If you've made it this far, thanks for reading! This story was an Honorable Mention in the Writers of the Future, my first, with The Reconnoiters being my second. I learned a lot writing this story, mostly that rewriting over and over doesn't fix things--at least not for myself.

If you're interested in checking out other things by me, I have several finished projects, Wakiagaru being the largest. at 436 pages. It's a far east fantasy thriller with a large cast of characters and a lot of action!

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Currently at the time of writing this, Blackwood Company is on going. It's a kind of grim dark heroic sword and sorcery short novel.

Thanks for reading, and I'll see you with the next one!

LambentTyto/Waraji-sama/Lawrence Whitaker/James Caldwell (wow I have too many pseudonyms!)