Strata
an excerpt

I pivot on my heel and slog off to the bedroom where I bunk with the remaining Morgan boys. They’re all still sleeping like hibernating bears, Gareth snores in the corner. I always fantasize that one day, a spider will drop from the ceiling beams into Gareth’s mouth and choke him. Then he would wake up confused and gagging and never know he had just swallowed a spider. Boy, what a sight! I assume that will never happen, so for now I simply have to play my part as the annoying younger brother.
“Get! Up!” I shout, as loud as the hooter at Blackchurch. Gareth, without even opening his eyes, without even hesitating, reaches down and takes hold of a boot, which he hurls in the general direction of my head. Lucky for me it’s dark and his aim is as lousy as his attitude. “You’re such a turd, Gareth,” I say without inspiration.