{"id":1047,"date":"2022-12-10T01:13:16","date_gmt":"2022-12-10T01:13:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/?p=1047"},"modified":"2023-12-01T00:15:11","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T00:15:11","slug":"workshops-and-rooftops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/?p=1047","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"_3d-flip-book  fb3d-fullscreen-mode full-size\" data-id=\"1390\" data-mode=\"fullscreen\" data-title=\"false\" data-template=\"short-white-book-view\" data-lightbox=\"dark-shadow\" data-urlparam=\"fb3d-page\" data-page-n=\"0\" data-pdf=\"\" data-tax=\"null\" data-thumbnail=\"\" data-cols=\"3\" data-book-template=\"default\"><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">window.FB3D_CLIENT_DATA = window.FB3D_CLIENT_DATA || [];window.FB3D_CLIENT_DATA.push('eyJwb3N0cyI6eyIxMzkwIjp7IklEIjoxMzkwLCJ0aXRsZSI6IkZyYWlzZXIsIFdvcmtzaG9wcyBhbmQgUm9vZnRvcHMsIENoLiAxNiIsInR5cGUiOiJwZGYiLCJyZWFkeV9mdW5jdGlvbiI6IiIsImJvb2tfc3R5bGUiOiJmbGF0IiwiYm9va190ZW1wbGF0ZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJvdXRsaW5lIjpbXSwiZGF0YSI6eyJwb3N0X0lEIjoiMTM5MSIsImd1aWQiOiJodHRwOlwvXC9ibGFja2JveC5ibGFja1wvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyM1wvMTJcL0ZyYWlzZXItV29ya3Nob3BzLWFuZC1Sb29mdG9wcy1DaGFwdGVyLTE2LnBkZiIsInBkZl9wYWdlcyI6IjE2IiwicGFnZXNfY3VzdG9taXphdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUifSwidGh1bWJuYWlsIjp7ImRhdGEiOnsicG9zdF9JRCI6IjAifSwidHlwZSI6ImF1dG8ifSwicHJvcHMiOnsiYmFja2dyb3VuZENvbG9yIjoiYXV0byIsImJhY2tncm91bmRJbWFnZSI6ImF1dG8iLCJiYWNrZ3JvdW5kU3R5bGUiOiJhdXRvIiwiaGlnaGxpZ2h0TGlua3MiOiJhdXRvIiwibGlnaHRpbmciOiJhdXRvIiwiY2FjaGVkUGFnZXMiOiJhdXRvIiwicmVuZGVySW5hY3RpdmVQYWdlcyI6ImF1dG8iLCJyZW5kZXJJbmFjdGl2ZVBhZ2VzT25Nb2JpbGUiOiJhdXRvIiwicmVuZGVyV2hpbGVGbGlwcGluZyI6ImF1dG8iLCJwcmVsb2FkUGFnZXMiOiJhdXRvIiwiYXV0b1BsYXlEdXJhdGlvbiI6ImF1dG8iLCJydGwiOiJhdXRvIiwiaW50ZXJhY3RpdmVDb3JuZXJzIjoiYXV0byIsIm1heERlcHRoIjoiYXV0byIsInNoZWV0Ijp7InN0YXJ0VmVsb2NpdHkiOiJhdXRvIiwid2F2ZSI6ImF1dG8iLCJzaGFwZSI6ImF1dG8iLCJ3aWR0aFRleGVscyI6ImF1dG8iLCJjb2xvciI6ImF1dG8iLCJzaWRlIjoiYXV0byIsImNvcm5lckRldmlhdGlvbiI6ImF1dG8iLCJmbGV4aWJpbGl0eSI6ImF1dG8iLCJmbGV4aWJsZUNvcm5lciI6ImF1dG8iLCJiZW5kaW5nIjoiYXV0byIsImhlaWdodFRleGVscyI6ImF1dG8ifSwiY292ZXIiOnsid2F2ZSI6ImF1dG8iLCJjb2xvciI6ImF1dG8iLCJzaWRlIjoiYXV0byIsImJpbmRlclRleHR1cmUiOiJhdXRvIiwiZGVwdGgiOiJhdXRvIiwicGFkZGluZyI6ImF1dG8iLCJzdGFydFZlbG9jaXR5IjoiYXV0byIsImZsZXhpYmlsaXR5IjoiYXV0byIsImZsZXhpYmxlQ29ybmVyIjoiYXV0byIsImJlbmRpbmciOiJhdXRvIiwid2lkdGhUZXhlbHMiOiJhdXRvIiwiaGVpZ2h0VGV4ZWxzIjoiYXV0byIsIm1hc3MiOiJhdXRvIiwic2hhcGUiOiJhdXRvIn0sInBhZ2UiOnsid2F2ZSI6ImF1dG8iLCJjb2xvciI6ImF1dG8iLCJzaWRlIjoiYXV0byIsImRlcHRoIjoiYXV0byIsInN0YXJ0VmVsb2NpdHkiOiJhdXRvIiwiZmxleGliaWxpdHkiOiJhdXRvIiwiZmxleGlibGVDb3JuZXIiOiJhdXRvIiwiYmVuZGluZyI6ImF1dG8iLCJ3aWR0aFRleGVscyI6ImF1dG8iLCJoZWlnaHRUZXhlbHMiOiJhdXRvIiwibWFzcyI6ImF1dG8iLCJzaGFwZSI6ImF1dG8ifSwiaGVpZ2h0IjoiYXV0byIsIndpZHRoIjoiYXV0byIsImdyYXZpdHkiOiJhdXRvIiwicGFnZXNGb3JQcmVkaWN0aW5nIjoiYXV0byJ9LCJjb250cm9sUHJvcHMiOnsiYWN0aW9ucyI6eyJjbWRUb2MiOnsiZW5hYmxlZCI6ImF1dG8iLCJlbmFibGVkSW5OYXJyb3ciOiJhdXRvIiwiYWN0aXZlIjoiYXV0byIsImRlZmF1bHRUYWIiOiJhdXRvIn0sImNtZEF1dG9QbGF5Ijp7ImVuYWJsZWQiOiJhdXRvIiwiZW5hYmxlZEluTmFycm93IjoiYXV0byIsImFjdGl2ZSI6ImF1dG8ifSwiY21kU2F2ZSI6eyJlbmFibGVkIjoiYXV0byIsImVuYWJsZWRJbk5hcnJvdyI6ImF1dG8ifSwiY21kUHJpbnQiOnsiZW5hYmxlZCI6ImF1dG8iLCJlbmFibGVkSW5OYXJyb3ciOiJhdXRvIn0sImNtZFNpbmdsZVBhZ2UiOnsiZW5hYmxlZCI6ImF1dG8iLCJlbmFibGVkSW5OYXJyb3ciOiJhdXRvIiwiYWN0aXZlIjoiYXV0byIsImFjdGl2ZUZvck1vYmlsZSI6ImF1dG8ifSwid2lkVG9vbGJhciI6eyJlbmFibGVkIjoiYXV0byIsImVuYWJsZWRJbk5hcnJvdyI6ImF1dG8ifX19LCJhdXRvVGh1bWJuYWlsIjoiaHR0cDpcL1wvYmxhY2tib3guYmxhY2tcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzNkLWZsaXAtYm9va1wvYXV0by10aHVtYm5haWxzXC8xMzkwLnBuZyIsInBvc3RfbmFtZSI6ImZyYWlzZXItd29ya3Nob3BzLWFuZC1yb29mdG9wcy1jaC0xNiIsInBvc3RfdHlwZSI6IjNkLWZsaXAtYm9vayJ9fSwicGFnZXMiOltdLCJmaXJzdFBhZ2VzIjpbXX0=');window.FB3D_CLIENT_LOCALE && window.FB3D_CLIENT_LOCALE.render();<\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Workshops and Rooftops<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chapter Sixteen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles remained completely still, blade to Coh\u2019s neck right under the chin. The rest of the group hadn\u2019t moved and the very air in the workshop seemed to stagnate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas Black sighed and spit thick, red saliva onto the floor. \u201cMyles, we\u2019ve saved Coh. That was the whole plan. This changes things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat was <em>your<\/em> plan, Atlas,\u201d Myles said. \u201cMy plan was to get all my friends together and get the fuck out of Dodge. I\u2019ve been following your plan and it got <em>two <\/em>of my friends dead now.\u201d There were some tears subtly sliding out of his eyes; the Sage doubted he would ever get used to people dying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTheir deaths were not part of the plan. But Myles, every plan you could possible come up with involved the risk of death. Look at me right now, for Heaven\u2019s sake.\u201d The side of Atlas\u2019s face has started to bleed and was threatening to drip off his chin. The dust from the road had thickened and dried it partway. \u201cI just killed a novis, the same monster that chased you to this world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou fucked up our plan, Atlas. You really fucked this whole thing up. We could have found a different way to save Pretty and Blink without you and <em>Langley and Mariah would still be alive!<\/em>\u201d Myles screamed, tears now falling out of his eyes. These were tears of frustration; the tears of loss and sadness would come later. Why didn\u2019t anyone understand what he was feeling?