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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Teens
- Theme: Drama / Human Interest
- Subject: Family
- Published: 01/14/2018
Golden and Silver and Fetro's Hideaway.
Born 1941, M, from Whitby, United KingdomGolden and Silver and Fetrocap’s Hideaway
Golden awoke to find herself inside an egg shaped pod for the second time in her short life. She felt no fear at all. This meant one thing and one thing only – she had been tranquillised by something that the pod had released into its small confines. There was a slight haze in front of her eyes. Once again she could not move a single muscle. Not even as much as blink her eyelids. She focused her eyes on the outside pale blue glow. She did not know what to expect though she did hope to see her Mum and Dad, Ben and Mr and Mrs Weatherglass somewhere. As the focus cleared she could make out four pods opposite. Inside were shapes of people. She could not quite distinguish exactly who they were. There was no doubt in her mind that they were her friends and family. She did not seem to have enough will power to do anything about the situation. All her limbs were so sleepy and tired. Her brain was just the same. She knew instinctively that she would have to persevere – press for ever onwards.
Then a click inside her head, a click the same as the click of a radio being switched on.
“Golden, you are now completely contained by Fetro. I have given you peace in your pod and you will stay there now until I have further use for you. Your friends will also be kept for a while. They do not seem to have the power that you do so I may ship them before you”
Golden understood every word and something deep inside struggled and fought to be released. That something could not break free. It seemed that all hope was lost.
Silver had been with Ben at Hawk’s Nest when she had spotted the Fetrocap. It was in a dark crack between the wall and the rotted door frame. She immediately barked at it. Ben came over to see what was the matter. Silver barked and barked, frantically trying to tell Ben to keep away. Ben, of course, became more intent on seeing what was causing the distress to the dog. He moved closer, then too close, and the Fetrocap struck as quickly as a lightening strike.
Ben was bitten, before he could move, on his outreaching bare arm. Silver whimpered in anticipation of something dreadful happening. Then it did, Ben was frozen in time and as Silver watched he faded from her sight. Slowly at first then faster and faster until with a slight pop, like an exhausted bubble, he was gone.
Silver looked all around Hawk’s Nest hoping to find him. She felt a Doggy responsibility for Ben and she set off back to Fairy Moor for help straight across the moor. It was quicker than the path.
She found the kitchen door at Fairy Moor open. Something here was definitely wrong. As her ancestors before her, she approached the danger with slow soundless stalking steps, head close to the ground. She slowly moved her head round the open door. Nothing to be seen. Far too quiet. Suddenly a slithering noise from behind the door and a Fetrocap lunged at Silver’s head. Silver moved even faster. All her responses had been tightened up waiting for just this happening. The Fetrocap missed. Silver shot away into the yard. She stopped and looked back then began to run to Mr Weatherglass’s farm.
Despite all her disabilities Golden had a subconscious mind that was working away on her apparently insurmountable problems all by itself.
There was no one else that knew they were held, no one else that knew where the site was.
No one else that knew anything about Ursa Major Tumuli. No trace left of them, no trace at all. Wait a minute though, yes, there might be. There might just be a scent left outside from immediately before the Fetrocap struck. Golden knew that when she played games with Silver and hid in the long bracken, Silver could find her easily by the scent alone. If Golden went to Mr Weatherglass’s farm without Silver then she would know exactly which way she went and follow her without fail. Following the slight Golden scent trail.
How could she attract Silver? Even then, what could Silver do?
She hoped that it was night time and then maybe, she could take off and peel away from her dilemma. It didn’t happen. The influence of the pod and its gas was too great. It seemed she was stuck here forever.
Silver raced down the lane and cornered hard into Mr Weatherglass’s yard. No one about. Too quiet.
She looked up into the heavens looking for anything, some feeling, she knew it would come to her if she waited. Head held back, she let out a long baleful howl, which travelled for miles. The sound echoing off the valley walls.
There high above she could see the seven stars that formed the Ursa Major grouping. There was something vaguely familiar. It was a clue. A noise attracted her attention. She leapt away expecting a wriggling Fetrocap. It was her friend Prince. He had come at just the right time. She badly needed a friend. Prince was agitated. Obviously he had lost his master as well and was steadfastly holding the fort until he returned.
