Children Of Fiends - Part 1 Winter Is Passing: An Of Sudden Origin Novella by Harwood C. Chase

Author:Harwood, C. Chase [Harwood, C. Chase]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Publisher: Fate & Fortune Press
Published: 2014-05-20T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

Sea Trial

They scheduled two walks on the island so that the team could experience time outside of the lab with the twins. Except for Eliza, everyone else was fitted out with an updated helmet to filter out the puck’s potential for mental invasion. Tina and Schiller stayed behind, watching from a window as the well bundled group headed out toward the large field that lead to a thick wood. To Tina’s private dismay, she couldn’t help feeling that she would see neither her young assistant nor her subjects again.

Despite the decade long nuclear winter, the island was filled with life. Hearty evergreens and rugged shrubbery successfully stood up to the near constant overcast and cold. Small beasts and birds continued to call the trees home. The short spring was perhaps a misnomer. Cold sea breezes whipped icy moisture across exposed skin reminding everyone about the fickleness of the weather and cutting the first trip short when hail had them running back for cover. The second walk was mostly pleasant, with a novel moment: To the astonishment of even Eliza, Hansel gestured to a small bird, which instantly flew to his hand. Without hesitation, he bit off the head, spat it out and then quickly ate the rest of the tiny creature without spilling a drop of blood. Jealous of the meal, Gretel attempted to do the same, but was stopped by Eliza with a harsh command of “No”. Gretel sulked for the rest of the outing until she let herself fall toward the back of the group where she summoned a robin straight to her mouth, not bothering with the business of removing the head. Her brother snickered while also enjoying the sensation of small bones and silky feathers being munched together.

A day later, with his crew gathered before him, Dean stood on the rail above the Ginger Girl’s Foc’sle. Behind him the ever-present overcast was giving way to stormier looking dark clouds. Sanford stood near his captain ready to brace the man should the growing ocean swell make him lose his footing on the rail, a completely unnecessary gesture; Dean stood on legs that moved with a natural rhythm as the sea heaved the bow up and down. Lying on the deck next to them was a large plastic shipping crate with a hinged lid.

“So here it is then,” said Dean. “Some of you may remember that during the waning days of Omega, there were reports of, and even sightings by a few of you of children among the infected with significant malformations. Some said they were mutants. You may remember that there were also tales of mind control or as least in my case, finding myself having feelings or more accurately, the sensations of another person other than myself.”

Several of the crew grumbled. One, a tough looking woman named Alice Pike barked out, “Babies that looked like devils. That’s what they were. Could make a person cut their own throat. Saw it happen... before I got bit.

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