The Sunday Scaries
Volume 1, Number 25
Microfiction by Pat Harrigan
Content Warning: Language and Horror

Rat Songs

Rat Mama loves her babies. They crawl all over her, the helpless poor things. Rat Mama sings them lullabies:

Hush now babies, stop your twitchin
Mama’s back now from the kitchen
Mama’s got some human food
To build her babies’ fortitude
Stop your squealing, little pretties
Latch your snouts on Mama’s titties
Life for babes is short and wrong
But Mama sings her baby-song

          Rat Daddy is troubled. These are dire songs, full of despair. But ever since he lost his front legs and eyes to the cat, he cannot provide for his children and Rat Mama must do everything. He cannot tell her to stop because he is helpless and he has no moral standing now. He has tried gently to discuss it with her with his torn worthless tongue and he thinks he has made her understand. But she does not stop, she will not obey his wishes. She sings:

Babies get their broken bones
Humans poison babies’ homes
Dogs and cats will swallow rats
And babies need to face the facts

          The family is large but it will not be long before the pups will head out on their own, if they survive that long. When that happens he will be alone with Rat Mama. The loneliness will be worse. Rat Daddy’s thoughts are erratic, impulses without action. He might crawl to the elevator shaft and fling himself down. Maybe he will sneak into an apartment during the night and chew up a human baby. Rat Daddy, even in the depths of his mental agony, formulates plans for the future.

Daddy loves his Mama Ratty
But Dad’s a worthless little fatty
Daddy’s fucked and won’t get better
Let’s eat old Daddy all together
💀