09/02/2025 Snippet, IRONGHOSTS, Part 2

Pits!

…

The hole that they found was more a crevasse, set against the rubble of what used to be an intersection. It was a leap of faith for the two men to use it, or at least a slide of faith. But it was deep enough to be dark and smelled of stagnant water, and that was enough for Oxman to take the chance. The rumbling behind him argued that at least one of the golems had not given up its quest of murder.

The crevasse did lead to at least a stream below, from the sound of the water moving beneath him; it also did so abruptly, leaving him scrabbling in the air for a moment until one striving hand found and grabbed old rebar. “Nat!’ he hissed, ignoring the sudden bite in his hand. “Watch for the edge!”

He could barely see Nat slide in, checking his momentum over the lip of the pit at the last moment. He hung down for a moment, then deliberately let go. The splash that followed was welcome in its quickness. “Five feet at most,” Nat called up, softly. Then he stepped back, because Oxman had already swung forward, and let go.

Patreon!