Adama lives in a time long before recorded history, when the small population of human beings exist at one with nature. Intelligent, they still retain something of the wild animal. The climate is tropical summer, punctuated by a short rainy season that isn’t only a time of constant heavy rain, but also when the Grim appear. These creatures are the reason humans build burrows, to hibernate in during the rainy season. But the Grim have begun to detect these underground burrows and root out their inhabitants. When Adama meets Graf, a traveller from the north, they share a quick sexual encounter before Graf continues on his way. However, the rains have come early this year, and with the threat of the Grim, Graf turns back. They share Adama’s burrow, but even securely tucked away, there are dangers. Who, or what, is banging on the entrance to their burrow? Will Adama and Graf survive to explore their burgeoning friendship?

The Burrow

“I’ve got no doubt it would,” said Graf, “but the fact remains, there’s no room. I don’t know what else to tell you.”


The man lunged forward, his head spearing into the burrow. “Let me in.”


Graf pushed back, growling as he drove out the man with enough power to nearly topple him from the narrow ledge outside.


“And stay out if you know what’s good for you.” He looked at Adama, his expression stern. “Put the rock back.”


Adama hurried to block the hole, twisting the rock into place, ensuring it would keep the burrow secure.


“Do you think he’ll try to get in?”


Graf crawled to the bear fur and climbed in, followed immediately by Adama. He snuggled next to Graf, resting his head on the man’s chest, his heart still racing from the encounter.


“I don’t think so,” said Graf. “Not now that he knows there are two of us.”


Chapter 8