News item -- An early morning fire destroyed the Home for the Homeless mission of Brother Ruben Holloway, claiming 36 lives. Authorities have been unable to determine the source of the mysterious blaze, which swept rapidly through the structure. It is not known if Holloway, a recent arrival to the city, was in the mission at the time. Identification of victims is almost impossible, since many were undocumented, and the bodies were completely consumed by the intense heat. "It's very strange," fire marshal Steve Miller said. "This was far hotter than most residential fires. It makes the investigation very difficult." Miller said arson had not been ruled out, but added there was no obvious motive. No insurance claim has been filed, and there is no trace of an accelerant, Miller said.
---
Glubwart was growing increasingly impatient with his minions' inability to find the slut and her protector. He finally decided to swallow his pride and do the unthinkable. Making sure he was not being followed, he made the trek in the blackest night through squalid, narrow streets lined with cast off bits of human debris. Turning down an alleyway filled with garbage, he avoided the humans sleeping in the garbage, lept on top of a dumpster and then lept again to grasp the lower rung of a fire escape. He made his way up the fire escape and crawled through a window.
Snakefoot was surprised to see him.
"Straight to the point," Glubwart said. "We don't like each other. Both of our heads are on the chopping block. We're not having any success finding her." Glubwart gave an impatient wave of his hand when Snakefoot tried to interrupt. "No use denying it. -- If you had found her, you wouldn't still be here. We might as well work together."
Snakefoot gave a wry smile and a brief nod.
"I know what you're thinking. You will try to betray me to Screwtape and take the credit -- and let me take your place inside his gut..." Snakefoot and Glubwart both trembled at the thought of Screwtape's long, gleaming, razor-sharp teeth. "...But I'll be watching you. I'll be sticking closer than sin on a TV evangelist." Glubwart's jest made Snakefoot smile a little broader and eased the tension somewhat. But they both knew this alliance of convenience would not lead to anything resembling trust between them.
When Glubwart left Snakefoot's nest, the cautious, wary demon did not notice a funny little black man hiding in the shadows.
No comments:
Post a Comment