THE SENTINEL 

By Tessa Harvey

    The pharmacist saw the boy running as though the hounds of hell were behind him. He made straight for the door at the back of the shop, opened it, shot through and closed it as quietly as possible. As he turned the knob, slipping a little in his haste, the boy looked imploringly at him, then disappeared!
     Seconds later a man came bursting through the door. He was heavy set and the expression on his face was one of such violence and fury.
    Steve Wiggins, the pharmacist would have instantly believed in satan. Seeing a figure of authority, the change in the stormy presence was immediate.
    He adjusted his coat and his features, even endeavouring to breathe evenly. Then the stranger spoke pleasantly and smoothly. 
    It was obvious he was a frequent visitor to Ireland's noted Blarney Stone, though he may have struggled lately with the physical gymnastics required to actually touch the Stone. But the aura of evil menace was palpable!

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