The Smokehouse

Oct 25  |  Chris Lihou

Deep in the forest, the old smokehouse emitted a sweet fragrance as the oak smouldered. Outside stood intact barrels, and piles of dismantled hoops and staves, the latter ready to become fuel. Inside, strips of salted flesh hung on rows of metal hangers, absorbing the tenderising smoke, alongside hams of various sizes hanging on strings.

After a couple of days, the curing was finished, ready for his ghoulish clients. Only then did the ogre move the product to an enormous fridge, at which time he knew he would need to replenish his supply. It was nearly time to hunt again.

2 Comments
  1. aishwariya studio3 weeks ago

    reminded me of Smokehouse Deli, an eatery in Bangalore, India.

    the rotting flesh of course….

  2. Ilona Rapin3 weeks ago

    Love the opening- the vivid setting; the atmosphere. The Ogre makes it interesting. I like the tension in this story – the hanging “flesh” and “hams”, the sweet fragrance & the metal hooks…replenishing his supply.
    Oooh how goulish! Then there is the ambiguity and momentary feel of dread in the last line when you ask yourself what kind of prey?

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