Retina Blue

Retina Blue

by

M. Dry



























Chapter 1

When an eye shows clarity and light-a connection to the soul is revealed.

When an eye is devoid of the celestial blue print, the soul is lost...

It becomes Retina Blue



Olivia squinted in pain, shards of light blasted directly into her eyes from the window. Her apartment looked bleary. She lifted her head from the floor and peeled some sketches from her face. What happened? She checked the back of her head for blood. Nothing. Her black curled  hair was matted but no wound. What was going on? Her head throbbed. Through the blur something darted across the room. What? Olivia froze; across the room stood an androgynous figure, wearing all black, including a face cover. It was moving closer.

         Inhaling hard she shook her head. What the..? But? How did it get in?

She lived on the top floor of a secured apartment block close to Kew gardens, there was no way in.

         Silence. A dead, black shape in the intruders’ hand caught her attention. ‘It’ intended to kill her.

         An eternity of quiet passed before the figure finally spoke. Its voice was deep and confident - mysterious.

         “When you’re good and ready we will talk,” it said. “That’s once you stop bloody fidgeting!”

Olivia stared at the individual; it didn’t return the glance, instead its eyes remained fixed on a small, ornate, shimmering hour glass. She watched silently as it counted something down.

          “What have I done? Who are you? Who sent you?”

         “Shhh- I’m waiting,” said the figure.

         “Waiting for what?”

         “Waiting for the precise moment.”









































CHAPTER 2

In the exhibition hall of an exclusive art gallery an overweight, fuming, fifty-something art agent paced up and down muttering under his breath. As he loosened his tie his weasley eyes darted about in agitation. Hunching his shoulders he grew increasingly rigid. “That girl’s always late! It’s her last bloody chance!”

He scraped his chubby fingers through his balding hair. “Why the Hell I invested so much time and effort in her I don’t bloody know!”  he muttered, paused then resumed his stomp.

Throughout his pacing he ranted and tapped his watch. “Complete and utter disrespect! What does she think I am?”

He paused by a white framed window of the gallery and stared out. For a moment he just shook his head and checked his watch. I’m sick of it! If she doesn’t get here soon, I’ll have her bloody killed, that way her work might be worth something!

The agent’s rhythmic pacing became frantic, his face growing increasingly crimson, his mental cogs churned. “This is her last bloody chance!” He spat.



















CHAPTER 3

In a luxurious hotel overlooking Bournemouth’s sandy beaches Max laid on his king sized bed smiling at the naked woman before him. He admired her curves as he caressed her tanned, lean body. She smiled a coy smile, removed his hand from her hip and slipped on her black dress. “Time for me to go,” she said.

He sighed, “you don’t really have to go do you?”

         “You know I do.”

When she was ready to leave she gazed at him, bent over and kissed him on the forehead. Max gazed at her breast and then into her eyes. She shook her head, turned and glanced over her shoulder as she walked towards the door.

He watched the elegant woman leave the room and adjusted himself. He would never see her again. That didn’t bother him.

          “Damn I have to call Olivia!”

Max yawned, rolled over and reached for his mobile. He stared at the handset and paused anticipating Olivia’s reaction. He shook his head; she had an exhibition looming and would be at her wits end. Did he really need to deal with all that stress? He should but could he really be bothered? Max put the phone down and laid staring at the ceiling. He huffed; she would be in a state of paranoia and be all needy. What he put himself through just to be her boyfriend was ridiculous. Max smiled wryly, he had his reasons and it was nearly time.









CHAPTER 4

At that precise moment a ragged, jaded, old woman with a plume of matted white hair clung to a trolley as it careered down a steep hill. She laughed hysterically to herself and the three dolls perched on the wire mesh. Each doll was dressed as an angel, each gazed into the distance with their empty, twisted, doll eyes. Onlookers glared at the woman, was she insane?

         “You haven’t seem  me, you’ll forget... I forgot... so will you.” The old woman didn’t care; the time had come, she had been called. She had a role to play and it was the most important one-this time. She just wished she knew the source of the knowledge. Whenever it was time a letter landed on her doorstep calling her to action. “This is my role- I will find out my history soon, very soon... I will remember, it promised,” she muttered.























