Wrath of a Forgotten God

By William J. Seymour

A night of mischief. Rebellion against the law and everything it stands for.

Jer and Neil are out after dark where the shadows keep more than secrets. Venturing where they shouldn't be, they risk everything for one last chance to blow smoke in the face of their oppressors.

In the darkness no one sees them pass. Only the gods can watch over them and what they do.

Tonight one of them is not happy.

 

Wrath of a Forgotten God

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book Furnace Publications
• Release date: Aug 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201846824

Book preview

1

The shadows hold all the secrets.

The shadows are where they live. If they don't want to be caught.

Midnight. Clouds blocking out the stars. A quiet night. So quiet the guards don't even bother with most of their rounds.

Doors locked shut. Windows pulled closed. A slight chill in the air. The early arrival of autumn.

On soft feet, they slip between alleys and through the darkness. Streets deserted.

A stray dog passes beneath a street-candle. Rangy thing, all bones, and limp tail. It eyes them, hunger and fear. Legs shake as its head goes back and forth. A decision waiting to be made.

Shoo, get out of here, Jer says.

He waves to emphasize the words.

The beast doesn't move.

You heard him, Neil adds with a pebble.

With a small yip, the animal runs along, its tail between its legs.

Come on, lets keep moving, Jer says.

Neil pats him on the shoulder and they both slide out of the alley between Macolroy's Knife Shop and Dwarf Alley Blades. The tension between the two shops thicker than a summer's night humidity.

They walk slowly down the street, shoulders back, confident so they do not draw any attention. They belong out here in the night. Two young men strolling to where they belong. Though where they belong is in home in bed before their parents know they are missing.

Ssh, what is that? Neil asks.

He grabs Jer by the shoulder, pulls him back against the wall of an old empty shop, the windows and doors boarded shut.

What is what?

Neil puts his finger up to his own lips as they both slide backward a step, into the shadows from the light of the street candle no more than a building away.

Time slows. Their heartbearts roar like thunder.

Nothing happens. No one moves.

Come on. You're so scared and we aren't even there yet, Jer says.

They get moving. Footsteps slower and softer this time. There is no hiding in the shadows at the end of the street. Light from the street-candle burns bright and brings everything into view.

Both