Page 78 of Swamp Kings 2

Beth covered her mouth with a gasp.

“What’s he doing?” Maggie wondered.

“He’s… oh my God.”

Fathom turned in his seat and looked out his window, unable to see a thing. He faced forward and tossed an electrical current through the back of the rig, detecting his brother approaching. With a little human? Fathom regarded Fin in the seat oppositehim. “Do you know what he’s doing?”

Fetch finally came into view with a little girl leeched to him, his hands pressed upon her body and head as if to ensure the bond was leechy enough. He eyed Fin again. “What do you know about this?” he demanded to his aloof sibling.

“I know nothing other than Elenore.”

“Miss Maggie and Beth,” Fetch muttered at the door. “Meet Lucy. She said I can be her daddy till her real mommy and daddy return from visiting Jesus.”

“Oh my God,” both women cried happily as Fathom angled his head at his brother, searching for signs of this malfunction.

“Hi Lucy! Is that your doll?” Maggie whispered.

The little girl’s head came off his chest for a nod. “Her name is Fetch. She fetches sadness and throws it in the trash can.”

Fathom practically fell into Fetch when he suddenly opened to his incessant mental knocking, finding himself in some kind of bubble party in his blood.

What are you doing?

I think it's obvious, Uncle Fathom.

Did you even consult Rowan about this?

The bubble party came to an instant standstill as Fetch sat next to him with his little human souvenir.

Fathom moved across the aisle and sat next to Fin as the women flocked over, bubbling with maternal ecstasy.

My wife will be thrilled, Fetch assured. Uncle Fin, what do you think of our daughter?

Are you glitching?

“Lucy, I’d like to introduce you to my brothers.”

Now?Fin asked, alarmed as the little girl looked at both of them with curious brown eyes.

Fetch pointed with a finger. “That’s Fathom. And that’s Fin.”

The little girl turned more, studying them intently then taking hold of Fetch’s face and turning it to her. Her little eyes widened. “You’re triplets!” she realized, her tiny mouth happy as she looked over atthem again.

“We are,” Fetch praised.

Again, she eyed them with pure wonder. “You can be my uncles if you want,” she said. “Do you have any little girls or boys?”

She’s looking right at you,Fathom informed Fin.

And now she’s looking at you,Fin said, passing it back.

“I think they’re shy,” Fetch whispered to her.

“We do not,” Fathom answered.

“Do you have any sisters?” she asked.

“No,” Fin answered, taking his turn.

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