Collectivum

By Mike Lewis

The Oren were one and their strength was legion. They had it all figured out, in their own parasitical, cold-blooded way. But they’d neglected one she-cat of a girl....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wilder Publications, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781515403968

Mike Lewis

Mike Lewis worked at Bain Capital before chasing his dream of playing professional squash. He is the founder and CEO of When to Jump, a global community of people who have left one path to pursue a very different one. When to Jump has reached millions through media impressions, in-person events, and brand collaborations. When to Jump, a collection of case studies with clear guidance on how and when to jump, is Mike's first book. He received his BA from Dartmouth College and lives in San Francisco.

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Collectivum

by Mike Lewis

© 2016 Positronic Publishing

Cover Image © NASA

Positronic Publishing

PO Box 632

Floyd VA 24091

ISBN 13: 978-1-5154-0396-8

First Positronic Publishing Edition

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The Oren were one and their strength was legion. They had it all figured out, in their own parasitical, cold-blooded way. But they’d neglected one she-cat of a girl....

*

He crossed the rickety bridge at sundown and saw the squat, fat fellow whipping the girl with a board. His mind leaped to a conclusion: an Orenian prowler, convincing his victim to hold still. He clubbed the fat fellow with a rock and toppled him over the seawall into the lagoon where he floated face-down.

Are you stung? he asked the girl.

She picked herself up weakly, and she was a gold-bronze beauty with a black mane of hair and long, narrow eyes. She shook her head to his question and whimpered slightly while she examined her bruises.

He was my husband, she explained.

Not an Orenian? he gasped.

She shook her head. But he was going to kill me.

Morgan shot a horrified glance at the body floating far out on the swift tide. Three sharks were circling lazily. He looked around for a boat, saw none. He swiftly estimated his chances of swimming out after the fat man and towing him in. The chances appeared to be nil. Nevertheless, he began stripping off his shirt.

Don’t bother, said the girl. He was stung last week.

Morgan stared at her silently for a moment. She seemed not in the least perturbed. If the man had been stung by an Orenian, he was lost anyway. Ruefully, he rebuttoned his shirt.