The Arousal of Leviathan: A Story of Other Worlds

By Charles. L. Orsborne

The Dark Gods are seething after the defeat of Lord Beelzebub and the destruction of the Devil Temple in Bengal. Prince Leviathan, an Aqueous God, and brother of Beelzebub is determined to get revenge.
He is worshipped as God on Prasino Animos, a planet revolving round the Sun in the Constellation of Corvus. It is similar in atmosphere to Earth. The men are evil and cruel. Probes are sent to Earth, releasing Giants and Little Green Men in water areas, Loch Ness, Ullswater, and the Norfolk Broads. The public get the jitters and are terrified. They stay at home. There is no power, water, sanitation or food.
Venus Defence send their Super Spy, Sreena, dyed the same green as the Prasinos. She has high intelligence and the courage of a lion. She sends data back to Venus twice a week by Scout Craft. They can reduce the journey to one day by Time and Space Warping. She reports that a major invasion of Earth is imminent. Hundreds of Space Craft attack the East Coast, and submerge off the coast of Norfolk. A Defence Front Line is manned by the Army and NATO Allies, Germany and France with a U.S.A. Aircraft Carrier supporting.
The Defence Line with tremendous courage and determination hold back three waves of small attack craft, who send in hundreds of Giants and thousands of Little Green Men. Scientists devise unusual weapons to deal with them and defeat them. Venus Defence send attack craft to help the defenders. The Prasino Fleet vacate and return to their planet but most are destroyed in Space.
Robert Renwick with his Venusian Comrade Yarno are landed on Prasino. They find Sreena and rescue her with other abductees and they are returned to safety.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jul 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481799522

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© 2013 by Charles. L. Orsborne. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/27/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-9909-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-9952-2 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter I:   Footprints in the Sand

Chapter II:   Visitors to the Loch

Chapter III:   Emergency Meeting

Chapter IV:   Red Alert

Chapter V:   The Leeds Castle Alliance

Chapter VI:   Counter Attack

Chapter VII:   Confrontation with the Little Green Men

Chapter VIII:   Battle of the Broads

Chapter IX:   The Aliens Issue An Ultimatum

Chapter X:   The Arousal of Leviathan

Chapter XI:   The Balloon Goes Up

Chapter XII:   The Battle of Mud

Chapter XIII:   Next Stop Venus

Chapter XIV:   Prasino Anemos

Chapter XV:   Professor Charles Thwaites

Chapter XVI:   The Big Parade Charade

Chapter XVII:   The Evocation of the Marquis Andras

Chapter XVIII:   Sacrifice on the Altar

Chapter XIX:   Battle on the River

CHAPTER I

Footprints in the Sand

A biting north east wind was blowing across the kyle towards the tiny Island of Monroon, north of the Butt of Lewis, ruffling the sea into choppy waves. The late October sun was sinking low now and already Monroon was in shadow with the big coppery glow sinking behind the Headland.

Angus McKay pulled hard on the oars, heading the little boat towards the Croft up on the shore. The catch had not been very good,—hardly worth going out for, but at least it was a supper if not much to sell. Already he could see a light twinkling in the cottage and a curl of smoke streaming back, as the wind swept away anything that could move. Mary would be getting ready for supper and everything nice and comfortable for him. She was a good wife, never complaining about the harsh life or the hard work with no luxuries.

The keel ground up the sand and shingle beach. Angus levered himself onto the shore, and taking the bow rope, slithered the craft higher up the shore with several mighty tugs. Finally satisfied, he secured his boat to a mooring post with two half hitches, then gathering up the basket holding the catch, plodded up the path to the front door.

Mary, hearing the clomping of the waders threw open the door and ran to meet him, flinging her arms round his neck and greeting him with a loving kiss. Although they were both in their fifties and had been married for thirty two years, the magic of love was still burning brightly in their hearts.

Was it noo a good day then Angus? Mary remarked glancing at the basket.

Noo it wa’ not Mysie Lassie, the shoals wa’ too far out an’ I cunna row agen the choppy sea. The wind is blowin’ hard ye ken.

Well dunna fass y’self dearie. You come an’ sit down by the fire an’ rest awhile. I’ll be having y’ supper on the table the noo.

