1 Gearteeth Timothy Black

Timothy Black
(Book 1 of the Gearteeth Series)
Blysster Press
Email the author at: author@timothy-black.com
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$Gearteeth$ Pri#ti#% &istory
Blysster Press 'a'erback e(itio# Se'tember )*1+
This is a ork of ,ctio#. -ames. characters. 'laces. a#(
i#ci(e#ts either are the 'ro(uct of the author/s ima%i#atio# or
are use( ,ctitiously. 0#y resembla#ce to actual 'erso#s. li1i#%
or (ea(. e1e#ts. busi#ess establishme#ts. or locales is e#tirely
coi#ci(e#tal.
0ll ri%hts reser1e(
2o'yri%ht 3 Timothy Black
2o1er 0rt a#( 4esi%# by Emma 5ichaels
2o1er 6ma%e 3 Timothy Black )*1+
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ithout 'ermissio# i# riti#% from the 'ublisher. !or
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Pri#te( i# the ;#ite( States of 0merica
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< Gearteeth Timothy Black
If you purchased this book without a cover,
you should be aware that this book is stolen
property. It was reported as "unsold and
destroyed" to the publisher, and neither the
author nor the publisher has received any
payment for this "stripped book."
Dedicated To:
5.=.5.
&o you ke't from stra#%li#% me 6/ll #e1er k#o.
>our self-restrai#t is le%e#(ary.
Special Thanks:
Gi#a a#( ?a1e# Black for su''orti#% a#( lo1i#% a
ma# ho coul( (ri1e a sai#t to hiskey@ 2harity
Becker for %i1i#% me ho'e back@ Tom =si#ski for
hel'i#% me (ra% the book out of the mu(@ Emma
5ichaels for bei#% my k#i%ht i# shi#i#% co1er@
Patrick >ates a#( Sam Wa%es for their rea(er
#otes@ a#( my ,rst a#( most fer1e#t fa#. Ailly
Peterso#. for sta#(i#% i# li#e to %et a# e-book
si%#e( lo#% before it as %oo( e#ou%h to arra#t
the lo1e.
B
The 2alifor#ia State ?ailroa( 5useum for their
o#(erful railroa( museum. library. a#( the
history they 'reser1e.
Author's Other Works:
2ry'tico# Seattle/s (e-2om'ositio#s )*1+
Cu(%me#t of Bloo( (comi#% !all )*1D)
Chapter 1
$6t is as ambrosia@ the taste of ma#/s Eesh
be like #othi#% you ca# ima%i#e@ but you/ll
k#o it for truth soo# e#ou%h. Cu(%e me #o.
but yea. your o# Fu(%me#t cometh this
moo#.$ 6 rea(.
6 Ei''e( the (o%-eare( 'a'erback/s co1er
o1er: Street and Smith, c. 1890, ew !ork.
$Poor bastar(s.$ 6 si%he(. $Te#ty years
%o#e . . . (i( you e#( u' i# the bellies of the
ereol1es he# the orl( e#t to hell. or
eari#% the fur yoursel1esG$
6 %la#ce( u' from the battere( book@ the
moo# sat full a#( %loati#% i# the after#oo# sky.
0 su((e# u'(raft threate#e( to se#( me
tumbli#% from my 'erch. causi#% me to shut
the ol( (ime-store #o1el ti%ht before its 'a%es
ere tor# aay. 5y le%s. ho#e( by years of
clamberi#% all o1er the "eaven#s $race hile
she thu#(ere( throu%h the air. locke( (o#
har( a#( clutche( the collectio# 1a#e as the
erra#t i#( buHete( me. The eItra ei%ht
from my metal-li#e( ork clothes hel'e( to
kee' me stea(y o# the sayi#% colum#.
8
9 Gearteeth Timothy Black
2losi#% my eyes. 6 reache( out ith se#ses
shar'e#e( by years of orki#% the storms.
feeli#% for a#y hi#t that the curse of clear
skies oul( be broke# soo#. a#y tickle of
humi(ity o# my ski# or face. But the i#( as
(ry. harsh. a#( u#accou#tably hot for 0'ril.
The hu#(re(s of 1a#es a#( li%ht#i#% ro(s
Futti#% u' from roofs across the city ere like
the skeletal. cobeb-stre# bra#ches of a
(yi#% forest be%%i#% for the rai#s to come a#(
%i1e them life o#ce more.
0s the 'arche( i#( (ie( (o#. 6 hear(
my #ame calle( out. $EliJ What are you (oi#%
u' thereG$
6 cra#e( my #eck a#( looke( back o1er
my shoul(er. Te#ty feet belo. &e#ry. the
other brakema# that share( my berth o# the
"eaven#s $race. i#che( his ay u' the back of
the toeri#% 1a#e/s mai# colum# toar( me.
6/( bee# so i#te#t o# rea(i#% about the beasts
that 6 ha(#/t hear( him climbi#% u'. Whereas
6/( barely e1e# bothere( to secure myself
he# 6 asce#(e(. &e#ry as usi#% e1ery #ook
a#( cra##y that he coul( to a#chor his tether.
4es'ite the fact that our Fobs calle( for us to
cli#% to the si(e of a steel behemoth barreli#%
throu%h the air a mile u'. my frie#( ha( a#
i#cre(ible fear of hei%hts.
$=h. Fust e#Foyi#% the su#li%ht a#( a %oo(
book.$
Truthfully. u' here as also a %oo( 'lace
to (ie if you ere#/t careful. 0lthou%h there
ere belayi#% loo's s'ace( alo#% the le#%th of
7 Gearteeth Timothy Black
the three hu#(re(-foot shaft. it as#/t eIactly
sa#e to climb the hu%e 1a#es. We ere
actually safer orki#% o# the i#(se't si(es
of our Thu#(er Trai#. hat ith her
com'licate( safety system of cables a#(
'ulleys.
=# the moisture 1a#es. you ha( to free
climb betee# the 1arious a#chori#% 'oi#ts.
The Eimsy. almost i#1isible sails of leachi#%
silk stretche( betee# the crossbeams oul(
#e1er sa1e a ma# falli#% throu%h them@ it/( be
like tryi#% to catch a horse ith a s'i(er/s
eb. -ot that the 1a#es themsel1es ere
much better. While the steel shafts of the city/s
air ells ere fairly thick. they ere hollo to
allo the co#(e#se( ater to Eo (o# i#to
the reser1oir ithi# War(e#clyHe. Each
footste' set the 1a#es to a1eri#%. a#( it as
a (ea(ly %ame Fust 're(icti#% he# the i#(
oul( 'ick u' a#( a(( to the fu#.
$6 oul(#/t use that o#e.$ 6 sai( as
&e#ry/s foot fumble( for a rust-co1ere(
'rotrusio#.
War(e#clyHe as the ,rst of the sal1atio#
cities. (esi%#e( a#( built by Tesla before he
e#t missi#% (uri#% the Bloo( Pa#ic. The
,ftee# years si#ce it ha( lifte( oH the %rou#(
ha(#/t bee# ki#( to it. ?ust ha( a# u#holy lo1e
for the city/s su'erstructure. s'rea(i#% faster
tha# ,re throu%h (ry %rass a#( out'aci#% the
co#sta#t eHorts to re'air the (ama%e. 6t as a
o#(er the ol( %irl as still aloft at all. -o#e
of the cities ha( bee# mea#t to stay u' this
1* Gearteeth Timothy Black
lo#%. but that (i(#/t matter much to the
resi(e#ts he# alloi#% it to crash mea#t
more tha# Fust braci#% for im'act. The same
critters that ha( se#t us hi%h-taili#% it for the
clou(s still stalke( the Earth belo. a#( #o#e
of us ere too a#Iious to meet them #ose to
muKKle.
!or a mome#t it looke( like &e#ry as
%oi#% to i%#ore my climbi#% a(1ice ith
mulish stubbor##ess. &is boot ti' scra'e(
a%ai#st the erra#t e(%e. se#(i#% a shoer of
%rime a#( corro(e( metal Eakes (o#. 6t as
e#ou%h to make him reco#si(er 'utti#% his
ei%ht o# it.
$Where shall 6 'ut my foot. oh asce#(e(
o#eG$
$Try that beam yo#(er.$
&e#ry s#orte( i# (isbelief at here 6
'oi#te(. $That/s a four foot Fum' o1er thi# airJ$
Shru%%i#%. 6 lea#e( back. maki#% a sho
of hoisti#% the yelloi#% 'a'erback u' to
rea(. usi#% it as a (istractio# so that 6 coul( 6
click the hook at the e#( of my tether i#to a
belayi#% loo' behi#( me. 6t felt o(( to be
a#chore( he# 6 as use( to bei#% so free u'
here. but 6 as alrea(y %oi#% to take a cha#ce
ith both our li1es. $Suit yourself. 6/ll Fust %o
back to e#Foyi#% my after#oo# rea(i#% hile 6
still %ot some li%ht left.$
The bloo( (rai#e( from &e#ry/s face
he# he reco%#iKe( the book. $Where (i( you
%et thatG$
$This ol( thi#%G$ 6 aske(. hol(i#% out the
11 Gearteeth Timothy Black
'a'erback so 6 as sure he coul( rea( the title
o# its ri#kle( s'i#e: %he %rue &onfessions of
the 'east. $6 fou#( it lyi#% o# my bu#k. 6/m
Fust lucky 6 ai#/t cou#ti#% o# %etti#% i# %oo(
ith the Telluria#s. They (o seem to take a
(im 1ie o# this ki#( of rea(i#% material.
(o#/t theyG$
$Gi1e it back.$ &e#ry (ema#(e(. the color
retur#i#% to his cheeks he# he realiKe( 6 as
teasi#% him.
We both k#e that the book as his@ if he
as cau%ht ith it he/( e#(a#%er his
u'comi#% a''re#ticeshi' ith the secreti1e
scie#ti,c or(er. 0lthou%h orks like it ere#/t
eIactly ille%al. most (ece#t folks looke( (o#
their #oses at such thi#%s. 6# 'articular. the
storm 'ro'hets seeme( to ha1e a# a1ersio# to
the luri( true-horror stories. as if they thou%ht
i%#ori#% the ereol1es lurki#% i# the forests
belo oul( make them (isa''ear.
$Sure thi#%.$ 6 sai( ith a#other shru%. 6
close( the book a#( (a#%le( it abo1e him like
bait o# a hook. $0ll you %ot to (o is come a#(
%et it.$
&e#ry cusse( me out for a %oo( mi#ute.
a#( 6 smile( throu%h the hole tira(e. We/(
bee# frie#(s for almost ele1e# yearsLe1er
si#ce 5au(e ha( la#(e( the "eaven#s $race
o# the %rou#(i#% trestle of a 1ery startle(
War(e#clyHeLa#( i# all that time 6/( trie(
a%ai# a#( a%ai# to break his craKy fear of
hei%hts. 5au(e sai( it as the Aor(/s o#
'ra#k that the maFority of 'eo'le li1i#% o# a
1) Gearteeth Timothy Black
city that (rifte( throu%h the sky ha( a k#ee-
Muaki#% fear of bei#% remi#(e( ho#est (irt
as a cou'le of miles (o#.