Silver set off towards the High Moor, not really knowing where she was going. Prince looked around the farmyard once then dashed off after his friend. As they crossed the now moonlight paddock leading to the moor a dark shape crossed in front of Silver. She stopped her gallop. The dark shape came back and approached her.
It was a large hare. It stopped and stood high on its back legs. For a minute the light from the moon bounced off its eyes and reflected back to the dogs as twin red flashes. Then it turned and set of up the moor with lolling, long strides that covered the ground at great speed with an easy flowing motion.
Silver knew she was meant to follow.
The strange group of first, large lolling hare then a few paces behind Silver with head held low then Prince a similar distance and the same stance bringing up the rear were all moving up the moor path at the same speed with the same firm, intent. Onwards and gently upwards until they were on the top of the rigg. Then along the spine of the ridge to the flatter area at its top. They went past a few Tumuli without slowing their pace at all. Not even glancing at them.
The Hare suddenly stopped and stood upright once more on its hind legs. Its following friends stopped at the signal. The hare looked at them with its brilliant specks of red eyes, paused for a moment then dropped onto all fours and turned sharply right to suddenly disappear into the darkness down the side of the rigg. The two dogs did not follow.
Silver knew they were in the right place now because there was ever so slight a scent of Golden.
Prince stood at the edge of the group of Ursa Major Tumuli and decided he would act as look out. Silver started to walk slowly around the edge of the first mound, sniffing at the ground. She knew exactly the scent that Ben and Golden left invisible behind them. Even though they were brother and sister they both had different scents and Silver knew exactly which was which.
Nothing at this mound so across to the next Tumuli, then the next. Prince followed his friend silently. Watching the sky and sniffing the air. Silver came to a tumble of rocks at the side of the next and had passed by when some slight trace made her turn back. Yes, there was definitely something here. Definitely something of Golden was leeching out of the earth next to these rocks. She did what any dog would do and that was to start digging with her front paws. She kept going at the earth at the base of the rock pile until she had a good sized hole then she stopped and sniffed again. There was no doubt at all now, the scent was that tiny bit stronger than it was before. Prince now joined her and started to dig another hole about a metre along the side of the Tumuli. They never stopped at their task except to sniff again for confirmation.
Golden had no measure of time, of day or night, of sleeping, of waking. She strained as hard as she could to get her brain into gear then a puff from the pod sent her woozy and off to sleep. She had managed to notice that it went in cycles and she summoned up all her powers to concentrate on the wakeful periods. She also tried to get back into her night time flying mode but something in the pods medication had stopped her ability to do that. She could see another pod had arrived. It was a two seater (or more like a two lier downer) The reason for this pod she could not fathom.
Silver, Silver, she could feel she was somehow on her way.
Outside day was dawning. The darkness turned to steel grey then pale sad white. The few clouds in the sky picked up the sun as it came towards the horizon. They glowed fiery red and orange with the rising sun. It was at this precise time that Silver broke through into the dark cave below the Tumuli. Thankfully it was a period of wakefulness for Golden and she saw the glow of the red sky light up the cavern. She saw Silver almost tumble through the hole and into her prison. Golden could not shout to her so she shouted inside her mind. Silver heard the shout in her mind and ran over to Golden’s pod.
“Go get it Silver, go on get it! Good dog, GET IT!
Silver looked at the pod and growled but she couldn’t see anything that she could get at and bite. Then she saw a tube or cable that connected the pod canopy to its base and she grabbed that in her mouth and shook it with all her might.
“That’s it Silver, get it! GET IT!
Silver shook her head and shook again. She kept shaking. Never letting up. When she felt the cable thing start to loosen she knew she was winning and she shook even harder until her eyes were almost like light bulbs in her face.
Then snap, the cable thing came out of the pod’s base and the canopy clicked loose at its base There was a hiss of some escaping gas and Golden felt earth’s damp air in her face. She struggled up and lifted the canopy clear. Then fell out onto the floor. Tears of joy rolled down her face as she hugged Silver.
Prince had just managed to get through his hole and he had gone across to his Master and Mistress asleep in their pods.
Golden stretched her aching joints and forced them into action. She dashed across to her father’s pod and copying Silver she wrenched the cable out then helped out a dizzy father. As soon as he came to his senses they all split up and released their friends.
“The Fetro, or whatever he is, doesn’t like light at all so hopefully he wont be back until it’s dark so we should have until then.” said Golden.
