Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.18

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> [DISCLAIMER: Please be aware there is graphic subject matter in this chapter.] Chapter 17 - Thera Consciousness came back slowly, and with it a tremendous amount of pain that made him consider staying in the dark forever. But it was too late to go back now, so Barrenger let himself drift towards wakefulness, …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.17

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> Chapter 16 – Earth, Two Months AgoThe Plan The note was slipped into her sleeve during a routine medical examination with Dr. Thomas. She read it in her room, blood pounding in her ears. “Finished hack. Tracers will be neutralized when time comes. Confirm if ready to go ahead. Need all kids on …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.16

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> Chapter 15 - Thera Barrenger raced through endless hallways, but each one held a mirror. He would turn a corner as soon as he saw one, but there was another, and another, and another. All of them were his face – or were they his father’s? Or Salein’s? Or some other Rukilef he …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.15

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> Chapter 14 – Earth, Four Months AgoThe Plea At first, Jenny was uncomfortable around anyone but Dr. Thomas; the way she brightened when he came for her made Mercury feel ill. He had been the only scientist allowed to work with Jenny so far, which Mercury grudgingly admitted was a blessing. But over …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.14

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> Chapter 13 - Thera When you can jump thirty feet at a time and land with no force of impact, roof-hopping is a breeze. Unfortunately, Barrenger’s partner in his mission did not have this advantage. Barrenger stopped at the edge of another rooftop halfway to the city wall, waiting for Samlin to leap …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.13

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> Chapter 12 - Earth, Five Months Ago The Secret Mercury was getting good at keeping secrets. The fact still felt strange to her; she’d always seen herself as a pretty open person, before. But the nightmare in which she lived, a nightmare of alternating painful horror and soul-deadening living conditions, required that she …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.10

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> Chapter 9 - Thera Something woke Barrenger, leaving him blinking in the dark. A tap on the chargestone timepiece on his bedside table showed that it was an hour until dawn. What had made him wake up? He almost turned over to go back to sleep when he heard it again, more clearly …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.9

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> Chapter 8 - Earth, One Year Six Months Ago The Shifter Subject 2A didn’t give 1A the satisfaction of reacting when 1A paired him with the new Subject again. Once the oldest of the Subjects, 1A had grown even more temperamental and jealous than usual since the slightly older Subject 6A joined their …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.8

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> Chapter 7 - Thera The guard hustled Barrenger and Remar quickly and quietly down the staircase, escorting them through a back doorway that avoided the loudly clamoring crowd in the Meeting Room. Several more guards joined them along the way, including Samlin, although the young Temple Guard was clearly not in good graces …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.4

Beginning<-- PreviousNext--> Chapter 3 - Thera Lunch was a simple affair, light salad and toasted fruitbread with citrus water. No self-respecting Haweyh overate before their coming-of-age feast. Barrenger dug in anyway, commenting on the tasty smells coming from the kitchen (while carefully ignoring the burnt ones), avoiding the subject of the swords. He still wasn’t …