Chosen by Lisa Mears

I’ll do it again. So what do we do with the bodies,’ he
said changing the subject, ‘someone may come looking for these two,
we don’t want to leave any evidence lying around.’
‘It might be an idea to search
them, they may have information about who they’re working for or
what they know . . . and then we bury them,’ said Haven
matter-of-factly.
Squatting down on his haunches,
he began rummaging through the man’s jacket pockets, the stench
coming from the body was putrid and Haven held his breath as long
as he could. In one pocket he found a small piece of paper.
‘This looks like it might be
something,’ he said holding up the scrunched ball. Before he could
say anything else, both the creatures started to smoulder. ‘Ugh,’
said Haven falling backwards onto his hands. Using his feet he
pushed himself away as fast as possible. Both creatures slowly
began to disappear until nothing remained but a black smudge on the
kitchen floor.
‘What just happened?’ asked
Gilster, staring at the spot where the creatures had vanished.
‘I don’t know and I don’t
care,’ said Haven, ‘at least we don’t have to worry about disposing
of the bodies.’ Just then Shibby limped in.
‘Thanks for the warning,’ said
Gilster, ‘you probably saved our lives.’
‘Meowww,’ said Shibby, both men
laughed.
Max and Daria had spent the
last few hours happily wandering around the shopping mall,
chatting, laughing and getting to know one another. Max decided she
liked this woman from another world, and it seemed the feeling was
mutual. They were having a great time deciding what clothes to buy
for Haven and Gilster, and then trying to imagine what they would
look like wearing them. It was good to have a break and put to the
back of their minds (even if only for a short time) the uncertain
future that awaited them.
When the shopping was finally
completed they headed off for some lunch and a well earned rest.
Shopping bags hanging from their arms, Max took Daria to her
favourite little coffee shop. It was across the road from the beach
and if you sat outside you could hear the surf pounding. Daria had
never been to the coast in her own world and found the constant
sound of the waves breaking, very soothing.
They sat down and Max read and
explained the menu for Daria who eventually decided on a sandwich,
Max had a BLT and ordered lattes for both of them. While they
waited for their order to arrive, they sat and talked about what
they should do next.
‘I have no idea how we’re going
to find this temple,’ said Max, ‘Janus never gave me any directions
at all, not even a tiny clue as to where we might find it.’
Daria leaned back in her chair
and crossed her arms.
‘Your guess is as good as mine,
at least in my world Haven could hear your thoughts which made it
easier for us to find the portal.’ At the mention of Haven’s name
Max blushed and looked down at the table top, not wanting to make
eye contact with Daria, ‘I think we need to talk about this Haven
thing,’ said Daria smiling.
‘Wwhat Haven thing?’ stuttered
Max, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’
‘Oh, I think you do . . .
anyway, I’m happy for you both, it’s about time he found someone,
he’s been by himself for too long.’
‘I don’t understand,’ said Max,
‘for some reason I thought you and he. . . .’
‘Stop,’ said Daria holding up
her hand and laughing, ‘you didn’t think Haven and I.....?’
‘I did but . . . well I’m glad
you aren’t a couple, but I think we should take things slowly we’ve
only just met.’
‘No,’ said Daria, ‘who knows
how long any of us may have, you move as quickly as you can, don’t
waste one second of your time with him.’
They carried on talking for an
hour or so before deciding to go home and show their new purchases
to Haven and Gilster. On the drive back Daria had a laugh at some
of the things they had bought, but Max assured her that was what
men were wearing in her