CHAPTER 5



Olivia pulled her knees into her chest and sat with her back against the white wall. As she moved she winced. Had she been beaten? Had it beaten her? Her mouth was dry like fluff. What was going on? Had she been drugged?  “What do you want from me?” She asked again.

The intruder side glanced her. “I don’t want anything from you in particular.”

         “Look stop playing games. I know you are here to…” Olivia gestured at the dark shape.

The intruder waved the solid object like a toy. “Oh this. No you have it wrong. It’s not so much that I’m here to kill you- it’s a mere warning. There are powers at work you have no understanding of. And my friend, it’s far better you know of such things now, before you make any discoveries.”

         My friend? Olivia gazed at the person before her suspiciously: had someone sent it? Olivia chewed her lip? Why warn an artist trying to make a come-back?  Olivia glanced at the door. The intruder stood mid-way, could she get past?

         “I know what you’re thinking and I wouldn’t try it if I were you.”

Olivia was silent. How long was this going to go on? She had an exhibition to set up.





CHAPTER 6

Grabbing a white towel from the towel rack Max paused by a mirror and admired his physique. He was muscular and had a face that resembled Elvis. He was attractive and knew it. He spent hours at the gym pounding the machines for that very reason; why Olivia put up with him was a different matter.          

         “Olivia must still be needy- it makes it so much easier,” he said checking his face for blemishes.

Max glanced at his phone, he had to call her. He glanced across the room and launched himself onto the bed. He dialled the hotel operator and offered Olivia’s number for connection, “charge the call to my business account please.”

         Olivia’s answering machine clicked on. Max frowned, paused, then cleared his throat.          “Good morning darling. Well I hope you are doing okay with the art work and the hanging of it all. I wish I could be there to support you but you know how these conferences go. Work, work, work! Anyway with regards to you I bet you can’t wait until all the heavy work is over and the pictures are in place. Knowing you it will look fantastic. Anyway lo..ve you and see you when I get back.”

He checked his watch Seven-thirty a.m and frowned. She can’t have overslept?

He called her mobile. No answer.

He frowned. “Where are you Olivia? You don’t sleep so what are you doing?”

She has to get there, that’s the only way I’ll get my money.

Max studied the phone, “she must have left already,” he said under his breath. “She had better.”









CHAPTER 7

Olivia glanced at the phone. The message beeped.

         “Good morning darling. Well I hope you are doing okay with the art work and the hanging of it all. I wish I could be there to support you but you know how these conferences go. Work, work, work! Anyway with regards to you I bet you can’t wait until all the heavy work is over and the pictures are in place. Knowing you it will look fantastic. Anyway lo..ve you and see you when I get back.”

         “Don’t trust him,” said the intruder.

         What? Olivia frowned, the intruder, who had entered her apartment, who was holding her at gunpoint, was now telling her not to trust her boyfriend? 

         “His tone of voice reveals that he’s a liar,” said the intruder, justifying itself.

         Olivia ignored the comment as she grappled to sit upright. “You know what? I don’t get this... What are you doing here? What do you want from me? If it’s money...”

         “Why does it always have to be about money? Do I look as though I have the slightest interest in shinny pieces of metal?”

Olivia frowned, what did that mean? What was it. “Then…?”

         “As I said... I’m waiting.” The person in black paused and glanced out of the window and back to the hour-glass in front of it.

         “Are you some kind of weird stalker of ex-child prodigies?” Asked Olivia.

“God No!” The intruder leant against the wall and sighed. “Do you understand the concept of timing?” It asked.

         “In relation to what?”  asked Olivia. What was this about now? The maniac holding her at gun-point wanted a bloody conversation about timing? She needed to focus. How could she distract it so she could escape?

         “Don’t bother thinking about escape. There isn’t time... And the timing is in relation to the universe,”  said the intruder definitely.

         Olivia stared at the being in disbelief, she didn’t intend to discuss physics with a gun-wielding psycho. It had to be some kind of nutter. Yet it didn’t seem to want any money, in fact it didn’t seem to want anything. It just seemed to be waiting for something to happen. What was it waiting for?

