A Wound in the Earth: A Novel by Jason Durant

Author:Jason Durant [Durant, Jason]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jason Durant
Published: 2021-05-22T20:00:00+00:00

After inquiring about lost manuscripts and being shown several diseased-looking parchments purporting to be ancient prophecies of the coming of a dodo messiah, the group left Frederick Heywood and his goods behind.

“Don’t believe it, children,” said Mel as they browsed onward. “Dodo culture is not messianic. Right, Clem?”

“Right, Mel. Those documents are forgeries. There is no tradition of messiah worship in our world, but there are emerging cultists who are trying to insert messianism into dodo society.” Clem grew silent, gave a heavy sigh. “I’m it, Mel. I’m their messiah.”

“Horrors,” said Mel. He looked at the hatchling.

“The cultists are strong-arm types with connections to the Spiderweb,” said Clem. “Some hatchlings are virtually kidnapped from the egg and indoctrinated into a cult that resembles the Christianity of your world. This morning, the teacher said we were lucky to make it to the classroom. It’s becoming more prevalent.”

“Horrors, Clem,” said Angela. She shuddered.

“Horrors,” said Ralph. He patted Clem’s head.

“Hatchlings who make it to class are usually safe thereafter,” said Clem. “We are given warnings and are taught logic and disobedience to all manner of authority.”

“Keep up your martial arts, too, Clem,” said Mel. “Physical intimidation, regardless of how civilized people—or birds—are, often plays a role in persuasion, especially when dealing with messianic thugs.”

“Good advice, Mel. I intend to.”

Ralph asked what the Spiderweb was. Mel explained that it was a term used to describe Dodoland’s system of justice, both the physical and conceptual components.

“The prisons, Ralph, are like huge nests of spiderwebs. And once you’re in the jaws of dodo justice, you might as well have your head in a tarantula’s mandibles.”

“Yuck,” said Ralph, making a face.

They walked on.

Mel glanced at the Barneys. Hubert and Angela looked bedeviled. But Ralph looked every bit the devil he was. Alone to thee, Ralph—the joys of childhood.

He wondered about his blood shadow. Had it weakened further? Had he chosen these innocent children as a test of its strength?

He felt a fit of self-repulsion. There was nothing worse than having a test coming up and knowing you can’t do it. And there was nothing better than having a test coming up and knowing that you can do it.

Not knowing …

That’s when the demons stare at you.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.