$6 ca#/t make that Fum'.$ &e#ry %role(
throu%h his %ritte( teeth.
The terror of hat 6 as aski#% him to (o
as etche( across his face. yet 6 as (am#e(
if 6 as %oi#% to let that fear roost i# his heart
fore1er. 6 mi%ht lose him to the Telluria#s
soo#. but 6 as (etermi#e( to %i1e him a
%oi#%-aay 'rese#t. e1e# if it as o#e he
(i(#/t 'articularly a#t. 6f 6 coul( break &e#ry
out of the terror/s %ri'. 6 as sure his life
oul( be better for it@ 6 ,%ure( #o ma# shoul(
%o throu%h life skittish like that. !ear robbe(
your backbo#e of its stiH#ess a#( ha( a habit
of cree'i#% i#to e1ery 'art of your life o#ce
you let it i# the fro#t (oor.
$Sure you ca#. 6f 6 ca# make it eari#%
forty 'ou#(s of this (am#e( hot-suit the#
you/ll be ,#e. &o (o you thi#k 6 %ot u' here
i# the ,rst 'laceG$
$5y ,rst %uess oul( be the 4e1il %a1e
you a boost out of 'rofessio#al courtesy.$
&e#ry %rumble( as he u#hooke( himself.
Te#si#% his le%s. he %au%e( the (ista#ce to the
le(%e. his 0(am/s a''le bobbi#% as he (ry
salloe( a fe times. With a stra#%le( cry.
he lea't.
Before his feet ha( e1e# left their 'erch 6
sa the hesitatio#. the u#co#scious betrayal of
his muscles to fear. &e#ry hel( back. lea'i#%
ith less stre#%th tha# #ee(e(. %uara#teei#%
1< Gearteeth Timothy Black
he/( come u' short a#( 'lummet to his (eath.
6 coul( see o# his face as soo# as he as i# the
air that he k#e he/( misFu(%e( his Fum'.
6/( ,%ure( fear mi%ht tur# his le%s to Felly
a#( ha( lau#che( myself (o#ar( at the
same time he Fum'e(. &e#ry came u' a full
foot short of the le(%e as 6 'lummete( toar(
him. %rabbi#% for his Eaili#% arms. 6 cau%ht
the coarse li#e# of his shirt as the tether
ya#ke( 'ai#fully at the har#ess 6 ore u#(er
my Facket. bri#%i#% us both to a su((e#.
a%o#iKi#% sto' as %ra1ity took o1er. While he
Ferke( arou#( i# sheer terror. 6 scrabble( to
%et a more secure hol( o# him. his ei%ht
#early teari#% my arms out of their sockets.
But he realiKe( Muickly e#ou%h hat as
%oi#% o#. a#( his ,#%ers latche( o#to my
forearms like iro# 1ises.
$4am# your eyes. you stu'i( bastar(J$ he
shoute( i#to my u'si(e (o# face as e
su#% back a#( forth from the lefto1er
mome#tum of his Fum'. my boote( feet
ra''i#% arou#( the li#e abo1e a#( kee'i#%
our arc u#(er co#trol.
&e#ry use( e1ery curse or( i# the book
a#( create( a cou'le of #e o#es as 6 use( my
feet to si#% us toar( a#other crossbeam
belo. Still u'si(e (o#. 6 hooke( his (a#%li#%
tether/s hook i#to a belayi#% loo'. &e clutche(
the crossbeam. his eyes close( a%ai#st his
terror. &e#ry as Muietly ee'i#%. tryi#% to
kee' me from heari#%. With a lea(e# feeli#% i#
my %ut 6 realiKe( 6/( %o#e too far a#( o#ly
1+ Gearteeth Timothy Black
orse#e( thi#%s. 4am# it.
$Gi1e me the book. Eli.$ &e#ry 'le(.
buryi#% his face i# the rusti#% Eakes of the
1a#e/s su''ort to hi(e a sob.
6/( 'ushe( him too har(. a#( 6 felt like a
horse/s ass tha#ks to it. 6 fou#( myself ho'i#%
he/( 'u#ch me@ it oul( ha1e bee# 'referable
to the muNe( misery 6 as heari#%. 6/( ha1e
ea%erly take# a bloo(y #ose i# eIcha#%e for
seei#% him beat his fear.
Without a#other or( or tau#t 6 su#% to
him. ri%hti#% myself by shifti#% my ei%ht
a%ai#st the ca#1as-co1ere( steel cable of my
tether. 6 hel( out the book. a#( he loose#e( his
%ri' o# the moisture 1a#e e#ou%h to s#atch
the 'a'erback from my ha#( a#( tuck it i#to
his coat.
$Sorry. &e#ry.$
$>ou/re a# i(iot.$ he s#iNe(. %etti#% his
beari#%s back a#( loose#i#% his %ri' sli%htly
o# the su''ort. 0lthou%h e both k#e 6/(
see# the tears. it as a# u#s'oke# a%reeme#t
that it/( be better if e both 'rete#( 6 ha(#/t.
$>eah. 'retty much.$ 6 a%ree(. relie1e(
that he as a#%ry ith me. 6/( take that o1er
terror a#y (ay of the eek. a#( tice o#
Su#(ay. 5y ha#%(o% to#e elicite( a s#ort of
lau%hter from &e#ry@ brief. but e#ou%h to let
me k#o he/( be okay. $What ere you (oi#%
ith that 'otboiler a#yayG >ou stu(y har( to
become a Telluria# Fust to %i1e it u' the #eIt
(ayG$
$-o#e of your busi#ess.$
1D Gearteeth Timothy Black
$0. come o#.$ 6 hee(le(. ea%er to kee'
his mi#( o# other thi#%s. $Who am 6 %oi#% to
tellG 6/m too much of a# ass to ha1e a#y other
frie#(s. Where (i( you e1e# %et a co'yG 6
thou%ht they bur#e( all those ki#(s of
/ereolf co#fessio#/ books a lo#% time a%o.
E1e# the Aibrary (oes#/t ha1e them.$
0 sly %ri# sli''e( o1er &e#ry/s face.
$>ou/( ha1e to 'ass the Telluria# tests for me
to tell you.$
6 s#orte( i# (isbelief. $=#e of the storm
'ro'hets %a1e it to youG 4o#/t sho1el that shit
my ay a#( say it/s roses.$
4es'ite his 'recarious 'ositio#. &e#ry
still ma#a%e( to look smu%. $Belie1e hate1er
you a#t. Eli. But k#ole(%e is 'oer. a#( #o
o#e/s %ot more of both tha# the Telluria#s.
They/1e %ot Muite the collectio# of lost
ma#uscri'ts about the beasts.$
$ThisG SeriouslyG 0 throaay. (ime-store
'iece of trashG This is the best they %otG &a#%
o#. 6/1e %ot a /lost ma#uscri't/ about Billy the
Oi(/s u#(erear stai#s somehere u#(er my
bu#k that/ll make you the e#1y of the
schoolhouse.$
4es'ite my mocki#%. 6 sus'ecte( that
somehere i# &e#ry/s e%otistical boast there
as a ker#el of truth. 6t ma(e me Mueasy ith
the im'licatio#s. 6f he/( really %otte# the book
from them. it mea#t the Telluria#s ere#/t Fust
hoar(i#% tech#ical k#ole(%e. a#( their
s#ooti#ess toar( horror stories ritte#
(uri#% the Bloo( Pa#ic as a bli#( to co1er
1: Gearteeth Timothy Black
them s#atchi#% the books u' for themsel1es. 0
'hrase that 5au(e ha( o#ce s'it out at the
cho table to the other e#%i#eers about the
storm 'ro'hets echoe( ith omi#ous
o1erto#es i# my hea(: /the ma# ho a#ts you
stu'i( is the ma# ho a#ts to be your
master./
The Telluria#s ha( use( their mo#o'oly
o# the i##er orki#%s of War(e#clyHe to
'retty much (omi#ate e1erythi#%. ti%hte#i#%
their %ri' as more of the machi#es that ke't
the city aloft malfu#ctio#e( a#( feer storms
ere har1este(. =b1iously the 'oer core of
the city still orke(. caressi#% the %ia#t sMuall
tubes u#(er#eath ith co#sta#t bursts of
li%ht#i#%. or e/( all be o# the %rou#( a#(
easy meat for the furbacks.
But 'arts of War(e#clyHe ha( clear
ruste( oH i# the last fe years. falli#% aay
from the a%i#% su'erstructure a#( creati#% a
cou'le of %a's i# the city that ha( to be
cor(o#e( oH. 5au(e ,%ure( the storm
'ro'hets let the 'ieces (ro' to i#timi(ate
folks. a#( (am#e( if it ha(#/t orke(. The
lame# steere( clear of Telluria#s. a#( they
ere 'retty much u#touchable.
2hurch bells i#terru'te( my rumi#atio#s
a#( startle( both of us. #early causi#% &e#ry
to let %o of the 1a#e. There ere #o ser1ices to
be calle(@ e1er si#ce the Brimsto#e ?iots
brou%ht (o# half the sal1atio# cities i# 1977.
reli%io# ha( ke't to itself for the most 'art.
'ri1ate a#( out of si%ht. There as o#ly o#e
18 Gearteeth Timothy Black
reaso# for the bells to ri#% these (ays:
com'a#y ha( come calli#%.
$Where is itG$ &e#ry aske( as e both
sca##e( the clou(less sky i# all (irectio#s.
6 'ulle( my ti#te( Ei%ht %o%%les (o# to
block the %lare of the (yi#% su# reEecti#% oH
the city. cursi#% the fact 6/( left my bli#(ers
back o# the "eaven#s $race. Without the
treate( e#%i#eer le#ses that let me see the
tell-tale 'ulse of telluric echoes. it took a fe
mi#utes to ,#ally (etect the %li#t of steel a#(
li%ht#i#% far i# the (ista#ce that heral(e( the
arri1al of a Thu#(er Trai#.
$There. it/s comi#% i# from o1er thereJ$ 6
hollere(.
6t ha( bee# a year si#ce e/( lost
tele'ulse co#tact ith 2ar#e%ie 2ity. a#(
lo#%er still si#ce e/( hear( from a#y of the
other s'utteri#% beaco#s of huma#ity. There
ere u%ly. 1icious rumors that festere( rou#(
the saloo#s that claime( the rest of the cities
ha( crashe(. 6t as a chilli#% thou%ht that e
mi%ht 1ery ell be the last 'eo'le left i# the
orl(.
6# a((itio# to breaki#% our isolatio#. the
arri1al of a 4ouble T brou%ht ith it the
esse#ce of life itself: storms. Tem'ests traile(
the Eyi#% trai#s like hu#%ry hou#(s. (ra# i#
by the electroma%#etic akes to the cities that
leache( them (ry for 'oer. We/( 'asse( o1er
the Sierra -e1a(as (uri#% i#ter. a#( that
as the last e/( see# of a#y storms. lea1i#%
us hi%h a#( (ry as e (rifte( listlessly across
19 Gearteeth Timothy Black
the Sacrame#to Palley.