         Olivia frowned and glanced erratically about the room and back. In that time Olivia noticed the intruder felt odd, what’s more it didn’t have a shadow. Olivia squinted and touched the back of her head. It was still painful. Olivia frowned, the intruder was real wasn’t it?



CHAPTER 8

The art agent had finally had enough, he clenched his fists and gritted teeth. “She’s done it again! How many times do I have to be treated like this?”

That was it-the last bloody straw. He was going to tell her exactly what he thought of her. Richard, the agent, attacked his mobile phone and poked in the numbers furiously. “She’d better be on her way! Or... or I’ll...” he muttered. He paced and stamped on the black and white patterned marble floor of the gallery creating an echo. The phone rang.

         “This is Olivia, please leave a message,” said the answering machine clicking on.

         “Where the bloody Hell are you? Get your pathetic arse over here now! I won’t take this shit anymore! You will get here and put this exhibition together or we both loose everything!” He yelled. When he was finished he snapped the phone shut, it dropped awkwardly to the floor. The agent loosened his collar, his neck took on an even darker shade of red and beads of sweat caressed his forehead and dribbled down his nose. He clasped his chest. “She’ll be the death of me.”





CHAPTER 9

Olivia shook her head as the angry message belted from the phone. She struggled not to react, his anger was increasing in regularity. Whatever she did was never good enough. She could not win. And now she certainly could not explain the situation she was in.

The intruder watched her response curiously but said nothing.

Olivia frowned. Why did the intruder appear satisfied by the onslaught?

          “That’s it, my timing’s done,” it said calmly. 

         “No! What? You held me at gun-point so my bloody arsehole of an agent could have a go at me? What kind of weirdo are you?” Demanded Olivia.

The intruder turned its back on her and shook the hour glass. “Yep the timing is perfect. Time to go. We did well.”

Olivia flushed red. “Wait! What on earth are you and who are you working for? Why did you do this?” 

         With its back to her the intruder removed the barrier guarding its face. For a moment it paused, then turned to Olivia and blinked a couple of times.

Olivia  recoiled, “What the...?” She dug her fingers into the carpet and jammed her feet into the floor. Her instinct was to escape but the wall prevented her. All she could do was shake her head.

         “I work for someone higher. I’m what’s known as the Connector and the timing is falling out,”  it said casually. “It’s all got a bit out of hand for me to take such a measure…”

         “You’re mad!”

The Connectors’ small mouth curled. “Believe what you wish.”

Olivia’s breath was rapid as she scanned the being. “Why show me your face? What on earth are you?” Asked Olivia, tears trickled down her cheeks.

The Connector waited expecting the inevitable.

Olivia grabbed her stomach and suppressed a wave of nausea while her head swam. Goose bumps prickled all over her body. What stood before her was like nothing she had ever seen before. There was something weird about its eyes.

The Connector glanced back at the hour glass, “I’m not showing you my face, you are recognising my face and you are witnessing my eyes. It will help you in the future- we will meet again.”

         “But I don’t want to meet again!”

         “The choice is not yours to make and it will be a much nicer experience next time. I won’t bring the weapon.”

Olivia shivered, still she was transfixed and cautiously scanned the Connector’s features. Huge clear eyes, almost white skin and pale thin lips- just not real.  There was something about the eyes. They were so beautiful, so turquoise - like the waters of Polynesia. Yet within them there was something missing.

         The Connector gestured, “by seeing my eyes you will know what you are looking for, what is extra in you, and what I am missing. You are now on a search for Retina Blue: it will be the genius behind your work. Think of it as a divine gift.”

It paused and gazed into her eyes, “you are very lucky- if luck exists,” it smirked.

         “Retina Blue? What on earth does that mean?” She asked in a dazed tone.                    

         “I said our time is up! The rest is up to you.”  The Connector turned towards the window, paused for a second, glanced back. “Olivia consider the people you have in your life. A lot of them are arseholes. Time to clear them out!” It smiled, waved ran and then jumped.

         Olivia scrambled urgently to standing and sprinted to the window. She paused and gazed out onto the street. Her glance navigated one hundred and eighty degrees. Nothing. It had disappeared... How was that possible?

