originally published Starwater Strains, 1990
Samuel Cooper, aka "the Nebraskan" is collecting regional folktales for a book he's writing. An old man named Hop Thacker tells him the story of his encounter with something he calls the "soul sucker", years ago when he was young.
Thacker and his daughter Sarah put the Nebraskan up for the night. The Nebraskan finds a parallel between Thacker's "soul sucker" and creatures out Egyptian myth.
Thacker turns out to be under the control of the soul sucker, a parasitic otherworld creature. He attacks the Nebraskan, who is able to fight him off. As Thacker dies, it appears he passes the parasite to Sarah.
Leave it to Gene Wolfe to compose a simple, but potently creepy, story that isn't exactly clear. This is typical Wolfe, and either it infuriates you, or you love him for it. I happen to be a fan.
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