Chapter 24
MODERN FLAMETHROWERS don’t differ much from those used in World War Two. The backpack has a tank of compressed nitrogen and a tank of fuel, either propane or a modern mixture of gelled gasoline they still call napalm. Pressurized nitrogen drives the fuel up into the gun, into the nozzle, past the igniter, and out at the target.
Either type can ignite living body fat, reducing people to greasy bones.
The nozzle pointed at me had the rounded opening of a propane model. It wouldn’t shoot more than ten or twelve feet, creating a cloud of diffuse flame. More than enough to swallow me, unfortunately. It was only a couple feet out of my reach. I didn’t recognize the skinny kid wearing the backpack, but I recognized the almost panicked way his leather-gloved hand trembled over the re