         The space between the ground and the window was empty. There was no evidence and no where for it to go. What’s more there wasn’t a body on the ground. Nothing. The only other visible living entity was a squawking raven perched on a chimney of the apartment block across the street.

         “I must be having a flash back or something… It must be the stress. There was nothing here… This is all in my mind…Go to routine- it’s safe. Move on. It means nothing. It was just an extended dream.”





CHAPTER 10

The old woman glanced at her watch, she had two miles to walk until she was in the designated position. She felt tired and weary, just old. Admittedly there were other ways to travel, it was just she shouldn’t influence anything. In herself she felt excited, this time she had a role to play and a line to deliver. Until that moment she must not affect anything, not even touch it, definitely not talk to anyone. That was her purpose, that’s what made her useful. “This one will be perfect,” she croaked.



Olivia was late, her brain was scrambled. “This, is so strange why would that happen? There is no logic- what’s missing? Why?” Olivia did her best to put her finger on it; but couldn’t. I’m loosing it... too much  pressure. I must be stressed.

Olivia sat at her large Mahogany desk and pulled her sketch book from a drawer. She clicked the lead in the pencil into position and paused. For a moment she ran the images through her mind. What was it? Connector, time frame, eyes and Retina Blue, she scribbled. When she was finished she stared at the sheet, there was no obvious connection.

         Leaning back in her chair Olivia gazed into space for a moment, her head swooned: she grabbed the table. The image of the being’s eyes haunted her. What was missing? Olivia paused before she drew the Connector’s eye as best she could. They were green or were they turquoise? Or clear? It carried a pattern not like normal eyes or was it missing a pattern? What the Hell was it? Olivia put her head in her hands, she felt exhausted, ill, weak and insane. “Where’s Max when I need him? I need his rationale,” she muttered. Creative minds…

         Olivia took a deep breath and attempted to concentrate. Whatever it was it didn’t intend to kill her, maybe it was mutated or some kind of weird result of cloning...  But its eyes weren’t human. What was it?

Olivia paused mid-sketch, its eyes weren’t human. What does that mean? It wasn’t human?

Staring into space she retraced the events before. What had happened before she woke up? When had she been beaten? Why couldn’t she remember? Olivia pinched herself out of courtesy. She had done that before, many times as a child. Yes she had experienced visions before either when stressed or when she was too involved in her imagery. But they were just kid’s visions- they happened with over active imaginations. They only ever happened when she was a child. She was not a child and was in complete control! Next she would have another imaginary friend.

         Olivia rested her head in her hands, it was happening again, the creativity was taking over. When she was young she would get so involved in her inner landscape that she could get stuck. Hours and hours of  day dreaming enabled her to travel through her ornate mental labyrinths, the source of her inspiration. Of course she never told people where she got the images, they would never understand and she certainly could not show them. Olivia huffed, it was there again, the events that took place at thirteen and the labyrinth that became the place to escape and hide. The door was opening and it was calling her. She had not been there for years. She could not go there. If she went in again she feared she would never come back. She had almost died in there once, she was not going to let it happen again.

         “Could I have imagined this whole thing?” Olivia shook her head,  I’m a twenty nine year old woman. Surely not. Olivia glanced at the carpet; something sparkled from where she had been sitting. The hour glass. Olivia dashed over and picked up the tiny ornament and stared at it. “It’s empty- but its real.”

Within a second the glass shattered, disintegrating in her hand. The glitter-like dust lifted and wafted through the window. The only piece of evidence vanished. Shit!





CHAPTER 12

Max strolled along the promenade next to Bournemouth beach. It was a warm summers day, tourists clustered on the beaches close to the pier. On the edge of the beach Max found himself the perfect view of sun lotioned, glistening bodies. It was beautiful. From such a vantage point he could select numerous conquests to prey upon.

         Wearing his sunglasses Max side-glanced all available bikini-clad breasts and tanned bodies. He could have any of them; what’s more his hotel was just two minutes away and was paid for by his employer for the next couple of days. Perfect. The sales conference had finished two days ago and he was simply enjoying the view.          

