The Dusk Howler
Chapter 7 - A Hideout
Chapter 8 - The Jig is Up
Written by Karen Backway
Read by Rachel Anderice
“What do you think you heard?” asked Ella.
“Not sure, footsteps perhaps,” answered Emmie.
“What if it’s a badger?” asked Ella. “That would be dreadful.”
“Nah, they were all washed away in the mini-flood. It’s more likely one of the fellas, probably Eli, trying to catch us breaking the rules,” said Emmie.
“We should head home before we are missed,” said Ella.
Just then a Spunky-warning howl sounded.
“Did you hear that? That was the dusk howler,” whispered Jake.
“Quiet you idiot. Do you want to be caught on the first night out?” Charles complained in a whisper.
“A howl, oh bother. That’ll be for us. We best get home or else we will never return to this ridge alone again,” said Ella. “And that will be the end of our climbing practice.”
“Alright, but we did well today huh? We are definitely getting better. I cannot wait to show off to Clarissa and the kids one day.”
“Huh, what was that?” asked Emmie.
“What was what?” asked Ella.
“Didn’t you hear something?” asked Emmie.
“No. Maybe you have been practicing listening with your paws too much. I haven’t heard anything except the come-home-now-howl from Spunky.”
“I think we are being tracked, and I don’t want to lead some nasty stranger to the family den,” said Emmie.
“Well, that is a problem. We can’t stay here, it's almost dark,” said Ella.
“I know, I will wait here,” said Emmie. “You go find Spunky, bring him back as quick as you can.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. What’s to stop them following me?” asked Ella. “I’m not leaving you here alone. Goodness, such nonsense.”
“I guess you are right. Badgers and The Quillza have not entered the forest since we left the under-ridge tunnels,” agreed Emmie. “I wonder if it's those two mystery puppers I saw trotting along the ridge by The Ancient Cemetery.”
Ella and Emmie trotted off, taking a route through the creek, trying to throw off their scent if anyone was following them.
/////
“Now what?” asked Charles. “They suspect they are being followed. If they tell one of the full growns, then we are done for.”
“Jake, pay attention, stop dreaming,” scolded Charles. “If The Council finds out we tipped them off to the existence of The Hidden Valley, we will be banished.”
“We should probably hide,” suggested Gus.
“Well now there’s a thought!” said Charles, sarcastically.
“Jake! MOVE,” shouted Charles in a whisper voice, nudging Jake. “We cannot be discovered.”
Spunky was waiting for Emmie and Ella by the creek.
“What are you two up to?” asked Spunky.
“We were practicing our stalking and pouncing skills and we lost track of time,” said Emmie.
“Hmm, too late, not safe,” said Spunky.
“We never leave the forest, Spunky” answered Ella.
“And the forest is very safe,” interrupted Emmie. “Maybe you would like to help us too? We want to learn to jump high and far.”
