Age Recommendation: 18+
A human in the wastelands is saved by a ratgirl.
From the world of "Toofy" comes a short story about the rattan, their culture, and the lives of those outside the empire, in the endless wastes.
The pitter patter knocking out the rhythm above Cohen's head is relaxing, reminding him of so many summers spent waiting for the eventual relief of the brief storms.
It would be pleasant to lie here and reminisce, but that seems like a bad idea. Considering he was bleeding out.
There isn't much in the remnants of the old tin shed, one of the only structures still standing on the farm.
A mouldy apple. It's really gross. And he had no idea how to turn mould that might be penicillin into actual medicine.
Now seems like a bad time to try to learn.
There was also a dead rat the size of a cat. The only surprising part of this is that he managed to actually kill the damn thing with his bare hands before it killed him.
Well... Killed him all at once.
The torn remnants of his shirt. Considering what the rat did, it isn't surprising it was torn up.
It seems like a bad idea, what with the bacteria that rats carry, but wrapping it around his wound from the bite on his side seemed to be the only immediate choice to make.
Cohen wrapped it as tightly as he could. However... He was still bleeding. It's still raining. The rat is still dead.
He passed out.
© Copyright 2024, James Milne