“’ve gotta go,” mumbled Crupky, her face turned away, as she stepped back. “’ts good to see you again. Ariel. Achilles. Uh. Megan. Need to, uh. Gotta go make sure things are okay at the station.”
Category: Novellas
Border Guard Chapter 1: Dog Days
Threes.
Every good story uses threes. The reasons for this are complicated, but mostly come down to what humans call prime numbers. Numbers that cannot be easily separated. Amounts which are difficult to split. From such unity comes strength, but also, great pride and a tendency towards self-reinforcing behavior. Three, Five, Seven, Eleven; Thirteen.
I Know What I Like Chapter 4: Truth
I watched, with a kind of growing horror and fascination, as Nancy continued speaking. The thief had the panicked look of an animal being tracked, hunted, cornered, her nails digging into the chair. Her eyes kept darting back to me.
I Know What I Like Chapter 3: Investigation
The thief watched as Tzedekiel’s arms lowered, talons flashing in the reflected light from the interrogation lamp. The detective flashed another nervous look at the massive gargoyle. The angel had been on the verge of gutting the constable after the thug had struck her. Tzedekiel didn’t even seem to realize it, his eyes flashing as they moved from the detective, to her, to the constable, and back again.
Continue reading “I Know What I Like Chapter 3: Investigation”
I Know What I Like Chapter 2: Confession
The noblest of intentions do not excuse a crime
I Know What I Like Chapter 1: Interrogation
There is an art to a proper beating. Damaging enough to hurt, not so damaging that it kills the victim. The parade of padded knuckles and body blows that can leave a victim brutalized without giving a hint of how badly they’ve been beaten. The nose unbroken, the body free of bruises, the skin not contused. The art of the abusive husband. The art of the secret bully. The art of the police officer. The sequence practiced by those who must maintain an image of moral fortitude, in spite of all their deeds. If a martial art was named for that which inspired it, then surely this panoply of beatings and soul-breaking torment would be called the Upright Constable Style.
Continue reading “I Know What I Like Chapter 1: Interrogation”
That Thing Chapter 4: The Colour
As I raced across the glacier, my mind seemed to be stuck in first gear. I’d rejected her when she’d tried to open up to me, when she’d gotten intimate with me. She had wanted to offer me everything, and I’d freaked out. I’d hurt her.
That Thing Chapter 3: The Dreams
I woke up when there was a knock on the door. “Lucky!” said one of the Vladmirs. “Get up! Otto woke up! The commissar wants everyone to hear what he’s got to say!”
That Thing Chapter 2: On the Doorstep
I spent a very long time outside the Commissar’s small office, trying to figure out the right path.
That Thing Chapter 1: At The Mountains
The world is full of extreme environments. Places where human life is impossible. Places where no sane people go.
hellskitchensink 