{"id":714,"date":"2021-01-20T16:43:26","date_gmt":"2021-01-20T16:43:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/?p=714"},"modified":"2021-01-27T22:02:27","modified_gmt":"2021-01-27T22:02:27","slug":"fishbones-book-ii-chapter-39-gold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/2021\/01\/fishbones-book-ii-chapter-39-gold\/","title":{"rendered":"Fishbones Book II \u2013 Chapter 39: Gold"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"by Eyugho<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to come?\u201d was all Ferris had said, but those five words might have changed everything. It had taken him a minute to remember who Olivia<\/i> was when the call came. The woman they had met on Demos\u2019 birthday, the one Demos had sung a \u201cSo Emotional\u201d duet with before he got more or less trashed. She and Ferris had exchanged a text or two, but this was the first time she had ever called.<\/p>\n

And she\u2019d called at a bad time\u2014everyone always did. He and Demos had just sat down with Seamus at the Sparrow Diner, ready to have a talk. To spend time together, like they used to. Ferris\u2019 coffee had just been poured when his phone rang.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d Olivia said. \u201cYou guys busy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris made a sideways glance at Demos. \u201cKind of. What\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need your help with a little something\u2014I\u2019ll pay. Come meet me outside the Tower.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Tower<\/i> was shorthand for Southport Tower. A tall, glimmering broadcasting tower slash tourist attraction that offered a view of the entire city from an observation deck at 1440 feet. It was strange, when Ferris really thought about it. He\u2019d been born and raised in Southport, but had never actually stepped foot inside that tower. From Olivia\u2019s description of \u201coutside,\u201d it seemed it would stay that way.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Ferris said. He closed his phone with a clack. This wasn\u2019t something he needed to run by the Ghost. It was money, and Victor would need a stent in his heart if he heard that Demos had passed over a chance to earn.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you just agree too?\u201d Demos asked from his side, his eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOlivia\u2014\u201c Ferris glanced over at Seamus. \u201c\u2014needs help with something.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos lifted a brow. \u201cOlivia? Oh\u2014oh<\/i>. That<\/i> Olivia. Where at?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSouthport Tower.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d Seamus said. He set down his menu, clearly attempting to hold back a sigh. The look on his face struck Ferris in the chest. That disappointment. They\u2019d be leaving him behind\u2014again. After everything they\u2019d talked about, after everything Seamus had spilled from his heart in the alley behind the restaurant. This plan to spend time together would be brushed to the side, inconsequential.<\/p>\n

Ferris had already discussed it with Demos\u2014at length. Seamus could stay at the restaurant. He could dip his toes in this<\/i> side of their lives. See what he thought. Decide for himself. Maybe\u2014<\/p>\n

Maybe they didn\u2019t have<\/i> to leave Seamus alone at the diner.<\/p>\n

Ferris waited until he caught Seamus\u2019 eyes. \u201cDo you want to come?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seamus\u2019 eyes held his for a moment, wide. He took a second to digest the invitation, to put together the meaning of what Ferris had just said to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d he finally said, the corner of his mouth lifting to a smile. \u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

The only thing on Ferris\u2019 mind as he drove was the hope that he hadn\u2019t just made an enormous mistake\u2014that this wouldn\u2019t end up traumatizing Seamus. Forever. Again. It would be fine. They could hear what the job was, then<\/i> make the executive decision on whether or not they would bring Seamus along for the rest of it. Right. Perfectly fine.<\/p>\n

The Bentley came to a stop along the curb outside the Tower\u2019s entrance. There were charter buses lining the road and a throng of people crowded on the sidewalk. The backdoor of the car cracked open and Olivia slid into the seat, bumping Seamus over with her hip. Through the rearview mirror, Ferris could see Seamus open his mouth to protest her rudeness, only to close it when he got a good look at her. His type, apparently.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, there\u2019s three of you,\u201d Olivia said. \u201cI thought you\u2019d be on a date or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris glared at her through the mirror. \u201cWhy\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

