Heart of Dorkness

Terror Thirty-One - Goo

Terror Thirty-One - Goo

Terror Thirty-One - Goo

The next morning is an exciting one. I have to scramble to put my cloak on while Felix distracts Esme at the door. Its only when Im entirely covered that I notice the raven monster resting with its head tucked under a wing on Felixs nightstand. I dive across the room, grab the bird, and flick it under the covers fast enough that its protesting squawk is drowned out by the blankets.

What was that? Esme asks.

Nothing, Felix and I say.

Felix backs up, letting Esme into the room. She flounces around, eyes wide behind her glasses before she sits down at a chair next to a desk by the corner. Did you sleep well?

Very, I say. And I came up with a great plan. But its one where well need your help.

Oh? Esme asks.

I can sense Felixs curiosity too. Yep. So, before we can really get into the nitty-gritty of everything, we need a map. Or at least a blueprint of the Academy and the places where theyre holding the books.

Esme nods slowly. I... I think I can do that, she says. Ill need to ask for a few favours over at the library, but it shouldnt be too hard.

That would be wonderful, I say.

Esme puffs out her cheeks, then points to me. But you need to actually go through with all of this. And you need to let me help more.

Yes, of course, I say. Felix and I will be... uh, I fumble. I cant exactly say going out of town to collect a whole heap of monsters, that might give a few too many things away. Going to see about Felixs eyes. And we need disguises.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Disguises? Oh, thats clever, Esme says. A lot of the people at the Academy arent too old. Well, theyre older than us, but not by too much. Theyre, like, sixteen and stuff.

Thats pretty old, but I guess its not that much older. Do they have a uniform?

Esmes head bobs up and down. They do! They have these white robes, with a coloured trim, and a big hood. Some decorate theirs.

Great! It shouldnt be too hard to find someone that can sell us something similar, right?

I dont see why it would be hard, Esme says.

The plan is still nebulous in my head, but its starting to come together. I think I have all the tools Ill need, at least. We reach one of the big gates leading out of the city. Theres plenty of traffic heading in and out, with the same sort of... I guess its like an airlock? It looks like its designed to let the guards inspect stuff without having to open up the city entirely.

The line for pedestrians heading out is fairly short, and when a guard at the gate asks us where were going, I just say we live outside and he lets us through without a second glance.

Bored guards are the best.

Black tar pits are pretty common. They appear where people die often, which means a city should be full of them. Of course, there are ways to burn them off, and Im sure there are priests whose entire job is to make sure no monster spawns inside a city. So well need to go adventuring to find one.

I pause to take in a deep breath after stepping out. The sky has cleared up, and theres a gentle, warm wind coming in from the north. Its barely strong enough to replace the stench from inside the city.

A glance over to Felix reveals that shes smiling, her head turned my way. I grin back, even if she cant see it. Its too nice of a day not to be in a good mood. Come on! The nearest forest isnt far off.

We follow the main road, but as soon as I spot a trail leading off of it, I follow that. There are plenty of farms around the capital, little fenced-off fields and pastures where some sheep and goats are doing farm animal things under the watchful gazes of some farmers with big shady hats.

The farms are set up so theres space between them and the edge of the nearest forest. I guess it gives the people living there time to spot any monsters coming. Not that most monsters would come this close to such a big city on purpose.

Then again, a newly born monster might be confused. No one could blame them for accidentally stumbling into a field full of tasty snacks and having a nibble.

The forest must be tended to, or maybe therere just a lot of people who dive in for wood to burn, because there are hardly any fallen branches around, and the paths are well trodden and easy to navigate, even for Felix, who is more blind than usual in a forest.

Alright, I say once were deeper in. Lets find one of those tar pits.

How do we do that?

The easy way, I say as I pull a few little friends out from under my cloak. Hey, guys, we need some death goop. Can you find me some?

My little friends dart off, flying out every which way to search out a puddle for me. It doesnt take very long before a cute little tarantula wasp monster comes back, his little stinger bottom all covered in goop.

Well done! I say. I wipe the goop off, then pop him on my shoulder in a place of pride before grabbing Felix by the hand. Come on! Oh! And when you get near the goop, dont fall in. You can drown in there really easily.

Ill try not to, Felix says. When I have eyes, I want to learn how to swim though.

Oh, even if you know how, you really shouldnt try to swim in tar. Its gooey and sticky, and a bit yucky. Ill let you touch some if you want!

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