They all went over to the two small holes that the dogs had made and began to open them up with their hands and anything else they could find. The two dogs scratted along with them. Soon it was big enough for Ben and Golden to scramble out. Their hearts filled with hope as the first strong rays of sunshine hit the rigg. Then they helped from the outside and pulled first Mum then Dad them Mrs Weatherglass and finally the largest body of Mr Weatherglass out into the clear bright air.
“Well if I live to be a hundred I’m sure I’ll never ever do anything like that again.” said the old farmer.
Golden explained to her dazed companions what had happened to them and how they had arrived in a cavern under a Tumuli in the middle of the moor. They all thought it had been a bad dream. Now they knew they were wide awake.
“Let’s get off the moor together.” said Golden’s Dad, “ If we see any Fetrocaps we will have to run for it or when we get home we can try shining a bright light at them. Some how we must trap the leader tonight when he returns and finish him off if we can. Other wise at the speed he is moving he will be in control of the whole area and no one will be able to stop him. We’ll have to do it ourselves I reckon because if we try to convince the authorities what is going on, for one thing they’ll never believe us and even if we convince them they’ll take far too long to react”
“If we all get into our stable and shut the doors it might make a good safe spot for the time being. It hasn’t got any chimneys and I’m sure its safe. I’ve already spent some time in there.”
“Good thinking Golden, let’s go there.”
“Dad, I have to tell you, I have run an electric extension lead in there from a plug in the kitchen. I was intending setting up my computer before the bedroom was ready. My bed side light is plugged into it.”
“That’s even better, Ben. Right that’s settled, let’s get there as fast as we can.”
“ You youngsters go on ahead,” said Mr Weatherglass, “ We’re too old to keep up. Besides I know a short cut down the moor that would take too long to show you – so off you go now!”
Golden’s Dad wasn’t really happy about that but the old pair were determined they would be all right so he accepted their suggestion. Prince went with them, it was natural that he did.
The family had no trouble on the trip home to the stable. They were far too hyped up now to feel tired or hungry.
Sunshine flooded the farm yard. They walked stealthily to the stable door. Dad slowly opened the door. And let the light enter in a stripe across the floor. He listened for the tell tale slithering noise. All clear. He signalled for them all to follow. They let as much light in as possible and Ben found and switched on his extension light.
“Righto, let’s work out a plan of campaign.”
There was a knock at the door, everyone leapt out of their skin.
“It’s Mr and Mrs Weatherglass.”
“Oh, thank heaven.” Golden let them in.
“We know that whatever this thing is it is frightened of or possibly destroyed by bright lights. That is all we have to go on. So that can be our only weapon. Any other ideas?”
Golden’s Dad looked around the dim, anxious faces.
“This may sound crazy and I wouldn’t ever have mentioned it,” Golden decided to go for it, “I have found out that when I’m asleep I can travel about and find things out. Real things, not just dreaming.”
She missed out ‘Flying’ at the moment, thinking that was a bit too much for them to take in right now.
Her Dad paused and looked at her out of the corner of his eye in a puzzled manner.
“That may be useful Golden, the only thing is we must crack this particular nut before the sun goes down tonight. If we don’t the Fetro is going to be beyond us and probably unstoppable.”
“The only thing I have that will give a strong light is a big box of fireworks.” said Mum. “I bought them before we came as a surprise for Bonfire Night. They were on special offer as well buy one get one free!”
“Now that could be just the thing we need.” said Dad, “besides it seems that we have precious little else.”
“Ben, you’re the electronics expert, can you think up a way we could set off a box of fireworks remotely?”
“Not just like that I can’t but if you leave me alone for a bit I’m sure I can come up with something”
“OK, but you haven’t got long. Where did you put the fireworks, Mum?”
“They’re hidden away in the old wash house.”
“The stuff I’m going to need is in the house as well.” said Ben.
“Well we’re going to have to go in there.” said Dad.
“If what we know is correct then all (or most) of the Fetrocaps will be dead ‘cos they’ve bitten and used up their poison.” said Golden.
“We’ll need to bring back all the torches we have while we’re in there. It doesn’t seem that we have any light to take in with us. Does it?” said Dad.
“I have this petrol lighter for my pipe. That will give a flame for quite a while because I’ve just filled it.” Said Mr Weatherglass.
