Bearclaw Valley do not demons love one another

carrion. merrick knew the taste, once upon a time.
a vulture's clacking beak.
merrick shut his eyes, drew a breath.
mom mommy mom mom i buried — i put you
in the snow —!
another breath; the boy found iron in his spine once more. "haven't met a berry worth eating," as if nothing had happened, as if he had not suddenly struggled beneath the eye of god. "i do like honey, though. what a taste."