If you've made it this far, thanks for reading! This story was an Honorable Mention in the Writers of the Future, my first, with The Reconnoiters being my second. I learned a lot writing this story, mostly that rewriting over and over doesn't fix things--at least not for myself.

  If you're interested in checking out other things by me, I have several finished projects, Wakiagaru being the largest. at 436 pages. It's a far east fantasy thriller with a large cast of characters and a lot of action!

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Currently at the time of writing this, Blackwood Company is on going. It's a kind of grim dark heroic sword and sorcery short novel.

  Thanks for reading, and I'll see you with the next one!

  LambentTyto/Waraji-sama/Lawrence Whitaker/James Caldwell (wow I have too many pseudonyms!)