I've been thinking too much.
Scorch marks. Nathaniel sees them, but doesn’t quite believe them. How many years spent huddled up inside, the darkness keening against the windows like a tortured thing? How many years watching the perch go up? Praying luxere would be enough? Of course the thing waited to show up until he was long gone. He isn’t sure if he’s annoyed or grateful or something else.
It’s then someone has the audacity to run into him, a jolt against his ribs and also somewhere up in the nebulous reaches of his brain. He doesn’t startle, just stares, a little annoyed to find the stranger of an even height with him, though maybe about half as wide. A lanky, wild sort of fellow, dark hair and strikingly sharp features. Almost like a handsome version of Nathaniel, if Nathaniel also forgot to eat for six months.
“Did you see it?” he asks, shifting deliberately away. The comment about the sandwich is so stupid he ignores it at first, moving forward instead as he contemplates touching one of the scorch marks.
It’s then someone has the audacity to run into him, a jolt against his ribs and also somewhere up in the nebulous reaches of his brain. He doesn’t startle, just stares, a little annoyed to find the stranger of an even height with him, though maybe about half as wide. A lanky, wild sort of fellow, dark hair and strikingly sharp features. Almost like a handsome version of Nathaniel, if Nathaniel also forgot to eat for six months.
“Did you see it?” he asks, shifting deliberately away. The comment about the sandwich is so stupid he ignores it at first, moving forward instead as he contemplates touching one of the scorch marks.
Nate