So it was that they decided that Dad, Golden and Ben should form a raiding party to dash into Fairy Moor Farm and get all the items they could get to face up to Fetro. They decided to stick together in the house with Dad holding the lighter to ward off any Fetrocaps. Mum and Mr and Mrs W. watched anxiously from the stable.
The trio did not speak to each other as they moved urgently from room to room collecting their needs. No Fetrocaps were seen. What they couldn’t carry at the first attempt they piled outside the front door to quickly collect on the next run. This included food from the fridge, snatched at random.
They eventually regrouped in the stable, breathless.
“Never saw a single wriggler, did you?” said Dad.
“No, not one, maybe it was the flame from the lighter that did it.” said Golden.
Ben was already laying out his bits and pieces and organising his thoughts.
They had a further joint meeting and Dad, Golden and Ben elected to return with Silver to the Ursula Major Tumuli. They would take the fireworks and some means of igniting them. This would be installed in the cavern in readiness for the return of Fetro. Then when he arrived, how they would know this they hadn’t yet got a clue, they would set off all the fireworks, how they would do this they hadn’t yet got a clue, at one big crash. Because if that didn’t work there was no other plan. No plan ‘B’, nothing left, no more hope.
They ate every thing they had brought and the sands of time ran out more quickly than they would have liked. Soon the light was fading once more. The three brave two leggers and one brave four legger set off up the moor path. The sheep were grazing here and there in the lower fields quite undisturbed by the momentous happenings around them. They were gentle animals and had no worries. As they approached Golden thought for a moment that she saw something or someone disappear beyond the dim horizon. Maybe it was a deer.
Silver was first to arrive and she sniffed all the way round the designated Tumuli of the large group. She gave no signal that there was danger. Golden and Ben took their strange equipment through the hole into the darkness of the cavern. Dad stood guard outside with Silver.
“Look at this Ben!” Golden whispered urgently.
One of the pods had some thing inside it. They shone the torch in. What they saw looked like the discarded skin of a snake, flat and dry. On it you could still make out the features of a person, an old tramp like person. It was lifeless.
They found a corner to the cavern around which was a glass aquarium like container. It had no water in it just blue sand in the bottom. When they shone the torch in it hundreds of tiny worm like Fetrocaps disappeared immediately down into the sand.
“I don’t like this at all.” said Ben, “It’s too scary, too strange by far for me.”
“You never bother when you go fishing with Dad and you take a jar of maggots with you do you? Just pretend this is the same as that.”
Golden tried to put on a brave face. Underneath she was scared, really scared.
They set up the fireworks package near the middle of the cavern, lit the smoulder fuse with a match. Then they left the blackness behind them as quick as they could. Dad helped them out and Silver wagged her tail in delight. They retraced their steps to the stable in growing darkness. Not really knowing what to do next.
Ben’s idea had been to ring his mobile phone in with the fireworks package and with it set on vibrate instead of ring it would rub some matches together and set off the whole box. This had seemed a good idea at the time and he was really excited about it. Try as he might he couldn’t get it to work for lack of a signal. So he reverted to the old fashioned way of a smouldering fuse. This meant that someone had to light it about one hour before Fetro arrived. This wasn’t really very suitable but in the time available it was all they could do.
They regrouped at the stable and decided to sleep the night in case Fetrocaps were moving about in the dark. They covered all the gaps that may let anything enter the stable then they settled down to fitful, disturbed nights’ sleep.
All that is, except for Golden.
She peeled away from the sleeping Golden and slipped away into the night air through a small gap in the clay tiles of the roof.
Away up high, then zigzag across the local moor. She didn’t see any sign of life as she headed to Ursa Major Tumuli. There she noticed a slight wisp of smoke seeping out of the rock pile. The fireworks package must have gone off. Not a sign or feeling that Fetro was here. Then a lolling movement caught her eye. It was a large hare stood on its hind legs looking straight at her, large as life. It seemed to be beckoning her. Then off it went towards the Forestry.
Golden followed at a low level so she could keep in touch. Into the Forest the hare sped. Right a bit then down into the darkness. It stopped suddenly. Stood up on its hind legs again. Then dropped into the undergrowth and disappeared.
Golden was confused. Then she saw the plastic and brush wood shelter that had been home to the tramp. As her eyes became accustomed to the dark she could see that there was a faint glow from inside.
