Little

13:38

sister tried to return the smile, but

13:40

her thoughts were of the rubberwood box of

13:43

hair and nails. It

13:45

was only a matter of time before he used

13:47

it.

13:52

The lowing of a cow announced the

13:54

BOMO's arrival the next morning.

13:56

Duan,

13:57

how nice to see you again. And

14:00

so soon, Big Sister

14:02

said politely, he dipped his

14:05

head a mere centimetre. I

14:07

have come to claim you. Little

14:10

Sister bristled,

14:11

but again

14:12

Big Sister held her back at the door. We

14:15

thank you for the cow. You are too

14:18

kind. The Bomo grinned

14:20

and passed her the rope. He went to step

14:22

inside the house, but Big Sister blocked his

14:24

way. But I have decided

14:27

not to marry you. His

14:29

face clouded with confusion.

14:33

But how can you refuse me? I'm

14:36

sure you would not want the refusal to be public,

14:38

so I make it here. Now,

14:42

Big Sister murmured, to spare

14:44

you. But I brought

14:46

you the ducks, the goat,

14:49

the cow. Big Sister

14:51

returned his meagre bow. We

14:53

are most grateful for your kindness. A

14:56

Bomo should look after the vulnerable in

14:58

his village, yes? But these

15:00

animals, we now have enough to survive.

15:03

All will know of your generosity.

15:06

And that you asked for nothing in return. He

15:09

huffed and spluttered, mouth twisted

15:11

with all the things he wanted to say. You'll

15:15

change your mind. He snarled.

15:17

Just wait and see. He

15:20

spun on his heel, stormed down the

15:22

path, and disappeared. A

15:26

furious hammering startled Little Sister

15:28

from her troubled dreams. She tugged

15:31

on the house dress and hurried to the front

15:33

door.

15:34

Big Sister had gone out with friends for the night.

15:36

What if something had happened to her?

15:39

Little Sister swept the door open and

15:41

gasped. The

15:43

Bomo brandished the ball's head. The

15:46

neck was a ragged mess. Gores

15:48

splattered her face and she tasted warm

15:51

iron.

15:51

Where is she? The Bomo

15:54

bellowed. She wiped her mouth and

15:56

drew herself taller. Cut something.

15:59

What is this?

15:59

the meaning of this. She has refused

16:02

you. Now leave us in peace." His

16:04

eyes bulged and his mouth slid to reveal

16:07

a gritted mouthful of teeth. He

16:09

shook the bloody head. She

16:11

did this. She switched the hair

16:13

and nails. He twisted and

16:16

lifted his tattered shirt. His

16:18

back and buttocks were scraped and scratched

16:20

raw. The pig came at me

16:22

like a beast. I almost couldn't escape

16:25

its attentions. Little

16:27

sister bit her lips together. What

16:29

a sight that would have been. You

16:31

dare laugh? He drew his barang

16:34

from his belt. She froze. The

16:36

fourteen-inch blade hovered under

16:39

her chin.

16:40

Don't worry, little sister.

16:42

He smiled. A demon in

16:44

a red mask.

16:46

This is for big sister.

16:48

I will take what is mine by right, and

16:51

I will teach her to respect me.

16:53

No! Little sister glanced

16:56

at the clock on the wall. It was midnight.

16:59

Big sister's favourite time to return home

17:01

from her johns. She wasn't to

17:03

blame. Take me. I will

17:05

be your wife.

17:07

He tossed the pig's head at her feet. She

17:10

forced herself not to step back. Maybe

17:13

I will. Big and

17:15

little sister. Why

17:17

not? He

17:19

was gone before she could wake her numb arms

17:22

and legs. Little sister hobbled

17:24

after him. Following the sound of

17:26

his footsteps and furious muttering,

17:29

her stomach was a sour, twisting nod.

17:32

What had she done? She shuffled

17:35

as fast as she could, but each step

17:37

sent a jag of pain from her ankle up to

17:39

her head. She paused to listen.

17:42

Only the calls of nightbirds and frogs

17:45

answered her. Something

17:47

crashed through the trees to her right. A

17:49

woman's screams pierced the night. Silence

17:53

fell in the forest all around her as

17:56

the creatures crouched,

17:57

hoping the violence was not for them. The

18:00

little sister sobbed and hurried on.

