Bone and Blood Volume I

35 - Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1927

"You all right back there, Errek?"

"Sure." Errek hid his frustration. It was the fourth time Torani had asked since they entered the city. The failed prince was beyond anxious. Jumping at the slightest sounds

And sure, Errek could sympathize with Torani. He understood their situation's gravity. The risk this novel, unpredictable place posed. However, that caution was overshadowed by impatience with his own intolerable, uselessness.

Torani made their over-day den by himself. Errek never found a painless position where he could help. Earlier this evening, Errek got stuck underground. Torani had to dig him out. An excruciating process that left them both irritated.

And then there was the walking problem. Errek told Torani to leave him behind. To explore the city alone. Torani, of course, refused. Errek was forced to come along.

So now, Torani wandered dark side streets and lonely tree patches with Errek on his back. A pathetic embarrassment. A mirror of when Rek was ascending to hunter. Except Errek was larger and heavier.

He could tell Torani struggled with the weight. And avoiding crushing Torani's sensitive wings was borderline impossible. Basically, an experience Errek had hoped would be an exciting venture into the unknown had become a neurotic pity party. For both of them.

At least he had seen what his life would be like once his leg healed. Tall buildings. Neon signs. Laughing crowds that flocked the streets well past sunset. Gizmos and gadgets glimpsed so quickly that Errek had no time to beg his memory to reveal their names.

Downtown was its own world. Torani had accidently stumbled into it. Naturally, he decided it was too dangerous. They left as soon as they arrived.

Since then, Torani had stalked Colorado Springs' perimeter. And he had found most depressing streets the city had to offer. A business district. Older. Run down. Shining neon gave way to metal drum fires. The social elite with their jangling jewelry and practiced smiles were replaced by stragglers and strays layered in patchy clothing.

Kordi would have deemed this a better hunting ground. Even so, Errek hoped they would not live in this stale, dingey place. Not when there was such vibrancy elsewhere.

At a side alleyway's edge, Torani wrapped his hand around a fire-escape ladder. Glanced up. A sigh. He let go and turned away.

Errek grabbed the ladder to keep Torani from walking off. "You wanna look from the roof, yeah?"

"It's fine. The buildings aren't that high anyway. I can see enough from here."

"I know I'm too heavy for you to carry me up there. But you can leave me alone for a minute while you scope the place out."

"Errek, I don't think—"

"I won't go anywhere. And no one can touch me. Bad leg or not." He gave a gleaming shark smile.

"Don't interrupt."

Errek huffed and waited for the excuse.

A slow, pointed inhale and exhale. Torani raised his hands as if to emphasize whatever point he was going to make. Then dropped them. "You'll stay out of trouble?"

"I think I need two working legs to get into trouble."

"Errek."

"I'll wait for you. I'll be quiet. It'll be fine."

Torani considered it too long. Errek was sure he would say reject the idea in the end. "No" had become Torani's favorite word. He unexpectedly nodded. "Okay. You're right. No one knows were here. Food or otherwise. There's no reason to be overly cautious." He kneeled to let Errek down.