Olivia jabbed Demos\u2019 shoulder through the space in the headrest. \u201cStraight men don\u2019t sing like him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOw, watch it,\u201d Demos said with a cringe. \u201cSo, what\u2019s this something<\/i> you need help with?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I thought since I did you that favor\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cUh-uh.\u201d Demos turned to face her, his hands fastened on the side of the seat. \u201cWe paid<\/i> you for that. This would be us doing you<\/i> a favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, so you don\u2019t want money for this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos shrugged. \u201cI never said it was a free<\/i> favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, I could have just gone to Alonzo and\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my God,\u201d Ferris snapped. \u201cBoth of you\u2014stop. Just tell us what you need.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos and Olivia quieted under Ferris\u2019 glare, still huffing like teenagers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Olivia said. \u201cThere\u2019s this guy, a regular with a lot of us. Lately he\u2019s been dine and dashing, says he \u2018didn\u2019t get his money\u2019s worth\u2019 or some shit. Did it to me just yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos squinted at her. \u201cIsn\u2019t it your\u2026 boss\u2019 job to deal with this kind of thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat asshole said it was our<\/i> fault,\u201d Olivia said with a scoff. \u201cAnd he\u2019s making us<\/i> cover for the loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh,\u201d Ferris said. \u201cToo bad you can\u2019t unionize.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that reminds me\u2014he\u2019s a union<\/i> guy. Vice President of the police union or something. Pat Buckner\u2014goes by Buck<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course\u2014of course their best customers would be police officers. It would be a shame to pass up that kind of irony. Even Blakely, the last chief of police, couldn\u2019t help himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait.\u201d Demos had a fist to his mouth, his eyes narrowed in thought. \u201cI know him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho, that Bucker bloke?\u201d Seamus asked. The first thing he\u2019d said since the car stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, some anti-Semitic piece of shit cop that I kicked out of a basement. Uncle Vic almost killed me for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris rubbed his forehead. \u201cIf he almost killed you for it, why the fuck would you go after the guy now? I think\u2014whatever<\/i> you plan on doing to him will be a little worse than booting him from a gambling den.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos slipped his \u201cthinking face\u201d back on, glaring out the window as whatever pile of gears and nicotine in his head did their work.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Demos finally said. \u201cI\u2019ll ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris stared. \u201cYou\u2019ll what<\/i>?\u201d<\/p>\n

But Demos was already on his phone, punching in buttons. He held it to his ear, chewing his lip while he waited.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey Uncle Vic,\u201d Demos said. \u201cYeah, I wanted to ask you something.\u201d A pause. \u201cI\u2019ve got a job, but it would mean\u2014maybe<\/i> laying out Pat Bucker. Yeah, him. I wanted your okay before I took it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The car was quiet as Demos listened. For a long time. The voice on the other side of the line was barely a tinge of static. Demos made a few single word replies. A \u201cmhm\u201d followed by a \u201cyeah.\u201d Then, he hung up the call.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris was still staring. \u201cHe did<\/i>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSaid Bucker reneged on his end of the deal anyway. And\u2014\u201c Demos slid his phone back into his pocket. \u201cI could be wrong, but he sounded kind of\u2014ah, nevermind. I\u2019ll tell you later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo<\/i>.\u201d Olivia tapped her fingers on the passenger seat headrest. \u201cThat means you\u2019re down?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Demos said. \u201cWe\u2019re down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHang on, hang on.\u201d Seamus held up both hands. \u201cWe\u2019re going after a police officer<\/i>?\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos was rolling down his window, a cigarette hanging from his teeth. \u201cSeamus\u2014I don\u2019t think he\u2019s going to run and tell everyone at the station he got his ass kicked because he didn\u2019t pay a prostitute. I mean, just a hunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Olivia gestured over to Seamus and Ferris with her thumb. \u201cYou\u2019re bringing Pinky and the Brain, right? I mean, no offense, but you don\u2019t have the\u2014presence<\/i> of an ass-kicker.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSeamus?\u201d Demos said, locking his eyes on his friend. \u201cIs this something you want to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seamus exhaled. \u201cYeah. I\u2019ll give it a go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Part of Ferris wondered if he\u2019d only agreed because there was an attractive woman present, but it was too late to pry.<\/p>\n

