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

Graf had finished purging and was about to stand when a sudden movement from the back of the cave caught Adama’s attention.


Graf glanced up to see where Adama was pointing. He spun around as the intruder crashed into him, knocking him to the ground. The bison hide fell from Graf’s shoulders, leaving him naked in the chilly air. The instant exposure to the elements did little to dampen his determination. He leapt to his feet. Immediately the men were exchanging blows. With a well-placed punch to the jaw, Graf sent the intruder flying backwards into the dirt. In a flash, Graf was on top of him, laying into him with his fists. The sound of each punch echoed up to Adama, who watched, transfixed, from the comfort of the burrow.


The fight took the men to the mouth of the cave, and as they tumbled to the muddy ground, locked together in combat, they rolled out of sight.


Chapter 10