Snippet #2807346

Otis lingered by the cannon, the end aimed for the heart of the settlement. Otis had slowly but surely been condensing air inside the cavernous barrel over the last few minutes, the intent to create what amounted to a "blank" shell formed of wind. Even if he lost control as soon as he pressed the trigger, which was likely, the concussion from the air would still probably do some damage; at this range, a blast of wind at that speed would rip the roofs right off the buildings.

***

Scared by all the shots, Tate followed his father hesitantly from the room, hiding as he moved from the building. Looking around for his father worriedly, Tate licked his lips and clenched his shaking hands.

"Safe, dad, stay... safe," Tate whispered, cowering as more bullets were fired. He saw his dad running through a hole in the fence he crouched behind, and Tate began to crawl in that direction. "Dad... dad," he shivered, in near panic.