Free The Killers Amongst Us: Chimera Dawn Chronicles by Declan Conner Page A

her shoulder for the umpteenth time, and she
watched Ted cast out his fishing line. He sat down, and looked over, his vision
meeting Amy’s glare. He waved. Amy turned away, facing front, and without
acknowledging him.
    “Let him stew,” Amy said.
    “Let it drop! He was the first to run to your cries for
help,” Louise said.
    “What are you saying?”
    “I’m saying, he probably called you names out of relief that
you were okay. It would’ve ruined the weekend if you’d gone home.”
    “Suppose.” They snickered and linked arms. “I’ll wait for a
sorry first, and then we can kiss and make up. Trouble is; you know how
stubborn he can be.”
    Louise nudged Amy’s shoulder with hers.
    “Ahem, I think you mean how stubborn you both can be.”
    “Well, yeah there is that.” Amy said, then laughed.
    “What will you do if you’re still seeing him when you go to
uni?”
    Amy let out a soulful sigh.
    “Don’t know. I’m only just eighteen, I mean, he is cute, and
all that, but he is three and a half years older than I am. Last night, he said
that he’d arrange weekend visits, but then I reckon all men would say that when
they’re aroused. I’m not stupid. It’s only been a few months since we got
together. It could fizzle out.”
    “Is that why you’re acting standoffish, because you want it
to end?”
    “I don’t know. I’m not sure if it’s because I have other
things on my mind today. It’s not exactly my fave day of the year. Last night
was like a dream though, especially waking up beside him this morning. I’m
worried it was a mistake and I’ll get hurt.”
    “You’ve fallen for him. That’s the real truth, isn’t it? I
know you Amy Shaw, you’re testing him.”
    “You could be right. I wish that I knew me. It’s just
that sometimes, the way he acts, I feel like he’s from a different generation
that I don’t understand. You know... old and over protective, bordering on
being a control freak. Then other times, he’s so sweet and acts the same age as
us that I don’t even notice the age difference and I could eat him.”
    “What, like last night?” Louise said. They both snickered. “If
it’s any consolation, Johno’s no different, apart from I hope not the fizzling
bit, and we don’t have the age thingy. But then, what do you expect, all men
are the same... different animals, just like my mom says. To me Johno’s
adorable, though I wish he’d lose some weight.”
    “Trying to change him already?”
    They both laughed.
    “Nah, he’s the man of my dreams, my cuddly Teddy bear, but
it does limit options when we’re... you know. The only good thing is; I don’t
have to worry about my weight when I’m out with Johno.”
    Amy unlinked her arm and turned to face Louise.
    “You liar! Like, when have you never been on a diet?”
    “Yeah, but being honest. The diets don’t work on me do they?”
    She was right, but too good a friend to tell her the truth
outright.
    “You look great. Nothing that striking chocolate cake from
the menu would cure. Listen, talking about the man of your dreams, do you ever
have recurring dreams?”
    “Can’t say I do, why?”
    “If I tell you, don’t mention it to the others, promise?”
    “Promise. Cross my heart an’ all that.”
    “I’ve been having these weird dreams just before I awake.
Well, not exactly dreams, more like a vision. They started around six months
ago. The first time it was like rows of vertical white lines. Since then, the
lines seem to be cascading. Now they’ve slowed down. It happened again this
morning when I fainted, only lately, they’ve slowed down so much I could see
the lines were rows of two sorts of algebra like symbols. God knows what it
means.”
    Louise laughed,
    “Blame Mr. Beckwith for that. Wasn’t it around six months
ago we had that damned awful algebra test of his?”
    “Oh that. I never thought. I guess that could be it. I know
it stressed me out at the time.”
    Gyp rose to all fours,