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ll kill him\u2026 I\u2019ll kill this kid right here,\u201d Myles said, amazed at how valid an option this sounded right now. <em>Just so you know how it feels to lose the very thing you were working toward. The only thing you were trying to protect all this time.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t,\u201d a hoarse, rumbling voice said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles looked down the blade at his captor who was illuminated poorly in the light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI got\u2026\u201d Coh continued, but couldn\u2019t go on from there. The front of his mind yielded nothing; he had been speaking out of reflex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMyles,\u201d Atlas said, \u201cleave him alone at least; he\u2019s been through enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat about <em>me<\/em>?\u201d Myles said. \u201cWhat about what <em>I\u2019ve<\/em> been through?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI wasn\u2019t counting on the cavaliers recognizing any of us!\u201d Atlas barked. \u201cWe were out there to make sure Coh was there and stay close to the enemy. Then there was an opportunity to boost Coh from the caravan, and I sure as hell was going to take it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt got <em>two<\/em> <em>of us killed<\/em>; great plan, asswipe.\u201d Myles pressed the blade a little more and it slipped slightly into the skin. A crimson drop materialized just above Coh\u2019s near-visible adam\u2019s apple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMyles\u2026 don\u2019t do that,\u201d Color said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOh, <em>really?<\/em> \u2026 why not?!\u201d and as he was looking at the concerned, scared, but mostly tired surrounding faces, he began realizing he wasn\u2019t alone in his loneliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marshall slowly raised his hands in a calm manner, knees partly bent. <em>Nothing to be afraid of right now. We\u2019re just talking. <\/em>\u201cThey took out my eyes man. And my Dad? You forget that already?\u201d Marshall said. \u201cYou gotta keep moving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI watched Mikey, my older brother, get killed by cavaliers\u201d Jewel said and Myles looked at her now. \u201cAnd Ripley left me here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles looked at Color next. She just tilted her head. Myles already knew all that she had lost which panged him with a swoosh of guilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas said nothing, but Myles had a feeling his story was worse than any of theirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhere do I even start?\u201d Coh choked with a smile, of all things. The drop of blood ran down his neck now and paused at his collarbone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles took a dramatic few seconds to think about those reasons. Come to think of it, he lost the <em>least<\/em>. His parents were still fine. Mabel was still alive as far as he knew; hell, he could probably still find her if he went back. Pretty, his best friend, was still out there and alive. Blink, still alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles lowered the sword. Coh fell to the side out of exhaustion and relief, but he remained conscious. They <em>did<\/em> understand him and his situation after all, better than anyone. And they <em>cared<\/em> too. So why did he still feel so horrible? Why did he hate, hate, hate the hand he had been dealt? The little sword was still in his hand and he still had an option. He grabbed it with both hands and aimed the blade right at his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAAAAAH,\u201d he screamed, squeezed his eyes shut, and Color leaped forward grabbing the sword by the blade before it made contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles could feel the resistance and knew Color had stopped his horrible decision, but he couldn\u2019t open his eyes. There was no way he was going to look her in the eye now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhy do we even try to live? You know how much easier our lives would have been if we just let that novis kill us in the woods in Winton?\u201d He let go of the hilt and cried, because that was the only thing left to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Color\u2019s blood was leaking from her hand where the blade cut into her fingers. It was sliding slowly down the blade as Myles fell to his knees crying. Color threw the sword aside (clattering on the workshop floor) and hugged him despite his protests and trying to force her away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSomething other than yourself wants you to keep living,\u201d Atlas answered the question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I don\u2019t deserve this, <\/em>Myles thought.<em> I deserve to die. I should have been the one the novis killed.<\/em> <em>Langley was the one with people who cared about him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marshall grabbed his sword, cleaned it of the blood he could smell, and put it back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas rushed to Coh who opened his eyes. \u201cThat you, Atlas?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYeah, it\u2019s me. You\u2019re still safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEven if you\u2019re fake, it\u2019s a great dream. Good to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas placed his left hand over Coh\u2019s head and popped the faint, blue bubble and put him into a real sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Color released him and grabbed his coat with her left hand. She slapped him with her reddened right leaving a streak of her own blood on his cheek. The slap wasn\u2019t to hurt him, it was to wake him up from whatever trance he was under. \u201c\u2019Death might always be an option, sometimes even a tempting one, but now\u2019s the time for living.