18:06

Big sister did not come home that night, nor

18:09

the night after, nor

18:10

the one after that.

18:13

Little sister searched and searched,

18:15

but there was no sign of her.

18:18

The villagers said she must have gone to the next

18:20

town with a suitor.

18:22

After all, she had so many. No

18:25

one blamed such a beautiful young woman

18:28

with so much promise for abandoning

18:30

a cripple. Little

18:32

sister fell into melancholy,

18:34

and the villagers agreed that

18:37

big sister had made the right decision.

18:40

Little sister went long days without

18:42

washing. She had let her ducks

18:44

run off, and her goat had grown his

18:46

beard too long. He was often

18:49

found wandering a neighbour's garden, chewing

18:52

on the clothes hung out to dry.

18:54

The cow broke from her pen and found

18:56

better pastures.

18:58

Little sister no longer visited the wet

19:00

market.

19:02

Nor bought fruit and vegetables to eat.

19:05

She was terribly thin, and

19:07

her hair hung like a greasy curtain

19:10

over her face. Some say

19:12

she had become a ghost.

19:14

After two months, something

19:16

had to be done.

19:18

With her deformity, she had little chance

19:20

of being married off.

19:22

In her current filthy state,

19:24

none at all.

19:25

The elders called the midwife from the next

19:28

village over. They thought

19:30

it wise not to summon the Bomo.

19:33

Little sister had been heard raving about

19:35

him in the days after big sister had

19:37

left.

19:38

And they felt the best not

19:41

to involve him. It seemed

19:43

to work. Little sister began

19:45

eating, and her ducks once again

19:47

had gleaming feathers.

19:49

Her goat was now plump, with the tail

19:51

lifted happily on most days.

19:53

The cow had been rounded up and was back

19:56

in her pen. Little sister even

19:58

began grooming herself. She

20:00

would wash in the river, wrapped

20:03

in her sarong, then make her way

20:05

back to her house, humming an

20:07

old love song.

20:09

She would sit at the window, brushing

20:11

her long silky hair.

20:13

At times, she would place her shapely

20:16

left foot up on the sill and,

20:19

carefully and patiently,

20:21

trim one nail after the other.

20:24

The bomo crouched in the shadow

20:26

of the trees and watched. Apart

20:29

from her bent right foot,

20:30

he saw that she was as beautiful

20:33

as Big Sister.

20:35

He had not been able to couple with

20:37

Big Sister. His rage

20:39

and humiliation had been too great, and

20:42

damn her, she had fought like a mongose.

20:45

No matter. He would take Little

20:48

Sister as his bride.

20:50

The midwife had brought her back from being

20:52

a ghost. Perhaps she could

20:54

do something about the foot too.

20:57

He watched as she gathered the nail

20:59

clippings and pieces of hair and

21:01

placed them inside the new rubberwood

21:03

box.

21:05

He made sure not to blink as she

21:07

closed the lid and tucked the box back

21:09

into the cupboard. She turned

21:11

her back

21:12

and allowed the sarong to fall from her

21:14

body.

21:16

He sucked air through his teeth. She

21:19

drew on a red and orange gabaya

21:21

and moved her hair into a glossy plate.

21:24

She disappeared for a moment,

21:27

then reappeared at the front door. Still

21:30

humming her song, as if calling

21:32

to him, she locked the door behind

21:34

her.

21:35

And in light of the fading afternoon,

21:38

she began her slow progress into

21:40

town.

21:42

Now was his chance.

21:46

With Little Sister's box tucked under

21:48

one arm, the bono rushed back

21:50

to his house on the edge of the village.

21:53

The sight of Little Sister, her

21:55

smooth and naked back framed

21:57

in the window, had inflamed him.

22:00

him, and he could not wait a moment longer.

22:02

At the doorstep, he

22:04

glanced around, then hurried inside,

22:06

closing the door behind him. He

22:09

lifted the lid of the box and breathed

22:11

deeply, nostrils flaring

22:14

at the sweet scent of Orchid.

