by Julie Sykes
“You can think what you like, Layla,” said Isabel. “But I’m sure we’re right.”
While the others continued talking about it, Layla sank back on her bed, wishing she was better at arguing with people. The bell rang.
Isabel jumped to her feet. “Breakfast! Good. I’m starving. We can talk more about this later. And maybe our unicorns will have some ideas too.”
Layla hung back as the others all hurried out. Olivia waited for her at the door.
“Are you OK?”
Layla bit her lip. “Yeah. I’m sure it isn’t Ms Nettles though, Olivia. Didn’t you see how upset she was over the trees?”
Olivia thought for a moment. “She could just be a good actress. You have to admit she does seem the most likely person.”
“Mmm,” said Layla, getting to her feet. “I guess so.” But despite her words, in her heart she was sure her friends were wrong and Ms Nettles was innocent. The question was, how was she going to prove it?
After breakfast the girls from Sapphire dorm decided to go on a picnic ride. Layla wanted to go with them but knew they would gallop so she told them she wanted to go to the library instead.
“Are you sure you won’t come?” said Olivia. “I don’t mind just walking and trotting with you while the others go on ahead.”
“Don’t worry. You know I love the library,” Layla said. “And I want to see what I can find out about flash flies.”
Olivia grinned. “You’re the biggest bookworm I’ve ever met. OK, we’ll see you later.”
When Layla reached the library she glanced out of the large window opposite its entrance. She could see the rest of Sapphire dorm setting off on their unicorns. They were all smiling and chatting and she felt a sudden pang of loneliness. She did love the library but she also loved being with her friends. It was a beautiful sunny day outside, just right to go exploring. It was all very well to tell herself she had to do some research, but a picnic ride might have been fun.
With a sigh she went into the library. She walked among the rows of books. “Entomology,” she whispered, loving the way the word made the study of insects sound both wonderful and exotic. There were lots of books to choose from and a couple purely on flash flies. Layla selected the ones that looked most promising and went to sit on a purple cushion under the reading tree. But for once, the books she was reading failed to cast their magic. Usually, no matter what she was reading, she quickly got sucked in, but today the words seemed to make no sense. Her eyes kept jumbling them up as she read. She kept thinking about her friends and what they were doing.
Then her thoughts turned to Dancer. He must be so lonely, being forced to stay behind when his friends had gone on an exciting adventure. She really should go and see him. Picking up the pile of books, Layla gave up reading and went to find her unicorn.
The stables were spookily quiet. Layla found Dancer in the meadow by the stream.
“Hello, Layla.” Dancer nuzzled her hands. “What are you reading about this time?”
“Flash flies.” Layla put the books down so she could give Dancer a hug. She smoothed down his sunrise-coloured mane and rubbed him behind the ears. “I’m sorry. Almost everyone’s gone riding except for us. You must be cross with me.”
Dancer snorted. “Cross? Of course I’m not cross. I was a bit lonely but now you’re here, I’m happy again. Are you going to read outside?”
She nodded and they walked down to the stream. Layla could see tiny fish flitting about in the sparkly, multicoloured water. Dancer stood with his eyes half closed in the shade of a tree, while Layla sat with her back to its trunk and began to flick through the books. One was thinner than the rest. It was mostly about ants. But Layla’s eyes alighted on a chapter title. The page, spotted with mildew, was covered with tiny printed writing.
“Dancer!” exclaimed Layla, waving the book at him. “Fire beetles can solve the problem. We just need to find some.”
They heard voices and whinnying. Layla turned and saw her friends heading towards her.
“Layla!” called Scarlett, waving.
“We’ve been looking for you everywhere!” said Olivia.
“You missed a great ride,” said Isabel. “Billy and Jake came too. You should have seen the races we had. Billy kept winning until we banned Lightning from using his magic!”
“Billy is being really annoying. He won’t stop going on about Lightning’s awesome magic,” said Scarlett, rolling her eyes.
“I like my magic more!” said Blaze, stamping her hoof and sending fiery sparks flying up into the air.
“Your magic is definitely the best!” said Scarlett, hugging Blaze, who looked very pleased.
“What have you been doing?” Olivia asked Layla.
“Reading,” said Layla, nodding at the books. “And guess what? I’ve found out something really useful. Fire beetles can stop flash-fly infestations!”
Ava frowned. “But aren’t fire beetles really rare?”
Layla nodded. “Yes but I bet there’s a book somewhere in the library that will tell us where we can find some. I’m going to look.”
“Not now!” said Isabel. “You’ve done enough reading for today.”
“Absolutely. We’re going to go cool our unicorns down with a water fight and you’re coming with us,” said Scarlett.
Cloud whinnied. “Water fight! Yippee!” He stamped his hoof. Sparks flew into the air and suddenly water flew up from the nearby stream in a sparkling arc. It splashed down over Scarlett and Blaze. Scarlett squealed and Blaze spluttered.
“Whoops, sorry, you two!” Cloud said, but his eyes glinted with fun and he didn’t look sorry at all.
Isabel giggled.
“This water fight is on!” cried Scarlett. She turned Blaze and galloped back to the stables with Isabel, Olivia and Sophia following.