\u2019 Enichi said that once.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marshall walked over to him and helped him to his feet. \u201cGet up off your ass, bitch. You know how sad Pretty would be in when we rescue him and find that you killed yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI still blame you.\u201d Myles glared at Atlas who glared back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo matter how much you blame me, we must agree that we keep going forward together,\u201d Atlas said, picking up the <em>shoto<\/em> and handing it hilt-first to Marshall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI agree,\u201d Marshall said, wiping off Color\u2019s and Coh\u2019s blood from the blade and sheathing it with a <em>shliiikk<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles\u2019s eyes were still ablaze with emotions, too many to coherently sort. \u201cAnd what do we do? How the hell would we even get onto the <em>Stone Compass <\/em>now? Our chance at a surprise attack is gone and Coh isn\u2019t even awake to move us around with his mind. From my perspective, we\u2019re fucked, Atlas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPretty and Blink are on the <em>Stone Compass<\/em>, as well as Eve. We need all three. Coh\u2019s power should return enough in just a few hours, but the <em>Compass<\/em> will dock before then and receive the report that Coh was kidnapped. The <em>Compass <\/em>will leave by then. We can chase them down, smuggle Eve, Pretty and Blink off, and leave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSounds easy,\u201d Jewel said. \u201cAlmost like we shouldn\u2019t have stressed about anything. Anything that\u2019s too good to be true has a huge pitfall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe watch and the hangars. We don\u2019t have air support and if we\u2019re dumped into the ocean, we die. All of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFuck, why did Pretty and Blink have to end up on the <em>Compass<\/em>?\u201d Myles said. If they\u2019d landed on the Hook rather than the fucking boat they were trying to get on\u2026 \u201cHow the fuck did they get on there in the first place?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The whole room silenced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone looked at Myles aside from Marshall who put his hand on his chin to think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas\u2019s eyes were darting around as he said, \u201cThe <em>Stone Compass<\/em> has mansions on it. It\u2019s a novis and fraiser farm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA mirror from one of the mansions,\u201d Marshall said. \u201cThey came out of one of the mansions, didn\u2019t they? Sure as hell didn\u2019t pop up from the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat the hell is stopping us from doing that same thing?\u201d Myles said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNothing,\u201d Atlas answered with the tone of one who made a great discovery. \u201cAbsolutely nothing. Myles, you\u2019re a genius. I can\u2019t believe I didn\u2019t think of it before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe need to find a mirror, then,\u201d Marshall said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas said, \u201cThere\u2019s a mansion less than a mile outside of the city without any monsters in it that has quite a few large mirrors in there. We can use one of those. It\u2019s where I\u2019ve been staying as I waited to intercept your jump.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat are we waiting for?\u201d Jewel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOh, no,\u201d Atlas said and everyone looked at him as he looked at the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The door was opened and in the doorway stood one cavalier with many behind him. He was mostly covered in gore and breathing hard. The stubble complimenting his misshapen mustache moved strangely as he chuffed breaths. There was a sword in the hand that opened the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marshall and Jewel drew their weapons instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWho just came in?\u201d Marshall said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA cav,\u201d Myles said. \u201cSome of his buddies outside too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cav in the doorway, between large breaths, pointed with his bloodied cutlass at Coh and said \u201cHe alive?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDefinitely alive,\u201d Atlas said in a perfect monotone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGreen-jacket, you got something of ours,\u201d he was nodding at the sleeping boy on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas slowly removed the barterrod from his jacket while keeping his eyes on the newcomers who were slowly moving into the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou can own a book, a beer, or a building, but humans are their own,\u201d Atlas said. \u201cAnd this one seemed happier to be with me than you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Color handed her spear to Myles and grabbed a wrench for each of her hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles couldn\u2019t sense any guns on these cavs. They must have used all the ammunition on the fraisers to