Eerie, Indiana fanfiction: Riverbank

[froodle]

The river was running fast and brown between the banks, swollen by heavy rain and whipped into white peaks by the high wind that rattled the bare branches of the trees overhead. At the edge of the water, a young kelpie wallowed belly-deep in thick mud, the dark earth churned to a cloying sludge beneath it as it struggled to find firm footing amidst the sodden undergrowth.

The rain rattled off the upturned hood of Simon’s bright yellow rain slicker and his breath plumed in the cold air. He shifted his weight, the ridged rubber soles of his glossy orange boots ploughing thick furrows in the wet dirt. At his feet an empty Thermos sat open, its dark interior still smelling faintly of soup.

He had been stood beneath the spreading canopy created by a thick cluster of trees for most of the afternoon, while his fingers shrivelled up and his feet turned numb and his ham sandwiches dissolved in the steady stream of water that his Bloody Revenge of the Mummy’s Curse collectable lunch tin had failed to guard against.

According to the soggy clipboard currently keeping dry beneath his sweater, he had counted a hundred and thirteen mud-snakes (several of which shot him dirty looks that he was pretty sure originated with Harley), seven mud-sharks, one lone water spook who apparently saw the swollen stream as a chance to try his paw at some extreme sports, complete with tiny protective headwear made from an acorn cup, and this kelpie.

The kelpie flopped on its side, the serpentine curl of its mid-section barely visible above the rushing water. Simon moved towards the edge of his makeshift hide, the sucking noise of his footsteps loud even against the hiss and patter of the rain. The kelpie lifted its long head as he approached, breathing heavily through flared nostrils encrusted with barnacles.

“I don’t have a silver bridle,” Simon told it. “And I’m not going to be tricked into going for a ride on you.”

The kelpie tossed its seaweed mane with a disinterested air. Simon removed a thick sheaf of hand-written notes from the clipboard and rolled it into a heavy cylinder.

“If you bite me, I will smack you,” he said, waggling the rolled-up wedge of paper in front of the kelpie’s glossy wide-set eyes.

The kelpie snorted, but pressed its long leathery lips together, hiding the concentric rows of needle-sharp teeth. Simon decided that was probably as close to acquiescence as he was likely to get, and put his records away.

“Okay,” he said, pulling off his brand new, breathable, water-repellent, curse-proof raincoat and spreading it beneath the kelpie’s razor-hooved feet with a regretful pang. “I’m going to push you from the other side, and you use this to climb up the slope.”

The kelpie’s skin was hot beneath his fingers, the coarse chestnut fur blending into thick ridged scales to create the impression of dappling. Simon set his feet wide apart, braced his palms against the kelpie’s heaving flank and pushed. Four legs with too many joints flailed madly for a long moment, Simon’s eyes squeezed shut with exertion, and suddenly there was only a drenched redhead, a ruined jacket, and a faint smell of horses and fish, melting away as the rain continued to fall.

“You’re welcome!” Simon shouted at the empty riverbank. He reached out to collect the sad and tattered remains of his once-gleaming mackintosh, and noticed that his hands were coated in a fine layer of glittering gold dust.

“Oh,” said Simon. “That’s okay, I guess.”





Holmes Brothers

The End by froodle, in which Simon reads Harley a bedtime story

Drains by froodle, in which clowns are evil, murderous sacks of shit, and Simon is having none of it

Kaleidoscope by froodle, in which Simon has cause to regret buying cheap toys at the World o' Stuff

Sneakers by froodle, in which the latest Sky Monsters are released

Reception by froodle, in which Simon has problems with his mobile phone

Festival by froodle, in which Eerie's local businesses celebrate the summer

Strawberry by froodle, in which there is unauthorised hubbub in Eerie

Anticipation by froodle, in which Simon and Harley look forward to the Equinox

The Hut by froodle, in which Simon takes on the forces of Eerie solo







Trusted Associates, Inc.

Halloween by froodle, in which Mars and Simon celebrate a Von Orloff-free All Hallows Eve

Surprise by froodle, in which Mars tries to make sure Simon's birthday goes a little better this year

The Glade by froodle, in which Simon and Mars visit a place that only exists on February 29th

Egg Hunt by froodle, in which Simon and Mars partake of some traditional Easter activities

Boardwalk by froodle, in which Simon and Mars are swayed by radio advertising

Lady in Red by froodle, in which Simon experiments on the old-fashioned radio in the Secret Spot, and horror ensues

Waiting In by froodle, in which there is an ice-storm and a handyman does not arrive

Seafoam by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the seaside

A Night at the Circus by froodle, in which a carnivale comes to town, and Marshall and Simon do not enjoy themselves

Taking a Break by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall enjoy some much-needed R&R

Model Railway by froodle, in which a new business prepares to open in Eerie

Shoreline by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall investigate strange happenings on the shores of Lake Eerie

Parade by froodle, in which Mars takes issue with the Eerie Beekeepers Association's choice of mascot

Homestead by froodle, in which Marshall finally gets something useful out of shop class

Hound by froodle, in which Simon makes a friend

Errands by froodle, in which Simon has a to-do list

Slyboots by froodle, in which a certain corporal of the infernal regions comes to Eerie. Crossover with Johannes Cabal the Necromancer.

Waterlogged by froodle, in which Eerie experiences heavy rainfall

Festival by froodle, in which Eerie's local businesses celebrate the summer

Strawberry by froodle, in which there is unauthorised hubbub in Eerie

Wildlife by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the beach

Facilities by froodle, in which the Eerie Bus Station and Supper Club has a problem with the men's toilet

Anticipation by froodle, in which Simon and Harley look forward to the Equinox

Castle by froodle, in which there is unexpected architecture in Eerie

Visitor in which Marshall's grandma comes to stay

Euclid by froodle, in which Marshall and Simon investigate strange events at the Eerie Cemetery

The Hut by froodle, in which Simon takes on the forces of Eerie solo