“There, there!” says Mia. She points to the water. Now I see it too. A terrifying creature is looking out from the water. It looks me directly in the eyes. It is making some very strange noises. It sounds like a cat.
“Quick, let’s get away!” Mia calls.
In the meantime, the skies are closing in. It looks like a storm is coming. As we go, I look round briefly: “I think we’ve escaped!”
Mia brakes hard again. I almost ran into her. In the middle of the cycle path, the strange creature is standing there again. It stares at us. We stand still, as if turned to stone. I’m getting goosebumps. Suddenly, a ray of sunshine breaks through the thick clouds overhead. It falls right on the creature. The creature starts howling. And breaks into a thousand pieces. Mia and I look at each other, terrified. The only thing left of the creature are crystals on the ground.
We decide to cycle on to the village. Out of breath, we reach Born. Someone comes running towards us. They are flustered.
“The Salt Man is up to his tricks again,” she calls out. I am puzzled by this, and ask what a ‘salt man’ is.
“The Salt Man lives by the water. Sometimes he pops up and frightens people.” Mia looks at me, and I look at Mia. She whispers in my ear: “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” I nod.
