Day Of The Hackers

Alice's heart thudded. She craned her head around, straining against the ropes.

"Adam? Where are you?" she said.

A shout went up from the ridge. The villagers were all rushing to the wall and pointing up at the sky behind her. Then she heard it – a thunderous noise that filled the air and grew louder and louder. She struggled wildly against the ropes. A huge shadow was falling over her.

"Subject agitated. Administering sedative," said the first voice.

Through her panic Alice felt a sharp pain in her arm where it was lashed to the binding-stone. A weakness crept over her. Her heart stopped thudding. The noise was right above her and then the dragon filled the sky. Its huge body gleamed golden in the light of the setting sun. The wind from its wings beat around her. Its mouth opened, but Alice's vision was fading. Her last thought, as the dragon and darkness descended together, was:

"Dad, how could you? I'll never trust you again."