“We’re meeting someone. XXNX The few still wearing clothes lost them and then began shedding their human bodies too, until a jibbering, bleating, howling menagerie of pigs, dogs, cats, birds and goats filled the yard and spilled out onto the road, into the woods, down into the streets and all through the town, filling the night with their cries. Carrier, the town baker, sat on Principal Proctor’s knee, topless and letting him cover her bare breasts with kisses. She turned to the calendar. But then she imagined what his future would be: He would never leave this town. ***
Carol-Anne lay in bed and listened. Her father took a large swig out of his cup and crimson droplets clung to the corners of his mouth. Every other night of the year it was abandoned except for an evil-tongued caretaker who tended the grounds and composed ever more
