Ophid Dei

By Erin M. Hartshorn

When the "snake" aliens took over Earth, they started radio-tagging the humans. Disguised as a girl, Sovann has managed to hide from the snakes for a decade, but now they need someone without a tag. Captured, unable to escape, how long can he remain hidden?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HartshornPublishing
• Release date: Aug 31, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476136028

Erin M. Hartshorn

Erin M. Hartshorn is a desert rat transplanted to a humid climate. Her ideal home has bookcases in every room. She is a moderator at Forward Motion for Writers, an online writers community. Her fiction has appeared both on-line and in print in various places, placed in the PARSEC short story contest, earned honorable mentions in the Writers of the Future contest, and been shortlisted for the UPC Award. When she's not writing, she enjoys various handicrafts, though she prefers spending time with her family.

Book preview

OPHID DEI

Erin M. Hartshorn

Copyright 2012 Erin M. Hartshorn

Cover Fonts: Yataghan by Daniel Midgley, Winterthur Condensed by Manfred Klein

Cover Image Credit: MorgueFile

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Published by Hartshorn Publishing, Bethlehem, PA

All rights reserved.

Sovann glanced over his shoulder. The boys were gaining on him. They had longer legs, and it was only a matter of time before they ran him down. He looked to both sides, searching for somewhere to hide, a hole to dive into, a door not quite closed. Nothing. Not even another human face peeking past drawn curtains.

He stumbled, looked back again. Only five now, but Finder gangs always traveled in larger packs than that. Sovann swung his head. Where were the others?

Too late. An arm grabbed his leg, and he fell. He rolled over and stared at the boys gathering around him. The one who'd tripped him stood up and brushed back greasy hair that had fallen into his eyes.

Good one, Ar, the gang's leader said. He wasn't any taller than the others, but the extra letter on his cheek marked his status--QA893.

The boy next to Ar (R926) looked down and licked his lips. What we going to do with her? He blurred the last two almost into a single word. Been a long time since they let us have any meat.

Sovann pushed himself back. They'd bought his disguise so far, but it wouldn't stand up to that.

The leader shoved the speaker away. You planning on explaining to them why you can't follow orders?

The Finders had been ordered out after him? He thought he'd been careful--even faked a tattoo. Boys traveled in packs as Finders, but sometimes girls could be seen alone, doing errands or carrying packages for the snakes. He'd figured that that he'd be safe masquerading as a girl. He'd been wrong. It didn't matter much now--he'd be taken in for tagging and the truth would come out.

The speaker--L715 by his cheek brand--backed up. I wouldn't do nothing permanent like. Maybe just let her have a little taste. Can't you just feel those lips--?

Cut it. The leader smacked him. I don't care if you only wanted to wax your pole while she watched. The snakes said bring girls in, we bring them in. He waved an electronic box in his hand. Especially when this says she's got no real tag. That's all, nothing else.

El touched his face with the back of his hand. I got it, okay? I was just saying.

Don't. The leader reached down to help Sovann up. Sovann took the offered hand. What choice did he have?

The boys formed a loose cluster around him. El shoved another boy to one side and walked behind Sovann, who shivered. He forced himself to not think about the possibilities.