“Hmm,” said Gracie. “There are no more footprints now because the path is gravel.”
“She’s going to have a sore foot from walking on these stones,” said Buzz. “They’re pretty sharp.”
“Which way now? Should we split up into two search parties?” asked Isla, with a touch of doubt in her voice. “She could have turned left or right down the path. In two groups, we can cover both directions.”
“But then one of us would be left alone,” said Gracie.
“Maybe we should call Lisa,” said Buzz, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “Uh oh, there’s no signal in this part of the forest.”
Isla pulled down her hood and scratched her head, letting the rain soak her hair. The sky was grey and dull, and the wind howled through the trees. She was nervous and could tell from Buzz’s frown and Gracie’s clenched fists that they felt the same. None of them were sure what to do.
But suddenly, from deep in the middle of Barleycorn Forest, came a long wail.
“What was that?” exclaimed Isla.
“It came from over there!” cried Gracie. She pointed to the right. Without saying another word, the Animal Adventure Club set off, running into the depths of the forest.
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!”
9
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.
10
Lexi turned to Isla. “Do you think the fawn is lonely? And frightened?”
Isla didn’t say anything at first. She just held Lexi’s hand and put her coat around their shoulders to keep them warm. The girls sat cosied up together, facing the fawn’s hiding place. It had stopped raining now but it still felt quite dark, sitting amongst all the trees.
“I think it must be,” Lexi continued. “I know exactly how it feels.” Even through the gloom Isla could make out large tears rolling down Lexi’s cheeks.
“It’s going to be OK,” soothed Isla. “Try not to worry. We won’t let anything get it.”
“I’ve never been out in the middle of a dark forest,” said Lexi. “If I’m scared, just imagine how the fawn feels!” At every sound and rustle, Lexi tensed and shut her eyes, burying her head into her chest.
“Actually,” said Isla, “I’m quite enjoying myself!”
Lexi turned and looked at Isla, her mouth wide open in surprise.
Isla gave Lexi a friendly nudge. “It’s all about how you look at something. You see it as a bit dark and scary. But I think it’s exciting to be here with so many animals. Actually, we’re not alone at all. We’re really, really lucky!”
Just then, they heard a sound that made Lexi grip Isla’s hand tight.
“Did you hear that?” Isla gasped.
“Yes,” Lexi muttered, her face buried in the wet anorak. “It sounded like something scary!”
“Shh, listen.”
A bird called softly and Lexi looked up.
“Cuckoo.” She copied the sound. “Is it really a cuckoo?” she asked. “I’ve never heard one before.”
“Yes,” said Isla. “Do you know they lay their eggs in other birds’ nests?”
“Cheeky things!” said Lexi. Suddenly she spotted something in the bracken. “What’s that brown, furry thing over there?” She clutched at Isla and pointed. “It’s not a r-r-rat, is it?”
The creature bounded into the clearing and sniffed the air. Then, sensing it wasn’t alone, it bounded away.
“Phew,” breathed Lexi. “Just a silly old rabbit.”
“A little bit cuter than a rat,” whispered Isla. “There might be a rabbit warren beneath us. They’re amazing – lots of different tunnels and cosy little nesting rooms. And escape routes!”
“It’s lucky the fox didn’t go after the rabbit,” said Lexi.
“I suppose it’s got its eye on something bigger,” said Isla, and the girls were quiet for a moment.
“You really do know so much, Isla,” said Lexi, in awe of her new friend. She paused and then said, “Can I tell you something? You know I said I’d seen loads of red squirrels… Well, that was a bit of a fib. I hadn’t really seen one before.” Lexi looked at Isla, her eyes shining. “That is until this evening! When I fell in the ditch, I was feeling really sorry for myself – but then I saw a red squirrel run up a tree! It was so cute. Much cuter than I’d thought it would be.”
“That’s amazing, Lexi, you’re so lucky! But why did you lie to us before?” asked Isla quietly.
“I suppose I wanted to impress you all by making you think I knew tons about animals,” said Lexi. “Lisa told me about the Animal Adventure Club and it sounded so much fun I wanted to be part of it too. I don’t have many friends, really. I’ve been a wee bit lonely since we moved to Pittendooey.”
“You don’t need to impress us, Lexi. I like you just the way you are. And you know a lot more about animals now!” said Isla. Lexi smiled back at her.