6f someo#e else ha( fou#( us. it mea#t
they/( Eo# throu%h li%ht#i#%-(re#che( skies
to stay airbor#e. hich mea#t our (am#e(
(rou%ht as %oi#% to e#( soo# as the clou(s
cau%ht u' ith them.
$Wait a mi#ute@ somethi#%/s ro#%. She
ai#/t su''ose( to be listi#% like that . . .$
&e#ry as ri%ht@ the i#comi#% Thu#(er
Trai#/s Ei%ht 'ath looke( a bit sMuirrelly.
6#stea( of the %raceful arcs back a#( forth as
it ro(e the echoes of the telluric curre#ts
belo. the #ecomer as shu((eri#%. the
e#%i#e car shaki#% 1isibly e1e# at this
(ista#ce. 0s she Fackk#ife( to the si(e. 6 sa
the trai# as missi#% most of her loa( sa1e for
the fuel te#(er a#( o#e car%o car. shor#
ra%%e(ly i# half. 6 coul(#/t hear the torture(
screams of her steel frame as it tiste( back
a#( forth throu%h the air. but it as ob1ious
the ol( %irl as out of co#trol a#( teari#%
herself a'art. comi#% i# ay too fast.
The trai# bulle( her ay throu%h the sky
toar( us. %roi#% (isturbi#%ly lar%er e1ery
seco#(. 0lthou%h she tiste( u#(er a lack of
co#trol. it as clear that some i(iot ha( stoke(
the fur#ace. The 'isto#s chur#e( ma(ly.
s'i##i#% the heels that 'oere( the a#cillary
%e#erators. She as still crackli#% ith the
e#er%y of a rece#t 'ass throu%h the clou(s.
$They/re i#sa#e.$ &e#ry sai(. shaki#% his
hea(.
-o 4ouble T as mea#t to ru# ithout
17 Gearteeth Timothy Black
li%ht#i#%/s caress for lo#%. The boiler system
as a backu' for clear skies. a useful relic of
back he# the trai#s ha( actually ru# o# rails
i#stea( of thi# air. =#ly a blaste( fool oul(
use both the fur#ace a#( the storms at o#ce.
E1e# thou%h to%ether they ere ca'able
shooti#% a 4ouble T ahea( like %rease(
li%ht#i#%. it/( blo out the sMuall tubes that
ke't the hu#(re( to#s of steel aloft a#(
barreli#% ahea(. The tubes %oi#% critical
oul( e#( ith a s'ectacular eI'losio# that
coul( tear a #e hole i# the 4e1il/s ass.
$&oly shit. she/s hea(i#% ri%ht for usJ$
&e#ry yelle(. eyes i(e ith terror as e
brace( for the (ea(ly im'act.
The air %roa#e( ith (rea( ei%ht a#(
(rea( as the 4ouble T %re to ,ll our si%ht.
She 'asse( so close to us that 6 coul( rea( the
letteri#% o# her e#%i#e/s si(e: Shriekin( Sally.
6 almost reache( out to touch the hu#(re(
to#s of steel Eashi#% by before the shock a1e
from the 1iole#t 'assa%e hit me. #early
ya#ki#% me oH the collectio# 1a#e a#( se#(i#%
me s'i##i#% i# her ake. &e#ry aile( i#
terror as the te#(er a#( rui#e( car%o car
'asse( by i# the bli#k of a# eye. missi#% us by
sca#t i#ches.
The Shriekin( Sally li1e( u' to her #ame.
'loi#% i#to se1eral of the cro(e( brick
buil(i#%s belo ith a# aful sou#(. The
4ouble T slamme( throu%h them at a forty-,1e
(e%ree a#%le. shatteri#% brick a#( oo( like a
%ia#t/s ,st throu%h %lass. a#( throi#% u' a
)* Gearteeth Timothy Black
all of (ebris i# her ake. The trai# came to a
su((e# a#( 1iole#t sto' he# she hit the steel
su'erstructure of the city/s skeleto# be#eath
the buil(i#%s. &er boiler buckle( u#(er the
'ressure of the im'act a#( eI'lo(e(. se#(i#%
hot shra'#el far a#( i(e as the Thu#(er
Trai# tore herself a'art.
Tha#kfully. the sMuall tubes ha(#/t
reache( critical o1erchar%e yet. or it oul(
ha1e bee# much. much orse. Scal(i#% steam.
shattere( brick. a#( hot metal 'e''ere( the
base of the collectio# 1a#e e ere cli#%i#%
to. hich as alrea(y %roa#i#% from the #ear-
miss. Someho. the sayi#% colum# (i(#/t
%i1e out a#( se#( us 'lu#%i#% to our (eaths.
=ther folks ere#/t as lucky.
S'ace as at a 'remium o# War(e#clyHe@
'eo'le built u' more tha# out. ith o#ly the
e(%es of the city ha1i#% a#y ki#( of free s'ace.
The buil(i#%s that the Shriekin( Sally ha(
'loe( i#to ere bou#( to be ,lle( ith
'eo'le. 0lthou%h 6 coul(#/t hear their
screami#% this hi%h u'. my belly tur#e( at the
thou%ht of ho ma#y ha( Fust (ie(. The im'act
alo#e oul( ha1e bee# (e1astati#%. but the
boiler eI'losio# ma(e it much orse. &o far
ha( she 'e#etrate( throu%h the city/s baseG
War(e#clyHe as o#ly a cou'le of hu#(re(
feet of metal a#( oo( i# some s'ots. a#( if
the (ama%e as ba( e#ou%h. e mi%ht
actually be faci#% a structural s'lit that coul(
(o# the hole sal1atio# city i# o#e %o.
$2ome o#. &e#ry. We %ot us a Fob to (o.$
)1 Gearteeth Timothy Black
E1e# if e ha( to use s'it a#( baili#%
ire. someho e ha( to kee' War(e#clyHe
to%ether. There/( be emer%e#cy cres o# the
ay. but e ere ri%ht there alrea(y. 6 as
(am#e( if 6/( sit i(ly by hile the city a#( her
'eo'le (ie(.
?ather tha# ar%ue ith me. my frie#(
#o((e( i# a%reeme#t.
=ur (esce#t as (a#%erous. a#( 6 refuse(
to co((le &e#ry. We set u' a series of si#%-
(o#s here each of us acte( as a# a#chor
'oi#t for the other. tethere( to%ether ith o#e
ma# ha#%i#% o# to a crossbeam as the other
su#% out a#( (o# to a loer s'ot i# the
structure. before (oi#% the same o1er the #e
loer a#chor ma#. 6t as a brutal im'act
he# e hit the colum#. a#( more tha# o#ce 6
#early lost a fe teeth from it. &e#ry
im'resse( me by #ot him'eri#% o#ce@ he Fust
set his Fa a#( e#t to it. 6 sore the# a#(
there to #e1er make fu# of his fear a%ai#.
Whe# the chi's ere (o#. he ha( the
coura%e #ee(e(. >ou coul(#/t ask more of a
ma# tha# that.
The moa#s of the ou#(e( %reete( us as
e co1ere( the last hu#(re( feet to the close-
set oo(e# 'la#ks a#( cro(e( buil(i#%s that
ser1e( as War(e#clyHe/s %rou#( le1el. There
ere bo(ies lyi#% motio#less e1eryhere
arou#( the ho1els the 4ouble T ha( crashe(
i#to. Eu#% all o1er by the boiler/s (eto#atio#@ it
as col( comfort that the trai# ha(#/t hit the
&ei%hts #earer the ce#ter of War(e#clyHe.
)) Gearteeth Timothy Black
ith its buil(i#%s 'ile( o# to' of each other
hu#(re(s of feet i# the air. This far out toar(
the city/s e(%e there ere less 'laces built u'.
so #ot as ma#y (ea( a#( (yi#%.
6t as still a sce#e strai%ht out of hell.
5y brai# refuse( to sho it to me all at
o#ce as 6 i#sti#cti1ely recoile( my tether.
0rou#( the 'erimeter of the im'act area there
ere a fe folks that stirre(. althou%h they/(
bee# horribly bur#e( a#( tor# u' by scal(i#%
steam a#( shra'#el from the eI'losio#. We
(ra%%e( the i#Fure( clear of the ta#%le(.
bur#i#% recka%e of buil(i#%s a#( trai# as
best e coul(. orki#% ithout or(s.
5otio#less bo(ies lay e1eryhere.
out#umberi#% the li1i#% te# to o#e. While 'art
of me screame( to check the city/s structural
i#te%rity. #o (ece#t ma# coul( alk by a#other
'erso# rithi#% o# the %rou#( i# a%o#y a#(
Fust look aay. !ra#tically ri#%i#% bells i# the
(ista#ce tol( us the ,re bri%a(e a#( lame#
ere o# their ay. but they/( be clo%%e( u' i#
the #arro streets ith co#fuse( folks ho/(
rushe( out i# 'a#ic at the city-shu((eri#%
crash. 0rou#( us locals emer%e( from their
co#cussio#-rocke( homes. %lassy-eye( a#(
stari#% arou#( ith shocke( eI'ressio#s.
$That/s the last.$ &e#ry %as'e(. letti#% %o
of a# u#co#scious ma#/s arms he/( haule(
free. 6# ,1e mi#utes of furious acti1ity. e/(
'ulle( #early a (oKe# ou#(e( 'eo'le out of
the tiste( mess of brick. oo(. a#( steel. But
there as #othi#% else e coul( (o for them.
)< Gearteeth Timothy Black
They ble( a#( titche(. a#( some e1e# oke
u' lo#% e#ou%h to scream a bit before falli#%
back i#to blesse( (ark#ess. 6 ha( #o clue ho
to hel'@ 1a%uely 6 remembere( somethi#%
about ba#(a%es a#( hot ater. but 6/( #e1er
bee# much i#tereste( i# (octori#%. 5y
i%#ora#t mi#istratio#s oul( ha1e bee# as ba(
as the eI'losio# itself.
$&as to be. 2a#/t be a#ymore. 2a#/t
ima%i#e a#yo#e closer li1e( throu%h that.$ 6
heeKe(. eIhauste(.
0 crashi#% sou#( (ee' i# the ta#%le(
recka%e calle( me a liar. With a %roa#. 6
eIcha#%e( a k#oi#% look ith &e#ry.
4es'ite our eari#ess. e be%a# to 'ick
our ay throu%h the labyri#th of colla'se(
buil(i#%s a#( (ebris arou#( the im'act crater.
$Watch itJ$ &e#ry ar#e(. %rabbi#% my
arm a#( ya#ki#% me to the si(e as a %ir(er
%a1e out u#(er#eath my feet.
6 histle( i# %rim a''reciatio# as the
ruste( beam crashe( (o# te#ty feet belo
i#to a #asty-looki#% k#ot of iro# a#( steel.
0fter scrambli#% o1er a colla'se( brick all.
e fou#( a# o'e# area arou#( the actual
im'act 'oi#t of the Shriekin( Sally. a fairly
o'e# area cleare( by the boiler/s eI'losio#.
