Extract from TOM OKELL & THE PAPANUK allangrahambooks Very soon, the tepee was filled with the sound of soft snores and indistinct mumbles. Only one child lay awake. Tom was having trouble nodding off. Something was troubling his mind but he didn’t know what. A feeling of anxiety tightened his chest. The negative energies were here again. Eventually, Tom did get to sleep and so he was unaware of the dark snake in the sky wriggling its way to the Chicuan camp, large sabre teeth glistening in the moonlight, membraneous wings softly humming, empty nets, soon to be filled with children, dangling from their clawed hands. One by one, the Narcons broke formation and quietly entered the open tepees. The Narcon gazed across at the eight children under the buffalo skins, sniffing the air, scenting which flesh would taste the sweetest. He hovered above them, hesitating at Manitaku and Wynoka before gliding silently across Agatha and Emily. Jake and Tom caught his attention but there was a greater prize at the end of the line hidden by the large frame of Mad Mick. The Narcon flitted excitedly landing softly on the white haired boy with the very pale skin. Very quickly, the Narcon slipped its venomous tail beneath the thick buffalo fur and stung Ben sharply in the sole of his foot. A buzzing sound zapped through Ben’s mind. Back and forth. Back and forth. He felt the paralysis moving up his legs over his stomach and into his arms. A heavy weight lay on his chest. Ben wanted to open his eyes but couldn’t. He wanted to move his body but couldn’t. He wanted to scream but couldn’t. Ben was fully aware that his mind was locked inside his dead body. He noticed his breathing had stopped. His lungs were burning. A surge of panic raced through his mind. Clammy beads of sweat bubbled on his skin. Suddenly, Ben gasped a huge breath and opened his eyes in alarm and fear but he still couldn’t move his body and the heavy weight still squeezed his frail chest. Ben moved his eyes towards his chest and immediately wished he hadn’t for sitting astride his chest was the Narcon, grinning down wickedly into Ben’s face of fear. Saliva dripped from its gleaming sabre teeth, its large reptilian eyes glared evil. The grey gossamer wings twitching behind its back buzzed into a blur and the Narcon hovered around Ben savouring the terror screaming from his wide blue eyes.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 15:49:43 +0000