drive them back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re really fuckin\u2019 up our day, my friend. I tell you what, we won\u2019t kill you if you hand over the boy right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSounds like there\u2019s a conflict of interest,\u201d Atlas said. \u201cBecause I was going to say we won\u2019t kill <em>you<\/em> if you walk away right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cav spit. <em>Piss on that<\/em>, Atlas and Myles could hear those words at the front of his mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jewel rolled her head around her shoulders and said, \u201cWe gonna do this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cav in the doorway hurled himself at Marshall, the closest to them, and Marshall twirled his blade up, but it glanced off the helmet. He was bowled completely over and slammed to the ground. Three more cavaliers sprang into the room, one after the other, like they were flying off an assembly line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles backed out of Color\u2019s way as she started throwing wrenches. They flipped through the air and started crashing off the far wall or the entering cavs\u2019 helmets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The whole workshop was three fucks shy of a cluster as Jewel and Marshall dispatched of the initial cav and Atlas hurdled the table with his hands, using his airborne feet to kick the next cav in the face and away from the slumbering Coh. As the next cav entered, a flying wrench caught him in the nose and broke it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Broken-Nose grabbed his face with his free hand and screamed as he kept fighting, swinging his cutlass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles grabbed Coh and shook him. \u201cWake up!\u201d He was dimly aware of Marshall pressing his thumbs into the cav\u2019s eyes as both of them screamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas was exchanging weak blows with the two cavs before and the third one grabbed him. A cutlass rose to stab the older prophet, but Color picked up a massive wrench (a pipe wrench, to be specific) and jumped beautifully onto the table. She landed a blow onto the cav\u2019s hand before he could finish the blow on Atlas. He shouted in pain and Color lifted the wrench again, but was swatted back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As this happened, another cav, unarmed, had entered the room. He looked at Coh and scrambled to the table, grabbing Coh\u2019s ankles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jewel chopped his hands off with a swipe of the katana. The younger new cav shrieked and fell to the floor on top of the struggling Marshall and larger cav.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles tuned out the rest of the fight and pulled Coh off the table and onto his shoulders. Myles wasn\u2019t the strongest, but he could carry this kid who weighed even less than himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>GET HIM AWAY FROM HERE<\/em>, Atlas\u2019s mind said loudly. How does he do that? Myles wondered as he took several heavy steps toward the staircase clearly built after the rise and pulled him away from the fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas found his leverage and used the Barterrod to kill those two struggling cavs with a couple of stabs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jewel stabbed the <em>katana<\/em> through the cav on Marshall and the blade cut through and into the floor an inch from Marshall\u2019s own body. A clearish liquid began welling up like a thick tear outside of the wound as the cav spazzed to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Color was behind Myles now, backing up the stairs behind Myles as he climbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas climbed to his feet and helped Marshall and Jewel follow Color and Myles. As Atlas caught up, he grabbed Coh from Myles\u2019s shoulders and continued fleeing with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The workshop owners, Mayahito Hang and his apprentice Miller MacGuire smoked cigarettes as they listened to loud crashing, yelling, and killing before several sets of heavy footsteps announced their way to the second level and then the third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the footsteps were gone, Mayahito cautiously opened the door to the room he was in and looked into the large room where obviously there had been fighting. Helmeted people, cavaliers they were called, had stormed in, but there was no sign of the others who had paid their few minutes of rent with cigarettes. Several of the wrenches were on the ground, their largest pipe wrench was on the floor near the staircase, and two of the men there were critically wounded, one with his hands on the table, but the rest of him on the ground, bleeding out before their eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWell, feck,\u201d Mayahito said as he took another drag, making the cigarette come to life in a glow. \u201cWhatta mess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then more of the helmeted people stormed in and the two owners retreated back to their room, closing the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More even heavier steps up the wooden stairs. First the steps were regular, but as more of the cavaliers took up the staircase, the more convoluted the steps became. <em>Bam bam bam bam-bam-babababbbamabamabmnabmabbbbamabbabbbamabmabamb <\/em>until they faded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mayahito and Miller could only stare at each other and start laughing nervously and shaking their heads, lighting up another cigarette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a dazed climb up two flights of stairs, they made it to the roof. They barged through a rooftop door with a roof of gravel and everyone either fell to the ground, out of breath, or with their hands on their knees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rooftop had a schoolbus stationed just a few yards from the door. It had no wheels and was completely flat against the gravel ground. Surprisingly, it had little damage aside from what work the weather had done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cColor.