by Candy Rae
Many miles to the east, Jim Cranston and his three colleagues were making themselves ready. They were equipped for a trip that, he was sure, would be a long and arduous one and fraught with many dangers. Along with their food packs and spare clothing they all carried weapons, including bows and arrows for Jim and Laura Merriman. Francis McAllister held a large spear with a steelwood shaft in his large hand and a wicked-looking dagger tucked in his leather belt. Jim knew how far Francis could throw this spear and just how accurate he could be. He hoped his skills would not be needed. James Rybak carried nothing but the knife carried as standard by all colonists venturing outside the settlement. He was impatient to be off and moved around in a restless fashion.
As they intended to live off the land for the most part, their packs were light.
Agnes Crawford, her young daughter in her arms, stood with the other families whose children had vanished.
Stuart MacIntosh appeared, his eyes straying to the palisades where, for the first time since the second week after landing, a guard detail patrolled the perimeter on a day and nightlong vigil. Although Robert Lutterell and others were of the opinion that the twelve had either run away or been taken by predators, the majority of the settlers agreed with Jim that there was far more to it than that. Other snippets of information had emerged as Jim progressed with his enquiries after he had left the Crawford cabin.
One mother had confided that her daughter had complained that she had not been sleeping well and was plagued by dreams of friendly wolves wanting to talk. Another said the same. When asked why they had not reported this to the authorities they had answered that they had not believed their children were talking about something that was actually happening, thinking, like Lesley Merriman, that these dreams were just that – young imaginations running riot due to the excitements they were experiencing on their new planet. They deeply regretted not reporting it now, but that was after the fact.
Stuart MacIntosh said two simple words to the party as they picked up their packs.
“Good luck.”
Jim looked at his captain, his blue eyes serious.
“Thanks Stuart. I think we may need a surfeit of luck before this is all over. I don’t think we’ll find these kids easily. We have to assume that they have been kidnapped for a reason and the fact that they have disappeared so very completely may well mean that they don’t want them to be found.”
“Kidnapped?”
“Well, what else would you call it? I’d be the first to admit that we don’t have the full story, just some rumours and reports from tearful mothers and siblings, but I think the mass disappearance has been planned and planned carefully by some sentient species on this planet that we haven’t come across yet.”
“You’re not serious?”
“Yes I am. Deadly serious. You know how little of the surrounding area has been explored. For goodness sake man, how many planets do you know of that don’t have carnivores preying on the herbivores? We see plenty of grass eaters but predators?” He looked at Stuart, square chin thrust out as if daring him to contradict. Stuart said nothing. In his heart he knew that the ex-petty officer was talking a lot of sense and was probably correct in his assumptions.
Laura walked over to stand beside Jim and added her bit.
“Because we have not seen them does not mean that they have not been present all along, watching and evaluating us.”
As Jim continued with his theory, Stuart listened, a stunned expression on his face.
“That they have managed to persuade twelve normally well adjusted youngsters to go away with them and not say anything to anyone, speaks of their intelligence and also, I think, their intentions. They have not taken the kids off to make them the main course of their next meal. I think that this species, large wolves or whatever they are, have made contact in their own way and have taken the kids to try and find out more about us. They would realise that if they approached us directly that some trigger-happy bowman would start taking pot shots at them. If they have been watching and I think we can take that as a definite, they would have been very wary indeed.”
James and Francis were listening. James spoke up. “I also think that these creatures must have some form of telepathic powers.”
“What? Telepathic powers?” was Stuart’s incredulous stutter.
“How else would you explain it? The kids have been dreaming, not sleeping well. They tell a few close siblings or mothers about their dreams. Not a lot of information and it is as if they were being compelled somehow to stay silent. Remember, the Crawford girl said that Peter was not supposed to tell anyone. Then, before anyone has the chance to start getting suspicious, the twelve disappear, all on the same day, leaving very few traces of their passing. How else would you explain it? Even Kath closed up on me a few weeks ago. She told me that she was having some unsettling dreams but even when pressed would not tell me what these dreams were.”
“Well, I don’t know if I want to believe what you have just said. Telepathic wolves? It’s like something out of a child’s fairy story. Still, better that than the children all being dead. I’ll do what I can with the Council. The colonists are worried and unsettled about all this. Some have taken to confining their children to their cabins. Now get on, leave now, before Robert Lutterell thinks of a reason to keep you here.”
He stepped back. The four hunters picked up their packs, turned and headed towards the gate. They did not look back.
The guard detail watched silently as the small party headed up the hill towards the tree line. In the lead went Jim, his not inconsiderable frame dwarfed by the bulk that was Francis treading close at his heels. The tall lanky figure of James bounded up the incline after them, then Laura, her slight wiry figure being the last to disappear into the dense foliage. The guards looked at each other; they did not think they would see the four again.
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