Mary had got the little cabin warm and comfortable and Angus was at peace with the world. He would not change it for a King’s Ransom. His happiness was here with his Mary. No one interfered with them, in fact there was no one to interfere. There were no neighbours on this side of the rocky and barren Island, which was only three miles by ten. The Port town of Mulloway, which could hardly be called a Town was three miles away on the far Head. There was a bank, a Post Office General Store, a wee Kirk, and a pub, The Crofter’s Hame. There was also a Police Station run solely by Sergeant John Sinclair and Constable Ian Brady. There was no crime on Monroon, there were barely two thousand inhabitants including juveniles. The Police Officer’s time was taken up with welfare, port authority, traffic regulations, and the issuing of permits. The Sergeant was also responsible for supervising the Constable on the neighbouring Island.

There was also a Coast Guard Office, for winters were very harsh and cruel, and toilers on the sea were often in trouble. A family doctor, Peter Campbell ran a busy practice, mostly concerned with the very young or the very old. A dental practice was also kept busy. Anything of a serious nature necessitated a journey by sea to the Butt of Lewis and then on by road to Stornaway.

The neighbouring Island of Skella across the wind swept kyle was smaller than Monroon and had a smaller population. It had one tiny jetty at the main port, Kirkness. The Police Sergeant on Monroon visited the Constable, Willie Stewart about twice a week.

Angus sat and watched Mary as she moved round the tiny stove and the dining table. She was still as bonnie as a picture even in the light of the kerosene lamp and the inglelowe, although her brown curls were now showing strands of grey. Mary was a clever cook too and Angus always felt his mouth watering before the meal ever got as far as the table.

When eventually served, the grilled herring and fried onions with home baked bread lived up to expectations. The day in the cold fresh air had given him a real appetite. The meal was followed by apple pie and custard with a cup of strong tea. Then they cleared away and washed up together.

It’ll be a cold night I’m thinking Mary, I best get plenty of fuel in, we dinna want the stove to give up on us in the wee sma’ ‘ours.

Angus took his oil lantern as it was now completely dark and disappeared round the back of the croft, returning a few minutes later with stout pieces of drift wood under his arm. He closed the door and laid the wood down by the stove.

I see ye filled the water jug, Mary dear, that wa’ mindful I’m thinking.

I know how tired y’ get Angus after a day out on that sea, it’s to bed you oughta be. The tide will be running fast tomorrow by six o’clock

Aye Mary, y’right, it’s to bed we’ll be ganging noo.

Angus had just pulled his jacket off when the air was rent with a most dreadful shrill scream. It wailed up to a piercing crescendo that made the ornaments and trinkets on the mantle piece rattle. Then it eventually lowered to a rumbling growl.

Mary had thrown herself into Angus’s arms burying her head in his chest. Their hearts were pounding fit to burst and their throats were dried up with fear.

What in God’s name is it? Angus croaked, There’s noo creatures on the Island that could make that wail. We only have a few sheep and two horses.

Mary’s white face searched his expression, hoping for a sign of comfort and explanation. The look on his face told her how desperate he felt. Angus recovered his composure slightly, and trying not to sound too alarming, he said softly,

Mary darling, d’ye think that y’could help me slide the kitchen cupboard across the door and the window, and the wardrobe across the other one? I’m thinking its best not to have shadows on the curtains, whatever it is out there, we don’t want to attract attention.

Frightened to a jelly Mary tried to get a grip on herself, and exert her strength to help Angus slide the furniture to where Angus indicated. It took too much out of both of them and they sank on the bed in each other’s arms.

They had barely got their breath back when the scream rent the air again, only this time much nearer, in fact only a few yards down the path. It went on and on threatening to tear the little house to shreds. Angus and Mary clung to each other sick with fear and breaking out into a cold sweat. Their teeth chattered as they tried to pray.

Then the scream died down into the rumbling growl which was getting nearer. They could hear the crunch, crunch, of heavy feet on the gritty sand and gravel path, and the snorting laboured breathing of the creature.

It was outside the door. There was the sound of splintering wood as it raked the roof, door and walls with heavy strong claws, growling and snorting its frustration as the structure held together. Eventually it stopped and turned away. They heard the heavy feet clump back down the path. Then they both passed out with shock and exhaustion from fear.