\u201d Marshall tossed Color her spear. She gave it a half-twirl so the blade was pointing to the sky and slung it onto her back. She nodded thanks as she swallowed, gasping for air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas made it to the bus, put his back against the tired piss-yellow metal and slid down, Coh now on his lap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMore cavs,\u201d Atlas announced through a long dry breath. The street\u2019s dust had sped up the clotting on his face. \u201cThey just made it into the shop and are following a couple of bloody footprints up the stairs. We have a few dozen seconds before they\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marshall put his swords away despite their being dirty. \u201cWhich way to the mansion with the mirror?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jewel kept her sword in her hand and brushed sweaty hair out of her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas pointed down the bus and across a field of uneven rooftops to the woods just inside of the Ledge. Then he put his hand on Coh\u2019s head again and woke him up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coh opened his eyes and shut them again. Then he said, \u201cWhat nightmare did I just wake up to?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGet up, your life is in danger and we need to run,\u201d Atlas said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coh <em>chuckled<\/em>. \u201cIf I had a nickel\u2026\u201d He rose to his feet like a drunkard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe cavs have guns. Myles, Color, lead the way. Jewel, Marshall, cover him and help him across the beams; he\u2019ll need it. I\u2019ll bring up the rear and make sure we don\u2019t get killed from behind. Let\u2019s go! Now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Color and Myles started across the rooftops, jumping over the nuances and sure-footing their way across the first few buildings until they came to a street. Myles was pleased with how well he could keep up with Color. He was no hush, but those days running around with Pretty and Langley (oh, dear, Langley) and biking had improved his coordination to be above average. A subconscious part of him was enjoying this part of the challenge, but was fogged by the situation\u2019s lethality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marshall, Jewel, and Coh started heading along the rooftops, the hushes being deft, and Coh doing his best to be careful with his footing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jewel looked behind them at Atlas who was on top of the rooftop access, the Barterrod in the form of the axe. As one of the cavaliers exited the door, Atlas brought the weapon down on his neck and killed him. Then he jumped down and engaged the second one, kicking him down the stairs and slamming the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe won\u2019t let you fall,\u201d Jewel said, looking forward again. Color and Myles were dodging about up ahead. Marshall led the pack with Coh directly behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As they navigated the rooftops, Coh slurred, \u201cWho\u2019re y\u2019guys?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMembers of the Astronomy Club and new\u2026 acquaintances of Atlas Black.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c\u2019Acquaintances?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSure as hell wouldn\u2019t call us friends,\u201d Marshall said. \u201cSpeaking of Astronomers, did we ever officiate your being in the club? I figure\u2026\u201d <em>we do it before we die. Fuck, Marshall, that\u2019s dark.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI mean, you gave me a name,\u201d Jewel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marshall said, \u201cIf we had bikes, we could have done the real initiation. I\u2019ll bet Myles and Color did it right since they had bikes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They came to a beam that was only six inches wide and below them was a thirty-foot drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe have to cross this,\u201d Marshall said. \u201cAny tips for Coh on crossing this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jewel thought about both the stars and the beam and finally said: \u201cYour center of gravity is your belly-button. Pretend you\u2019re just trying to keep that part of your body steady and forget about everything else. Also, it doesn\u2019t make sense to think about how far the ground is below you; your whole world is now limited to this beam, and there\u2019s no sense in worrying about anything other than the beam.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coh nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDid you hear any of what I just said?