New Title 1 by Shaun Jeffrey Page A

settling in?” Adam asked, sitting next to Chase.
    “I was fine until Jane disappeared. Now I’ve been told that I can’t leave the village.” She felt like a virtual prisoner, trapped by circumstance beyond her control.
    “Well, if you’ll excuse me.” Moon stood up.
    “Hold on a minute.” Chase started to stand, but the room began to spin, the walls turning, twisting. She felt a cold sweat steal over her and she swayed slightly, feeling as though she was standing on a ship in stormy seas.
    “Chase, are you all right?” Adam asked.
    “I ... I feel a bit giddy.”
    “Here, sit down and take a few deep breaths.” Adam held her arm as she sat back down.
    “Well, I’ll leave you in the doctor’s capable hands. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
    Chase opened her mouth to protest but the room began to spin again and she closed her eyes and cupped her face in her hands, lowering her head. She felt slightly nauseous and when she looked back up, Moon had disappeared like a ghost. She silently cursed him. She needed to get home.
    You are home.
    “How are you feeling now?”
    “A little better,” she said as the room slowly stopped revolving.
    “Well, I’d like you to come and see me on Monday. I’ll give you a check up.”
    “I won’t be here Monday. I need to go home and see Jane.”
    Adam placed his hand on Chase’s. “I’m sure your friend is fine. I know it seems strange, but transport in and out of the village costs time and money, which is why you can’t just leave. I’m sure you understand.”
    Chase pulled her hand from beneath Adam’s and shook her head. “I need to find Moon. I need to get out.”
    “Calm down, Chase. I’ll make sure you’re informed as soon as there’s a flight out.”
    Before Chase could argue further, George arrived. “Your meal,” he said, dropping a plate of food and a knife and fork on the table.
    Chase had forgotten about the meal; she didn’t feel hungry now. “Thank you,” she said.
    “Don’t mind me,” Adam said. “You go on and eat, I like watching people eat.”
    “It takes all sorts,” Chase replied as she picked up her knife and fork. Her appetite returned with each bite until she unexpectedly found herself faced with a chewy and slightly gristly mouthful. She would have spit it out, but with Adam watching her she thought it would be too rude so she swallowed it and looked down at her plate. It was hard to see in the dimly lit room, but it looked as though the potato was riddled with black bits. She poked one of them with her fork, separating it from the potato. Having most probably been cooked in the microwave, the black object retained much of its shape and she realised with horror and revulsion that it was a slug – and she had just eaten one. The sick feeling returned and the colour drained from her face; she quickly took a gulp of wine to wash her mouth out.
    “Is everything all right?”
    “Yes. I’m just not hungry.” She didn’t know why she lied. Looking across at the bar, she saw George watching her with a humourless grin. Did he know? Had he done it on purpose? No, she was just imagining it. He wouldn’t do that, not on purpose. It must have been a mistake. Just like moving here , a little voice teased.
    She noticed Adam staring at her.
    “I suddenly don’t feel very well. Would you mind walking me home?”
    Adam looked at Chase, then down at the plate, then back at Chase. “Of course not. It would be my pleasure.”
    Chase stood up and Adam swept past her and opened the door before she reached it.
    “After you,” he said, bowing.
    Outside, Chase noticed the clouds had dispersed, the moon casting its baleful glare across the fog that shimmered on the periphery. “How long has the fog been here?” she asked as they walked.
    “Almost two years.”
    “ How long ?” she spluttered. Had she heard him right?
    “Almost two years.”
    “Isn’t that a little strange?” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing and although not