4
Smoke faded in and out of consciousness.
The world blurred by, black and white, as if it were a film negative. The air sweltered around him, an optical illusion of its own, making the sky look fuzzy like it was covered in welts.
Hundreds of jawless mouths…
Munching.
Chomping.
Swarming.
Buzzing.
Earth cracking.
Sand shifting.
The world spun around and he was so dizzy he couldn't keep his eyes open.
He hung his head and closed his eyes.
“Wake up.”
A hand slapped Smoke on the wrist.
He didn't open his eyes.
The hand slapped him again.
He blinked his eyes open, fluttered his eyelids to focus.
A broad-shouldered man stood in front of him. He had a long, square face with a severe jaw, and he wasn't much of a smiler.
Smoke tried to focus.
Everything behind the man…beyond the
