Dark Bayou

“The Spanish moss swayed eerily in the breeze that brought with it fat rain drops that plopped onto the water rippling the reflection of the darkening sky. That was when we saw the cabin far off in a corner on the west bank. It was as I had seen it in my dreams—rustic long-forgotten by the world save for whatever occupied its malevolent little frame. And whatever it was was nothing more than a black silhouette in a creaking rocking chair on the tiny porch. As I stared at the phantom rocker it suddenly stopped in mid rock picked up its head and turned to me grinning and started rocking away never taking its yellow eyes off of me. And there in the humid twilight of the swamp a bitter chill washed over me and my spine felt like ice.”. When Leigh Benoit returns home to Louisiana for the funeral of her brother and his wife she becomes increasingly concerned about the welfare of her orphaned niece Lyla. She is prompted by her grandmother Clothilde to move back to take care of her. Leigh has no desire to take on any responsibility and being home again brings back painful memories. At the funeral Leigh’s childhood friend Detective Lucas Castille tells her the mysterious details of the accident that killed her brother and his wife. Lucas’ young son has dreams of a Dark Man who wishes to harm Lyla. Leigh begins to have similar dreams. She struggles with her rational mind but vows to protect her niece. Soon she finds out there is more to the story and more to her grandmother than she thought.