A lighter clicked as Demos lit his cigarette. \u201cWhere can we find him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019re going to love this. He\u2019s got an \u201cappointment\u201d with me at the Bliss Motel in half an hour.\u201d She passed over a room key with a number on the tag. \u201cAll wrapped up in a little bow for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dThanks.\u201d Demos exhaled a plume of smoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust send him a good message. I don\u2019t even care about the money\u2014I just want his ass gone.\u201d Olivia took in a sudden breath and held up one hand. \u201cNo, wait. I do care about the money. Bring me the money, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos flicked his cigarette out the window. \u201cOkay, but you owe us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she said as she opened the car door, stepping back out onto the street. \u201cThis is making us even!\u201d The door slammed shut.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou owe us! Bye!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris wasn\u2019t sure if she could even hear Demos through the now-closed door, but it didn\u2019t matter. As long as they followed through, this would keep them on Olivia\u2019s good side. And after losing Hassan\u2014<\/p>\n

Olivia\u2019s good side seemed like the right place to be.<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

It was a little odd, how familiar Demos was with the Bliss Motel. He\u2019d never mentioned it before, but knew the directions off the top of his head. It was a semi rundown establishment off the side of the highway, the word Bliss<\/i> encircled in neon on a tall, looming sign.<\/p>\n

They found Room 2H on the second floor\u2014the same number on the key tag. The paint on the door was chipped around the number and the beige curtains were closed. For reasons Ferris couldn\u2019t quite figure out, Demos seemed uneasy\u2014quiet and avoiding eye contact. But this wasn\u2019t the time to ask about it. With a breath, Ferris turned the knob and the lock clicked open. This was the place.<\/p>\n

They were greeted by a man\u2019s coarse voice the moment they entered\u2014the same voice that had been muttering beneath the television in the basement of that Chinese bakery.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood to see you\u2019ve come around,\u201d Buck said. \u201cI\u2019ve\u2014ahh shit<\/i>!\u201d<\/p>\n

The moment Ferris looked in, he regretted it. There the man lay, as naked as the day he was born. All those back rolls\u2014all that graying body hair. Buck had scrambled backward at the sight of the three intruders who were quite obviously not<\/i> a beautiful woman.<\/p>\n

Demos immediately shielded his eyes with a hand. \u201cUgh, God! Put some clothes on you fucking creep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the fuck<\/i> are you doing here?\u201d Buck spat, his eyes wide and his forehead already damp with perspiration. \u201cWhat is this?<\/i>\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck had nabbed a pillow to cover his groin and Ferris immediately found himself pitying the pillow. Not that it was in a good place to begin with. The room itself was dingy and the furniture looked like it had just barely survived the 80\u2019s. The carpet was thick enough for Ferris\u2019 shoes to sink into and the walls had a faint, bleached-over mold smell. He made a mental note not to breathe in too deeply.<\/p>\n

Ferris glanced from Demos back to the man on the bed. \u201cDo you want the long explanation or the short one?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I look like I give a fuck?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, short I guess,\u201d Demos said with a shrug. \u201cWe\u2019re going to hit you until you give us money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re\u2014\u201c Buck squinted. \u201cRobbing<\/i> me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Demos said with a thoughtful tap on his lips. \u201cMore like collecting dues, I guess? There are some ladies you forgot to pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

At this, Buck grit his teeth. \u201cHey\u2014I don\u2019t finish, I don\u2019t pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris held down a cringe. That sentence, as short as it was, was much more information than he needed to know. Demos said nothing, only glancing at Seamus, then nodding over to Buck. Seamus took in a breath and rounded the bed, his shadow falling over the man\u2019s frame.<\/p>\n

Well, this was it. Seamus had plenty of experience beating down innocents from his high school bully days. A naked, grown-ass man was a little different from a teenaged student, but the idea was the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d Buck stammered. \u201cWait just a\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

As Seamus wrangled Buck down and threw a flesh-stamping punch across his face, Ferris was suddenly grateful for his presence. If Seamus hadn\u2019t been here\u2014Ferris would have been the one grappling Buck\u2019s sweaty, bare skin. Christ.<\/p>\n

