The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 25 by Kafelnikov, literature
Literature
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 25
[Chapter 25]
Hal balanced the chisel delicately between his fingers, sensing the subtle shifting of its weight as he adjusted to the perfect angle. With a patient but firm tap, he hammered the end with his mallet and chipped away the last few fragments of stone. A quick burst of air from his lips pushed aside the dust and laid bare the final cut of the “L”. He sighed in satisfaction as he used his fingers to trace out the letter and verify that indeed, all was as he imagined it.
After months stuck inside the hospital, getting outside was quite literally a breath of fresh air. The cool evening wind had a humid weight that lent a
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 24 by Kafelnikov, literature
Literature
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 24
[Chapter 24]
Is this what dying really feels like?
That question was the last thought to flow through Hal's mind, and it seemed stuck there in mid-stream, unable to move forward. There was never any pearly gate, no flash of light or recanting of his sins. There was just the question. The single question that waited an eternity for an answer.
*BEEP*
A sound broke through the haze of timelessness.
*BEEP*
There it was again, and suddenly Hal realized he was having thoughts. Why was he thinking about having thoughts?
*BEEP*
Hal tried to open his eyes, to wake up, but he only partially succeeded. There was nothing to see, but he was clear
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 22 by Kafelnikov, literature
Literature
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 22
[Chapter 22]
* THUD *
A dull tremor gently shook the floor, halfway stirring Hal out of his slumber. He lay in that murky miasma of half-sleep: barely even aware that he was no longer unconscious. It was almost impossible to wake any further on his own, and he lacked the willpower or energy to open his eyes.
“Hal.” He felt Miri's hand on his shoulder, shaking him awake. “Did you hear that?”
“Mmmm?” He rolled over, slowly forcing his eyelids to open. The room was dark and blurry to him, but Miri soon reached over to shake a glo-orb, and the needle of new light poked sharp pain into his skull. Hal winced,
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 21 by Kafelnikov, literature
Literature
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 21
[Chapter 21]
“Ah.” Miri bit her lip as they approached the entrance to the Passion Lounge. The pale pink light from the buzzing sign flickered in the night like a beacon. “I think I understand what you meant.” Her ears twitched for a moment, arching one eyebrow high as she gave him a look. “Spend time here often?”
“Hardly.” Hal wrapped his fingers around the handle to the heavy door. “But I know the people who run this place. We go way back.”
“How far back are we talking, here?”
“Far enough.”
He pulled open the door and it emitted the faintest of heavy cr
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 20 by Kafelnikov, literature
Literature
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 20
[Chapter 20]
Hal sucked air deep into his lungs, fighting off the clamor that seemed to be erupting from all around him. Though the walls, the floor, and the ceiling he could feel the pressure of the lives suddenly thrown into movement in reaction to the violence. No matter how hard he wished it, the bees' nest couldn't be unkicked.
The giant void ripped into the world by Vanir's singularity prevented Hal from continuing down the hallway, which was probably a good thing. The evil rec room was down that way. He could already begin to sense and see the IR heat shimmers of multiple people moving towards them from that direction. Miri ran to pi
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 19 by Kafelnikov, literature
Literature
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 19
[Chapter 19]
“What happened back there was murder, plain and simple! How the hell do you justify killing someone in cold blood like that!?” After a sorrowful and silent ride back, Hal now found himself in a heated argument with his brother in the cozy top-floor office of the cathedral. Despite the comfortable setting, it felt like the argument could boil over at any moment. Vanir, Dubs and Miri all played spectator to the unfolding fight.
Marcus sighed, uncorking a bottle of fermentae and taking a sip before responding to Hal. “Hal, you're angry. I get it. I really do. But what was I supposed to do? Capture him? Risk more
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 18 by Kafelnikov, literature
Literature
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 18
[Chapter 18]
Hal zipped up his leather jacket, experimentally flexing his bad leg. His knee made a loud popping sound that solicited a grimace.
“Are you going to be ok?” Miri asked the question Hal wondered himself.
“I hope so.”
The two of them were now in the 'evil rec room' yet again, but this time the entire cathedral seemed to be buzzing with activity. The network of agents Marcus claimed to command seemed to be heeding his summons, trickling in by the hour, usually alone or in very small groups. All of them looked fairly hardened, as one might expect from an army of ex-convicts. Many of them seemed eager to ac
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 17 by Kafelnikov, literature
Literature
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 17
[Chapter 17]
“It's just not fair.” Marcus scowled into the drink that he slowly swirled around in his glass. The potent amber liquid left lingering fingers on the walls, speaking only the whispered promise of temporary and intoxicating release.
“I know.” Hal leaned back in his chair, regarding his despondent brother with a sad smile. He tossed back the rest of his glass, swallowing the last mouthful of brandy and letting the slow burn fill his body with a short-lived glow of warmth and comfort.
The two of them sat alone as the sole remaining patrons of the bar on a cold and lonely All Spirit's Eve. The shutters on t
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 16 by Kafelnikov, literature
Literature
The Wayward Astronomer: Chapter 16
[Chapter 16]
By the time Hal and Vanir made it back to the cathedral, the day was beginning to transition from afternoon to evening. They walked together down to the “evil rec room” saying little to one another. Hal didn't have anything more to say to Vanir, and he was already beginning to feel the heavy onset of fatigue even though the day was yet to be finished. As they approached the room, they were met with the sounds of an argument. To Hal's familiar ear, it was definitely Miri's voice.
“How the hell is this funny to you, Marcus!?” They stepped inside the room to find Marcus lounging comfortably on one of the co