The 4ouble T/s recke( car%o car loome( o1er
us as e a''roache(. be#t at a# o(( a#%le a#(
Famme( strai%ht throu%h i#to the te#(er car
like locomoti1e lo1emaki#% %o#e hi(eously
ro#%. The o((ly-mate( cars ha( bee# blo#
clea# oH from the e#%i#e he# the boiler ble.
)+ Gearteeth Timothy Black
We rou#(e( their mess to ,#( the
rem#a#ts of the e#%i#e itself (ee'ly embe((e(
i# a colla'se( sectio#. mostly hi((e# from
si%ht a#( surrou#(e( by a %roi#% ,re hose
heat ma(e us seat like the 4e1il i# church.
Broke# sMuall tubes leake( out their 1iscous.
black Eui( i#to scattere( 'u((les. 0rou#( us
cor'ses lay tiste( a#( broke#. their ma#%le(.
half-cooke( bo(ies s'laye( a#( roasti#% i# the
%roi#% ,res.
$0#ybo(y thereG$ &e#ry calle( (o# to
here the e#%i#e/s recka%e lay hile e
trie( to ork our ay throu%h the bo(ies a#(
(ebris. 6t seeme( im'ossible that a#yo#e coul(
ha1e sur1i1e( this close to the blast. 6 tri''e(
o1er a bo(y half-burie( i# the rubble that ore
a rei#force( Facket a#( britches like mi#e.
&e/( bee# a fello brakema#. o#e of the
(oome( cre of the Shriekin( Sally.
$AaKy bastar(.$ 6 muttere( abse#t-
mi#(e(ly. thi#ki#% of the salt-cruste( sMuall
tubes 6/( see# stu((i#% the (oome( e#%i#e. 6f
his e#%i#eer as half as orthless as he. it
as #o o#(er they/( ramme( the city ith a#
out-of-co#trol 4ouble T.
4es'ite the %roi#% heat. 6 felt my
stomach %ro col( i# terror he# 6 realiKe(
the cor'se/s ou#(s ere#/t from the crash.
$Aet %o of my arm. Eli.$ &e#ry mumble(
irritably as 6 trie( to 'ull him (o# a#( sto'
him from calli#% out a%ai#.
$Shut u'J$ 6 his'ere(. -ot that there
as a#y 'oi#t. The (am#e( thi#% ha( to k#o
)D Gearteeth Timothy Black
e ere here. 6 'oi#te( (o# to the cor'se 6/(
falle# o1er. &e#ry e#t sile#t. his eyes i(e.
The ma#/s Eesh ha( bee# Eash-frie#(
he# the boiler ha( eI'lo(e(. but somethi#%
else ha( se#t him o# to his maker before that.
Ca%%e( ri's i# his hot-suit e#t throu%h ski#
a#( (o# i#to muscle to the bo#e i# a ay #o
eI'losio# coul( ha1e 'ro(uce(. &is shoul(er
ha( the meat %#ae( aay. a#( his mi(sectio#
ha( bee# eIca1ate( like some %risly mi#er ha(
%o#e to ork at it.
0 sou#( of teari#% metal. this o#e lou(er
tha# the ,rst. came from the #earby crater.
folloe( by the racket of somethi#% tryi#% to
re#ch its ay free of the recka%e. The
fa(i#% li%ht of the setti#% su# as bolstere( by
the full moo# o1erhea( a#( the %roi#% ,res
arou#( us. but #o#e of them 'e#etrate( i#to
the heart of the (ark 'it here the #oises
ere comi#% from. Both of us broke out i# col(
seats he# a throaty hol echoe( out to
%reet the (yi#% of the (ay. We crouche(.
roote( i# 'lace. our breathi#% ra%%e(.
k#oi#% ithout a (oubt that e ere (ea(
me#. =#e of the beasts that ha( (ri1e#
huma#ity from the surface of the Earth ha(
fou#( its ay u' here.
There as a ereolf loose o#
War(e#clyHe.
Chapter 2
$What (o e (o. EliG$
$=h. because 6/m %oi#% to k#oG >ou/re
the o#e s#eaki#% arou#( ith books here the
i#fecte( aI 'oetic about themsel1es.$
The u'e#(e( te#(er a#( shattere( car%o
car ere behi#( us #o. ith the crater of the
4ouble T/s e#%i#e i# fro#t. Broke# 'isto#s a#(
scra' ere scattere( e1eryhere. #o#e of
hich ere ma(e of sil1er. re#(eri#% them
useless a%ai#st a ereolf. The ol1es ere
tou%h as hell. a#( they coul( i%#ore or heal
(am# #ear a#y ou#( short of (eca'itatio#
u#less it as i#Eicte( ith sil1er. &itti#% o#e
ith a makeshift club oul( be like 'oki#% at
a# a#%ry bear ith a short stick to try a#( kill
it. =#ly #ot as smart. a#( a bit less eHecti1e.
$Aet/s see . . . they %et stro#%er a#(
mea#er the fuller the moo#.$ &e#ry sai(.
We looke( u' abo1e here Au#a hu#% i#
the sky. bloate( as a 'ale tick.
$>eah. That/s all ki#(s of useful.$
$4am# it. Eli. 6/m tryi#% hereJ$
$We ca# alays ru#.$
)8
)9 Gearteeth Timothy Black
$6t/ll chase us.$
$0#( hat/ll it (o if e stay stillG Gi1e us
'osies a#( ask us to the (a#ceG$
$;m . . . %oo( 'oi#t.$
The oo(e# 'la#ks u#(er our feet
shu((ere( as e starte( backi#% aay. 0
terrible screech ,lle( the air. a#( the trai#
cars shifte( behi#( us. metal 'rotesti#% as
%ra1ity claime( its (ue o# the a#%le( reck.
The e#ti#e( mess crashe( (o# i#to the
eake#e( boar(s e/( Fust crosse(. s#a''i#%
them like rotte# ti%s a#( smashi#% its ay
(ee'er i#to the su'erstructure as the
recka%e/s ei%ht settle(. 0 burst of Eame
shot from the 'it as the te#(er broke o'e# o#
im'act. se#(i#% u' a %eyser of bur#i#% coal
a#( timber that 'attere( (o#. What ha(
starte( as a fe Eickeri#% 'atches of Eame
sur%e( ith the fresh fuel. a#( a# i#fer#o
Eare( u' arou#( us.
$4i( 6 'iss o# a 'reacher/s hea( this
mor#i#%G$ 6 sai(. shaki#% my hea( i# (isbelief.
There as a te#ty-foot %a' of bur#i#%
(ebris that cut oH the esca'e route behi#( us.
a#( a# im'act crater co#tai#i#% a ereolf i#
fro#t of us. We ha( to ste' forar( as the
'la#ki#% u#(er our feet %a1e a ar#i#% crack.
$0ll ri%ht. so that ai#/t %oi#% to ork so
ell a#ymore.$ 6 cou%he( throu%h the acri(
smoke that as clo%%i#% the air. 6/( left my
suit/s hea1y hoo( a#( res'irator back o# the
"eaven#s $race. as there as#/t much call for
it he# 6 as#/t o# chi''i#% (uty.
)7 Gearteeth Timothy Black
The blaKe as s'rea(i#% Muickly. catchi#%
o# the 'itch use( to ater'roof the oo(e#
boar(s. 6 hear( the ,re bri%a(e out
somehere beyo#( the smoke. battli#% the
blaKe@ 6 ho'e( they %ot here fast. #ot Fust for
us. but for the city itself. The ereolf as#/t
the %reatest (a#%er to War(e#clyHe #o. 0#
u#co#trolle( ,re coul( see' throu%h the city.
eake#i#% its alrea(y battere( structural
i#te%rity. We/( be #othi#% more tha# a#
arti,cial su# i# the #i%ht sky before the city
broke a'art a#( 'lummete( to its ,ery (oom.
0 stra#%le( hol. halfay betee# a
s#arl a#( somethi#% more 'itiful. ma(e us
Fum' like scare( ki(s. !ire 'ushi#% at our
backs. e cre't closer to i#1esti%ate. 6f e
ere %oi#% to (ie. e mi%ht as ell face the
beast as me#. rather tha# ru##i#% i#to the
Eames like fri%hte#e( a#imals. &e#ry ha(
alays a#te( to see o#e of these thi#%s u'
close. a#( 6 ,%ure( e1ery ma# (eser1e( a last
ish before (eath.
The li' of the im'act crater as actually
stea(ier a#( safer tha# the 'la#ks behi#( us.
4ue to the force of the boiler/s eI'losio#. the
coal i# its ru'ture( fur#ace ha( bee# Eu#%
aay i# a# arc behi#( it. The remai#i#%
embers i# the 'it ha( bee# eIti#%uishe( by the
steam blast ashi#% o1er it. lea1i#% the
recka%e relati1ely ,re-free. While that mea#t
shelter from the i#fer#o %roi#% arou#( us.
the sa1a%e thi#% e sa at the bottom of the
'it erase( all thou%hts of safety. a#( ma(e
<* Gearteeth Timothy Black
s'ri#ti#% throu%h the blaKi#% ,re a tem'ti#%
alter#ati1e.
6t as imme(iately ob1ious hy e
ere#/t Muite (i##er yet. The ereolf ha(
bee# im'ale( o# se1eral tiste( %ir(ers a#(
'i'es sticki#% out from the recke( sectio# of
the city/s su'erstructure. the force of the
eI'losio# skeeri#% the beast/s bo(y o#
makeshift s'ikes across the crater from us. 6t
thrashe( a%ai#st its im'aleme#t. alter#ati#%
hi#i#% s#arls ith hols of torme#t a#( fury
as it trie( to free itself.
Wereol1es stoo( a#yhere from siI to
te# feet tall (e'e#(i#% o# their ori%i#al form.
the hu#che( sha'e a hulki#% cross betee# a
real olf a#( a huma#. This o#e as o# the
smallish si(e at /o#ly/ se1e# feet or so. but that
(i(#/t make it a#y less fri%hte#i#%. Patches of
its black-streake( aubur# fur ha( bee# blaste(
oH by the boiler eI'losio#. a#( the Eesh
u#(er#eath ha( bee# ell a#( truly broile( as
ell. The rear le%s ere crooke( like a #ormal
olf. ell-suite( to ru##i#% (o# 'rey. but the
arms ere more like a ma#/s. albeit o1erly
muscle( a#( furre(. The 'oerful forearms
ha( all too huma# ha#(s that ta'ere( to lo#%
%ras'i#% ,#%ers. e#(i#% i# Fa%%e( clas more
aki# to a cat/s shre((i#% talo#s tha# a#y
ca#i#e/s #ails.
6ts hea( as a 'erfect lu'i#e silhouette.
#estle( i# a ta#%le of fur a#( muscle(
shoul(ers i(e as a a%o#/s aIle. The ears
ere i# a sorry state. o#e o#ly bei#% half
<1 Gearteeth Timothy Black
there. a#( the other shor# clea# oH by the
shra'#el from the blast. The holer/s eyes ha(
burst from the force of the eI'losio#. a#( #o
ere #othi#% more tha# (is%usti#% Eui(
leaki#% (o# from the sockets a#( matti#% its
fur.
