“Where is…?” began one of the policemen as they ran from their squad cars.   But seeing the fire chief’s gape-mouthed expression, he stopped and turned around to stare at Dryadia.

“So, how do we get her down from there?” asked Sandy.

Not bothering to answer the young woman, one of the police officers pulled out a mobile phone, pressed a button and began to speak into the phone, reporting back to D24 in Melbourne, requesting a police helicopter.

Almost as an after thought, a local reporter who had joined the crowd, did the same thing, ringing through to HSV 7 in South Melbourne.

It was eight minutes before they heard the distant whumph whumph whumph of rotors approaching.   And when it did appear, it was the gaudy yellow Channel Seven helicopter that arrived first.   Although the black and white Huey from Russell Street arrived only moments later.

“How did they get here first?” said the pilot of the police chopper, cursing under his breath.   Reaching for the microphone, he intended to ask directions for this mysterious “floating woman”, but stopped and stared as he saw the dryad now soaring just above the top of the supermarket.

“Holy…!” said the policewoman beside him, leaving the expletive deleted.   “Get down lower, try to force her to the ground.”

“Okay,” agreed the pilot, Andrew Holt, looking dubious at the suggestion.   He had seen the mangulated wreck of a chopper which had collided with a single seagull.   Let alone anything as big as a woman.

“Just watch out for the power cables,” advised Policewoman Jennifer Hanley, as they started to descend.

Andrew Holt grunted his agreement, more than a little put-out that she thought he needed the warning.

*      *      *

Dryadia started to soar well above the roof of the supermarket to escape the gaping crowd and eeeh-aaaheeeh-aaah eeeh-aaah of the wailing sirens below.   But hearing the whumph whumph whumph of rotors, she looked up and saw the police copter descending toward her.

“Eeeeeeeeeiii!” shrilled the dryad, thinking the chopper was attacking her.