Lexi peered around the dark wood, her eyes wide with fright. “What do you think is out there, Isla?”
“I think it’s a fox, just like the one in my garden. I saw a flash of its long nose and whiskers when Buzz shone his torch.”
“A fox!” Lexi was clearly terrified.
“But why is it watching us?” asked Gracie.
“Well, that’s just it,” said Isla. “There must be something here that the fox is interested in, otherwise it would have run away from us. I think it knows there’s prey nearby – which means there’s an animal in danger.”
“The fawn!” gasped Gracie. “Remember we saw its tracks when we spotted Lexi’s footprints? It must be round here somewhere!”
The Animal Adventure Club stood back to back and stepped around in a circle very carefully, scanning the ground. But it was Lexi who spotted something first, from her spot on the tree stump.
“Buzz, shine your light back over there,” she whispered, pointing to a pile of leaves and branches a little way off.
Buzz flashed his torch. “I don’t think anything’s there,” he said.
“Perhaps it’s something that doesn’t want to be found,” said Isla, remembering how the injured fawn had camouflaged itself in Craggy Woods. “I think you’re right, Lexi.”
They all peered at the torchlit spot and soon they noticed the leaves twitch.
“Oh my goodness!” said Gracie, trying not to speak too loudly. “It is the fawn!”
Once again they saw the baby deer lying down, almost concealed by fallen leaves. This time, it was staring right at them. Isla could see its chest rising and falling quickly. It was breathing rapidly.
“It looks really frightened and tired,” whispered Isla. “I hope it’s OK.”
“Wow,” murmured Lexi. “I’ve never seen anything like it in real life before. It’s amazing.”
Buzz moved the torchlight away. “I don’t want to spook it again.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll not be stepping on any branches this time,” said Gracie.
“Was it following me?” asked Lexi in a quiet voice. “Why would it do that?”
“I don’t know,” said Isla. “Maybe it thought you might protect it until its mother found it.”
“Can’t we try to pick it up and take it back to the lodge?” asked Lexi. “If we leave it here, the fox will get it.”
“No,” said Isla, shaking her head. “We definitely must not touch it. I know I got close rescuing it from the fence, but that was a bit different. Lisa was really clear: we mustn’t move it or scare it off this time. The doe must be somewhere nearby.”
“She’s probably looking for her wee one right now,” added Buzz.
“It’s all my fault,” Lexi muttered. “It followed me for safety, and now the minute we move away the fox will grab it.”
“It’s not your fault, Lexi,” said Buzz. “But… yeah, the hungry fox sees the fawn as supper, that’s for sure.”
“We need to get some help. Lisa will know what to do,” said Isla, taking out her phone.
“No signal here, remember!” Gracie reminded her.
“I’ll stay here and guard the fawn,” said Lexi firmly. “And you go and get Lisa. I owe it to the fawn to help it. I’m not leaving.”
Isla turned and stared at Lexi. In the shadows, she was sitting quite still, with her arms folded. She wasn’t shouting or snorting or being loud. She was being calm and sensible. She’s thinking about what’s best for the fawn, Isla realised.
“We’re not leaving you alone,” said Isla. “I’ll stay too.” She took Lexi’s hand in her own.
With a firm nod, Buzz and Gracie turned and made their way back out of Barleycorn Forest, leaving the two girls behind to guard the fawn.