Angus woke with a start. Mary was still clinging to him. There was a hammering on the door. Then they heard voices, human voices.

Angus, Mary! Are ye alright in there?

Oh Angus my darling, it’s John Sinclair. Can we slide the cabinet back?

They pushed and shoved with their still depleted strength until the door would open. They looked out to see that it was now light, and Sergeant John Sinclair, Constable Ian Brady, Doctor Campbell, and Sandy McCreedy the part time Coast Guard, were peering in with an agonising anxious look of apprehension on their faces.

Angus, Mary, are y’ alright?

God! Are we glad to see you, we noo thought we’d be alive to see today.

They are in shock, Doctor Campbell pointed out. Come and sit on the bed a wee, I’ll be finding something to help.

He took their pulse and examined their eyes.

We had best get them to the cottage hospital as soon as possible, he stated. What ever happened here last night must have been the worst night of their lives. Judging by the claw marks on the door and walls this beastie was not of this world!

There’s more aboon th’ door, Sandy remarked, the Blastie wad be near twenty five feet tall. Ye ken the thatch ripped to shreds.

Aye, the doctor agreed, it were no wild cat that paid a visit.

Hoots Mon! Wildcat it were not! Sandy snorted, D’ye see the footprints near eighteen inches across wi’ three cloven hooves each wi’ a long sharp claw and one pointin’ backwards, an’ sank so far into the sand, the Blastie must have weighed tons! An’ it left a trail o’ green jelly slime all alang it’s trail.

The creature was amphibious, Sergeant Sinclair stated, it came out of the sea, crunched over your boat, which is noo matchwood, Angus, and marched straight up here. Then it ganged awa’ the same way straight back into the sea. It’s noo more fishing from here you’ll be doin’ I’m thinking Angus.

Ay, y’right Sergeant, Angus replied, ma bonnie Mysie and myself winna stay here after a night like the last.

Mary slid her arms round Angus’s neck and looked up into his face.

Oh Angus, I’m so relieved to hear y’say that. I feel alright all together amang all y’braw bonnie lads, but the thought o’ Angus alane on tha’ sea, an’ me alane in this house waitin’ an’ frettin’, tha’ I cunna stand. We’ll gang to ma sister Maggie in Stornaway, she’ll be rare pleased to see us. Ye’ll easy get a job on the docks Angus.

Ay y’right m’Jo, but we’ll ne’er forget the frightening shrill screechin’ skirl and the growlin’ o’the Bartie in the dark near th’ door, n’ the roarin’ when it cou’dna get us.

Angus sat on the bed white faced, his arms clutching Mary as he had last night, and his eyes staring into space as he relived the terrifying experience.

Doctor, I don’t suppose that you could help us take a couple of plaster casts o’ the footprints afore ye take Mary and Angus back to Mulloway. Otherwise we have got to go back for the materials ourselves. We have a camera in the car. We’ll need plenty of pictures to support this report Constable. There’s an empty coffee jar in the boot, will ye be trying to scoop up some of the green jelly as well, can ye see to it?

I had better ring Stornaway and give the Inspector a report as soon as we get back."

Wa’ brought ye all out here in the first place? Angus asked.

"Och! Sandy heard the screams from his office on the headland, and reported it at eleven thirty. Soon after, we had many more reports from the Islanders. No one knew for sure where it came from or what it could be. So at first light the Constable and me set off, but in case, we asked Doctor Campbell to accompany us, and Sandy too as he came off duty. We drove round the coast ‘till we came to your place. Then we saw the crushed boat and the frightening footprints leading up and back to y’ door. When we saw the deep claw marks all over the door and walls and thatch, we feared for you two. We ne’er expected to see you both alive, an’ it war a mickle relief to hear y’ voices.

Aye, I reck’n it must a’ been. Angus nodded sympathetically.

Well will you both be well enough to get your things together while we get these little jobs done? Then we’ll be securing your property and gang awa’ from here, the Sergeant said kindly.

Aye we’ll be doin’ that, Angus replied.

Ten minutes later the Doctor left with Mary and Angus. The Sergeant and the Constable with Sandy McCreedy made a search in the vicinity of the croft, but no further clues were found. By then the plaster casts were dry enough to be carefully lifted out and placed safely in the boot. They then headed back to the Office in Mullaway.