         Strolling up the hill by Harry Ramsdens fish and chips, towards his hotel Max checked his phone. In a matter of weeks, when he completed his contract, he would free of her, the drain. He could have whatever he wanted- whoever he wanted. Max glanced in the Imax theatre window, he looked shattered. He wondered how much more emotional support he could offer Olivia. It was draining, but as long as there was a pay out in the end he didn’t care. Money.

         A raven landed on a post close to where Max was admiring himself. It squawked but was ignored.

Max smoothed his hair, he had the image, but certainly didn’t have the collateral. He posed in his lavish car chosen purely for sex appeal. He dealt in cars, he needed the best- of course. His car was the best with its black exterior and high powered engine designed to draw looks from envious onlookers. Of course it was not his own, he could never afford such a vehicle with all his dept. Max turned his back to a group of giggling girls and watched them in the mirror. One particular petite blonde caught him looking and smiled back. He intended to have her by the end of the day.

Max glanced at the phone Olivia’s number was ready to dial. She shook his head; Olivia was business, the blonde on the other hand was potentially unadulterated pleasure.  Olivia will never know.



CHAPTER 13

Olivia assembled her sketch books and shoved them in her green corduroy bag. She checked herself in the mirror and adjusted some of her dark ringlets. She paused and scanned her head for cuts; there was nothing. Why did she feel so bruised? Olivia paused by the mirror, she’d changed so much of late. At least she was recognisable now, rather than the withdrawn skeleton she had been through her years of ‘escape’. The mind is a powerful tool Olivia, but your body still needs to function. Olivia cast that time from her mind and made her way out of her apartment and down the stairs. The old style metal lift was too unreliable in her opinion. One time she had been trapped in it for hours. She would never allow that to happen again!

         Descending the remaining steps into the garage, Olivia clicked her car key. Her Turquoise Peaugeot 307cc was the love of her life. Max had bought it for her Birthday. She never knew how he had raised the money, it was something he would not discuss.

         Turning the key in the ignition  Olivia revved the engine and drove. The events of the morning spun through her mind. Some lively music would distract her. That was what she needed: a distraction.

         To make it to the Tate gallery in Pimlico, Olivia had to cross the Hammersmith bridge and it was soon to be rush hour.  Olivia huffed, she was already late and the traffic would not make it easier. What’s more when she arrived she would have to deal with a sweaty, angry madman. Olivia shook her head.  How do I explain? ‘Yes, well there was this bloke or maybe it was a girl with a mask and a gun who didn’t hurt me... Yeh, it removed its mask and I think it was actually something sexless, androgynous maybe? It jumped out of the window and disappeared... That’s why I’m late actually - sorry. Yep please accept my insincere apologies. He’ll think I’m on something again,’ thought Olivia. They’ll have me sectioned.

         Why do I need an agent like that? Why am I bothering? He had made her so many promises, but once the contract was signed he had her, she was trapped. She felt she was prostituting her artistic talent to make the man money. She couldn’t get out of it either. She had no choice, she had to perform. Olivia gnawed her nail in aggravation, he had even sold her art therapy during the time she was ‘away’. No escape- not even in a retreat- not even in madness.



CHAPTER 14

Guy resembled the statue of David, but in the flesh (albeit David’s male appendage). He did however have large feet and strong hands. In his early thirties with dark hair and sky blue eyes, he struggled with the perfect white statuette he had carved. He wrapped it carefully in some thick cream canvas and took one last glance at his sculpture. He felt awkward about parting with her. He spent so much time and effort on her and now he had to give the sculpture to the commissioner. We have to survive- sorry.

         Remorsefully Guy climbed onto his motorbike and placed the statue by his heart. He adjusted his leather riding jacket, hoping to protect her. Leaving just the head poking out, Guy looked down and smirked. The small head peering from the jacket looked ridiculous. Smiling to himself he kick started his bike accepting he had to cross London in rush hour. I hate it. Please grant me a safe journey. London drivers- God help me!



The old woman reached the meeting point and paused. I suppose I should sit down and wait until it happens- it’s nearly time. She adjusted her tatty floral skirt before she sat on some cool, marble steps next to a series of traffic lights. There she waited patiently watching the traffic. Someone will have to calm the traffic, otherwise there will be witnesses- too many people involved- I wonder if they know? Out of boredom she examined her overgrown, curling, toe nails. They were aggressively poking out of her worn, tanned, leather sandals. They need cutting.

