Warm liquid splashed The Mechanic’s neck and chin. Shock had robbed him of his release once again and he screamed. Then he saw her.
‘Princess?’
The child smiled, pointed to Lorna.
The Mechanic scrambled for an excuse – something he was not used to doing.
‘My friend wasn’t feeling very well, so I thought she could have a sleep. Thought the fresh air might do her good. How long have you been there, darling?’
The smile grew wider. There was something odd about the child…and quite frightening.
‘You alright?’
The child nodded, still smiling.
The Mechanic eased Lorna off his lap and got out of the car. He would talk to the child for a few more minutes, ascertain whether he really needed to do what he was thinking of doing. He knelt down on the ground to talk to her at her level.
That was when he noticed the bloody rock in her hand.
ns 15.158.61.51da2
