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

“And you?” he asked. “How did you come to live the solitary life?”


“I think you’ll find that most solitary people have a similar story,” said Graf. “Sometimes it’s easier to turn your back on everything and start again.”


“It was. Your story mirrors mine, but for the fact I lived with Roan for many summers. It was a happy existence. We loved each other deeply and enjoyed every minute together. We fucked all the time. Wherever we were. We couldn’t bear to be separated. We were only ever apart during the rainy seasons. Him in his burrow and me in mine.”


“You never thought to share? As we are?”


Chapter 9