were no lights. She started to run, her bare feet slapping on the hard road, but it was useless. The horse-float appeared and disappeared as it passed under the street lights, then it was swallowed up in the darkness. And Zeras was gone.



Discoveries

---

As the early dawn arrived, so did the local constable. He pulled up outside the gate and walked to the front door of the Nicholson's house. His face was puffy with lack of sleep and he yawned a long, weary yawn before the door opened. Shara's Dad smiled with relief.

"Morning Peter. What took you so long?"

"Morning," he said, "I'm sorry about the delay. I was called away to something else."

"You've been up all night?"

"Afraid so."

"Come in and have a coffee."

"I'd rather ask a few questions first, thanks all the same."

"I'll put the jug on."

Dad took Peter Thorndon through to the living room, where the rest of the family was sitting watching the TV. They weren't interested in the program. It was just something to take their minds off what had happened during the night.

"So which of you actually heard the car last night?" asked Peter.

"Me!" said Shara.

Peter sat beside Shara and took out a small pad. Mum turned the sound off and hovered in me background.

"You're Shara, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell me exactly what happened?"

Shara told him as best she could, all the while wishing she could say more. When she was finished, Peter scribbled something on his pad and smiled at her.

"Did you see the person?"

"No, it was too dark. I think it was a man, but he was