The ereolf tur#e( its bli#( hea(
toar( us as the oo( u#(erfoot creake( ith
our ei%ht. 6t s#arle(. re1eali#% e#ou%h teeth
left o1er from the eI'losio# to still take a %oo(
chu#k out of a#y i(iot that a#(ere( close.
Worse yet. 6 coul( see #e teeth re'laci#% the
missi#% o#es. the shar' hite ti's 'eeki#%
throu%h bloo(y %ums a#( 'ushi#% their ay
out. The bubbli#% corru'tio# i# its eye sockets
be%a# to form i#to %lobular sha'es as it
re%e#erate( the (ama%e. a#( its lea# s#out
raise( to the air ith #ostrils Mui1eri#%. taki#%
i# our sce#t. The (i# from the ,re. the
colla'si#% (ebris. a#( the folks ,%hti#% it from
the other si(e ere lou( e#ou%h that 6 ha( to
shout at &e#ry to be hear(.
$We/1e %ot to %et o1er there a#( climb u'
out of this messJ$
6 'oi#te( to here the e#%i#e/s a#%le(
im'act ha( (ri1e# (o# a#( 'ul1eriKe( the
bricks of the buil(i#%s i#to a cru(e ,rebreak. a
%a' i# the circle of Eames a#( thick choki#%
smoke. 6t as a relati1ely safe emba#kme#t to
scale. the o#ly (a#%er bei#% sli''i#% o# (ebris
a#( im'ali#% oursel1es o# all the Fu#k sticki#%
out of the slo'e.
Well. maybe #ot the o#ly (a#%er.
<) Gearteeth Timothy Black
$0re you i#sa#eG$ &e#ry shoute( back.
$6/( rather roastJ$
The %lari#% 'roblem ith my 'la# as
that to %et to the emba#kme#t o# the other
si(e. e ha( to ,rst climb (o# a#( 'ass
ithi# arm/s-le#%th of the ereolf here it
tiste( a#( s#arle(. The slo'e rose behi#( the
critter. tau#ti#% us ith safety. %uar(e( by
(a#%er that ma(e bur#i#% to (eath ki#(ly
a''eali#%. But there as #o hel'i#% it@ the
blaKe as licki#% at our boot heels.
$We/1e %ot to (o hat e/1e %ot to (o.$ 6
sai(. u#i#(i#% the tether from arou#( me
a#( u#clas'i#% it from the safety har#ess.
!i%hti#% a%ai#st the steel cable/s resista#ce. 6
ma#a%e( to tist the e#( i#to a usable loo'.
$6/ll try to catch the holer/s arm ith this@
o#ce it/s ta#%le( u'. you shoot u' there like
%rease( li%ht#i#%J 0fter you %et to safety. 6/ll
toss the other e#( u' to you. a#( the# you ca#
try a#( kee' it from %utti#% me too.$
=1er the racket of the olf a#( the ,re. 6
coul(#/t hear hat &e#ry muttere(@ #o matter
his obFectio#s thou%h. he still climbe( (o#
the eI'ose( beams i#to the 'it. 0s e
blu#(ere( (o# i#to its 1ici#ity. the ereolf
be%a# a stea(y %rol. the 1olume risi#% as e
a''roache(. 0lthou%h its eyes ere me#(i#%
themsel1es. the olf as still bli#(. 6t coul(
smell us ell e#ou%h thou%h. a#( 6 hear( its
belly rumbli#% i# rabi( hu#%er as the massi1e
hea( si1ele( to track us.
While it ha( feaste( ell o# the cre of
<< Gearteeth Timothy Black
the Shriekin( Sally. the ereolf as %etti#%
lea# a%ai#. thi##i#% as muscle mass as
co#sume( by its 1oracious bo(y to re'air the
(ama%e (o#e by the crash. The heali#% as
sa''i#% its su'er#atural stre#%th. a#( 6
cau%ht myself ho'i#% that it/( be too eak to
'ull free from the s'ikes. But the co#sum'tio#
(i(#/t look like it as %oi#% to take the olf
(o# so easily. E1ery ste' closer e %ot. the
ereolf ya#ke( a#( clae( har(er at the
s'ears of metal 'i##i#% it. i#sa#e hu#%er
le#(i#% a fre#Kie( e#er%y to the stru%%les.
$GoJ GoJ$ 6 ur%e( &e#ry. 'ushi#% him to
here there as the i(est s'ace betee# the
beast/s clas a#( the all. &e cre't forar(.
but shra#k back as the im'ale( olf ri#kle(
its muKKle a#( s#arle(. Whe# the holer/s
clae( ha#( lu#%e( for &e#ry 6 stuck out my
makeshift lasso. 6t %ro'e( for the cable i# a
bli#( ra%e. slashi#% at it. a#( 6 yelle( i#
trium'h as the stru%%le cause( it to sli' the
ha#( ri%ht throu%h the loo'.
6 'ulle( back. har(. a#( ti%hte#e( the
cable arou#( the ereolf/s rist as best 6
coul(. The beast hole( i# 'rotest a#(
stru%%le( a%ai#st my %ri'. #early ya#ki#% me
forar( i#to its aiti#% ma. 6 lea#e( back.
feet scrabbli#% o# the eI'ose( 'i'es a#(
rubble. k#oi#% that the loose loo' o# the
rist oul( sli' oH the i#sta#t the olf
sto''e( 'ulli#% back a%ai#st it.
$!eel free to ru# 'ast. &e#ry. 0#y time.
Go. (am# itJ$
<+ Gearteeth Timothy Black
5y frie#( e(%e( arou#( the thrashi#%
clas as best he coul(@ luckily for him the
critter as a#%rier at me tha# at the 'rey
(a#ci#% #eIt to it. 0lthou%h the clas 'asse(
close to him a cou'le of times. 6 ma#a%e( to
kee' &e#ry from %etti#% %ore(. &e scramble(
u' the rubble like a scare( Fackrabbit. 'ausi#%
about halfay u'.
$Toss me your e#(J$ he calle( out.
But it as alrea(y too late.
The cable loo' ha( #e1er ci#che(
'ro'erly@ it sli''e( oH the olf/s cla (uri#%
the stru%%le. freei#% its arm. E#ra%e( beyo#(
measure. the ereolf re(ouble( its eHorts to
re#ch free. =#e of the broke# %ir(ers
'i##i#% it s#a''e( oH. a#( the thi#% lu#%e(
back a#( forth i# a fre#Ky of frustrate( 'ai#
a#( sa1a%e hu#%er. With its arm free. the
beast coul( easily reach out a#( cla me if 6
trie( the same route as &e#ry. &e (i(#/t ha1e
the le1era%e from here he sat o# the slo'e to
,%ht the olf/s stre#%th either. e1e# if e
coul( tra' o#e of its ha#(s a%ai#. The o#ly
thi#% &e#ry oul( be able to (o u' there as
%et himself 'ulle( back (o# i#to the aiti#%
Fas of the ereolf.
&e#ry sa the bleak situatio#. but he
stubbor#ly ke't calli#% out for me to thro the
tether to him. 6 refuse(. atchi#% the furback
'ull itself closer a#( closer to free(om. its
heali#% eyes s'i##i#% arou#( as irises forme(.
6 as close e#ou%h to smell the ste#ch of
(ecayi#% meat cau%ht i# its teeth. a#( there
<D Gearteeth Timothy Black
as little (oubt 6/( be stuck somehere i#
there soo# e#ou%h. 6 raise( my eyes to the
smoky sky. tryi#% to co#ce#trate o# a#ythi#%
other tha# the olf i# my ,#al mome#ts.
0 ma#iacal %ri# s'rea( across my face.
0bo1e. a lo#e su''ort beam stuck out at a
crooke( a#%le from the rubble of the
emba#kme#t. 6 shoute( a#( 'oi#te( at it. a#(
&e#ry %ot my mea#i#% ell e#ou%h. While the
beast %ru#te( ith eHort a#( hu#%er barely
four feet ahea( of me. 6 thre the e#( of my
tether as har( as 6 coul(. &e#ry cau%ht it a#(
scrabble( u' the slo'e. loo'i#% it arou#( the
eI'ose( steel a#( ti%hte#i#% it. 6 (i(#/t k#o
ho stur(y the su''ort beam as. but 6 ha( to
risk it. The a#%le as a ba( o#e thou%h. The
%ir(er (i(#/t stick out strai%ht abo1e. hich
mea#t that i#stea( of shimmyi#% u' safe from
the beast. 6/( ha1e to (o somethi#% really
stu'i(.
6 as %oi#% to use the ereolf/s hea( as
a ste'la((er.
$&urryJ$ &e#ry sai(. but 6 (i(#/t #ee( the
e#coura%eme#t. 6 ma(e sure the tether as#/t
hooke( to my har#ess. Fust i# case the furback
cau%ht hol( of it. lea#e( back. a#( 'ut my full
ei%ht a%ai#st the a#%le( cable. The
a#chori#% beam (i(#/t shift.
6 Fum'e( back as far as 6 coul( to %et
eItra mome#tum o# the tether a#(. ith a
shout of suici(al (e,a#ce. su#% forar( i#to
the olf/s face. feet ,rst.
5y hea1y ork boots hit the 1ul#erable
<: Gearteeth Timothy Black
muKKle a#( hea( sMuare ith my full ei%ht
behi#( them. With a yel' of 'ai# a#( ra%e. the
beast as (ri1e# back i#to the Futti#% metal
(ebris o#ce more. !resh bloo( %ushe( out. but
as e hit the emba#kme#t to%ether the Folt
cause( my %ri' to sli'. 5y loer bo(y sli(
(o# to (a#%le my le%s i# fro#t of the critter/s
muKKle. 0s 6 stru%%le( to ,#( my footi#% a#(
'ull myself u'. the olf re%ai#e( its se#ses
a#( s#a''e( at me ith its teeth. 6t as still
bli#( thou%h. a#( coul(#/t %et a %oo( a#%le to
latch o# ith its fa#%e( ma. The holer/s
il( strikes cau%ht o# the chai# mesh o1e#
i#to my hot-suit a#( slashe( across the hea1y
ca#1as ithout ,#(i#% ski#. 6/( ,%ure( the
shock of me hitti#% it. alo#% ith the
'rotectio# aHor(e( by the hea1y Facket a#(
britches. %a1e me a (ece#t cha#ce of esca'i#%
ithout %etti#% eate#. 0#( it almost orke(.
0lmost.
Chapter 3
0 bolt of sheer a%o#y shot u' my ri%ht le%
a#( #early ma(e me 'ass out. The ereolf/s
teeth bit i#to my u''er thi%h. at a thi##er
sectio# of chai# mail.
0t ,rst. 6 thou%ht the beast ha( tor# the
Eesh free. 6 realiKe( thou%h that it ha( latche(
o# i# a (eath-%ri'. i#te#(i#% to take my e#tire
le% oH. Aooki#% (o#. 6 fou#( its male1ole#t
re( %aKe bori#% i#to me. the fully-heale( eyes
locki#% o#to mi#e ith a (rea( 'romise i#
them that mesmeriKe( me for a seco#(. The
beast as craKe( ith 'ai# at bei#% tra''e(
a%ai#. its arms co#1ulsi#% uselessly here
they ha( bee# 'i#io#e(. but its teeth ere
(ee' i# the meat of my thi%h. 6t shook me like
a ra% (oll. ri''i#% throu%h both chai# mail a#(
ski#.