         She was early, she hated that. It meant people would witness her presence before the incident occurred. She muttered to herself, as if trying to remember her lines. They weren’t really theatrical, yet it was all part of her role. The lines were not to be ‘said’ they were to be spoken. “The eye is the gateway to the soul- not very original... Okay... The eye is the gateway to the soul, the eye contains all information- it is not to be tampered with and it will change everything when discovered.” 

         The old woman coughed a phlegmy cough and wiped her mouth. Why do I... me... have to know this? The old woman sighed and attempted to rephrase what she was saying. “The eye is the gateway to the soul. Time and instance are reflected within it. Within the eye is the divine- oh shit I always forget that bit!” She said gruffly; scratching her neck out of irritation. That’s why being old is such a bloody conundrum. When you finally have knowledge you can’t bloody remember it for the life of you. So what you do bloody remember you repeat. Oh to remember, to understand.

The old woman glanced at the dolls, “what are you staring at?”

         A passer by threw a coin sympathetically at the old lady. It bounced off her  head and spun on the ground. “She thinks I’m bloody mad and now she’s upset the balance. How am I supposed to do this properly if the rules constantly get broken?” 

The old woman looked up; before her stood a figure in black. “Give me the coin-”  said  the strong sexless voice. The old woman passed the coin obligingly.

The figure spun the circular metal piece into the air.

The old woman watched the coin dart past people and land before the passer by. When the coin collided with the ground it made a ping compelling the passer-by to pick it up. For a moment the passer-by glanced about, not fully comprehending where the overwhelming urge had come from. All she knew was she had to pick up that coin.

         The old woman looked up at the figure. “I thought it was about time you showed up,” she said huskily.



Olivia drove humming her favourite tune at the top of her lungs. She didn’t care what she looked like, other drivers could watch her resembling a goldfish blowing bubbles, that was the pleasure of singing inside a car. You could sing your heart out and not offend anyone. Olivia frowned, the road ahead was surprisingly quiet for rush hour. Where are all the cars?



CHAPTER 15



The Connector pulled the old woman to her feet. “It’s nearly time- they’re both on their way.”

          “What’s so important about her then? Why this one?” Asked the old woman curiously.

         “The level of discovery she will make will change everything. If she makes the connections and understands the underlying truth she will have the power to affect everything.”          

         “Is that why you took everything away from her before?” Asked the old woman.

         “You shouldn’t remember that. There is a time and a place for everything and her time was not until now.”

         “I think it’s all gibberish,” said the old woman.

         “You know what you’re playing with Ivy and you know you’re buying time.”

         I thought they didn’t have time where you come from!

         “I heard that,” it said holding a small, ornate hour glass.

The old woman stared angrily at the Connector’s strange eyes. They’re so empty. “You seem to have something missing from your eyes. I never noticed it before - but there is definitely something missing.”

The Connector feigned a smile.  “It’s the imprint. I don’t have it, you know that. The imprint is the gateway to the soul, it’s part of your line,” It said.

The old woman nodded. “I know, but I forget!” I forgot everything. That’s why I’m here now. The old woman paused in contemplation. “Why is it that age forces forgetfulness? That’s something you should look into.”

The Connector studied Ivy’s old, weathered face. “Originally you were never supposed to live this long, that is where your free will came in.”

         “I don’t feel like I’ve had much time. I feel like it went too fast... I don’t remember half of it anyway,” the old woman snorted. 

         “Maybe you outlived your allotted time, maybe that is why you have to help us.”

The old woman peered at him. “But I thought when your numbers up, it’s up.”

         “It was- but what happens when a delicate balance is misaligned and harmony is thrown into disarray?”

The old woman studied the being.  “You’re right- I suppose, but who created disarray?”

The Connector gazed at the old woman kindly, not wanting to debate. “Who created your society? Who created your goals? Who discerned to corrupt and who defied all the laws of nature? It wasn’t who was in control of disarray was it now?”

The old lady appeared perplexed. How has it come to this?



