Blood Water Read Online Free Page B

managed to climb back up to the path, getting his
clothes filthy in the process, then jogged away from
the bank, past the pagoda, and back in the direction
of the bridge, his breathing laboured and his mouth
dry. He had to stop for a moment or two when a
throbbing began in his head followed by a wave of
nausea.
    The pain reminded him a little of what he had suffered
just after collapsing at the end of the race. Then, it was
due to dehydration, but now it had to be something else.
Perhaps he still hadn't fully recovered from the ordeal.
He leaned over, his hands on his knees and took several
deep breaths. Images flashed before his eyes – the
course, the other runners, the iron railing flying
towards the grass, the black car, Mum and James
rushing towards him, concerned, and the oxygen
mask going over his mouth time and again until he
began to feel better. Dizziness came and went, as did
the pain, and it was several minutes before he could
think clearly again.
    He stood up straight, looked at the park around him
and was suddenly overcome with a sense of dread about
what he'd seen by the edge of the stream – had any of
it actually happened? Against his better judgement he
walked briskly back and looked down the slope towards
the water. He couldn't tell from where he stood if there
were any marks in the mud – there were no signs of
vomit. But he wasn't prepared to go back down, so the
doubt would have to remain for now. But could he
really have imagined it all? It had all seemed so vivid.
The sight, the sound, the smell. Weren't a lot of dreams
convincing though?
    He gave up worrying about it and made his way back
down the path. A figure carrying a large black umbrella
was approaching, head down so that Sean couldn't see his
face properly. As he drew closer, however, he recognized
his form teacher. Mr Phoenix might be wondering why
Sean was outside in the rain and not at home resting,
but it was too late to turn round or hide now.
    'Sean?' Mr Phoenix asked.
    'Hi, sir.'
    'Shouldn't you be at home? I thought you were
recuperating after what happened on Sunday.'
    Sean didn't have time to think up a decent story,
and he'd always found that honesty was the best
policy with parents and teachers, regardless of the
consequences. They always managed to find out the
truth in the end.
    'I was going mad in my room so I decided to get some
fresh air before Mum got back. Wish I hadn't now.'
    'I see,' Phoenix said. 'Well, you should probably head
back before she catches you. Fresh air is one thing, but
dehydration can really upset your system. You should
rest.' He started to walk on, then stopped and added:
'What do you mean you wish you hadn't? Did something
happen?'
    'Well, I think I might have had a pretty vivid
hallucination just now.'
    'Really?'
    'Yeah. I thought I saw a man crawl out of the river
and fall back in again.'
    'Are you sure it was an hallucination?'
    'I think so. He looked like he had some disease or
something. He vomited this black thing, then fell back
into the river. It was mad, you know . . . It seemed real
but . . . Couldn't have been.'
    'Where was this?'
    'Past the pagoda, down the bank by the stream.'
    'Well,' the teacher said, looking down the path behind
Sean, 'maybe I'll have a look just to be sure, but you'd
best be getting home. I won't say anything about seeing
you as long as you give me your word you'll stay indoors
until you're back at school.'
    'I will, I promise.'
    'Good. Right, you take care then.'
    'OK.' Sean set off, but a second later the teacher
stopped him again.
    'Sean!'
    'Yes?'
    'I forgot to warn you – the bridge is flooded now so
you'll have to find another way across. Is there anyone
who can give you a lift? Could be quite a journey.'
    'The bridge is flooded already?'
    'Yes. The river's still rising. I came down to take a look.
I've already phoned the school to recommend sending
everyone home early.'
    'Oh, right . . . I'm sure I'll