Excerpt: Our Blackened Cities

" Your crazy Larkin. " Emmit mumbled as he looked through the scope of his rifle, " I hope you know what your doing."

Slowly Larkin moved back towards the corner of the building. Being so close to a Puppet and still being alive is a great feat indeed. Sweat dripped off Emmit's face as he watched through the scope. His heavy breathing caused the lens to fog making him lower his rifle. In doing so he knocked a small pile of bricks down below him. Causing a loud crash to echo through the empty city streets. The Puppet rose quickly enraged by the noise.

" Dammit Emmit! " Cursed Larkin.

Quickly he rushed towards the beast blade shinning brightly. Startled by Larkin it turned fiercely at him with a loud shrieking scream. Its arm tore through the door facing in means to block the attack, but the blade had found its target faster than it had hoped. Slicing through completely. Oil sprayed out making a slippery mess. The beast swung its right arm at Larkin missing him slightly. He blew through its defense slicing its torso widely causing internal pressure to shoot out blinding him for a moment. Stumbling around making some distance between him and the Puppet. The Puppet retched in pain and became jittery from low body pressure. Its fluid seeping onto the ground heavily. Though blurry Larkin was able to make out the beasts image.

"Emmit shoot the damned thing, what are you doing you slow bastard!" Larkin Shouted impatiently.

Emmit raised his rifle aiming it at the beasts head. Shaking from fear and heavy breathing making it harder for him to get a bead on it with his cross hairs. The Puppet now getting its bearings straight charged at Larkin. Both run at each other full force the Puppet leapt at him. Larkin thrusted the blade straight through the beasts chest.

"Now...shoot now!" Howled Larkin.

Emmit took aim and shot the beast through the neck. Steam and oil gushed and sprayed out. The Puppet still connected to Larkin staggered around with him. Taking the chance He wrenched the long blade upward ripping the chest out causing major damage to the failed beast. Falling backward into the doorway of the convenience store. Emmit now catching up with Larkin loaded another shell into the chamber of his rifle. Unloading it into the Puppets skull for better judgment.

"He was a willey one wasn't he Emmit?" Larkin joked.
"I sure as Hell thought you were a goner Sir." Emmit commented.
"Sir...Sir? You know better, I am no different than you. No more no less." Said Larkin.
"Now lets go and make sure he was the only one around here. I am sure there is more close by."