A Crying Shame (144 page)

No!” Joe screamed in frustration.
It ain't that easy.... That ain't the way it's done.”

The Link shook his head and sighed.
Let me see if I understand. I am bad, but I want to harm no one who does not attempt to harm me. You are good, but you want to kill those who gave you life. Your God is a very strange God. But,”—he held up one almost-human finger—
I wonder if the words from your mouth are His words, or yours alone?

I knew you were so stupid you wouldn't understand. You're worse than stupid!”

That may be, so-called good person. But if being a not-stupid good person means becoming as you, I would rather be called a stupid bad person.”

So be it.”

The big elder nodded grimly, a sad expression in his eyes.
You know who I am, don't you?”

Joe refused to reply, refused to meet the Link's steady gaze.

I am your father,” the Link said.

My Father is in heaven,” Joe said.
Looking after me.”

He is not doing a very good job of it,” the Link said dryly.

Joe spat in the Link's face.

The Link wiped the spittle from his face and gestured with one hand. Several Links gathered around Joe. Doug's screaming had faded into a deadly silence. The swamp was quiet as Joe was led to the pit. At the edge, he looked down, paling at the sight. The pit was filled with snakes, almost completely covering Doug's rapidly swelling and blackening body. Rattlesnakes and Cottonmouths slithered over the corpse, still striking, venom dripping from the body.

The big blue-eyed male grunted and signaled.
I am glad your mother is not here to witness this shame of yours.”