I totally agree with you. this always happens when I set out to write short stories and exactly why i don't do it very often and i hate doing it. my stories are always meant for 100k + words and it's hard to shorten it. I think the skills needed for writing novels and writing short stories are very different and i don't think i have the skills for short story writing. That being said i enjoyed writing this one.
As far as Luke is concerned, i don't think he was brought up to hate. he was brought up to be a hunter. He's not human. He's a carnivore and a predator. i don't think it's surprising that, given they've all gone on the run, then are attacked and, as far as he knows, his father killed, that he would react with violence. isn't that what children do?
i would love to expand this story. There are so many things i would love to explore, not only the government labs and the underground, but the hot tentacle sex and i would LOVE to have Sys get pregnant by Dee and see what happens there. i'd like to say that one day i will but i have so many other projects and so many other stories i would like to expand and write sequels too i can't promise i will
as always, thanks for the fab review. i'm excited to read more of Dust and Ash's drama...and also the sweet relief of the other relationships