$Aet %o. you furry bastar(J$ 6 yelle(. a#(
brou%ht my left boot u' hi%h to crash (o# o#
its hea( a%ai# a#( a%ai#.
&e#ry lea#e( o1er ith a broke# 'i'e a#(
beat o# the creature as ell. both of us rai#i#%
(o# blo after hea1y blo strai%ht i#to the
<9
<7 Gearteeth Timothy Black
olf/s muKKle a#( hea(. 6ts %ri' slacke#e(.
a#( &e#ry 'ulle( back har( o# my tether.
6 felt a chu#k of my i##er thi%h ri' free
ith a# aful teari#% sou#( that oul( ha1e
%i1e# a butcher #i%htmares. a#( the#
su((e#ly the 'ressure as %o#e. 6 #early
blacke( out from 'ai# as &e#ry %rabbe( my
har#ess a#( ma#ha#(le( me u' the slo'e. out
of the reach of the furious ereolf. 6t
stru%%le( tice as har( for free(om. the bloo(
i# its mouth e%%i#% it o#. The furback ha(
taste( its 'rey. so 1ery close. a#( it as
(ri1i#% the olf i#sa#e ith hu#%er.
This time it as freei#% itself much faster.
$Sto'. sto'.$ 6 mumble( to &e#ry as he
(ra%%e( me u' the slo'e. 6 as lea1i#% behi#(
a# ob1ious bloo( trail. a#( the li%ht-
hea(e(#ess cle#che( it.
&e#ry #ee(e( to %et aayQha( to %et
aayQbefore the thi#% cau%ht us. 6 as Fust
ei%hi#% him (o#.
$-o. you/re all ri%ht. it as Fust a small
bite. sometimes it (o#/t tur# 'eo'le. you/ll be
,#e. you/ll be okay.$ &e#ry babble(. tears
streami#% (o# his face.
But e both k#e better. E1e# #o 6
coul( feel the Eesh 'uckeri#% u' arou#( the
bite mark. a#( the bloo( Eo ta'eri#% oH. The
(isease as i# my bloo(stream a#( raci#%
throu%h me u#(er the full moo#. 6 (i(#/t #ee(
a (octor to tell me that 6 as a %o#er. There
as #othi#% that coul( sto' it.
$6 %ot bitJ$ 6 sai(. %rabbi#% &e#ry by his
+* Gearteeth Timothy Black
shoul(ers a#( shaki#% him. $?u#. (am# it@ 6/m
%oo( as (ea( alrea(yJ$
$-oJ$ &e#ry shoute( back i# my face.
With a burst of (es'erate stre#%th. he (ra%%e(
me o1er the li' of the slo'e a#( i#to the rui#e(
buil(i#% hose fou#(atio#s the Shriekin(
Sally ha( come to rest i#. The mortally
ou#(e( structure %roa#e( arou#( us.
'romisi#% that soo# the hole thi#% oul(
colla'se i# o# the im'act crater. !or a seco#( 6
hel( ho'e it oul(. tra''i#% the olf (o#
there.
But this Fust as#/t my lucky (ay. Belo. 6
hear( the sicke#i#% sou#(s of the ereolf
re#chi#% itself clear of its im'ali#% 'riso#.
The beast %a1e a lo#%. (ra#-out hol of
1ictory. a throaty roar of free(om. ra%e . . . a#(
hu#%er.
$Get u'. EliJ 2ome o#. e/1e %ot to %et
aay from hereJ$ &e#ry as il( ith a#Iiety
a#( (e#ial.
$Aea1e me be.$ 6 s#arle(. 'ushi#% him
aay a#( %rabbi#% a broke# boar( that lay
#earby. &issi#% ith 'ai#. 6 use( the oo( as
a crutch to 'ro' myself u'.
Putti#% my ei%ht o# the boar(. 6 hobble(
forar( a ste'. The blee(i#% from the bite ha(
alrea(y sto''e(. a#( the bloo( as clotte( u'
a#( sticky. That as#/t %oo( at all. 6/( bee#
%ushi#% like a fou#tai# o#ly seco#(s before. 6t
as#/t #atural. 5y belly %role( i# ar#i#%.
letti#% me k#o that there as a 'rice for
such u#holy heali#%.
+1 Gearteeth Timothy Black
Somethi#% as oH. 6# all the stories. 6/(
#e1er hear( about the (isease s'rea(i#% so
Muickly. heali#% a 1ictim so ra'i(ly. 6t took
(ays. eeks. before bites oul( be o# the
me#(@ sometimes folks ere lai( u' the e#tire
mo#th after. What as (iHere#t for meG Was it
because the moo# as hi%h. forci#% the
i#fectio# to bur# throu%h me fasterG -o. it
coul(#/t be@ it as#/t like those ,rst folks
bitte# by holers ere#/t (yi#% u#(er a full
moo#. 6 shook my hea( to clear it. tryi#% to
co#ce#trate o# the here a#( #o. 6t really
(i(#/t matter@ the im'orta#t thi#% as that
there as #o (e#yi#% the situatio#.
6 as i#fecte(.
$Aea1e me.$ 6 sai(. $Go o#. %et. 6/m (o#e
for. a#( you (am# ell k#o it.$
The stubbor# bastar( refuse(. 'la#ti#%
his feet a#( crossi#% his arms. 6 hear( the
beast scrabbli#% u' the rubble behi#( us o#ly
to fall back a%ai#. the u#stea(y slo'e 'ro1i#%
(iHicult for its missha'e# limbs a#( ei%ht.
The (ebris oul(#/t slo it (o# for lo#%
thou%h. a#( soo# e#ou%h it/( %et out.
$Please. &e#ry. 6/m be%%i#% you. !or the
lo1e of your o# fool ski#: ru#J$
6# a#ser. he sho1e( his shoul(er u'
u#(er my ri%ht arm. forci#% me to hol( o#to
him a#( taki#% the ei%ht oH my i#Fure( le%.
$-ot %oi#% ithout you. #o'e. Sorry. Eli. This
time 6/m #ot letti#% you 'ush me arou#(.$
6 felt like k#ocki#% him o1er the hea(. but
i#stea( 6 Fust settle( for a hea1y si%h. $>ou
+) Gearteeth Timothy Black
k#o 6/m Fust (ea( ei%ht. 6 (o#/t a#t you
tor# u' o# accou#t of me.$
The blee(i#% ha( sto''e( from the
ou#(. but it still bur#e( like ol( Scratch as
Fabbi#% at me ith his 'itchfork. &e#ry half-
(ra%%e( me toar( a (oor ha#%i#% by a si#%le
hi#%e. a #arro street 1isible beyo#( its
s'li#tere( frame.
0s he kicke( it o'e#. e hear( the
ereolf reach the li' of the emba#kme#t
behi#( us. The thick haKe from the i#fer#o ha(
bla#kete( e1erythi#% ith choki#% smoke. a#(
e coul(#/t see ho close the thi#% as. =ur
o#ly ho'e as that the smoke oul( foul the
olf/s se#siti1e #ose as much as our 1isio#.
$Time to %o faster.$ 6 sai(. 'utti#% my
ei%ht o# the makeshift crutch ith a %ru#t.
5y brai# (am# #ear Fum'e( out of my skull i#
rebellio#. but the 'ai# subsi(e( Muickly.
Too Muickly.
6 let the boar( fall a#( took a#other ste'
forar(. 4es'ite the fact 6 shoul(#/t ha1e bee#
able to sta#( at all. my le% hel(. if o#ly Fust.
5y eyebros rose i# a# /6 tol( you so/
eI'ressio# that &e#ry i%#ore(.
We mo1e( as fast as e coul( (o# the
street. ith him hel'i#% me as 6 lim'e(
forar(. But it as#/t Muick e#ou%h. The
ereolf crashe( throu%h the (oor behi#( us.
half-hi((e# i# the smoke. Scarlet eyes %li#te(
ith e1il i#te#t as its %aKe settle( o# us. 0
thicker clou( rolle( u' from the bur#i#% 'it to
obscure the beast.
+< Gearteeth Timothy Black
$?u#J$ 6 screame( i# bli#( 'a#ic. forci#%
my heali#% le% to hol( my full ei%ht.
We took oH as fast as e coul(. each
stri(e bri#%i#% less 'ai# for me. Behi#( us.
the clatter of clas o# oo( 'la#ks %re
closer ith each hammeri#% heartbeat. S#arls
a#( short barks of hu#%er echoe( throu%h the
haKe. a#( 6 coul( o#ly 'ray that the smoke as
thick e#ou%h to slo the creature (o#. We
(i(#/t k#o here e ere ru##i#% a#( (i(#/t
care either. as lo#% as e %ot aay from the
(emo# behi#( us. 2lose-set buil(i#%s Eashe(
by o# either si(e ith (oors shut ti%ht. barely
a ha#(s-i(th a'art. but after a fe hectic
seco#(s 6 #otice( that there ere feer a#(
feer structures. a#( that the city/s oo(e#
(eck ha( starte( to a#%le %e#tly u'ar(. That
coul( o#ly mea#--
$Aook outJ$ 6 shoute(. %rabbi#% &e#ry/s
shoul(er a#( s'i##i#% him arou#( i# a
(iHere#t (irectio# before he coul( stumble o#
to the %rou#(i#% trestle.
6 as#/t so lucky. a#( my feet cau%ht o#e
of the electri,e( rails. se#(i#% Folts of siKKli#%
e#er%y throu%h my bo(y. The hot-suit
%rou#(e( most of it. but. ithout the missi#%
hoo(. my hea( su((e#ly ha( a thousa#(
ticke(-oH bees ba#%i#% arou#( i#si(e. 6 coul(
smell my Eesh start to cook before my Ferki#%
bo(y fell back from the trestle. Thou%h my
brai# as buKKi#% from the u#'rotecte( shock.
6 still k#e ho lucky 6/( bee#. 6f 6/( falle#
forar( o#to the tracks ith my hea( co1er
++ Gearteeth Timothy Black
missi#% 6/( ha1e bee# frie( ali1e. Worse yet. if
6/( %o#e s'rali#% a#( ke't %oi#% forar(
'ast the tracks . . . ell. %etti#% electrocute(
as#/t so ba( really. i# com'ariso#.
Bri%ht moo#li%ht cut throu%h the smoke
a#( &e#ry shrieke( i# terror. scooti#% back
farther. 6# fro#t of us ere the raise( rails of
the %rou#(i#% trestle. crackli#% ith the
store( electricity of the city/s %ia#t batteries.
But that as#/t hat se#t &e#ry scuttli#%
back. -ot three feet beyo#( the char%e(
trestle as em'ty air. a to-mile (ro' to the
Earth belo. a#( a messy e#(.
We/( reache( the e(%e of the Eyi#% city.
There as #ohere else to %o. other tha#
strai%ht (o#.