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coh shook his head. \u201cCenter of gravity\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLet\u2019s just keep him moving,\u201d Marshall said. His blindfolded face was looking at nothing in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ll try it on my own first, but stay close by, in case I need help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marshall took the first step onto the beam and started to cross. His footsteps stayed as steady as ever. Even he was listening to Jewel\u2019s advice; it sounded like she did this often. He heard Coh\u2019s footstep pat behind him, his browned bare feet following his split-toed sock-like shoes. Coh started to walk, but not well, only focusing on the beam underfoot, keeping his gaze on Marshall\u2019s back and his feet. Jewel held on to his hand as they continued across the beam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the hushes\u2019 balance, they made it across without falling and pressed on. Every other building they would glimpse the cavaliers behind them in the distance, slightly closer with every building they traveled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On a building with heavily rusted and corroded air-conditioning units, three fraisers against a windblock spotted them. Each had a spear, two of which were wooden, and another had a metal tip. They scrambled to their feet, holding out their spears. By their form and finesse even in standing up, all three appeared to be hushes. The spear-holding fraisers stayed where they were, obviously mistaking the Astronomers as a threat and holding a defensive position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe aren\u2019t here for you,\u201d Jewel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYeah, don\u2019t flatter yourselves,\u201d Marshall added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The three spear-holders stayed standing, but relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Jewel leading and Marshall leading the rear, they pressed on, Jewel glancing up to make sure they didn\u2019t lose Color and Myles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then Coh said, \u201cGimmie a second. Coh needs a breather.\u201d He sat against one of the ledges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe really need to go,\u201d Marshall said. They had been keeping up quite well with Color and Myles who were only a building or two ahead now. The city ended in five or so more buildings and then came the clearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGive the adrenaline a second to kick in,\u201d Coh said. Then he rose to his feet seeming sturdier than before. \u201cAlright. Copper\u2019s wearing off. It\u2019s exponential, you know. Those first few minutes without it are the worst, but it should be a bit better now. Don\u2019t let me cross those beams by myself. Also, that sleep-thing Atlas did to me didn\u2019t help either. Now I just feel groggy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll be sure to tell him when we aren\u2019t running for our lives,\u201d Jewel said. \u201cLet\u2019s <em>go<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLead the way\u2026 I don\u2019t know either of your names,\u201d Coh said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJewel!\u201d Jewel said as she started jogging across the rooftop to the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHow about them?\u201d Coh pointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marshall sensed what was coming. \u201c<em>SHIT<\/em>, Jewel, now we\u2019re getting chased by people I probably don\u2019t know because I can\u2019t fucking <em>see<\/em> them!\u201d He grabbed Coh and hustled him along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJust RUN!\u201d Jewel shouted back. \u201cGet Coh here so we can cross!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There was a hangar approaching Marshall who backed off once he saw the <em>daito<\/em> drawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coh stumbled along by himself in a more coordinated jog now and met Jewel at a wider connecting beam over the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Another fraiser gang, huh?<\/em> Marshall whipped the swords around. \u201cGet Coh to the clearing and make sure you keep up with Color and Myles!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJust buy us as much time as you can!\u201d Jewel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marshall gritted his teeth and said to himself: \u201cI\u2019ll buy you a whole grandfather clock\u2019s worth of time. Can\u2019t we catch one lousy break?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas had sent the cavs sprawling down the staircase, grabbed the cutlass from the cav he killed with the axe, and jammed it into the crevice between the hinges. <em>That should earn us a few more seconds.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas Black\u2019s hands were still slick with blood as he started in the direction the Astronomers had taken. All things considered, the plan wasn\u2019t completely fucked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Across buildings and over a street where he saw a few cavaliers who recognized him and ducked into a nearby building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Not good. They\u2019ll be on the roof soon as well.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He kept on, passing a few tense spear-holding fraisers and then seeing a hangar whoosh overhead in his same direction. \u201cPlease don\u2019t be going for Coh\u2026\u201d These fraiser gangs would go as far as selling their own bottom-feeding members to the cavs for money. And if they knew who Coh was, that was even worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As he hiked up a partly-sloped roof, he spotted Marshall in his blindfolded glory drawing his swords and warding off that hangar. And there were a half-dozen or so other fraisers heading his way as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Also not good.