Blood Water

CHAPTER 5

Sean panicked and turned, scrambling up the bank to get away from the creature and back home as fast as possible. Then he could tell Mum and Dad what had happened and let them decide what to do. But would they believe him after the way he’d been behaving since the run? They’d think he’d imagined it all – and he wouldn’t blame them. But that was something to worry about later; right now his main concern was getting home – it seemed the waters were rising by the minute. He managed to climb back up to the path, getting his clothes filthy in the process, then jogged away from the bank, past the pagoda, and back in the direction of the bridge, his breathing laboured and his mouth dry. He had to stop for a moment or two when a throbbing began in his head followed by a wave of nausea.

The pain reminded him a little of what he had suffered just after collapsing at the end of the race. Then, it was due to dehydration, but now it had to be something else. Perhaps he still hadn’t fully recovered from the ordeal. He leaned over, his hands on his knees and took several deep breaths. Images flashed before his eyes – the course, the other runners, the iron railing flying towards the grass, the black car, Mum and James rushing towards him, concerned, and the oxygen mask going over his mouth time and again until he began to feel better. Dizziness came and went, as did the pain, and it was several minutes before he could think clearly again.

He stood up straight, looked at the park around him and was suddenly overcome with a sense of dread about what he’d seen by the edge of the stream – had any of it actually happened? Against his better judgement he walked briskly back and looked down the slope towards the water. He couldn’t tell from where he stood if there were any marks in the mud – there were no signs of vomit. But he wasn’t prepared to go back down, so the doubt would have to remain for now. But could he really have imagined it all? It had all seemed so vivid. The sight, the sound, the smell. Weren’t a lot of dreams convincing though?

He gave up worrying about it and made his way back down the path. A figure carrying a large black umbrella was approaching, head down so that Sean couldn’t see his face properly. As he drew closer, however, he recognized his form teacher. Mr Phoenix might be wondering why Sean was outside in the rain and not at home resting, but it was too late to turn round or hide now.

‘Sean?’ Mr Phoenix asked.

‘Hi, sir.’

‘Shouldn’t you be at home? I thought you were recuperating after what happened on Sunday.’

Sean didn’t have time to think up a decent story, and he’d always found that honesty was the best policy with parents and teachers, regardless of the consequences. They always managed to find out the truth in the end.

‘I was going mad in my room so I decided to get some fresh air before Mum got back. Wish I hadn’t now.’

‘I see,’ Phoenix said. ‘Well, you should probably head back before she catches you. Fresh air is one thing, but dehydration can really upset your system. You should rest.’ He started to walk on, then stopped and added: ‘What do you mean you wish you hadn’t? Did something happen?’

‘Well, I think I might have had a pretty vivid hallucination just now.’

‘Really?’

‘Yeah. I thought I saw a man crawl out of the river and fall back in again.’

‘Are you sure it was an hallucination?’

‘I think so. He looked like he had some disease or something. He vomited this black thing, then fell back into the river. It was mad, you know… It seemed real but… Couldn’t have been.’

‘Where was this?’

‘Past the pagoda, down the bank by the stream.’

‘Well,’ the teacher said, looking down the path behind Sean, ‘maybe I’ll have a look just to be sure, but you’d best be getting home. I won’t say anything about seeing you as long as you give me your word you’ll stay indoors until you’re back at school.’

‘I will, I promise.’

‘Good. Right, you take care then.’

‘OK.’ Sean set off, but a second later the teacher stopped him again.

‘Sean!’

‘Yes?’

‘I forgot to warn you – the bridge is flooded now so you’ll have to find another way across. Is there anyone who can give you a lift? Could be quite a journey.’

‘The bridge is flooded already?’

‘Yes. The river’s still rising. I came down to take a look. I’ve already phoned the school to recommend sending everyone home early.’

‘Oh, right… I’m sure I’ll find a way to get back.’

‘All right, but if you have any difficulty go up to the school, OK?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Right.’ And with that the teacher walked on.

Sean adjusted his hood to protect his face from the rain, then hurried on along the waterlogged path.

When he reached the bridge, he was amazed to see that the water had swamped the road. It was swelling by the second, and was beginning to make its way up to the high street. He quickly headed for the video rental shop, where a crowd had formed. Cars had stopped on both sides of the river, the drivers staring, bemused, at the water, some unable to go either forwards or backwards. Just then, a police car arrived; two officers got out and started ushering everyone further up the high street. More people were stopping to marvel at the approaching tide. Some leaned out of windows; some interrupted their shopping to come and see what all the commotion was about. Somewhere a child cried out in excited glee.

The river was now a monster, a terrifying one, and it looked like there was no stopping it.