It was a feint blue glow.
Fetro.
Golden and Silver and Fetro's Hideaway.(Ossie Durrans)
Golden and Silver and Fetrocap’s Hideaway
Golden awoke to find herself inside an egg shaped pod for the second time in her short life. She felt no fear at all. This meant one thing and one thing only – she had been tranquillised by something that the pod had released into its small confines. There was a slight haze in front of her eyes. Once again she could not move a single muscle. Not even as much as blink her eyelids. She focused her eyes on the outside pale blue glow. She did not know what to expect though she did hope to see her Mum and Dad, Ben and Mr and Mrs Weatherglass somewhere. As the focus cleared she could make out four pods opposite. Inside were shapes of people. She could not quite distinguish exactly who they were. There was no doubt in her mind that they were her friends and family. She did not seem to have enough will power to do anything about the situation. All her limbs were so sleepy and tired. Her brain was just the same. She knew instinctively that she would have to persevere – press for ever onwards.
Then a click inside her head, a click the same as the click of a radio being switched on.
“Golden, you are now completely contained by Fetro. I have given you peace in your pod and you will stay there now until I have further use for you. Your friends will also be kept for a while. They do not seem to have the power that you do so I may ship them before you”
Golden understood every word and something deep inside struggled and fought to be released. That something could not break free. It seemed that all hope was lost.
Silver had been with Ben at Hawk’s Nest when she had spotted the Fetrocap. It was in a dark crack between the wall and the rotted door frame. She immediately barked at it. Ben came over to see what was the matter. Silver barked and barked, frantically trying to tell Ben to keep away. Ben, of course, became more intent on seeing what was causing the distress to the dog. He moved closer, then too close, and the Fetrocap struck as quickly as a lightening strike.
Ben was bitten, before he could move, on his outreaching bare arm. Silver whimpered in anticipation of something dreadful happening. Then it did, Ben was frozen in time and as Silver watched he faded from her sight. Slowly at first then faster and faster until with a slight pop, like an exhausted bubble, he was gone.
Silver looked all around Hawk’s Nest hoping to find him. She felt a Doggy responsibility for Ben and she set off back to Fairy Moor for help straight across the moor. It was quicker than the path.
She found the kitchen door at Fairy Moor open. Something here was definitely wrong. As her ancestors before her, she approached the danger with slow soundless stalking steps, head close to the ground. She slowly moved her head round the open door. Nothing to be seen. Far too quiet. Suddenly a slithering noise from behind the door and a Fetrocap lunged at Silver’s head. Silver moved even faster. All her responses had been tightened up waiting for just this happening. The Fetrocap missed. Silver shot away into the yard. She stopped and looked back then began to run to Mr Weatherglass’s farm.
Despite all her disabilities Golden had a subconscious mind that was working away on her apparently insurmountable problems all by itself.
There was no one else that knew they were held, no one else that knew where the site was.
No one else that knew anything about Ursa Major Tumuli. No trace left of them, no trace at all. Wait a minute though, yes, there might be. There might just be a scent left outside from immediately before the Fetrocap struck. Golden knew that when she played games with Silver and hid in the long bracken, Silver could find her easily by the scent alone. If Golden went to Mr Weatherglass’s farm without Silver then she would know exactly which way she went and follow her without fail. Following the slight Golden scent trail.
How could she attract Silver? Even then, what could Silver do?
She hoped that it was night time and then maybe, she could take off and peel away from her dilemma. It didn’t happen. The influence of the pod and its gas was too great. It seemed she was stuck here forever.
Silver raced down the lane and cornered hard into Mr Weatherglass’s yard. No one about. Too quiet.
She looked up into the heavens looking for anything, some feeling, she knew it would come to her if she waited. Head held back, she let out a long baleful howl, which travelled for miles. The sound echoing off the valley walls.
There high above she could see the seven stars that formed the Ursa Major grouping. There was something vaguely familiar. It was a clue. A noise attracted her attention. She leapt away expecting a wriggling Fetrocap. It was her friend Prince. He had come at just the right time. She badly needed a friend. Prince was agitated. Obviously he had lost his master as well and was steadfastly holding the fort until he returned.
Silver set off towards the High Moor, not really knowing where she was going. Prince looked around the farmyard once then dashed off after his friend. As they crossed the now moonlight paddock leading to the moor a dark shape crossed in front of Silver. She stopped her gallop. The dark shape came back and approached her.