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Barterrod still in hand, Atlas approached from behind them. He hurdled another rooftop and jogged toward Marshall who hadn\u2019t quite met his attackers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fraisers heard Atlas coming and parted like a school of fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMarshall, it\u2019s me,\u201d Atlas said as he skidded to a stop and stood between the fraisers and the Astronomy Club\u2019s Guru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fraisers only hesitated, but stayed where they were. Some had clubs, two had knives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas seethed and brought the Barterrod behind his head, quickly transforming it into a giant hammer. He slammed it into the roof and it resounded, creating a large dent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas took one step toward the gang, they broke ranks and fled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLet\u2019s go, let\u2019s go now,\u201d Atlas said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas and Marshall stepped quickly now, dodging about the uneven terrain and finally coming to the end of the city where Jewel and Color were helping Myles and Coh down a balcony on a building to their left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere,\u201d Atlas said, pointing with the Barterrod at the rest of the Astronomers. Then he willed his hand open and tucked it back into his jacket. He jogged along with Marshall, feeling dull pain in his ribs thanks to the adrenaline. His arms and back were sweating in his coat despite the cool air and wind as he ran, watching his hands shake like maracas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They finally made it to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTrees. That way.\u201d Atlas was hunched over, clutching his broken chest as he pointed in a particular direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAre you okay?\u201d Myles said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYes,\u201d Atlas said. Again, Myles could sense that Atlas was speaking honestly. Maybe he was hurt, but Myles could recognize that Atlas\u2019s perception of \u2018okay\u2019 stretched beyond now. It looked ahead, knowing they would all be okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe cavs are going to shoot at us; spread out across the field as you run and strafe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c\u2019Strafe\u2019?\u201d Color said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSide-to-side running!\u201d Marshall said as he started his run with one hand on his <em>daisho <\/em>to make sure they didn\u2019t rattle or hit his leg as he ran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jewel had a hand on her <em>katana<\/em> hilt when she started sprinting across the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles took one more look at Atlas who was checking Coh for wounds and making sure he was okay to run. Then the Sage took off on his own, watching Color\u2019s white hair bob and weave along her head, Jewel\u2019s seasoned and measured footsteps propel her along the ground, and Marshall\u2019s body whisking along with them. Myles naturally fell behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was about fifty feet into running that he heard the first gunshot. The bullet whisked into the ground somewhere close enough to hear it. Myles skipped a step before continuing. <em>They\u2019re shooting at us, hoping to hurt us. That bullet could had killed me.<\/em> It was a simple thought, but it was still so surprising that he needed a second to comprehend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just to his left was the rest of the caravan protruding, stopped before entering the city. There were scant fraisers and cavaliers fighting now; the cavs appeared to have fled, but the fraisers, in their vigor, pressed on with the killing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More gunshots, some of these sounding like they were coming from a machine gun. Then there was yelling from Stablefield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles took a look back as he ran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas and Coh were running several feet apart in a meandering run. It would definitely be hard to hit them with a bullet from far off. Atlas waved Myles on. \u201cKeep <em>running!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles did just that, and the run, the heaving breaths, the exhaustion, started cascading on him. So many factors that could kill him right now. <em>If I stopped running right now, my life could end and I would die.<\/em> His heart was pumping young, strong blood and his stomach was empty to the point of pain. The adrenaline didn\u2019t allow pain receptors to communicate with the brain because the priority was: Stay alive. The grass treadmilled underfoot and his progress was always the same. His progress wasn\u2019t enough. He wasn\u2019t safe yet and he needed to keep running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bullets slapped the ground around him and whispered fiercely in the ground and grass, but none had hit him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cC\u2019mon <em>RUN<\/em>, slowpoke!\u201d Marshall\u2019s voice said up ahead. \u201cPick up your feet, fatass!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRun Myles! Run!\u201d Color, Jewel, and Marshall were standing at the treeline now, beckoning frantically less than a hundred feet ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHurry! C\u2019mon Atlas! Coh, <em>RUN. RUN FOR YOUR LIVES,<\/em>\u201d Jewel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A bullet whispered a sweet nothing less than a foot from Myles\u2019s ear. \u201cFUCK!