Page 38 of Diesel

“Let me help you, Uncle.” I took the candelabra and placed a hand under his elbow. We made it to the last step, and he acknowledged the others in the room.

“Welcome to my home,” Uncle said. “All the necessary arrangements for your stay have been made.”

“Sir, you should really be in bed.” A woman entered the foyer from the kitchen, and Uncle smiled, showing rotted teeth. She wore a red miniskirt and white top that showed a good portion of her breasts. My uncle elbowed my side. Black shoes led to white socks that led to her knees. In two words—fucking hot. “Can you help me get him back to bed? Then I’ll get you all settled in.”

I nodded, and we helped Uncle back up the steps. Once we had him in his bed, I stopped the woman outside his room.

“Who the fuck are you?” I asked.

“Cloie. I’ve been helping your uncle for the past two years.” She played with one of her two ponytails.

“Please tell me you aren’t fucking him.”

Cloie laughed and started down the hall, back to the stairs. “He’s paying me, so I do whatever he wants me to do.”

I returned to the room and his side. “You doing okay, Uncle?”

“Do I look okay?” He smiled and placed a bony hand on mine. “Doctors say I could go any day.” He patted my hand. “All the paperwork is in order. Everything is left to you, the last known Usher.”

I was afraid he would ask me when I’d move into the house. I had no answer if he did. Though I loved it as a kid, I didn’t as an adult.

Someone knocked on the door, and Gigi entered.

“Come on in,” I said. “Uncle, this is Gigi.”

“It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

Uncle smiled, and I cringed. “You fucking her, Ludwig?” He studied her hips. “She’d push out three or four healthy Ushers. Get all this sickness bullshit out of our DNA.”

“Yes. He’s fucking me, Uncle,” Gigi said. “We’ll see about the three or four kids.

Uncle reached for her hand, and she didn’t hesitate. “Keep him in line. Those bikers are going to get him dead.”

“Uncle, there’s something I need to ask you.” I cleared my throat and shifted on the bed’s edge.

“Shoot it out, Ludwig.” He released Gigi’s hand and held mine. The man smelled old. The entire room smelled like death. “And don’t sugarcoat whatever it is.”

“I’ve been hearing voices the last couple of years, and they’re getting stronger, more violent. I’ve killed men because that’s what the voices were telling me to do. I need them to stop.” I moved a little closer and held his hand.

“It’s the Usher line, Ludwig.” He coughed, and a spittle of blood appeared on his lip. He didn’t have much time. “You remember when you were little, and I would never allow you in the basement?”

I nodded, and Gigi put her hand on my shoulder. Nothing good was about to follow. ‘What’s in the basement?” I asked.

Uncle coughed again and went wide-eyed. “The answers to all your questions about your heritage, Ludwig. It all belongs to you now. Do with it what you wish. Keep the house or destroy it. I don’t care one way or another.”

“Go get Cloie, please,” I said to Gigi. As soon as Gigi left the room, Uncle sat up in bed.

“Ludwig. It can all either end with you or continue with you. It’s your choice.” He fell back onto the pillow and never spoke or moved again.

“Is he gone,” Cloie asked, entering the room with Gigi. She stood by Uncle’s side, tears filling her eyes. She held her stomach, and at that moment, I knew I was not the last of the Ushers. He made sure of that. Cloie pulled the sheet to his chin and rubbed his head.

“Do you know what he wanted after his death?”

Cloie nodded. “He has it all written down in his journal in the study. I’ll find it.” She rubbed his head once more and left the bedroom.

“You okay?” Gigi asked.

“Yeah, I am. Wish I knew more, though.”

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