Just then there was a scuffling noise.
“It’s the fox,” whispered Isla.
They could just make out the fox’s silhouette. It was skulking out from its hiding place into the clearing.
“Oh no,” said Lexi. “It’s moving towards the fawn. What should we do?”
“Now it’s my turn to tell the truth,” said Isla. “I have no idea! I didn’t think it would come close while we were sitting here. But foxes can be bold.”
Lexi grabbed Isla’s arm. “I’ve got an idea! Do you have a torch?”
“Yes!” she said. “Here, in my pocket.” She pulled it out and handed it to Lexi.
“This might just work,” said Lexi, switching the torch on. She shone the beam directly at the fox. Its eyes lit up like two bright stars and, sure enough, it froze.
“Go on,” Lexi shooed. “Away you go.”
Uncertain, the fox stood still for a moment or two, staring at them. Isla didn’t dare breathe. Just then came the sound of pounding steps bounding in their direction. Something was winding its way through the trees towards them and then they heard a low, rasping bark. For the first time that evening, it was Isla who gripped Lexi’s arm. “What now?” she whispered.
The girls clung together as suddenly, jumping into the clearing on long, graceful legs, came a doe! It let out two short barks. Alarmed, the fox turned and bolted deep into the trees.
“Amazing!” Isla said quietly. “That’s the fawn’s mother, come to save the day!”
The doe trotted over to her baby and nudged it tenderly. The fawn stood up and its mother immediately began to groom it with tender licks. But then something extraordinary happened. The fawn walked slowly towards the girls. Lexi shone the torch to one side so as not to dazzle it. It came closer and closer and stared. Its heavy breath puffed from its nostrils.
“Wow,” whispered Lexi. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing.”
“It’s a roe deer doe, and I think it’s thanking you, Lexi!” said Isla.
“Thanking both of us.” Lexi smiled.
The fawn continued to stare with its huge, glassy eyes and then suddenly, with a shake of its head, let out an enormous sneeze! Both girls jumped and then burst out laughing. And then its mother wandered close to them too.
“Well, the fawn isn’t bleeding anymore,” said Isla, taking the torch and shining the light on the soft fur of its neck. “The injury isn’t as bad as we’d thought. It’s healing up. Its mum seems happy too.”
And, with a nod from its mother, the fawn turned away. Together, they leapt off through the trees, the white tuft
s of their bottoms bouncing further and further into the depths of Barleycorn Forest.
“This has turned into the most amazing night ever!” said Lexi. “I’ve seen a red squirrel, a fox, a rabbit, a roe deer doe and its fawn, and a cuckoo.”
“We should do this again!” laughed Isla.
“Well, minus the falling-in-the-ditch part!” chuckled Lexi, shaking her head.
“Isla! Lexi!” They heard Buzz’s voice call out. “Are you OK?”
“We’re fantastic!” Lexi shouted back joyfully.
11
“Who wants hot chocolate?” asked Buzz as they arrived back at the lodge.
“Oh yes please,” said Lexi, hobbling in with Lisa and Isla’s help. “I’d drink hot mud if it would warm me up!”
“Would you like marshmallows with your mud, madam?” asked Buzz in a silly voice as he searched the cupboards for cups and spoons.
The Animal Adventure Club hung up their wet jackets and they all sat by the stove. Gracie carefully helped Lexi put her leg up on the coffee table and Lisa fetched an ice pack from the freezer to put on her swollen ankle. Isla put a blanket around Lexi’s shoulders.
“Sorry we sent you out on a wild-goose chase, Lisa,” said Isla. “All the excitement was at the other end of the reserve.”
“Don’t worry about it,” said Lisa. “I’m just so pleased that you found Lexi and the fawn! Good work, Animal Adventure Club.”
Lexi glanced around. “Well, it wasn’t good work from me,” she mumbled. “I caused you lots of trouble. I was really silly and I’m so sorry.” She gave a great sigh. “Oh dear.”
Isla caught Gracie’s eye and they both began to smile. Then Isla looked at Buzz, whose shoulders were shaking. Isla let out a snort. She couldn’t keep it in any longer. They all started laughing. Lexi looked confused.
The Baby Deer Rescue (Animal Adventure Club 1) Page 3