The curved and glistening fangs bit down hard on Jessica’s hand, as too late, she saw them pounce from the soggy undergrowth. Instantly she abandoned all intention of collecting her ball, blind instinct yanking her arm back from the dense foliage. She winced, first as the teeth grazed her skin and then stumbling backwards, again as she landed hard on her backside.

The next moment should have been given to getting up; should have been used to turn and run; should have been spent sprinting as fast as she could back to the camp. This was not to be. Jessica froze as her mind struggled to interpret the sight her eyes delivered. Then it spoke.