Friday, February 26, 2010
Last Known Photo of the Beast Battalion
"Where did you get this?" Harry's hands shook so much he almost dropped it. He fell into his chair, while Daniel stood over him. "What is this, Dad? This is you, isn't it?" Harry squinted at the faded photograph. "I haven't seen the whole squad together since.. Berlin." His voice trailed off. "How did you find this?" he asked.
"Freedom of Information Act, Dad," Daniel said, frustrated. "Nothing stays secret forever. You were a part of this, weren't you?"
Harry said nothing, and just stared at his old team. Wally looked good then, he thought. Still had both tusks. He ran his hand lightly over Dawn, traced a finger along her beak.
Daniel sat on the bed next to his father. "Look, Dad. I have a good life. Jenny, the kids, the work I do. There's nothing you could tell me that would ever change that. I just want to know about you. About the life you led." Harry nodded. "It's probably time. I've just been sitting on it all these years anyway. My dresser, boy. Second drawer on the right's got a false bottom. Go grab me what's in there. And fix me a highball while you're at it." Daniel found the false bottom in the drawer, and brought out a small wooden box, finely carved. And he fixed a highball. "Open it," Harry said, waving his drink at the box.
Inside Daniel found a large amulet. He raised it reverently, but looking closer, he could see it wasn't much more than a cheap trinket. Hammered copper, with a piece of old leather strap threaded through. "What is this," he asked. "Go ahead, put it on," his dad said, with the start of a wry smile. Daniel held the amulet in his hand and felt it vibrate slightly, almost as if it carried a small electric charge. Knowing this was ten kinds of wrong, he looked at his dad, then pulled the amulet over his head. It vibrated against his chest.
His face began to itch.
large size here.