Behi#( us. a lo %rol rumble(. The
silhouette of the ereolf a(1a#ce(. its ti#
re( eyes bur#i#% ith e1il li%ht. !or a mome#t
6 as fasci#ate(. a#( somethi#% (ee' ithi#
me stirre(. The skeletal beast ha( %ro# back
much of its aubur# fur coat a#( e#ou%h Eesh
for us to clearly i(e#tify it as female.
6# her o# 'rimal ay. the critter ha( a
terrible beauty. althou%h the beast/s sa1a%e
s'le#(or as (imi#ishe( by her star1i#% form.
She ha( falle# to all fours. tail strai%ht out a#(
bristli#%. the muscles i# her arms a#( le%s
te#si#%. &er clas (u% i#to the oo( for
tractio#. teari#% u' the 'la#ks as she %ot
rea(y to rush us.
6 sca##e( the %rou#(. looki#% for
somethi#%. a#ythi#%. There as a be#t 'i'e
+D Gearteeth Timothy Black
sticki#% u' from the Eoori#% boar(s #earby. a
cou'le of i#ches i# (iameter a#( at most a foot
i# 1isible le#%th. 0s a ea'o#. it as the most
'athetic thi#% 6/( e1er see#. but it as all 6
ha(. 6t/( ha1e to (o.
With a burst of fra#tic stre#%th. 6
re#che( the 'i'e aay from its moori#%.
bri#%i#% u' a sectio# of ol( oo( ith it. 6
be%a# ba#%i#% it o# the (eck ith a craKe(
look i# my eyes. backi#% u' the sli%ht i#cli#e
of the trestle u#til 6 felt ti#y s'arks Fum'i#%
out from the #earest rail for my boot heels.
$2ome o# the#. you ma#%y bitchJ 2ome
%et meJ !i#ish hat you starte(J$
Behi#( me. 6 felt a chilly u'(raft blo o#
my seaty #eck. the (ea(ly fall oH
War(e#clyHe o#ly a fe feet 'ast the tracks. 6
as cou#ti#% o# a fre#Kie( rush. a sa1a%e.
hu#%er-,lle( char%e that i%#ore( a#y 'ossible
(a#%er.
But the beast as smarter tha# that.
The olf k#e somethi#% as ro#%.
Somehere (ee' i# the back of her brai#.
huma# i#telli%e#ce still lurke(. a#( it as
screami#% that this as too easy. Prey (i(#/t
tau#t the 're(ator. The furback stalke( back
a#( forth a fe feet aay. s#arli#%. her lea#.
muscle( shoul(ers a#( back te#se( i#
sus'icio# as she %#ashe( her teeth. The ,re-
bor# haKe ha( be%u# to clear as the i#fer#o
arou#( the crash site as brou%ht u#(er
co#trol by the bri%a(e. &ot sali1a (ri''e(
from the ereolf/s Fas. teeth %#ashi#% i#
+: Gearteeth Timothy Black
a#tici'atio#.
Silhouette( by the moo# a#( ,res. she
as a ma%#i,ce#tly (rea(ful si%ht. a creature
birthe( from the (e'ths of a #i%htmare. sleek
a#( (ea(ly. &e#ry stoo( #earby. hy'#otiKe( by
the creature/s u#earthly maFesty as ell. But
she o#ly ha( eyes for me. Cust o#ce she Eicke(
a %aKe his ay. before 6 ba#%e( the 'i'e a%ai#
to (ra her atte#tio# back to me. tau#ti#% a#(
holleri#% like a (am# fool to make sure she
staye( focuse( o# me.
&e#ry/s eyes (arte( to my har#ess.
sus'ecti#% 6/( hooke( myself i#. But the tether
ha( bee# left behi#( i# the ma( (ash aay
from the crash site. There ere#/t a#y tricks
this time. #o ays to sa1e myself. 6 (i(#/t care.
6/( bee# bitte#@ there as o#ly o#e ay that
oul( e#(. a#( the fact that 6 coul( #o sta#(
u'ri%ht co#,rme( it. 6 as a alki#% (ea(
ma#. That free( me from thi#ki#% about my
o# hi(e a#ymore. 6f the beast lea't for me. 6
coul( roll her o#to the electri,e( tracks.
maybe e1e# 'ush her o1er the e(%e of the city.
There as #o cha#ce 6/( be able to esca'e the
olf/s %ri' #o matter hat ha''e#e(. 6/( be
frie( o# the tracks ithout a com'lete hot-suit.
or 6/( fall to my (eath ith the beast ri''i#%
my %uts out. But 5au(e. &e#ry. all the folks i#
War(e#clyHe. e1eryo#e 6 k#e a#( care(
about. oul( be safe.
6t as a fair 'rice to 'ay.
$What are you (oi#%. EliG$
$Shut u'.$ 6 sai(. kee'i#% the ereolf/s
+8 Gearteeth Timothy Black
crimso# %aKe locke( o# mi#e. 6 coul( see her
muscles te#si#%. a#( she 'ause( i# her
'aci#%. teeth bare(. The furback ha( Fust
about ha( e#ou%h of my tau#ts.
$Tell 5au(e 6/m sorry for maki#% her
orry so much@ tell the ol( bi((y 6 lo1e her.
Tell her . . . the hell ith it. she k#os. Take
care of her for me. ill youG
$Goo(bye. &e#ry.$
Time sloe( as the furback lea't. Fas
i(e o'e# a#( seeki#% my throat. 6 raise( my
'athetic ea'o# a#( 're'are( to roll ith her
lu#%e. but a stra#%le( cry cau%ht me oH-
%uar(. 0s the ereolf ha( char%e( me. so
too ha( &e#ry. &e hit me har(. 'ushi#% me to
the si(e a#( out of the 'ath of the beast.
sacri,ci#% his o# bo(y for mi#e.
The olf/s Fas clam'e( (o# har( o# his
u'raise( left arm ith a sicke#i#% sou#( of
crushi#% bo#e. 6 screame( i# (e#ial as 6 sa
the critter (i% her feet i# har(. breaki#%
Eoorboar(s as she sto''e( the hea(lo#% rush
i#to the trestle/s rails. She re#che( back.
ri''i#% &e#ry/s arm aay at the elbo i# a
s'ray of %ore. 0 sur'rise( look s'rea( o1er his
face@ &e#ry barely ha( time to feel the ou#(
before the beast/s clas su#k i#to his bo(y
a#( (ra%%e( him i#to (eath/s aiti#% Fas.
6 hit the %rou#( rolli#% a#( as u' i# a#
i#sta#t. Before 6 coul( e1e# start forar(
thou%h. the hu#%ry 're(ator ha( tor# se1eral
more chu#ks out of my frie#(/s si(e a#( belly.
salloi#% them hole i# a fre#Ky of %or%i#%.
+9 Gearteeth Timothy Black
Bloo( as e1eryhere as the ereolf (u%
i#to her %ruesome meal.
&e#ry starte( screami#%. 6 hollere( ith
him as 6 brou%ht the 'i'e (o# ith all the
stre#%th 6 coul( muster i#to the critter/s back.
But #othi#% coul( sto' her hu#%er #o that
fresh. screami#% meat as i# her Fas.
With a# irritate( si'e. the olf slice(
o'e# my Facket a#( se#t me tumbli#% back.
0ba#(o#i#% the 'i'e. 6 Fum'e( o#to the
beast/s back. scratchi#% for her eyes a#(
tryi#% to restle the im'ossibly stro#% hea(
a#( muKKle aay from &e#ry/s %hastly
ou#(s.
0%o#y la#ce( throu%h my bo(y as
li%ht#i#% struck the three of us.
5y hot-suit shu#te( aay most of the
electricity. but my hea( as smoki#% for the
seco#( time that #i%ht as the 1olta%e se#t me
tumbli#%. (aKe( a#( cross-eye( ith 'ai#. 6
as %oi#% to %lue that %o((am# hoo( to my
hea( if 6 sur1i1e( this.
The olf a#( &e#ry ha( #o such
'rotectio#. a#( the i#(iscrimi#ate li%ht#i#%
course( throu%h them ith a %ut-re#chi#%
siKKle. Both 1ictim a#( killer fell i#to a hea'
to%ether. shrieki#% i# a ail that 'ierce( the
hea1e#s. 0#other li%ht#i#% bolt streake(
horiKo#tally i#to their bo(ies. a brillia#t Eash
a%ai#st the (ark #i%ht that brou%ht ith it
a#other ear-s'litti#% crack of thu#(er. &e#ry
a#( the holer thrashe( u#co#trollably. their
hi(eous aili#% cutti#% (o# i#to my 1ery
+7 Gearteeth Timothy Black
bo#es as their ski# smoke(.
4es'ite her i#Furies. the ereolf rose u'
to her hi#( le%s. toeri#% o1er my (yi#%
frie#(. a#( tur#e( to face their attacker. 6/(
#e1er see# such a# eI'ressio# of 'ure hatre(
o# a#ythi#%/s face before.
0 bal( Telluria# ste''e( forar( from the
smoke behi#( us. lit by the e#er%ies 'layi#%
across his black leather-cla( ha#(s. his ,#%ers
orki#% the bli#(i#% arcs cracki#% betee#
the thick %lo1es much as a baker oul( k#ea(
(ou%h. 2o#ce#tric steel ri#%s of i#lai( co''er
li#e( the slee1es of his lo#%. hite. (ouble-
breaste( lab coat. culmi#ati#% i# a 'air of
hea1y steel bracers that co1ere( each of his
forearms. They crackle( ith e#er%y from the
multitu(es of ires ru##i#% u' a#( o1er his
arms a#( i#to the bulky battery he ore o# his
back. hich i# tur# fe( i#to ti# co''er a#(
steel 'aul(ro#s that co#trolle( the e#er%y
Eo. !our small Tesla coils rose u' from each
armore( shoul(er. a#( ti#y %ears s'ace( alo#%
the co#tra'tio# clicke( i# a series ith
mi#iaturiKe( 'isto#s belo. se#(i#% hitish-
blue s'arks i#to the atmos'here a#( arci#%
(o# to the Telluria#/s bracers a#( %lo1es i# a
com'lete( circuit that as ae-i#s'iri#%.
Emotio#less %o%%les far more i#tricate tha#
my Ei%ht 'air co1ere( the ma#/s eyes.
2ombi#e( ith the res'irator co1eri#% his
mouth. the storm 'ro'het/s 1estme#ts %a1e
him a# e#tirely i#huma# a''eara#ce.
0s the ereolf crouche( to lu#%e. the
D* Gearteeth Timothy Black
Telluria# stretche( out his ,#%ers. Ai%ht#i#%
Eashe( across the %a' betee# them to strike
both the olf a#( &e#ry. Each %a1e a#other
u#earthly shriek. but hile &e#ry curle( u'
i#to a fetal ball. smoki#% a#( ee'i#%. the
beast s#arle(. ,%hti#% ith terrible i#te#sity
a%ai#st the 'ai# as she as (ri1e# to the
%rou#(. The li%ht#i#% arcs struck a%ai# a#(
a%ai# i# a bli#(i#% casca(e. yet the furback
refuse( to stay (o#. stru%%li#% u' i# (e,a#t
ra%e each time. &e#ry shrieke( i# u#bri(le(
'ai# as the bolts of e#er%y arce( from the
critter i#to his u#'rotecte( bo(y.