22:16

Big Sister had favoured this perfume

22:18

too. Soon, he

22:21

must prepare, then perform this

22:23

ritual by the cover of night. Covered

22:29

in ash from the strangler fig, and

22:31

naked except for a sarong tied around

22:33

his waist, the bonemore crouched

22:36

over the stove. He coughed

22:38

at the acrid stink of burning keratin

22:40

swirling around him, but did

22:43

not dare stop. It

22:45

was difficult magic. Any

22:47

little misstep or the wrong ingredient

22:50

could bring terrible results.

22:52

He had not used all of the hair and

22:54

nail clippings in Little Sister's box. He

22:57

had kept some back,

22:59

just in case Little Sister proved

23:01

to be just as intractable as

23:03

Big Sister, and he needed to

23:05

repeat the ritual.

23:07

He intoned the final words, then

23:10

went to wash and change. This

23:12

was his wedding night, and he wanted

23:14

to be presentable. As

23:17

he swerved down the thinning strands

23:19

of his hair, he heard a shuffling

23:21

step outside. He grinned

23:24

and adjusted his trousers. At

23:27

last, he had had enough

23:29

of going to the Sister's hand held out

23:32

to them. Now it

23:34

was time for one of them to come to

23:36

him.

23:37

He hissed into the front door and laid

23:40

his ears against it.

23:42

Again, the sound of hobbling

23:44

steps outside. He closed

23:46

his eyes and imagined he smelled

23:48

orchid. Would the skin

23:51

between her breasts be redolent

23:53

with that scent? He sawed

23:55

the door open with a grin. The path

23:58

was empty. the frown,

24:00

he stepped outside. "'Little

24:03

sister, where are you?'" The

24:06

hiss thump of a drag-foot

24:08

sounded around the corner of his house. He

24:11

saw the flutter of long hair in the

24:13

darkness, then it was gone.

24:16

The shape of Little Sister's back and

24:19

the gentle curve of her buttocks

24:22

flashed in his mind.

24:23

His pulse quickened. He circled

24:25

after her. His thump.

24:29

This time, it was from inside the house. With

24:32

a chuckle, the bomb was spun and

24:34

hurried in after her. He peeked

24:36

into the kitchen, the living room,

24:39

the first room.

24:41

No Little Sister.

24:43

The game only set him afire.

24:46

His thump, the squeak

24:48

of bed springs from his bedroom. He

24:51

began stripping off his coat and shirt.

24:54

He pictured her in his bed, her

24:56

lovely hair spread out around her.

25:00

That awful foot, mercifully

25:02

hidden beneath the sheet. He

25:04

yanked at his clothes, hopping from one

25:07

bandy leg to the next in his hurry

25:09

to pull his trousers off.

25:11

Why had he bothered with so many garments?

25:15

Finally naked and ridiculously

25:17

erect, he crept into his room.

25:21

The sheet was pulled up to her ear. It

25:24

seemed her back was to him, as

25:27

all he could see was a head of dark hair

25:29

and the delicious line of

25:31

her hip.

25:32

She must be shy. It

25:35

was up to him to make the first move.

25:38

He grinned. Hello,

25:40

my bride. I have come

25:42

to claim you. She

25:45

rolled over, and his straining

25:48

member wilted like a dying flower.

25:51

Her eyes sprouted from every inch of

25:53

her face and body, thick and

25:56

black. She opened her mouth

25:58

and sang.

25:59

seem to swoop around him as

26:02

he saw rows and rows of nails

26:05

growing from her tongue and cheeks. She

26:08

threw back the sheets, and although he

26:10

had long waited to see the perfect

26:12

globes of her breasts, he

26:14

uttered an airless shriek. More

26:17

thick dark hair marched down her

26:20

chest, belly and legs, waving

26:22

like filamentous worms. Two

26:25

nails budded from her ribs and at

26:28

odd points along her breastbone,

26:29

two tannins jutted

26:32

from her hips. The scent

26:34

of orchid earth and rot

26:37

filled the room.

26:39

And all along Big Sister's

26:41

body were the gaping wounds

26:43

from his barang, crusted

26:46

with the soil he had piled over her

26:48

corpse.

26:49

His stomp from behind

26:51

him, the bomos spun. Little

26:55

sister stood in the hall, tears

26:57

streaming down her face. Big

27:00

Sister, she murmured, I

27:02

finally found you. The

27:05

creak of bed springs, he

27:07

spun again.

