Tempus Genesis

  Minnie loved Hungerford Bridge. It was noisy, busy and had the most fantastic views of the Thames and London. He took them in as he strolled across the bridge. A little drunk he smiled at a couple who were enjoying a break to cuddle, they smiled back so friendly was the big mans face.

  Minnie was about twenty five metres away from the man when he noticed his unusual laboured walk. The man was well dressed, he wore a smart suit and an overcoat. He had the collar pulled up and his face tucked into the coat obscuring his features. He swayed and shuffled across the bridge drawing attention of those who passed him ahead of Minnie. He looked very much like someone who had enjoyed too much hospitality. Minnie smiled as the man approached, always favouring those who lived life as he did.

  Minnie watched the man as they crossed paths. He was taken by surprise when the man staggered off course and crossed the distance between them colliding into Minnie.

  “Whoa fella,” Minnie said.

  The man bumped into Minnie, leaning against him. His arms came up and around Minnie into a bear hug.

  “I’ll have a pint of what you’re drinking, come on mate,” laughed Minnie.

  The man looked up, his posture straightened and Minnie was suddenly familiar with what he saw. Pale skin, vacant eyes and blue static traced across his face.

  “Fuck,” was all Minnie had time to say.

  The man struck him hard. Harder than he had ever been hit in rugby. He screamed and staggered back at the same time. The couple who had been kissing stopped shocked by the aggression in the unprovoked attack.

  “Hey, leave him alone,” shouted the girl.

  “I’d better go help,” said her man. He stepped away from her.

  Minnie struck the side of the bridge with his back against the railing, he yelped in pain. The man held him tight and slowly slid down his body gripping his arms around his waist. As big and as strong as Minnie was he was unable to resist the force of his attacker.

  “Stop,” the guy shouted as he rushed forward leaving his girlfriend to look on in horror. He only managed to get within ten paces of the two men.

  Minnie felt himself lift up and realised what was about to happen. He had a brief moment to try to reason with his assailant.

  “Please, no, don’t do this, please, no.”

  The man unaware of his puppetry actions, launched all his power and the enhancing force of his visitor upwards. Minnie arched back as his upper body raised upwards and begun to sway backwards over the edge of the bridge he loved so much. The River Thames flowed below them. A final push and the possessed man took both their bodies over the edge. Minnie fell entwined with the man into the gushing waters below.

  Minnie hit the water hard and as the man too hit the water, steam and sparks fizzed up around them. The young man and his partner ran screaming for help towards the edge of the bridge and looked over. They watched in shock as the two men disappeared beneath the surface.

  As Minnie slipped below the powerful waters, the man released his grip. Minnie’s eyes were open and he watched the mans blue sparking face float away from him. His assailant slipped from view into the murky depths of the raging waters. Minnie felt the dark brown water rush into his mouth and pour into his lungs. The sense of panic in him was horrific and he felt a desperate wish for the arms of his parents.