Chapter Ten: Rescue

Hooks and Rose were wandering the forest, trying to find their way back to Lisa’s house. Hooks’ sense of direction was nil in the dark. He needed to get his bearings, because, until he did, they could be going deeper and deeper and never come out in either meadow where he’d immediately know where he was.

“Rose, hold me up to that branch,” he said as they came to one of the taller tress. He climbed down into her arms and she lifted him up to a low branch.

Hooks climbed up the tree, in his element, now. His hooked arms, legs and tail were ideal for climbing and swinging through the trees.

“What can you see?” Rose called up when he reached the top.

Trees, he replied. Though he could hear her, she wouldn’t have been able to hear him. There’s no moon, but the stars are brought enough up here. Lisa’s house should be… that way. I’m coming down. He dropped down and hung form the branch by his tail.

Rose caught him. “You know where to go?” she asked.

The critter looked around. “It looks different from down here, but, yeah.” He pointed back the way they’d come, so they started that way.

Rose walked slowly with her hands out in front of her so she wouldn’t walk into the trees. She was only partially successful, as some of them seem to jump out at her, scratching her hands.

Hooks was clinging tightly to her neck, trembling. He wasn’t ashamed to admit he was afraid of the dark.

“I feel like a big, bad wolf is gonna come jump us or something…” Hooks murmured, even though he knew it was silly.

She brought her arms up and swung him down so she could hold him close to her, trying to comfort him.

“It’s all right,” she said, petting him. “They know we’re missing. They’re looking for us, right?”

“No, we’re gonna leave you lost,” said a sarcastic voice as Lisa landed in front of them. “Did you get hurt?”

“No,” said Rose. “What’s with them, anyway?”

“Woodhorn and Janis Thorn? They hate humans. Janis Thorn more than Woodhorn. Come on, you two.”

“But why?” Rose asked as Lisa led the way back to her house.

“Janis Thorn’s just a jerk. Woodhorn’s brother was killed by human hunters, so he’s held a grudge ever since.”

“And you let ’im get away with it?” Rose asked, slightly annoyed.

That was the wrong tone of voice to take. Lisa rounded on her. “There are no humans on this planet other than you. Woodhorn is the self-appointed Guardian of the Gates and he protects the animals from whomever or whatever comes through.”

“But what if they’re friendly?”

“There are none. Woodhorn will give animals a chance and there’re no humans that know enough about this place to find the Gates. And the ones that do are usually with me, so it’s not a big deal. Besides, I told you not to go too deep and stay on the paths.

Neither Hooks nor Rose responded to that. They continued walking until they reached Lisa’s house.

“How’s the Doctor?” Rose asked finally.

“He’ll be fine by morning.”

End chapter ten.

Back *~*~* Chapter Nine *~*~* Epilogue