Hey guys, sorry about long times in-between publishing! I'm writing a script at the moment so a lot of my time is going into that! Hope you enjoy the little snippet that is Chapter 29.

It was later in the day when the group of Scouts finally made it downstairs, fully packed and equipped for a long trip. If the Scouts stayed where they were, the Risen they’d just killed would likely be back for revenge.

Besides, Vas believed they needed to go back to the Wall. They needed to warn the army so that preparations could be made. Vas believed his small group could perhaps outpace the Risen by a day or two. A day or two to prepare.

The group of Scouts crouched inside their building, watching thousands of Risen from a corner. They needed to be ready to go when there was a gap.

After a few minutes of watching the Risen, Vas turned back to his companions, wondering why they were so quiet. Then realized they were all talking to each other. He caught Selene’s eye and smiled. She raised an eyebrow.

“Should we attack?” He tried to make the question sound innocent. Then he smiled at them. Apparently his pass at humor was successful, as smiles covered the faces of all the Scouts.

Alex said something that was probably a response to Vas, but her lips moved too fast to read. Everyone laughed, and Vas thought he could almost make out the murmur of laugher. Maybe he was just making it up.

A hand touched his shoulder and made him flinch. It was Tapo. The big man pointed to the entrance of the building. It was clear.

Vas nodded and stood. So did the others. They strode to the entrance and walked through what had once been windows. No Risen in sight. “North,” Vas said, mostly to himself. He saw Fem nod and realized everyone had heard him. He’d need to be careful not to be too loud when speaking in the future.

Vas’s small group stepped through the cluttered streets. It was easy to follow the tracks of tens of thousands of footsteps in the snow. After a few more minutes of walking, the light from the sun darkened considerably, like a cloud had covered it entirely. Vas found this strange as he hadn’t noticed any clouds in the sky. Glancing up, Vas could barely even see a small portion of the sky. He shook his head.

Something was wrong.

More than an earth-shattering boom and hordes of Risen charging to the Wall. He just couldn’t settle on what it was.

Vas felt a flick at his shoulder and glanced at the disturbance. Alex held out the deck of cards and mouthed something akin to, “We should make meanings for the rest of these.” Vas wondered if she was actually saying those words or if she was just mouthing them at him.

“Later, when we aren’t in danger of dying if we mess up.” Alex raised her eyebrows at him, “we’re always in danger of dying,” she mouthed.

One of the most interesting parts of being temporarily deaf—at least, Vas hoped it would be temporary—was that he had to focus on facial expressions and body language to decipher the meanings and complexities of whatever people were saying. Alex would draw herself up before telling a good joke or a story. Tapo sighed and rubbed his eyes constantly when he didn’t have enough to do. Fem avoided meeting people’s eyes whenever he could.

The sky was getting very dark after a few more hours of walking. Vas had hoped they could escape the city before stopping for the night but there was no choice now. Nighttime was just too dangerous in close quarters like this. “We need a house to stay in,” he said. Alex sprang into action, finding the two of hearts after a few moments and holding it up for Vas. “I’m who said it.” Alex huffed and drew up before her retort, “And can you hear yourself?” Vas just shook his head and laughed quietly.

The Scouts made their way into one of the many tall housing complexes and up the stairs. There were never houses on first floors, which always functioned as a giant lobby.

On the second floor all of the doors were wide open. This was disconcerting because if there were any Risen left behind they would likely attack as soon as they saw the Scouts.

Fortunately, when Tapo chose the first house on the right, it was as empty as they all hoped.

Vas set his bedroll down in the furthest room from the entry, where a giant hole in the wall was. There used to be a window, now there was just glass on the floor. Vas laid down, looked out the window and saw an endless dark cloud in the sky.

Ash.