Long before we could lurk away, innumerable screeching of tyres on the road boozed into our ears and before I could say jack they halted into Prof Duncan’s compound and doors of cars slammed furiously.

Julius and I could hear the stamping of their feet on the decking as we found our way through the rear exit. Escaping from these shifters was the only ideal option at the time.

Left for me alone, I would have been nabbed but Julius knew it all; he saw it all and our escape was inspired through his rare ability to see the past and the future. He was going to be helpful to...