8

Isla, Buzz and Gracie crept through the trees and bracken. They stepped over roots and weaved around tree trunks, towards the mysterious wailing sound. They took out their torches and used them to scan the dark forest floor.

“Look, there are some slots!” said Gracie. “Just like the fawn’s tracks we saw earlier on.”

“And human prints too: a shoe and a foot!” said Buzz.

“And they’re both headed in the same direction!” cried Isla.

They walked on cautiously.

“Here!” said Gracie. Flashing the torches towards the trees, they could clearly see grass and branches flattened and broken. Once again they heard the low moan. They all froze in terror.

“L-L-L-Lexi?” stammered Buzz. “Is that y-y-y-you?”

They listened. Isla could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

“Help!” came a desperate cry. It was Lexi’s voice.

“We’re coming, Lexi,” they all yelled in terror and relief.

“Shout again so we can find you!” called Buzz.

“I’m over here!” she wailed.

“Do that amazing whistle you can do,” yelled Gracie, “then we can follow the sound.”

They followed the whistle and trampled further into the dark forest, pushing branches out of the way, and then, suddenly, they saw her. Lying crumpled in a deep, muddy ditch was a dishevelled and tearful Lexi. She was filthy and soaking wet, and her legs were covered in cuts.

“I couldn’t see where I was going,” she said, her teeth chattering. She shaded her eyes against the torchlight. “And then I slipped.”

“You’re shivering!” said Isla.

“It… was… s-s-sunny… and d-dry… when I arrived at the reserve.” Lexi’s teeth rattled. “B-but now it’s wet and f-f-f-f-freezing. I should have… worn… more… clothes. Even the a-a-a-norak Lisa g-gave me is s-s-soaking now. S-so s-s-s-s-stupid of me.”

“Let’s get you out of the ditch,” said Isla.

“I think I’ve d-done s-s-something to my ankle,” chittered Lexi. “I… c-can’t…get… up.”

Awkwardly, Gracie and Isla each took one of Lexi’s arms over their shoulders, while Buzz helped guide them out of the muddy hole and up onto the forest floor.

“And there’s s-s-something watching me!” Lexi added, sounding terrified. “There’s s-s-something in the trees over there!”

Buzz, Isla and Gracie shot each other a confused look. They sat Lexi carefully on an old moss-covered tree stump.

“I’ve got your other shoe here,” said Gracie, offering it to Lexi.

“I couldn’t get it out of the bog,” said Lexi, reaching out with a muddy hand.

“I don’t think there’s much point trying to put it on,” said Buzz, examining Lexi’s foot. “Your ankle’s really swollen and I don’t think you’ll be able to walk. We’ll need to carry you back. Here, have a biscuit for the shock.” He whipped out the chocolate digestives from his rucksack.

“I’m so sorry!” Lexi howled, waving the biscuits away with her hands. “I should’ve listened to you. And I’ve been so frightened!”

“It’s OK,” said Buzz, trying to calm her down, and then popping a biscuit into his own mouth instead. “We’d have found you eventually,” he said, munching.

“At least by morning,” teased Isla, giving Lexi a wink. “And we’re sorry we let you go off on your own.”

“I shouldn’t have shouted at you,” admitted Gracie. I’m really sorry too.”

Lexi smiled weakly and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “Thanks guys,” she said.

“I’ll send Lisa a text to let her know that we’ve found you,” said Buzz, his mouth full of crumbs. He glanced at his phone. “Oh, I forgot there was no signal! Never mind, we’ll be back at the lodge soon enough.”

Lexi began wailing again.

“There’s nothing to be scared of, Lexi,” said Isla, putting her arm around her. “You’re safe now.”

Lexi pointed ahead. “I’m telling you. Over there. It’s like we’re being watched! I think it’s a g-g-g-ghost!”

Buzz stopped crunching biscuits. They all listened. Some way off, they could hear the eerie cawing of a flock of rooks high in the trees. The branches all around them creaked. Isla shivered.

“I’m sure it’s just your imagination playing tricks on you, Lexi,” said Gracie, sounding a little spooked. “You’ve had a real fright. Once we get you back to the lodge, you’ll be fine.”

But then they heard a snapping of twigs and movement in the undergrowth.

“What was that?” said Buzz, shining his torch in the direction of the sound. Suddenly, out of the shadows, two gleaming eyes shone back at them.

They all gasped.

“I think Lexi’s right,” said Isla quietly. “Something is watching… but I don’t think it’s watching us!”