Training was a blur of pain, sweat, tears. Intermixed with ranks upon ranks of soldiers were those brave enough to volunteer. There weren’t a lot of them left. This was a different sort of task we were asking people. I recognized a few from the efforts to take down the Lost Boy, but beyond that, … Read moreGale Rising (Part 59)
The dust was starting to settle when Tane pulled herself out of cover, and I followed after the swish of her long glossy black feathers. The ground had been disturbed; trees marked by the press of many bodies, occasionally nicked with horns. “Why does the forest not extend outside of the city?” Tane shrugged. “Probably … Read moreA Court For Crows (Part 23)
“And this,” Tane said. “This is where we run.” “There was another gunshot!” I squeaked. “Why was there another gunshot?” “Well,” Tane said, darting her head about through the thick wiregrass. “I’d say it’s because someone else out here is hunting.” She grabbed me by the shoulders, and shoved. A few startled steps back towards … Read moreA Court For Crows (Part 22)
Without the sound of the bird’s abrasive voice, I was left with the wind whistling through the trees and the steady thump of my shoes against the ruined pavement. Great branching lines of trees I’d only heard of or seen in photographs. Lines of ancient debris. Miles of mottled kudzu clinging to life underneath of … Read moreA Court For Crows (Part 21)
The scouts brought in fresh food that day from one of the distant green houses. It garnished the table like on old farmer’s market. From the depths of the deep storage, a single steak had been procured and placed on the plate in front of me. Heated. Cooked to rare, it was familiar among the … Read moreA Court For Crows (Part 20)
Debriefing was a numb affair. Excelsior did all of the talking, and I sat in the back, staring at the rows of military personnel. Official. Everything about the Cuban Patrol seemed official. It didn’t stop the red threads and tendrils from taking up my vision, loping through my brain, slipping through skin and bone into … Read moreGale Rising (Part 58)
Mostly numb, voices bubbling from crow beaks. Arguments. Shouting. The common area for Prime-Nest was a floor below the high rise entry; in a room that had once been a ball area. The remnants of a stage was shoved to one side, but the long tables, aged, cracked, repainted dozens of times, took up the … Read moreA Court For Crows (Part 19)
As my eyes adjusted to the sudden blur, she was in front of me, an inch in front of a smoking hole left in a long dead tube. “Well,” Trellis said, flicking her eyes over to Jay. “Seems like you’ve already made your choice here, haven’t you?” The bullet had passed within an inch of … Read moreA Court For Crows (Part 18)
The end is nigh as the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse ride. Just as humanity loses hope, the 4 horsemen of wholesomeness descend in a beam of light: Mr. Rogers (love), Jim Henson (life), Steve Erwin (nature), & Bob Ross (peace) The scythe hung inches from my head. I could see my reflection in what … Read more[WP] The end is nigh as the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse ride. Just as humanity loses hope, the 4 horsemen of wholesomeness descend in a beam of light: Mr. Rogers (love), Jim Henson (life), Steve Erwin (nature), & Bob Ross (peace)
Her voice was sharp as a knife. Twice as dangerous. Rang through the still air like a razor. Turned and looked at her; the voice was female. She stood at my height, with a shock of pale hair tossed down her shoulders. Her hands rested on the armor of the Hand, tugging at it. Chitinous … Read moreA Court For Crows (Part 17)