Tarlock’s Prehistoric World Notes: I was very unhappy with my last image of Demonia; The old Kitsune Dome. So, I did it again. And as a side note, there are several inventions that for some mysterious reason exist on all sentient planets. Automatic dishwashers and cell phones are among them. Even demons don’t want to do the dishes and need a way to track their kids. Narrative: Tarlock had flipped the news vid on and was shoving plates in the dishwasher when the weather report began and a hazard alert scrolled across the bottom of the screen. “The cyanide clouds are clearing up,” the weather reporter was saying, “and it’s turning out to be another chilly winter day over most of the planet, with high temperatures in the low 400,’s. You might want to grab a jacket if you’re planning any outdoor activities.” Tarlock glanced at the hazard alert; something about a lava flow blocking the south road near the old Kitsune Dome. The weather reporter continued. “A lava flow has blocked the south bound lane of the old obsidian road. Road crews are on site but apparently a group of boys wading in the lava are blocking their efforts. Enforcers have been dispatched to clear the wayward lads out.” The vid image changed to a local crew on site. The image was fuzzy but showed four boys wading out into the lava, and a fifth one standing on the side of the road. Tarlock squinted but couldn’t make out the faces, but that one standing on the side didn’t have a tail. Tarlock pulled out his cell phone and started dialing while the news reporter laughed and attempted some light humor. “Can’t blame them though,” said the reporter, “Who doesn’t want to go lava wading on a chilly day like today.” (page break) “Hey Karu,” said Bali, “Your pocket is beeping.” Karu pulled out his cell and looked at the number. “Oh bone skulls, its pops,” he yelled to his brothers. “Hurry up and answer it,” Bezil yelled back, “or he will get suspicious.” The boys gathered around Karu and listened as he flipped the phone open. “Hey pops,” Karu said cheerfully. All the boy’s heard the clear and very loud voice of their father. “GET TO SCHOOL, NOW,” their father commanded. Karu jumped and the phone fumbled from his hand and landed in the lava and was gone. “How did he know?” asked Talur. Karu glanced around; saw the news camera and then Zan standing on the side of the road waiting for them. “Right there,” Karu pointed at Zan, “The tail-less wonder gave us away.” The boy’s waded out of the lava, grabbed their shoes and filed past Zan, each shoving Zan in turn and calling him a bone skull. “What?” Zan asked. “What did I do?”