Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 292

Barbara Allen began to despair the closer she got to Marie Laveau’s strange house. By that point, Louis Glapion had grown weary of carrying her and allowed her to walk at his side. He did, however, keep his arm firmly around her waist so that she would not flee.

She did not try to flee, in fact, knowing that Charles was following them, but as they approached Marie’s door, she secretly bemoaned the fact that Charles had not yet intervened.

Charles, too, worried about his lack of action, silently cursing himself for what he perceived as a lack of bravery. Was it cowardice or good sense that had prevented him from jumping upon Louis and freeing Barbara? He followed close behind with leaden feet as if his deficiency of action was controlled by another, stronger force just out of his sight.

“This is where my brother’s widow lives.” Louis grunted as he knocked on the door.

Marie didn’t take long to open her door. Upon seeing Louis with Barbara she laughed heartily.

“This is how you great your kin?” Louis smirked.

“No, no, Louis. How glad I am to see you, you Devil! I didn’t expect ya so soon. Come in, and bring Miss Allen with you.”

“You know this girl?” Louis asked.

“Of course!” Marie chuckled. “She lives here. Or, at least, she did.” She grabbed Barbara’s hand and pulled her into the house.

“Look around your home, Barbara, and see who has paid us a call!”

Barbara flinched as she saw Iolanthe and Ulrika.

“Now, ain’t it a fine thing?” Marie said with glee. “All three of your former mistresses in one place. We shall have to decide who gets you.”

Louis looked confused.

“Don’t you worry nothin’ ‘bout it, Louis, my brother.” Marie winked. “You’ll get to play with your prize, too.”

Meanwhile, Charles crept around the back of the long, mean house and found an open window backing into a dark and vicious alley. Carefully and silently, he moved some crates so that he could climb into the window. He did this as quietly and unobtrusively as he could, and was, in fact, quite pleased with his stealth—that is until he realized into what he climbed.

There, lying in a cruel, narrow bed lay Charles’ brother Giovanni next to the scarred figure of Nellie.

“Look at that, Nell,” Giovanni croaked—still weak from his wounds. “My brother has returned to me.”

Meanwhile, within their shared body, Mr. Punch rushed forward and put his imaginary arms around the image of Julian who stiffened as Punch embraced him.

“Here, I know you don’t like to be touched, Master chum,” Punch chirped. “But, these ain’t our real bodies. These are just thoughts, they are. And, if thoughts can’t show love, what can?”

“True,” Julian nodded, returning Punch’s embrace.

“Where’d you go, Master?” Punch asked.

“I retreated further.” Julian said. “I…I…was upset and frightened, filled with self-loathing. Had it not been for me, Colin would be in a safe, warm home.”

“Wanted to punish yourself, did ya?” Punch wondered.

“I did.” Julian nodded. “Hence the arrival of Jack Ketch. I’m afraid you received the brunt of his fierceness.”

“Ain’t nothin’.” Punch shrugged.

“My, dear, brave Punch.”

“Maybe not brave, Master. Maybe just too stupid to know better.” Punch smiled.

“You mustn’t say such things.” Julian shook his head.

“I feared I’d not see you again.” Punch whispered.

“Never fear that,” Julian replied.

“We’d best get the body goin’ ‘gain, then.” Punch nodded.

“Not yet.” Julian sighed. “We’ve much to decide, but first we have much to examine.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-291? If so, you can read them here.