by Calista Skye
“Okay, guys, you’re free to go but meet back where?”
“Outside the London Eye”.
“At what time?”
“Quarter past two”.
“Good. Have fun guys and don’t go off alone!”
Her class dispersed in little groups and cliques. She watched them go.
“It’s far too hot for this” said Nick, the activity leader.
“Tell me about it” said Helen, “But I’m well psyched about the disco later. I’ve never been on a boat on the Thames before”.
“Yeah, it’s weird”, said Nick, “there’s all this stuff here and people from other countries are always like ‘have you been here or done that?’ and they’re surprised when you haven’t”.
“Yeah, totes”.
“Oh look, there’s Lindsey and Mark”.
Nick gestured to the two additional activity leaders, easily distinguishable from the general crowd by their brightly coloured summer school uniforms.
“You’ve just lost the game” said Mark as he joined them.
“You’re not seriously still playing that” said Helen.
“Everyone’s playing the game” he replied.
“Only those who didn’t get the brief it’s not cool anymore” said Nick.
“He’s got all the students playing it too”, said Lindsey, “it’s a nightmare. But yeah, Harry, James and Emily are having lunch in that café we saw earlier. You coming?”
“Yeah” said Nick.
“Yeah, in a bit” said Helen, “I’m just going to wait here a bit longer to make sure all the students left okay”.
“All right”, said Lindsey, “See you in a bit, then”.
“Yeah, bye”.
The three of them left.
Helen checked the outdated brick which was masquerading as the company mobile. No missed calls or messages, so the students must all be fine.
She was desperate to get out of the heat now. She put away the phone and turned towards where her colleagues had gone.
A shadow flickered over the sun. Someone nearby screamed, making Helen turn around. Several people had their phones out, pointing upwards. She looked up. Something small and black was falling through the sky. It wriggled, as though it was alive.
The shape grew larger and larger. Suddenly, she could see the frills of skin on either side of its head, see the glisten of scales, see thin limbs pressed against its body. It was massive, absolutely huge.
All too soon, it was apparent it was falling right here, where she was. She ran. Everyone was running. Filming and running, screaming, watching, desperate to get away.
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