When they entered, the telephone was ringing. Sergeant Sinclair answered it.

Mullaway Police Station, Sergeant Sinclair speaking.

Sergeant, it’s Constable Willie Stewart on Skella. I have been trying to get you for the last hour.

Why Constable, what’s your problem?

I dunna ken how to tell you Sergeant, you won’t believe me.

Try me, from the beginning.

Well last night around midnight, the folks in Kirkness were awakened by a shrill screeching and it went on and on. It sounded up coast away from Kirkness. This morning Jock McFadden who runs the croft, came to see me. He told me that the screams were near his croft down on the coast. He and Isla thought that the Kelpies had come for them. They were frightened to death.

As soon as morning came, he ventured out to the kye for milking, and just outside the bught found two beasts torn to shreds. The rest were terrified, an’ he cunna calm th’ beasts. He went to the broken fence and followed huge footprints and a trail o’ green jelly slime to the shore. I went down to look fa’ m’sell. They came out o’ the water exactly opposite to Angus’s croft over the kyle, and went back in at the same point. Along the trail o’ prints was a trail o’ what looked like green jelly.

Right Constable, Ian Brady and my self will be right over there. See you within the hour.

Half an hour later Sergeant Sinclair and Constable Brady walked into Constable Stewart’s Office on Skella.

Right Willie! Shall we go and look at the scene of the crime then? the Sergeant said, we canna afford to loose time on this issue, I’ll be ringing Stornaway as soon as possible. This is more than we can handle.

The tracks were identical to the ones leading to Angus’s croft. They took photographs, plaster casts, and collected samples of the green jelly.

Are the carcases of the beasts still in the field Willie?

Aye Sergeant, I told Jock to leave it all for y’ inspection.

The sturdy cows had been torn to shreds and the bones crunched to splinters. There was very little to see.

Take your pictures Constable and we’ll be off. Keep in touch and let us know if anything else occurs. And be after telling folk to stay indoors when night falls.

They’ll ne’er be abroad I’m thinking in case they they’ll be meetin’ Auld Clootie! Willie remarked.

The Sergeant and Constable returned to Mullaway, and the Sergeant immediately rang his Inspector Wallace Anderson in Stornaway, and gave him a full report on the events of last night.

I find all this hard to believe Sergeant, it sounds so far fetched, but you have the proof in your photographs and plaster casts. I will first of all report all of this to Chief Inspector Miller in Glasgow. Will you be in your office for the next hour?

Yes Sir. I will stay here.

If you possibly can Sergeant, I would like this story contained. If the Press hear about it, they will swarm up here in their thousands, and it will be all over the country. People will panic, so do your best to warn every one concerned.

I will certainly do that Sir!

Right. I will ring you shortly. Goodbye.

It was fifty minutes before Sergeant Sinclair received the return call.

Sergeant, Chief Inspector Bob Miller is taking this story very seriously. He has alerted the Home Office, and is coming up by chopper. He will pick me up at Stornaway. Can you be ready for us after lunch, about two o’clock?

Very good Sir!

And Sergeant, is it possible to get those photos developed for us? The Chief Inspector will want to take them back with him to Glasgow together with the plaster casts, and the green jelly samples you mentioned. We will have them analysed immediately.

Right Sir. Thank you for your support. We thought that you might find it hard to believe and be thinking that the Constable and I are a coupla loons!

Not at all Sergeant. The Top Brass are taking it very seriously. See you soon.

Thank you Sir. Goodbye.

After lunch, Sergeant Sinclair and the Constable went out to the flat stretch of scrub and shingle behind the small Police Station listening for the approach of the chopper. After waiting for ten minutes the clattering pop pop of the chopper could be heard approaching fast from the south east. Soon it was circling the landing patch and setting down.

The rotors finally stopped spinning after the engine was turned off, and Chief Inspector Miller and Inspector Anderson alighted. The Sergeant and Constable clicked to attention and saluted. Inspector Anderson introduced them and they all shook hands.

Well let’s waste no time and get to the site where the Croft was attacked, the Chief Inspector ordered.

They climbed into the Sergeant’s car and were soon making their way down the Island to Angus’s Croft.