It was a large hare. It stopped and stood high on its back legs. For a minute the light from the moon bounced off its eyes and reflected back to the dogs as twin red flashes. Then it turned and set of up the moor with lolling, long strides that covered the ground at great speed with an easy flowing motion.
Silver knew she was meant to follow.
The strange group of first, large lolling hare then a few paces behind Silver with head held low then Prince a similar distance and the same stance bringing up the rear were all moving up the moor path at the same speed with the same firm, intent. Onwards and gently upwards until they were on the top of the rigg. Then along the spine of the ridge to the flatter area at its top. They went past a few Tumuli without slowing their pace at all. Not even glancing at them.
The Hare suddenly stopped and stood upright once more on its hind legs. Its following friends stopped at the signal. The hare looked at them with its brilliant specks of red eyes, paused for a moment then dropped onto all fours and turned sharply right to suddenly disappear into the darkness down the side of the rigg. The two dogs did not follow.
Silver knew they were in the right place now because there was ever so slight a scent of Golden.
Prince stood at the edge of the group of Ursa Major Tumuli and decided he would act as look out. Silver started to walk slowly around the edge of the first mound, sniffing at the ground. She knew exactly the scent that Ben and Golden left invisible behind them. Even though they were brother and sister they both had different scents and Silver knew exactly which was which.
Nothing at this mound so across to the next Tumuli, then the next. Prince followed his friend silently. Watching the sky and sniffing the air. Silver came to a tumble of rocks at the side of the next and had passed by when some slight trace made her turn back. Yes, there was definitely something here. Definitely something of Golden was leeching out of the earth next to these rocks. She did what any dog would do and that was to start digging with her front paws. She kept going at the earth at the base of the rock pile until she had a good sized hole then she stopped and sniffed again. There was no doubt at all now, the scent was that tiny bit stronger than it was before. Prince now joined her and started to dig another hole about a metre along the side of the Tumuli. They never stopped at their task except to sniff again for confirmation.
Golden had no measure of time, of day or night, of sleeping, of waking. She strained as hard as she could to get her brain into gear then a puff from the pod sent her woozy and off to sleep. She had managed to notice that it went in cycles and she summoned up all her powers to concentrate on the wakeful periods. She also tried to get back into her night time flying mode but something in the pods medication had stopped her ability to do that. She could see another pod had arrived. It was a two seater (or more like a two lier downer) The reason for this pod she could not fathom.
Silver, Silver, she could feel she was somehow on her way.
Outside day was dawning. The darkness turned to steel grey then pale sad white. The few clouds in the sky picked up the sun as it came towards the horizon. They glowed fiery red and orange with the rising sun. It was at this precise time that Silver broke through into the dark cave below the Tumuli. Thankfully it was a period of wakefulness for Golden and she saw the glow of the red sky light up the cavern. She saw Silver almost tumble through the hole and into her prison. Golden could not shout to her so she shouted inside her mind. Silver heard the shout in her mind and ran over to Golden’s pod.
“Go get it Silver, go on get it! Good dog, GET IT!
Silver looked at the pod and growled but she couldn’t see anything that she could get at and bite. Then she saw a tube or cable that connected the pod canopy to its base and she grabbed that in her mouth and shook it with all her might.
“That’s it Silver, get it! GET IT!
Silver shook her head and shook again. She kept shaking. Never letting up. When she felt the cable thing start to loosen she knew she was winning and she shook even harder until her eyes were almost like light bulbs in her face.
Then snap, the cable thing came out of the pod’s base and the canopy clicked loose at its base There was a hiss of some escaping gas and Golden felt earth’s damp air in her face. She struggled up and lifted the canopy clear. Then fell out onto the floor. Tears of joy rolled down her face as she hugged Silver.
Prince had just managed to get through his hole and he had gone across to his Master and Mistress asleep in their pods.
Golden stretched her aching joints and forced them into action. She dashed across to her father’s pod and copying Silver she wrenched the cable out then helped out a dizzy father. As soon as he came to his senses they all split up and released their friends.
“The Fetro, or whatever he is, doesn’t like light at all so hopefully he wont be back until it’s dark so we should have until then.” said Golden.
