The Twin Cities by Nicholas Whitcomb

Author:Nicholas Whitcomb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2019-08-09T17:04:55+00:00

Chapter 6

A List Forgotten

Sleep evaded Riley most of the night, scenes of the slaughterhouse stealing his rest. Near the dawn, icy nips hit Riley’s nose. A leak had formed in the ceiling above him. It was the last thing he needed right now. Another drop plopped onto him.

Riley stood upon his bed and stuffed some of his mattress hay into the crack. He hoped that would last until a better fix came along. Riley shuffled down the stairs to his oven. Rook was sitting at the table nearest the fire with a book. Riley wondered when Kauffner would return; the captain hadn’t said how long he would be after the emperor’s taste test.

Riley flung open the curtains to the street and watched the sun glow as the rain clouds dwindled. Beasts began to pass by in the early morning. It was almost time to open the store. He placed dough into a pan and slid it inside the warm belly of the wood fire.

A sound floated to him. Riley straightened suddenly and strained to listen. Sounds of crushing and screams were coming from outside. At first he thought his mind was tricking him with memories of that slaughterhouse. Rook placed his novel facedown on the table. He was peering out the window as well.

“Where is that coming from?” Rook’s ears were alive.

Riley shrugged and went to the window. The street was briefly quiet then Beasts began to run from around the street corner to the south. A distinct shape popped over a rooftop, a door flung through the air. The crunching sounds grew stronger, and soon metal screeching began to fill the streets.

“That has to be Bobbin’s machine.” Riley’s eyes went wide.

“Sure is,” Rook said.

Riley grabbed his knife and Rook swiftly got his equipment.

“Get Bobbin.” Rook pointed with his field axe to the rear door.

Riley scrambled to the rear door and threw it open and did not look at the drain this time. He pounded at the shed door. The door squealed as it opened. A plump raccoon stood ready with his belt already wrapped around his waist and a knife already tucked into it.

“I hear it too,” Bobbin said with a grimace.

Riley gave a tired laugh and the three galloped toward the noise. Cries of the injured grew near; they mixed with the twitch of ringing steel. Riley felt his heart light up; the fear was tangible. He was unsure of his resolve so soon after the previous clash. Bobbin already looked tired.

Just past the south bridge, the trio turned a corner near the edge of the ballad of metal and death. A light-blue-clad figure stumbled about the house corner, past Rook, and collapsed toward Riley. He tried to jump back, but the guard grasped him with quivering hands. Riley took another step backward and slipped on ropy entrails that leaked from the guard. Riley locked eyes with him. The sentry’s eyes were a deep green and wide. The light of life was clouded in them. He slithered to the ground.

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