CHAPTER 16

Olivia played her second favourite song in the car “I can see clearly now the rain has gone,” she sang slightly out of tune, but at the top of her lungs. As it was such a nice day, she hit a button that activated the roof to retract and fold. Happily, in the bright sunlight, she drove at speed singing. She knew it may bother a few people, but she didn’t care. In fact her singing wasn’t going to affect anyone because there were barely any cars on the road. Strange. It didn’t seem right, it was rush hour. Where are the cars? Olivia checked her mirror, she had never seen the road so devoid of vehicles. All Olivia could see was a motorbike travelling behind her at a greater speed than her. The only other vehicle? What was going on?

         A junction loomed closer. Olivia noticed a single red convertible speeding towards her, but that was all the other traffic there was. Rush hour? Olivia glanced about searching for an accident or a road block. Nothing. It didn’t make sense she was usually jammed tight with hundreds of other cars. Something’s wrong here. Olivia glanced at the red convertible carrying two gangly teenage boys. One had a shaven head, the other wore a baseball cap. They were just larking about. Still instinctively Olivia shifted lanes as they drew parallel.

         “All right darlin’?” Shouted the passenger, who was awkwardly lanky and no older than seventeen. The wind blasted him.

         Olivia could only recognise his lip motion so chose to ignore him. How can they afford a car like that? Both cars were now travelling at sixty miles an hour on a dual carriage way. They had to slow down, the limit was flashing fifty on the signs, there were probably road works ahead. When Olivia slowed the red convertible followed, doing its best to remain parallel. Olivia glanced over. In horror she realised the lanky teenager was removing his clothing; he grinned a toothy grin at her. Olivia side glanced him; she was right. Bloody Hell!

         The young semi-naked man forced himself to standing. Relishing the sensation of being blasted by the pressure of the air rushing across his pale, skinny body. He turned to Olivia and smiled mischievously glancing at the sock covering his genitalia and gyrated.

         Fucking idiots! Olivia sensed danger.





CHAPTER 17



Guy, the young man on the motorbike, glanced ahead gripping his bike. The pressure of the statue against his chest was growing painful. Adjusting its position he glanced up and noticed the backside of the gangly bloke in a convertible gesturing at a woman in the car travelling beside him. Bloody idiots! I don’t have time for dick heads pissing about on the road! He had to get his statue to the buyer or else there would be no more commissions. Come on get off the bloody road!



         “Oy darlin... Hey, hey baby... You wan’ ta see what’s under the sock?”

Olivia didn’t react, she slowed the car and stared straight ahead. From the corner of her eye she noticed the lanky bloke remove the sock and throw it at force in her direction. A gust of wind caught the sock, hurtling it towards her at speed. The sock lifted over the bonnet and collided with Olivia’s face. Olivia reacted the only way she knew how, she slammed on the breaks, not expecting the consequences to follow.

         The teenager in the red convertible was pleased with the disruption he’d caused. He didn’t care, he just laughed and drove off at speed to find a new innocent to annoy. It probably made him feel less worthless. He certainly had no idea he would be paying the price of his actions later because every action had a cause and affect.

         A reflex action resulted in Olivia slamming on the breaks. An airbag inflated colliding with Olivia’s face forcing her back to the head rest. Olivia instinctively used her hands to block her face, as she did so her heart shape ring gauged itself into the centre of her forehead, shredding the skin on contact. Blood dribbled between her eyes as the car spun out of control. The world around Olivia became empty, a blur. There was nothing left she could do.



Guy, on his Enfield motorbike, reflexed but it was too late. He was too close to avoid the accident unfolding before him. He watched a whole second expand into a minute. He tried to avoid the car in front but was too late. Thoughts rushed through his mind; nothing his reflexes could do could save him. In a matter of seconds he collided with the car in front  and was catapulted into the air. Smack! He felt the moment in slow motion. The bike skidded causing sparks. Still he grasped the statue as it loosened itself from his jacket. In that split second, which seemed like forever, he travelled at speed through time and space. He knew there was going to be a point where the arc would end and he would plummet towards the ground. I’m going to be killed.



I AM CURRENTLY ON THE FINAL EDIT BEFORE IT IS LAUNCHED ON AMAZON.