They all went over to the two small holes that the dogs had made and began to open them up with their hands and anything else they could find. The two dogs scratted along with them. Soon it was big enough for Ben and Golden to scramble out. Their hearts filled with hope as the first strong rays of sunshine hit the rigg. Then they helped from the outside and pulled first Mum then Dad them Mrs Weatherglass and finally the largest body of Mr Weatherglass out into the clear bright air.
“Well if I live to be a hundred I’m sure I’ll never ever do anything like that again.” said the old farmer.
Golden explained to her dazed companions what had happened to them and how they had arrived in a cavern under a Tumuli in the middle of the moor. They all thought it had been a bad dream. Now they knew they were wide awake.
“Let’s get off the moor together.” said Golden’s Dad, “ If we see any Fetrocaps we will have to run for it or when we get home we can try shining a bright light at them. Some how we must trap the leader tonight when he returns and finish him off if we can. Other wise at the speed he is moving he will be in control of the whole area and no one will be able to stop him. We’ll have to do it ourselves I reckon because if we try to convince the authorities what is going on, for one thing they’ll never believe us and even if we convince them they’ll take far too long to react”
“If we all get into our stable and shut the doors it might make a good safe spot for the time being. It hasn’t got any chimneys and I’m sure its safe. I’ve already spent some time in there.”
“Good thinking Golden, let’s go there.”
“Dad, I have to tell you, I have run an electric extension lead in there from a plug in the kitchen. I was intending setting up my computer before the bedroom was ready. My bed side light is plugged into it.”
“That’s even better, Ben. Right that’s settled, let’s get there as fast as we can.”
“ You youngsters go on ahead,” said Mr Weatherglass, “ We’re too old to keep up. Besides I know a short cut down the moor that would take too long to show you – so off you go now!”
Golden’s Dad wasn’t really happy about that but the old pair were determined they would be all right so he accepted their suggestion. Prince went with them, it was natural that he did.
The family had no trouble on the trip home to the stable. They were far too hyped up now to feel tired or hungry.
Sunshine flooded the farm yard. They walked stealthily to the stable door. Dad slowly opened the door. And let the light enter in a stripe across the floor. He listened for the tell tale slithering noise. All clear. He signalled for them all to follow. They let as much light in as possible and Ben found and switched on his extension light.
“Righto, let’s work out a plan of campaign.”
There was a knock at the door, everyone leapt out of their skin.
“It’s Mr and Mrs Weatherglass.”
“Oh, thank heaven.” Golden let them in.
“We know that whatever this thing is it is frightened of or possibly destroyed by bright lights. That is all we have to go on. So that can be our only weapon. Any other ideas?”
Golden’s Dad looked around the dim, anxious faces.
“This may sound crazy and I wouldn’t ever have mentioned it,” Golden decided to go for it, “I have found out that when I’m asleep I can travel about and find things out. Real things, not just dreaming.”
She missed out ‘Flying’ at the moment, thinking that was a bit too much for them to take in right now.
Her Dad paused and looked at her out of the corner of his eye in a puzzled manner.
“That may be useful Golden, the only thing is we must crack this particular nut before the sun goes down tonight. If we don’t the Fetro is going to be beyond us and probably unstoppable.”
“The only thing I have that will give a strong light is a big box of fireworks.” said Mum. “I bought them before we came as a surprise for Bonfire Night. They were on special offer as well buy one get one free!”
“Now that could be just the thing we need.” said Dad, “besides it seems that we have precious little else.”
“Ben, you’re the electronics expert, can you think up a way we could set off a box of fireworks remotely?”
“Not just like that I can’t but if you leave me alone for a bit I’m sure I can come up with something”
“OK, but you haven’t got long. Where did you put the fireworks, Mum?”
“They’re hidden away in the old wash house.”
“The stuff I’m going to need is in the house as well.” said Ben.
“Well we’re going to have to go in there.” said Dad.
“If what we know is correct then all (or most) of the Fetrocaps will be dead ‘cos they’ve bitten and used up their poison.” said Golden.
“We’ll need to bring back all the torches we have while we’re in there. It doesn’t seem that we have any light to take in with us. Does it?” said Dad.
“I have this petrol lighter for my pipe. That will give a flame for quite a while because I’ve just filled it.” Said Mr Weatherglass.
