Page 111 of Green Ravens

It was the place where the director was making newer, more improved monsters.

Zorion’s pulse thudded in his ears.

He didn’t hesitate. He lifted his bow and nocked arrow after arrow, acidic ones to eat through support beams, magnetic arrows to rip the panels from consoles, flared ones that made controlled chaos.

Alarms blared in response.

“Where are they?” Valor barked. “Zelmir’s wife and the kid.”

The assistant director whimpered as he hobbled down the hall.

“E-eight doors down. Last room on the right.”

He wasn’t moving fast enough.

Valor grabbed the embedded arrow and dragged the AD forward, screaming and cursing. His blood spattered the white walls like a twisted Picasso.

Zorion covered his partner, his eyes scanning each room for movement.

Finally, they reached the reinforced door with another keypad.

Valor just glared.

The AD typed with his one usable hand as he battled to stay conscious

Beep.Click. And the door swung inward.

The young woman clutched a child to her chest. She was thin and gangly, her skin barely clinging to her bones. Her face was gaunt, eyes sunken, probably from sleeplessness and fear.

They’re still alive.

During the interrogation, Zelmir told him his son was two years old. The boy didn’t cry as he stared, wide-eyed and silent.

Zorion lowered his weapon, hoping he wore an apologetic expression.

The boy reached his hand out—not towards his mother—but at Valor’s bloodstained hands.

It was as if he knewrealevil…and he didn’t see it in them.

If Zorion didn’t accomplish anything else, finding the woman and child still alive would be enough for him.

Chief Aiken Oakley

Valor

The disciple moved first, swift and gentle, as he placed his hand against the woman’s back and urged her forward.

She gasped at the state of the AD, now lying slumped on the floor.

“He’s taking you to your husband,” Valor said, drawing her attention away from the mess at his feet.

The woman followed the disciple without question as if any place he took her was better than where she’d been.

Once she’d cleared the hall, Valor stared at the AD.

“Anyone else?” he asked.

The man spat blood. “No. You bastards.”

---