Bubbles and Lost Dreams
Read by Rachel Lynn Anderice
Written by Karen Backway
Chapter 10 - A Sticky Trap
“How did you hit The Quillza with honey, when they are so fast?” asked Billy.
“Oh the beavers. They have terrific aim with their tails and flung dozens of honey balls directly at them when they got close enough to hit. It stopped them instantly,” said Abby. “It was very effective.”
“Hmm. We will need another approach this time. None of us have that talent,” said Billy.
By the time they climbed to the landing, Billy had figured out a plan.
“I will make honey balls while you find some vines and leaves,” instructed Billy.
When Abby and Molly returned Billy was ready. “Perfect. Yes this will do, this will do.”
“Tripwire honeyball catapults,” explained Billy, carefully loading several honey balls onto a tripwire contraption. “When triggered this contraption will fling honey balls at anything that tries to enter the cave. That will slow them down a bit, if they get this far.”
“Also brilliant,” whispered Abby to Molly.
“Let’s not dawdle, ladies. Down we go,” Billy whistled, pleased with his handiwork.
The cave was really more of an entrance into the under-ridge tunnels. Once inside, the path dropped steeply, making several twists and turns.
“Did you hear that?” whispered Molly. “A howl. I wonder if it was Spunky, or someone else?”
“Shh. Someone is coming,” whispered Billy. “Stand to the side and keep quiet.”
A few seconds later, a huge golden-cream colored dog trotted past, moving toward the opening to the cave.
“Oh no! He will set off our honey ball trap. What should we do Billy?” whispered Abby.
But Molly was already chasing after the dog.
“Excuse me please sir? Can you help me? I am lost?” Molly asked sweetly. The great big dog, turned and growled, surprised at a voice, no matter how shy and innocent sounding.
“Oh, please sir, I mean no harm,” said Molly. “I wonder are you…”
But Molly did not finish, the honey ball trap was sprung, but not by the big dog. Several sticky Quillza piled up in the cave entrance.
The big dog picked up Molly and carried her by the scruff of the neck deep into the tunnels.
“Oh! Oh! This is dreadful, just dreadful,” Abby cried in a whisper. “Molly’s captured by that beast. Now what, oh, now what?”
“Shh,” whispered Billy, “We don’t know if we hit all of The Quillza. We must wait, silently.”
Abby sat crying as quietly as possible, twirling her bubble button earring.
After what felt like forever, Billy gave an all clear motion and tried to console Abby.
“We know our little trap worked. I suspect Spunky howled to give us a little warning The Quillza were coming. I also think that dog was going to answer that howl, which means he is most likely friendly. He did not expect to see a pretty little cat asking for help, no matter how sweet sounding, but I bet he knew The Quillza were not to be messed with.”
Abby sniffled, nodding in agreement.
“We should go back to Spunky and Radar, let them know we believe Spunky’s friend has Molly. Perhaps another howl will bring him or her out again,” said Billy.
“But what if Spunky is not at the base of the cliff anymore?” asked Abby. “The Quillza got past them after all.”
“That is possible. What are The Quillza looking for?” asked Billy. “They want something.”
“Our buttons, the ones we used to heal your broken hoof. They want to steal them,” explained Abby, still sniffling.
“Magic buttons. Right. That changes things,” commented Billy.
“Why, how does that change things?” asked Abby.