So it was that they decided that Dad, Golden and Ben should form a raiding party to dash into Fairy Moor Farm and get all the items they could get to face up to Fetro. They decided to stick together in the house with Dad holding the lighter to ward off any Fetrocaps. Mum and Mr and Mrs W. watched anxiously from the stable.
The trio did not speak to each other as they moved urgently from room to room collecting their needs. No Fetrocaps were seen. What they couldn’t carry at the first attempt they piled outside the front door to quickly collect on the next run. This included food from the fridge, snatched at random.
They eventually regrouped in the stable, breathless.
“Never saw a single wriggler, did you?” said Dad.
“No, not one, maybe it was the flame from the lighter that did it.” said Golden.
Ben was already laying out his bits and pieces and organising his thoughts.
They had a further joint meeting and Dad, Golden and Ben elected to return with Silver to the Ursula Major Tumuli. They would take the fireworks and some means of igniting them. This would be installed in the cavern in readiness for the return of Fetro. Then when he arrived, how they would know this they hadn’t yet got a clue, they would set off all the fireworks, how they would do this they hadn’t yet got a clue, at one big crash. Because if that didn’t work there was no other plan. No plan ‘B’, nothing left, no more hope.
They ate every thing they had brought and the sands of time ran out more quickly than they would have liked. Soon the light was fading once more. The three brave two leggers and one brave four legger set off up the moor path. The sheep were grazing here and there in the lower fields quite undisturbed by the momentous happenings around them. They were gentle animals and had no worries. As they approached Golden thought for a moment that she saw something or someone disappear beyond the dim horizon. Maybe it was a deer.
Silver was first to arrive and she sniffed all the way round the designated Tumuli of the large group. She gave no signal that there was danger. Golden and Ben took their strange equipment through the hole into the darkness of the cavern. Dad stood guard outside with Silver.
“Look at this Ben!” Golden whispered urgently.
One of the pods had some thing inside it. They shone the torch in. What they saw looked like the discarded skin of a snake, flat and dry. On it you could still make out the features of a person, an old tramp like person. It was lifeless.
They found a corner to the cavern around which was a glass aquarium like container. It had no water in it just blue sand in the bottom. When they shone the torch in it hundreds of tiny worm like Fetrocaps disappeared immediately down into the sand.
“I don’t like this at all.” said Ben, “It’s too scary, too strange by far for me.”
“You never bother when you go fishing with Dad and you take a jar of maggots with you do you? Just pretend this is the same as that.”
Golden tried to put on a brave face. Underneath she was scared, really scared.
They set up the fireworks package near the middle of the cavern, lit the smoulder fuse with a match. Then they left the blackness behind them as quick as they could. Dad helped them out and Silver wagged her tail in delight. They retraced their steps to the stable in growing darkness. Not really knowing what to do next.
Ben’s idea had been to ring his mobile phone in with the fireworks package and with it set on vibrate instead of ring it would rub some matches together and set off the whole box. This had seemed a good idea at the time and he was really excited about it. Try as he might he couldn’t get it to work for lack of a signal. So he reverted to the old fashioned way of a smouldering fuse. This meant that someone had to light it about one hour before Fetro arrived. This wasn’t really very suitable but in the time available it was all they could do.
They regrouped at the stable and decided to sleep the night in case Fetrocaps were moving about in the dark. They covered all the gaps that may let anything enter the stable then they settled down to fitful, disturbed nights’ sleep.
All that is, except for Golden.
She peeled away from the sleeping Golden and slipped away into the night air through a small gap in the clay tiles of the roof.
Away up high, then zigzag across the local moor. She didn’t see any sign of life as she headed to Ursa Major Tumuli. There she noticed a slight wisp of smoke seeping out of the rock pile. The fireworks package must have gone off. Not a sign or feeling that Fetro was here. Then a lolling movement caught her eye. It was a large hare stood on its hind legs looking straight at her, large as life. It seemed to be beckoning her. Then off it went towards the Forestry.
Golden followed at a low level so she could keep in touch. Into the Forest the hare sped. Right a bit then down into the darkness. It stopped suddenly. Stood up on its hind legs again. Then dropped into the undergrowth and disappeared.
Golden was confused. Then she saw the plastic and brush wood shelter that had been home to the tramp. As her eyes became accustomed to the dark she could see that there was a faint glow from inside.
It was a feint blue glow.
Fetro.
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