Scout Stories: Bruised Beginnings

Miach is alone now. With her Grandmother's death, she has become the last surviving member of her family. She inherits secrets she knows nothing about. Secrets her Grandmother wished she could bring to her grave.

While Miach must face being alone in the world, Faye longs for just that. She's wounded by attackers who wanted a fake sword. There's something hiding in the trees, drawn by the smell of blood...but Faye knows that people can be the worst monsters of all.

Cuno sometimes forgets why he should be apart from others. He doesn't particularly like his job. Or his boss, for that matter. The person he most wanted to be with vanished years ago, anyway. He finds the last thing he expects in a small village.

Keefe struggles to keep his family together. His brother is getting older. His cousin wants to leave and travel the world. At least he lives in a place where cats grant wishes if you can catch them.

They might not meet, but they are all tied together in ways they have yet to know.

Here are four stories of love, loss and longing. (Includes reworked versions of 'Mist', 'Feathers and Flame', 'Old Friends' and the brand new story 'A Cat of Many Colours')