How is the occupant and his wife who lived there Sergeant?

They are still in shock in the Cottage Hospital Sir.

Must have been a terrifying experience from what I have been told.

It was that Sir, I can assure you. We are just coming up to the croft now.

They parked at the end of the track road and walked across the machair, a riot of vivid colour from the wild flowers, and then walked down to the sand and shingle beach. The Sergeant led them to the crushed boat pulled up to the high tide mark by Angus the previous evening.

Struth! The creature made a meal of that Bob Miller remarked, a look of shocked surprise on his intelligent face. The boat was of solid construction and sound timber to withstand the buffeting of the wild sea of the Western Isles.

The thing must be extremely powerful to do that, and why did it get so upset over a boat?

Might it be that it smelt the human presence Sir? Inspector Anderson suggested.

You may well be right Wallace, the Chief Inspector agreed. And these are the foot prints then! God! Look at the size of them! This thing is really huge and heavy, and they sink in at least three inches in this shingle. Let’s follow them up to the cottage.

There was a trail of green jelly Sir, the Sergeant told him, but it seems to have melted or disappeared now. We collected two samples, one from here and one from Skella. They are in the Station.

They reached the cottage and the two Officers gazed in amazement at the damage to the walls, the door and the roof.

This creature must stand at least twenty five feet tall Sir, Inspector Anderson remarked. The roof is ripped from ridge to eaves, and from my guess from above.

Well if the claw marks start on the other side of the ridge you are right Wallace.

They walked round to the other side. The claw marks started halfway down the roof, the deep ruts continued over the ridge down the far side and down the door and walls.

I’m beaten! the Chief Inspector declared. This creature is alien. Nothing we know could do this, but it must be destroyed. It may be a job for the Services.

You have to find it first, Inspector Anderson stated. It may be alien but it didn’t land in a flying saucer, it came out of the sea and went back the same way. In spite of the strong running tide, it came out exactly opposite on Skella where it destroyed and devoured cattle. So it is a meat eater!

That’s right, the Chief Inspector agreed, but it comes from the sea. Why hasn’t it got webbed feet? It obviously walks on two huge feet but the imprints show three cloven hooves, each with a long sharp claw and one pointing backwards. The hands or forearm claws are powerful and sharp and on very strong arms. Pity no one saw the head, that might give us a clue as to what sort of creature it is.

It’s as well the couple didn’t see it, Inspector Anderson replied, they might have died from shock.

Thank goodness there was only one of them Sir, the Sergeant remarked.

Aye you have a good point Sergeant, Inspector Anderson agreed, if these things started breeding, God help us!

Right! Well we have seen all we can for now, the Chief Inspector stated, we will get back with as much evidence as we can take. I will talk to the Super and we will report the facts to the Home Office. They can take it from there.

Returning to Mullaway, the casts, photos, and the coffee jars of green jelly were carefully packed and placed in the helicopter. The Chief and Inspector then returned to Glasgow.

The Home Office were immediately contacted and a telephone conference was set up, including the Minister and Inspector Anderson. The Minister expressed the fear that if the Nation got wind of the sinister happenings panic would ensue. He stressed the need to play down the story and come up with a logical explanation to satisfy the local population.

It was decided that the local press on Monroon would print a story of an amphibious creature escaping from a private zoo. The local population would be assured that it would soon be recaptured.

The Minister requested that the two Police Officers would fly to London on the following day, catching the first Glasgow Shuttle. They would take all the evidence with them to show to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a decision would be made as to how the problem should be tackled. The P.M. would be kept informed at every stage. Also experts from the Natural History Museum would be requested to attend, to throw any light on what sort of a creature could have created such havoc.

It was also decided that a request would be made for a submarine equipped with night vision equipment, and a detachment of Marines to patrol the Western Isles and keep observation.

On Monroon and Skella the following nights were free from further visitations and the population soon forgot the incidents.

CHAPTER II

Visitors to the Loch

Tony Hudson and Ronnie Whitfield stopped by the burn to study the map. They had taken the train from London to Inverness, then using Youth Hostels were making their way through the Urray Forset up to Strathconon. Their intention was to explore the Strathconon Forests following the Meig through Loch Meig and camping in their small ridge tent.

