Free Thirty Miles South Of Dry County by Kealan Patrick Burke Page B

It’s a crazy story. If it was you tellin’ it, I’d laugh right in your face. But like I said, I read people real well, and that’s why we’re here. You see, while you’re busy thinkin’ I’m nothin’ but an old fool, I’ve been readin’ you like you was the daily newspaper. And I know what you’ve done. I know too what you’re plannin’ to do to any woman you might meet in Milestone. I know Iris sounds real fine to you and maybe she’ll even scream the way you like them to when you cut her with that huntin’ knife you got tucked into your jacket.
    That ain’t gonna happen, son, for any number of reasons.
    What are you thinkin’ now?
    Are you spooked that I know what you got in mind? Are you plannin’ on takin’ out that big ol’ knife and carvin’ me up? Well go right ahead. You won’t get very far.
    Or maybe you can read people too and you know somewhere deep down that I weren’t lyin’ about any of it. Maybe you’ve been listenin’ to those vines whisperin’ and creepin’ their way out of this here liquor store, and thinkin’ you should just cut and run and head back the way you come. Maybe you’re gonna take my advice and just stay well clear of Milestone so it don’t find a use for you.
    Well son, I got some bad news about that too.
    See, I’ve been the mayor for a while now, and one of my first policies were to continue what poor ol’ Kirkland started. It’s called expansion. And it’s comin’ along real fine. Because like Kirkland said back in the day, Milestone is growin’.
    So take a good look around while you’re fingerin’ that knife, boy.
    Because Milestone wants you.
    And you’re already here.
    Welcome home.

 
     
     
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
     
    Kealan Patrick Burke is the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Turtle Boy , The Hides , Vessels , Currency Of Souls , Jack & Jill , Master Of The Moors , Midlisters , and Kin .
    Visit him on the web at:  www.kealanpatrickburke.com .

 
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