Now it's gone (Part 3 of a serial)

[Cath Barton]

Detection has occurred. Detonate immediately!  Repeat, detonate immediately

 

The next time I drew the image up onto the screen the strange mushroom thing was no longer there. Just the trees of the arboretum. I hadn't edited the photograph, I felt sure, and no-one else had used the computer.

 

Feeling disturbed, I went out for a long walk, down by the river where the scent of the Himalayan balsam is sweetly pungent, and I saw that nature had been, in some way, unveiled, the scents stronger, the colours more vibrant.

 

I became aware of a change occuring, as I walked, and looked around cautiously. The meadow was as it had been before, and yet not.

 

Two men were walking towards me, and as they neared I felt bound as in a previous life of slavedom.