The bell above the library rang out twice, and students began to trickle out the doors, finished with another night of studying, as midterms were in full stride. Ashley sat perched atop the social sciences building next door, looking down on the students from above, hidden from those passing below by the dark sky. Fifteen… Continue reading Eagless 102
Their rent house was only a block away from campus. It was just a small two-bedroom place in an old neighborhood, but it was nice. Every now and then, she glanced back to make sure she wasn’t being followed. There hadn’t been anyone else out all night, and that hadn’t changed now. She leapt over… Continue reading Eagless 101
The streets were quiet, unusual for any part of Sanders at any time of day, but especially in the Pimento District at 11pm. Even on a weeknight, the clubs were typically bustling, and vendors lined the sidewalks, selling their goods to locals and tourists alike. But not tonight. The mayor’s sweeps policies had meant that… Continue reading The Street Rat 212
“You have to let me go back out tomorrow.” Eddie was pacing in front of Archer and Maria after they had gotten back from the shelter. Archer was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, while Maria sat on the side of the bed next to the sleeping boys. “I still don’t think you’re… Continue reading The Street Rat 211
“Absolutely not.” Maria stood in front of the door, her arms folded across her chest. “I’ve already wasted too much time the past few days,” Eddie pleaded with her. “The longer I’m not out there figuring out what’s going on, the more people are getting abducted.” “Eddie, you were just shot. You’re not ready to… Continue reading The Street Rat 210
Eddie woke up to find Archer leaning against the motel wall while Maria and the boys were still asleep. “What time is it?” Eddie asked, rubbing his eyes first and then his shoulder. He grimaced as pain shot through it. “5:30. Drink this and take these.” Archer handed him a glass of water and two… Continue reading The Street Rat 209
Eddie spent the next three nights on the streets looking for people to talk to about the sweeps. Maria voiced her annoyance with him not taking advantage of his nights off patrol to rest or earn extra money, but this was more important. Between having moved into the motel and spending his patrol shifts bouncing… Continue reading The Street Rat 208
“Right, what’s all this, then?” Eddie asked in the worst British accent he could muster. “Now, how would I know?” Maria asked, stopping to dramatically turn and face him with her hands on her hips. “You know you’re the brains around here,” Eddie answered. The four of them were walking six blocks for their family… Continue reading The Street Rat 207
“I’ve been thinking,” Eddie said over the sound of sirens as he and Archer sat on a ledge high above the streets, “your bow really seems to come in handy a lot. I don’t want to steal your flow or anything, so I won’t choose a bow, but I think having a weapon would be… Continue reading The Street Rat 206
Eddie and Archer found a rhythm as they continued working together. They grew comfortable with each other’s habits and learned the other’s fighting style until they could predict what the other was going to do almost any time in a fight. Maria made it clear that Archer was not welcome at the motel, and Archer… Continue reading The Street Rat 205
K. B. Kirtley 