Friday 25th December 1998

'So, this is our Christmas!' Shirin remarked. Only Tosh and Shirin were staying at school during the festivities, neither of their families being Christians.

'I suppose it is. What shall we do on our day off?' Shirin shrugged.

'Well, there is one thing I do like about Christmas, and that's –'

'Presents?'

'No, do not interrupt! I love the food, I mean, alright I won't be able to eat it if they do Beef again,' Tosh laughed, remembering the incident last year. Shirin was still rambling on.

'Alright Shirin, let's see what food they have to offer!' Tosh pulled Shirin into the dining room at school.

Shirin was pleased as there was a vegetarian option as well as pork this year. As Tosh went over to get the drinks, she noticed a boy from Brison and the year above. As Tosh got nearer he walked off.

'What did he want?' Tosh asked.

'Hmm? Oh, nothing, nothing at all.' Tosh rolled her eyes, knowing that Shirin was keeping something from her.

'Having a good day, girls?' Mr Solomon, a languages teacher asked. Tosh liked him, as he didn't try to act like a teenager, as some teachers did, and was only concerned about his subject. If you didn't like it, tough.

'It's been alright; we're going to go to the little town tomorrow for some shopping before the other four get back!'

'Oh, yes, the other four. I remember having to teach all of you, well, not Louise, but five of you together were bad enough!' Tosh smiled.

'Have a nice day, Sir.' With that, she took Shirin's arm and walked to their common room.

2.30 AM

Tosh woke up and looked around. Even during the Christmas holidays, there was always Shirin in one of the beds. At this moment, not even Shirin was there. Glancing at the clock, Tosh got up. Even though there were logical answers to where Shirin might be, Tosh had a feeling that it was something to do with the boy she had seen at Dinner.

After wondering around the school for ten minutes, Tosh spotted Shirin, indeed with the boy from earlier. Getting as close as she dared, she listened to their conversation.

'Look, we need to leave. You can still get a job with AS levels.'

'But it will be harder. I want to be the first in my family at Uni.'

'Let your sister be the first, Shi. You'll owe her that much.'

'Leaving without saying goodbye?'

'Listen, you may not believe me, but things are going to happen. It will be a new century in two years. We need to be independent by then.'

'But from who?'

'The creatures. They're going to try and invade, and they'll be nothing we can do. So, we'll live far in the countryside…'

Tosh couldn't listen to anymore. But there was one thing tugging at her. What if that boy was right? And if he was right, what chance did anyone stand?

Sorry about not updating for a while! Please review!

P.S - Not sure why my profile said I was in Aus, well, I was over there for a few weeks so that might be why!