Buck groaned. \u201cI don\u2019t carry that much cash on me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Without being asked, Seamus punched him once more. Ferris could hear the crunch of knuckle on bone followed by a gravely moan. Seamus was actually pretty good at this. His face was hard to read, though. His eyes were blank\u2014unfocused. Ferris couldn\u2019t find any traces of moral distress on that face, but Seamus also didn\u2019t seem to be having as much fun as Demos. Then again, few people ever did.<\/p>\n

\u201cHang on, hang on,\u201d Demos said, holding up a hand. \u201cOpen his mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n

With his free hand, Seamus gripped Buck around his cheeks, forcing his jaw open with a particularly hard squeeze of his fingertips. With his hands on his hips, Demos peered closer.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s what I thought,\u201d Demos said with a little smile. \u201cA gold tooth. I wonder if that\u2019s worth anything. Anyone bring pliers?\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck\u2019s entire body jerked backward. He writhed under Seamus\u2019 grip, but was unable to do more than jostle his assailant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a SOG in my back pocket,\u201d Seamus said.<\/p>\n

Sure enough, Demos found an aluminum bodied utility tool from the rear pocket of Seamus\u2019 jeans. He held it up to examine, letting the thin strip of light from the curtains glint over its surface.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m telling Alonzo about this,\u201d Buck said, panting.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d Demos snapped open the tool with a clack<\/i>. \u201cTell that shit stain he\u2019s next.\u201d<\/p>\n

At this, Buck could only stare. His breaths heaved in and out, shaky.<\/p>\n

Demos clicked the pliers open and shut like a little toy crocodile. \u201cHold his head back.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Seamus\u2019 eyes held fast on Demos. His expression was no longer hard to read. There was a very clear aura of \u201cAre you fucking serious?\u201d all over his face. With a side of \u201cHow did my life lead up to this point?\u201d He sucked in a slow breath through his teeth, then pried Buck\u2019s head back. Demos leaned in.<\/p>\n

\u201cFuck\u2014fuck<\/i>! Stop<\/i>!\u201d Buck cried. \u201cI remembered. I-I have cash.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos frowned. \u201cI don\u2019t know, I\u2019m kind of invested in this tooth thing now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s in my duffel! Just check! It\u2019s there!\u201d Buck\u2019s eyes snapped sideways toward a limp blue bag that had been tossed against the air conditioner. Demos nodded over. That was Ferris\u2019 cue, he supposed.<\/p>\n

Ferris crouched beside the bag, tugging the zipper to reveal its contents. The second his eyes focused, he cringed. The bag was stuffed with miscellanea, ranging from magazines to condoms. Police flex cuffs. A few pairs of women\u2019s underwear that were much too small to be Buck\u2019s. Suddenly Seamus\u2019 role didn\u2019t seem so bad.<\/p>\n

\u201cUgh, fuck<\/i>.\u201d Ferris recoiled, drawing back his hands. \u201cI\u2019m not<\/i> digging through this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s\u2014there\u2019s a zipper on the inside,\u201d Buck said.<\/p>\n

Ferris swallowed\u2014both whatever was in his throat and his pride, and pulled the side pocket open. A stack of fresh bills peeked back at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHm.\u201d Ferris flipped through the stack, counting under his breath. \u201cThis isn\u2019t enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos clicked his tongue. \u201cSorry, Buck.\u201d<\/p>\n

The next thing Ferris heard was a scream. The clamp of metal on bone and the sound of something being wrested free from a bed of flesh. Seamus had looked away, eyes shut tight, while Demos examined the small gold tooth that was clamped between the jaws of the pliers. Buck was whimpering, gasping\u2014blood slipping into bright red droplets on his bare chest.<\/p>\n

Demos narrowed his eyes at the tooth. \u201cYou know, now that I\u2019m looking at this\u2014it\u2019s kind of gross.\u201c He glanced over at Ferris. \u201cYou want to carry it, Fish?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

One, Ferris was certain a pawned gold tooth would net barely enough cash to buy lunch and two, Demos was right. It was disgusting.<\/p>\n

