Wednesday has come around again, and I’m happy to present this week’s flash fiction.
Melori grimaced as he passed the barrier enclosing the feedlot. Stench washed over him which, while foul, didn’t surprise him. The barrier had gleamed a sullen brown when he’d left the barracks this morning. Not the normal, vibrant red.
Worse, there weren’t the absent critters, the only present items were the meat already rotting after yesterday. The dragonettes had been playing happily when he’d dropped it. Now they were gone.
Hywall smacked into Melori’s back. No doubt he’d charged in without caution. “What’s wrong – geeeeek!” his thundered question turned into a roaring gage. “Didn’t you clear the troughs yesterday?” The man shoved Melori out of the way. “They’re too young to disgust that rot.”
“I did, but–”
“Not well enough!” Hywall cut him off. “Preserve me! That stench!” He wretched again stopping by the bin.
“I did.” Melori repeated louder. “Did you?” Melori did the morning clearing. Hywall the evening. Food rotted fast in the pen kept in triple digit heat.
Hywell blinked, twitching with the movement. “Did I? Wait. They’re not here!” He jerked away, latching onto that fact. He peered about as if expecting a dragonette to jump out and bite him.
Melori wished one would. For multiple reasons.
“We’ll worry about your waste later. But we’ve gotta find those dragonettes!” Hywell dashed away.
Melori followed more slowly. He knew Hywell would bury the food least they examine him. But he’d try and blame this on Melori. Melori wasn’t going to let him.
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