$Sto' it. you/re killi#% himJ$ 6 yelle(.
ru##i#% toar( the storm 'ro'het. my
shoul(er loere( to ram the so# of a bitch to
the %rou#(. Without 'ause. the Telluria#
tur#e( his li%ht#i#% o# me. 4es'ite the hot-
suit/s 'rotectio#. 6 e#t tumbli#% (o# as the
1icious curre#t Eoe( i#to me. locki#% my
muscles u' i# torme#t.
6#(isti#ct sha'es mo1e( behi#( the
Telluria#. 0 (oKe# lame# a''eare( i# the
%lo of the 'ro'het/s li%ht#i#%. le( by 5arshal
&ar'er. They hel( riEes a#( %rim eI'ressio#s
that bla#che( he# they sa the ereolf
stru%%li#% to her feet a%ai#. 0 loose %u# li#e
forme( as they took aim ith their riEes at the
u#stea(y holer.
$!ireJ$ came the comma#(. a#( 6
ma#a%e( to Ei' o# my si(e a#( see the critter
(ri1e# back by their bullets. each hit ri''i#%
o'e# %a'i#% ou#(s i# the beast. The ou#(s
D1 Gearteeth Timothy Black
heale( almost as fast as they ere ma(e
thou%h. blee(i#% holes seali#% themsel1es
o1er ri%ht before our eyes.
$2ha#%e ammu#itio#J$ barke( the
marshal. $Sil1er loa(J$
4es'ite her bestial #ature. the ereolf/s
ears 'ricke( u'@ somehere i#si(e her hea(
the huma# i#tellect reare( u' e#ou%h to tell
her to Eee. The furback s#arle( a#( ho''e(
backar( o1er the %rou#(i#% trestle. careful
to a1oi( the rails. 6 coul(#/t belie1e hat 6 as
seei#%. The (am# thi#% k#e that the char%e(
rails coul( hurt herJ
0s the lame# chambere( their sil1er
bullets. the ereolf loere( her hea( a#(
locke( eyes ith me. li's curle( back a#(
bari#% her teeth. There as somethi#% there.
somethi#% beyo#( the hu#%er a#( ra%e. a#(
my %uts re#che( as somethi#% (ee' i# me
res'o#(e(. &er muKKle stru%%le( to form a
si#%le or(. a%ai#st all o((s.
$5i#e . . . $ she s#arle(. a clae( ha#(
'oi#ti#% at me.
The (e'uties shoul(ere( their riEes
a%ai#. Whe# they (re a bea( o# it. the
furback %a1e o#e last 1icious roar of 'romise
that ma(e my stomach tist. The beast lea't
backar(. o1er the e(%e of the city i#to thi#
air.
6 hear( the hols of ra%e fa(i#% as she
'lummete( (o# to the %rou#(. 4es'ite bei#%
o1er a mile u' i# the air. 6 ,%ure( the critter
as#/t (ea(. Wereol1es ere #otoriously
D) Gearteeth Timothy Black
har( to kill. a#( this o#e ha( sur1i1e( a boiler
eI'losio# a#( ma#a%e( to ru# us (o# for
su''er o#ly mi#utes later.
The Telluria# 'ai( #o atte#tio# to the
(oKe# arme( me# arou#( him as he brou%ht
his ha#(s to%ether i# a 'rayer %esture. the
arci#% li%ht#i#% %roi#% ,ercer u#til he ha(
his 'alms 'resse( a%ai#st each other. With a#
au(ible hi#e. the machi#ery stu((e( across
his lab coat cycle( (o#. the coursi#%
electricity becomi#% a# occasio#al ill o/ is'
that s'arke( across his i#sulate( 1estme#ts.
$>ou all ri%ht. EliFahG$ 5arshal &ar'er
aske(. be#(i#% (o# a#( tur#i#% my face
rou%hly to the ri%ht a#( left. &e histle( lo
at the ri's i# my bloo(ie( hot-suit a#( stare(
at the chai# mail that (a#%le( free. $Aooks like
it took a beati#%. This your bloo(. boyG 0#ser
meJ$
6 ma#a%e( to shake my hea(. looki#% o1er
at &e#ry/s crum'le( bo(y. 5ost of the bloo(
all o1er me as his. so tech#ically 6 as#/t
lyi#%. but e1e# 6 k#e that as a mi%hty ,#e
hair to s'lit. &e#ry/s ra%%e( breathi#% ma(e
me ha#% my hea( i# %uilt@ it amaKe( me that
he as still ali1e at all. The marshal si%he( as
he folloe( my %aKe. &e (ouble-checke( his
riEe/s ammu#itio# as he rose.
$>ou/re lucky. boy.$ he muttere( (o# to
me. $6/( hate to ha1e to shoot you too.$
$2all me /boy/ a%ai#. &ar'er. a#( 6/ll
sho1e a 4ouble T so far u' your ass you/ll be
s'itti#% sMuall tubes for a eek.$ 6 %role(
D< Gearteeth Timothy Black
throu%h a throat ra from all the yelli#%.
0fter a startle( mome#t. &ar'er calle(
back to his me#. $>eah. this o#e/s ,#e.
althou%h he/s %ot a mi%hty ,#e tem'er o#
him.$
6 as careful to #ot let the ri' i# my
britches sho. &e#ry ha( (o#e his best to sa1e
me. a#( it/( be 'oor ma##ers to 1olu#teer to
eat a sil1er bullet after hat he/( Fust bee#
throu%h for me. The eak Fusti,catio# (i(#/t
make me feel a#y less coar(ly thou%h for #ot
%rabbi#% the lama#/s riEe a#( ,#ishi#%
myself oH the# a#( there.
&e#ry/s him'eri#% Ferke( me u'ri%ht.
a#( 6 sa the storm 'ro'het sta#(i#% abo1e
him. atchi#% him rithe from the olf-
i#Eicte( ou#(s. ;#like me. my frie#( shoe(
#o si%#s of ra'i(ly heali#% his i#Furies.
Without Muick a#( #ear-miraculous me(ical
atte#tio#. 6 (oubte( he/( last a#other mi#ute.
With the %o%%les a#( res'irator i# 'lace.
there as #o ay to tell the Telluria#/s
eI'ressio# as he %aKe( (o# at my frie#(. But
6 as #ot so restrai#e(.
$>ou %o((am# so# of a bitchJ$ 6 yelle(
throu%h the aches. forci#% myself to my feet.
$Get aay from himJ$
The marshal/s stro#% ha#( clam'e( (o#
o# my shoul(ers i# a 1ise-like %ri'. $2areful
ho you talk to the 'ro'hets. EliFah.$
6t as a frie#(ly ar#i#%. but there as
a# u#(erto#e of 'rotecti1e threat to it. The
Telluria#s ere 1ital to kee'i#% us oH the
D+ Gearteeth Timothy Black
%rou#( a#( aay from the ereol1es. so
most folks treate( them aki# to royalty. 6. o#
the other ha#(. as #othi#% but a half-bree(
brakema#. &ar'er/s (efere#ce to the ma#
ho/( Fust electrocute( my frie#( ma(e me
furious.
6 trie( to 'ull aay from the bi% lama#.
but 6 as eak as a kitte# after my bo(y/s
u##atural bout of re%e#eratio# a#(
subseMue#t ,%ht ith the furback. The
marshal easily hel( me i# 'lace as his me#
cro(e( u' arou#( the Telluria# a#( &e#ry.
riEes at the rea(y. 6 sa that they ha(#/t
u#chambere( the si#%le sil1er rou#( each
carrie(@ ith the olf %o#e. that coul( o#ly
mea# o#e thi#%.
$4o#/t you shoot him. (o#/t you (are. you
coar(ly 'ieces of shitJ$ 6 screame(. ,%hti#%
to %et free of the marshal ith #e-fou#(
stre#%th. &ar'er shook his hea( a#( clam'e(
(o# har(er. ,#%ers (i%%i#% i#to my collar
bo#e as 6 stru%%le(. &is me# barely s'are( me
a %la#ce. They ere aiti#% o# the Telluria#/s
Fu(%me#t.
$6 reco%#iKe this chil(@ he 'asse( the tests
rece#tly. &e is o#e of ours.$ came the muNe(
1oice from behi#( the res'irator. The Telluria#
stare( arou#( him ith those bla#k %o%%les.
(ari#% a#y to challe#%e his authority. $We ill
lay him to rest i# accor(a#ce ith our
tra(itio#s. 0s he has ear#e(.$
$EliJ$ &e#ry shoute( out. 'ai# laci#% his
e1ery or(. $4o#/t let them take meJ 6 Fust
DD Gearteeth Timothy Black
a#t to %o homeJ Eli. 'lease hel' meJ$
5arshal &ar'er as#/t eI'ecti#% me to
si#% o# him. a#( my %lo1e/s metal li#i#%
%a1e the 'u#ch some ei%ht he# 6 hit the
si(e of his hea(. #early breaki#% my o# ha#(
i# the 'rocess. 6 stru%%le( free of the (aKe(
lama# a#( rushe( toar( &e#ry a#( his
eIecutio#er. fully i#te#(i#% to se#( the
Telluria# saili#% throu%h the air after the
ereolf before he coul( kill my frie#(.
$Sub(ue him.$ the storm 'ro'het or(ere(.
The lame# tackle( me as the Telluria#
be#t o1er &e#ry. 0t ,rst. they trie( Fust
hol(i#% me back. Whe# 6 refuse( to sit still
thou%h. their ,sts starte( i# o# me. 6 stru%%le(
to kee' si%ht of &e#ry.
The hi#e of the Telluria#/s a''aratus
cycli#% back u' ma(e my scal' ti#%le@ he
s'rea( his ,#%ers abo1e &e#ry/s bo(y hile
arcs of electricity be%a# to Eash across the
coils o# his shoul(ers. Electricity 'o''e( a#(
s'uttere( as the storm 'ro'het let it buil(. The
Telluria# stoo( motio#less. ha#(s o1er &e#ry.
a#( a mome#t later arcs of e#er%y s#a''e(
(o# a#( i#to my frie#(/s bo(y i# bri%ht.
Fa%%e( Eashes.
&e#ry screame( as the 'ulses sur%e( i#to
him.
The Telluria# co#ti#ue( to torture &e#ry.
Folti#% him ith small arcs a#( stu(yi#% the
titchi#% bo(y of my frie#( ith a col(
i#terest. 6 hea(-butte( o#e of the (e'uties
hol(i#% me a#( kicke( a#other. lashi#% out
D: Gearteeth Timothy Black
here 6 coul(. stru%%li#% to %et free a#( sto'
the slo (eath of my frie#(.
$EliJ =h. Go(. make him sto'J &el' meJ$
e't &e#ry.
The last thi#% 6 hear( as him screami#% i#
'ai# a#( fear. The# the marshal/s riEe butt
slamme( i#to the back of my hea( a#( se#t me
s'irali#% i#to (ark#ess.