Demos\u2019 attention turned to Seamus, whose eyes were still closed. \u201cSeamus?\u201d All Seamus could do was shake his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay then,\u201d Demos said. \u201cI\u2019ll just leave it on the dresser for you, Buck.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos dropped the tooth on the worn wood of the dresser. It clattered down, a hint of gold and blood trailing red before rolling to a stop. Buck was lucky, in a way. If he moved quickly enough, he might be able to get a dentist to slap it back in there. This was one of Demos\u2019 more generous days, it seemed.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Demos said. Buck\u2019s body fell to the mattress in a shaky thump. Ferris slid the stack of bills in his jacket\u2019s inner pocket. It wasn\u2019t quite enough to pay all the man\u2019s debts, but it was a start. Light flooded the musty room the moment he opened the door, leaving only their shadows on the thick carpet. Demos was the last to step out. His hand paused on the doorknob before he glanced back one last time.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Buck\u2014consider keeping some more cash on hand,\u201d Demos said. \u201cNo one\u2019s going to fuck you for free.\u201d<\/p>\n

And the door to Room 2H slammed shut.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Demos said as they reached the bottom of the stairs. \u201cYour SOG.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seamus rejected the offering with a hand. \u201cAh, you keep it,\u201d he said, his voice shaky.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you insist.\u201d With a shrug, Demos snapped it shut and slid it into his pocket. Then, there was a buzz from his phone. \u201cAh, hang on. It\u2019s Uncle Vic.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Demos stepped away toward the vending machines, Ferris\u2019 attention turned back to Seamus. He was staring at what Ferris was pretty sure was nothing. Pale, like a man who had just seen a ghost.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou okay?\u201d Ferris asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll good,\u201d Seamus said, then clasped his hands together. \u201cI\u2019d like to thank the two of you for having me along. I\u2019m afraid I will not be joining you on future\u2014whatever that was-es. Best of luck, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris leaned against the staircase beam. \u201cDid Demos creep you out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Seamus pulled a cigarette from a crumpled pack. \u201cYes, he did.\u201d The cigarette was lit and smoke drifted up along the mint-painted motel stairs. Seamus took a long, slow drag before his voice seemed to calm. \u201cHe always like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris glanced over toward the vending machines where Demos was still talking on his phone. \u201cPretty much, yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t bother you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt used to,\u201d was all Ferris could say. \u201cYou still want to work at the restaurant?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. I do. Just on the ah\u2014quieter side of the bar. And no more secrets, yeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure.\u201d Ferris offered him a half smile. \u201cNo more secrets.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lump of lead that had been sinking in his chest was gone. Seamus would stay out of this realm, safe. Not because he\u2019d been excluded, but because he\u2019d chosen to. There was nothing to hide from him now. Nothing to pretend.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to be all right?\u201d Ferris said. \u201cAfter this and uh\u2014last week?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seamus was quiet for a long time, watching the pavement. Smoke lingered past his lips, clouding over his eyes before fading. When he spoke, it was soft\u2014distant. \u201cI had a bad dream.\u201d<\/p>\n

It struck Ferris hard. It felt like it was happening all over again. His first glimpse of death and the nightmares that followed. Night after night, waking up frozen, sweating. Heart pounding and head foggy. But this was different. It didn\u2019t have to be that way for Seamus.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to talk about it?\u201d Ferris asked gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d Seamus glanced up from the ground. \u201cI think I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sound of footsteps on cracked asphalt drew their attention to the right. Demos was staring down at his phone, his fingers tight on the plastic. That cocky little smile had left his face, replaced by something breathless.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he say?\u201d Ferris asked, his brow knit.<\/p>\n

It took Demos a moment to look up from his phone. There was a burn in his eyes\u2014bright and clear with intent. In that trace of a smile was a stoked flame ready to take down an entire city block. Brilliant, restless.<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow\u2019s your day.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Eyugho \u201cDo you want to come?\u201d was all Ferris had said, but those five words might have changed everything. It had taken him a minute to remember who Olivia was when the call came. The woman they had met on Demos\u2019 birthday, the one Demos had sung a \u201cSo Emotional\u201d duet with before he […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fishbones-book-02"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4oWx8-bw","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=714"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":718,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/714\/revisions\/718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}