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gestured his thanks and turned away, pulling Milton with him. ‘It’s okay. I know how we can survive this,’ he spoke softly, still a little off-balance. ‘Big Blue will be the slowest. I’ll dodge past to distract him. You take care of the other two.’
    â€˜What, and how am I supposed to do that?’
    â€˜Use your ... you know,’ said Tazman bringing a clawed hand outward from his chin.
    â€˜Huh?’
    â€˜You’re flaming breath, silly. You’re a Human aren’t you?’
    â€˜Humans don’t breathe fire!’
    â€˜They don’t?’
    â€˜No!’
    â€˜Milton Lance?’ a new voice spoke.
    The engineers looked up. Replacing the trio, a tall shadow stood draped in a black hooded robe. The shadow held the metal pipe of the muscle guy, who was bolting back towards the exit. A panting Big Blue was dragging Thorny, who was sprawled across the ground and reverting to his original skinny yellow form.Blue crouched and hoisted his friend over his shoulders. Shadow pointed with the pipe back down the alley. Blue gave a frightened nod and ran with his friend in tow.
    Shadow dropped the pipe and turned back to Milton and Tazman, looking on from the concealment of his hood. Slender grey fingertips poked out from the long sleeves.
    â€˜Milton Lance?’ it asked again. The voice sounded deep and relaxed.
    Tazman’s tail pushed Milton forward, prompting him to reply. ‘That … that’s me.’
    The creature eyed them, turning its face subtly. Lightning flashed, revealing large eyes and cheekbones that accentuated a large, narrow skull. No other visible features. The creature stepped forward and bowed his head.
    â€˜My name is Reelai of the Xoeloid. I am grateful to have found you in time.’
    â€˜Okay,’ said Milton.
    â€˜You must listen closely.’ He raised his head again. ‘A dangerous force hunts you for what you possess. All resources have been put into finding you. I am here for your protection.’
    â€˜Protection from what?’ Milton stammered.
    â€˜There is not sufficient time to explain,’ said Reelai. ‘The black-eyed ones close in.’
    There it was: confirmation of what he’d seen on the Reconotyre and in his dreams. Milton knew it. There was something more.
    The shadow named Reelai slipped a hand into his pocket andpulled out a disc. ‘There is a safe haven prepared.’ He held the disc out to Milton. ‘This will show you the way.’
    Milton looked down at the object. It glinted with a golden sheen in the drizzle. He stepped forward cautiously, darting his gaze between the disc and the creature. The being, Reelai, stared with two silver, reflective eyes. Milton reached out with a shaky hand and plucked the thing away.
    â€˜I cannot be seen with you. The rest of us will be in danger. You must find your own way. Do you understand?’
    â€˜Yes,’ Milton replied, not sure if he did.
    Reelai glanced at the sky then darted past Tazman and leapt high, stepping up the sheer wall and grabbing its top edge. Hanging there for a moment, Reelai tilted his head and looked down at the pair. A crack of lightning cut across the sky behind him. The flash bounced off the wet folds of his garment, momentarily lighting his silhouette like a kind of divine halo. With that, he vaulted over the wall in a single motion and, with a flutter of his black robe, he was gone.
    â€˜So …’ said Tazman, taking a deep healthy breath, ‘another drink?’

Seven
    Milton kept the gold disc close. It pressed against his chest through his vest pocket. He snuck another glance while he followed Tazman down the walkpath. A group of noisy beings approached. One was a leggy, magenta-skinned female. A thin piece of fabric barely covered her tall, elegant form. Tazman swaggered close and she drew back, exchanging mocking glances with others in her party. Tazman turned and grinned