\u201d he said and raised his hands. His legs were numb, but somehow they pressed on in a full sprint. <em>How am I even running right now?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His energy hit rock bottom and he nearly fell to the ground when he reached the trees. Myles pup his back to one of the trunks and blocked the city of Stablefield from his view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNot good,\u201d Jewel said as she and Color gazed at the city, now over a football field and a half away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Myles stole several more large helpings of air before looking back. Atlas and Coh made it and the bullets had stopped. Myles looked deeper into the picture and noticed the edge of the city. A few small figures had emerged and more were following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFraisers,\u201d Atlas said between gasps of breath which were an audible: \u201cHuhhh. Huhhh. Huhhh.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEveryone wants me,\u201d Coh said stupidly as he sank to the ground. Only Jewel and Color didn\u2019t seem winded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGotta keep moving.\u201d Atlas stood up straight. \u201cMansion\u2019s in the woods. I\u2019ll lead, Coh behind me. We\u2019ll set the pace since we aren\u2019t as fast. Color and Jewel, you\u2019re in the back in case we get flanked. Let us know if we need to take a stand. Myles and Marshall are in the middle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas Black started walking, favoring one side of his body, and then tilted into a jog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There was a sickening familiarity in Myles\u2019s stomach. He was behind Marshall and said, \u201cReminds me of Winton a few nights ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWinton like a month ago, you mean,\u201d Marshall said over his shoulder in between breaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe landed just a few nights ago, what do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI mean I was here nearly a month locked in a cage by the cavaliers. That\u2019s how my fraise advanced so quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLocked in a cage?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLocked up like that fucking novis Atlas killed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was back to the sturdy, heavy footsteps through the woods. The rattling of teeth and cheeks and the sudden compression of the legbones as they took on the shock of each step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Color and Jewel kept glancing back to check on the progress of their pursuers, but they\u2019d been mostly lost in the woods. After the fifth check and about a quarter-mile into the run, Color spotted a flash of movement. She\u2019d half-hoped that they gave up the chase, but that first little move in the woods and then the second and third made her heart sink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jewel saw it at the same time and said, \u201cThey\u2019re on us! Run faster!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas put on a burst of speed, but Coh kept his pace. \u201cI can\u2019t run like that. I\u2019m at my limit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marshall ran alongside Coh and started hitting his back. \u201cC\u2019mon, we\u2019re almost there. Let\u2019s GO. Atlas, how much further?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSince entering the trees, we\u2019re more than halfway!\u201d Atlas said, hoping that made sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To Myles it sounded like the treeline was the halfway mark. Hadn\u2019t they run the full length of that field already?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cKeep leading the way!\u201d Myles said to Atlas who had turned around and was waiting for the rest to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas started walking back toward Stablefield. He pointed into the woods without looking. \u201cIt\u2019s that way. Color! Jewel! Get behind me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas Black made it to the back of the line and put himself between the Astronomers and the fraisers chasing them. He once again drew the Barterrod from his jacket, watching six fraisers jog into view. He was holding his weapon at his side as it slid into a five-foot mace with a rectangle head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat a day,\u201d he muttered and then took a deep breath as he waited.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Workshops and Rooftops Chapter Sixteen Myles remained completely still, blade to Coh\u2019s neck right under the chin. The rest of the group hadn\u2019t moved and the very air in the workshop seemed to stagnate. Atlas Black sighed and spit thick, red saliva onto the floor. \u201cMyles, we\u2019ve saved Coh. That was the whole plan. This &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/?p=1047\" class=\"more-link\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1047","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1047","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1047"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1047\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1392,"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1047\/revisions\/1392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1047"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1047"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1047"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}