27:09

Big Sister had risen and her arms were

27:11

held out,

27:12

beseeching,

27:13

her milky eyes fixed on him.

27:16

Her crowded mouth tried to smile.

27:19

My love, she

27:22

cooed. She took a step

27:24

forward. His stomp,

27:27

her leg dragged, the muscle

27:29

of her thighs split where he had struck

27:32

that fateful night. He

27:34

looked to Little Sister in horror. What

27:36

did you do? Little

27:39

Sister held out the rubberwood box. He

27:42

recognised it as the one he had used

27:44

in the ritual. You wanted

27:46

the bride? She has come to claim

27:48

you. His stomp,

27:52

he shrieked as Big Sister laid

27:54

her hands on his shoulders. Tendrils

27:57

of hair pierced his skin and slowly

28:00

inexorably, as he struggled

28:02

like a fish in the net. She

28:04

turned him to her. Please, no!

28:08

he screeched. I can reverse the

28:10

spell. He twisted his head

28:12

back towards Little Sister. You

28:14

found her? He gave a trembling

28:17

smile. It's all right now, don't you

28:19

see? I helped you find her, that's

28:21

all.

28:23

Big Sister pursed her lips and drew

28:25

him ever closer. More

28:27

thick strands of hair burrowed under

28:29

his skin, and he wailed. I

28:32

gave you darks, and the goat,

28:35

and the cub. His words were swallowed

28:37

as Big Sister lovingly pressed her bristled

28:39

lips against his. His eyes bulged

28:42

and rolled as her tongue thrust

28:44

into his mouth, razor nails

28:47

along its length, slicing into his.

28:50

He thrashed and pummeled her, but

28:52

she only sighed and embraced him tighter

28:55

and tighter. I began

28:57

to envelop them both, speckled with

28:59

ochre-coloured nails.

29:01

Some thick,

29:02

some slender and delicate.

29:05

Around and around the cocoon

29:07

wove. With a thump, the

29:10

nest of hair toppled and laid twitching.

29:14

Little Sister shuffled closer.

29:16

The bomo's single wildly

29:18

rolling eye sought her out.

29:22

There was no other sign of anything

29:24

human.

29:25

Whatever had been her sister was long

29:27

gone.

29:28

She laid Big Sister's box of hair

29:31

and nails on the floor, walked

29:33

to the kitchen, and found the bomo's

29:35

keys.

29:36

She hobbled outside and circled the house,

29:39

locking each window and door. When

29:42

she arrived home,

29:44

she checked that her rubberwood box

29:46

was still snug beneath the floorboards,

29:48

then

29:48

went to feed her animals.

32:01

Who's there? AHHHHHHHHH!

32:07

From 1817 to 1821, an entity calling itself

32:09

Kate tormented the Bell family of West

32:11

Tennessee. There is still no widely

32:14

accepted explanation for this haunting.

32:20

Coming summer 2024, on the new

32:22

hit audio drama Afflicted, the Bell witch

32:24

returns to haunt a family in 1960s Tennessee. But

32:28

only if we raise enough money to pay our cast

32:30

and crew a living wage. Help

32:32

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32:34

exclusive rewards like limited edition

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32:38

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evening.

32:52

We rely on you to pay our authors, staff

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and cover our costs. Right now, as

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you are probably unfortunately

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33:02

And yet here we are, making art for you. We

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34:16

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34:19

next week with Flash on the Border

34:21

Lens 67 ichthiik, with stories

34:23

from Michelle Muensela, Anna Madden and

34:25

Antoinette Ryder. Narration by

34:27

Tina Connelly, Lisa Wood and

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Austin Malone. Audio production once

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again by The Incomparable Chelsea, and

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hosting once again by me. We'll

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see you then, but before we do, Sudapod

34:39

wants to remind you that Becky is resourceful

34:42

and Becky is vindictive, and you

34:44

just killed her only living relative.

34:48

We'll see you next time, folks.

34:53

An arm appeared from nowhere

34:56

on the shape, seemingly projected

34:58

like the pseudopod of a protozoan.

35:01

It's a pseudopod, it's a bigfoot.

35:03

It's all about podcasts

35:04

these days.