Tony and Ronnie were both twenty two year old graduates, having spent three years at Bristol University studying for their B.Sc. Since getting their degrees they had spent three fruitless months trying to get a suitable position. Writing letters after jobs was like dropping them down a bottomless well. Now they were both at last successful and starting work in five weeks time. Although late in the year with the days getting shorter, they decided to get away from it all and have a break in Scotland in the fresh air.

It was already three in the afternoon when they left the road to Marybank and they followed the Loch round the north side looking for a suitable camping site. The trees were widely spaced and they were spoiled for choice. The views were all breath takingly beautiful. The sun was sparkling on the ruffled surface of the Loch and dazzling them slightly. The tangle of the heather and the smell of the pine trees wafted an intoxicating perfume to fill their lungs. There was beauty everywhere they looked.

Tony suddenly stumbled and looked down to see what had tripped him.

God! What the hell has happened here? he cried.

The remains of two large stags were scattered across the grass which was heavily stained with blood. The antlers and hooves were intact but the remaining bones were crunched to splinters.

Ugh! Ronnie grimaced. That will put me off my tea.

Well that’s nature for you, Tony told him, if you want to come out in the wilds, you have to expect tooth and claw. Still I can’t imagine what on earth could do that. I mean, two whole stags is a huge feed. There aren’t any wolves. Anyway it would take a pack of lions to make that mess!

A pride of lions, Ronnie corrected him.

You can’t take pride in murder and mayhem, what ever you are, Tony replied. Crickey! Look! Here’s another one.

A few yards further along the bank, another mangled body had almost been devoured. Ronnie frowned.

Tony, I’m scared. Camping along here doesn’t seem a good idea any more.

What else can we do? Tony replied. I’m too lagged to leg it all the way back to Marybank, it’s miles. Anyway animals don’t attack humans do they?

Don’t they? Ronnie grunted, I know I feel damned uneasy. Let’s get away from the Loch shore. It will be better up the hill side, and the smell of the sausages cooking won’t waft along the shore.

Well if we can make camp soon, we can get the meal over before dark and then get our heads down. It will soon be morning and we can push on.

The site they chose was well up the hill side. The waters of the Loch shimmered below them. They were not too far from the eastern end and the ribbon of road shining in the sun wound along by the River Conon towards Marybank. It did not take long to erect the small tent and lay out the sleeping bags. The two Gaz stoves were lit and the kettle, filled from the burn was soon simmering on one and the pan of sausages, tomatoes and eggs on the other.

Food always tasted good in the open air and they were both ravenous. Sitting here in the late sun enjoying their meal miles from their digs in Bristol and all their work problems, made them feel good and at peace with the world. They quickly forgot the unpleasant scene that had disturbed them down by the Loch.

They discussed their future at great length. Both would be System Analysts with a reasonable salary in a progressive company. Their prospects looked very rosy. Eventually the dusk deepened and they lit the small Gaz lamp in the opening of the tent to enable them to clear away the meal. They could then turn in. The sky was clear and red in the west so tomorrow would be a nice day.

Already the moon in its last waxing quarter was riding high in the darkening sky and Venus, low in the sky was shining beautifully. They had watched the sun sink out of sight. It seemed to disappear very quickly in the last minute of sunset. The gloom in the trees was replaced by the silvery light of the moon. The whole scene was illuminated in an atmosphere of magic. It was so entrancing that they could hardly bring them selves to turn in, and lingered until heavy eyelids forced them to call it a day. They brought the Gaz lamp into the tent and began to get ready to roll into their sleeping bags.

The next minute they were paralysed with fear. A shrill wailing scream filled the air, joined by another. The intensity of the penetrating banshee wail seemed to split their heads open. The screech went on and on then descended into a low growl and wheezing grumble.

The source was slightly higher up the hill but not far away. They could hear the large clumping thumps as though extremely heavy creatures were coming their way.

Eventually Ronnie came to his senses, although his heart was banging against his ribs like a steam hammer. He looked at Tony who had turned deathly white and was gazing into space completely paralysed.

Tony! Man! Snap out of it. We gotta run like hell NOW!

Tony stayed completely immobile. Ronnie landed a hefty smack across his cheek. Tony blinked and started trembling.

"Tony!