“I’ll walk with you,” Ava said, sliding off Star’s back and joining Layla. “So what else did you find out about fire beetles?”
Ava and Layla walked back to the stables together. The others were waiting for them as they arrived and they were hit from all directions by sopping sponges and blasts of water that Cloud directed from the water trough. Squealing and laughing, Ava and Layla grabbed sponges themselves and began chucking them back at the others.
After the water fight there was no time to go to the library. The girls were all soaking. They showered and went down to the dining hall for supper, laughing and talking.
When they had finished eating, Ms Rosemary organised a barn dance for all the pupils and their unicorns. A huge bonfire, lit by Blaze in a whirling cloud of glittering red sparks, burned brightly at the lakeside and the curling smoke kept most of the flash flies away. True to his name, Dancer was particularly good at barn dancing. Layla enjoyed trotting around in time to the jaunty music as she danced with her friends and their unicorns. However, she also watched Ms Nettles, who was busy pulling mushy leaves from the lake and adding them to the fire to make it smoke. She was directing the other teachers to waft the smoke towards the trees.
“She’s good,” whispered Sophia. “No one would suspect her of anything bad!”
That’s because she isn’t bad! Layla wanted to shout.
Olivia appeared at Layla’s side. “We’re having a fire when we go camping tomorrow night. The second years said they got to toast marshmallows on it last year. Are you sure you won’t come?”
Layla hesitated. Part of her wanted to go so much but in her head she just kept thinking, Galloping … jumping … galloping … jumping … scary woods!
“I’m … I’m sure,” she said to Olivia.
Olivia sighed. “OK, but it doesn’t feel right when we do things without you. I like it when we’re all together.”
Olivia’s words stayed with Layla for the rest of the evening and kept her awake that night. She remembered how much fun she had had at the water fight and dancing, and tried to find the courage to agree to go with her friends but she just couldn’t. All she could think about were the
mysterious woods and the fast riding and all the scary things that might happen. No, it really was safer to stay at home.
The next morning Layla waved her friends off on their camping trip and then headed for the library. On her way there, she paused by an open window overlooking Sparkle Lake. More leaves had fallen in the night and the surface of the lake was now thick with rust-coloured leaves. They even fluttered up from the fountain as it spouted water. A foul smell crept in on the breeze. The smell stuck in the back of Layla’s throat, making her sneeze. Poor Ms Nettles, she thought. It must be even worse for her with her hay fever.
Layla took out a notebook and listed all the things she knew about fire beetles. They were shy, they feasted on flash flies and they loved warm places. It wasn’t much to go on. Maybe if she researched likely habitats… Layla skimmed through three books on deserts and two books on tropical climates without finding any reference to fire beetles. Then she saw a book on volcanoes.
Volcanoes, of course! They were very warm places. There was a famous volcano on Unicorn Island. Mount Fury. Layla opened the book and to her delight it contained several chapters on the volcano. She read fast, her eyes gobbling up the words until she found something.
Layla stared at the page. If fire beetles lived on Mount Fury, couldn’t the teachers go there and bring some back? Layla quickly returned the book and headed for Ms Nettles’ study.
“Layla!” Ms Nettles, who was half hidden by a huge pile of books and papers on her desk, seemed irritated to see her. She sneezed. “I’m very busy. Please come back another time.”
Part of Layla wanted to do as she was told but she stood her ground. This was too important. “Ms Nettles, did you know that fire beetles would chase the flash flies away? I found a book in the library that said that they live on Mount Fury. Can’t you go there and get some?”
Ms Nettles frowned. “Oh, Layla, of course I know that fire beetles can help with flash flies. But Mount Fury could erupt at any time. It’s far too dangerous to go there.”
Layla felt suddenly hot as a wild idea jumped into her head. She took a deep breath, wondering if she was completely crazy. “I’ll go. Dancer will look after me.”
Ms Nettles’ eyes softened slightly. “I know you want to help, Layla, but I will not have you and Dancer – or anyone else – putting themselves in danger. I forbid it.”
“But every day the lake looks worse!” exclaimed Layla. “The fountain is clogged up and the magic water can’t flow around the island. Soon everyone will start to suffer and if the water isn’t cleaned up the unicorns will get ill. We have to do something, Ms Nettles!” She blushed as she finished and waited for Ms Nettles to tell her off but the teacher just sighed.
“I’m sorry, Layla. Now, please leave. I have lots to do.”
Layla’s head was in a whirl as she backed out of the study. She understood it would be risky to travel to the volcano. But the island was in danger. Should she stay safe and obey her teacher – or should she follow her heart?
Layla went to Dancer’s stable. “Oh good,” he said, looking very pleased to see her. “I’m so bored. What have you been up to?”
Layla quickly told him about her conversation with Ms Nettles. “I know she says it’s too dangerous but we need to find some fire beetles.”
“Then let’s go to Mount Fury – just you and me!” Dancer exclaimed.
Layla bit her lip. The cautious voice in her head was saying “No, no, no!” but deep down it felt like the right thing to do. They had to try to save the island.
“We could do it, Layla,” said Dancer eagerly. “We could use the magical map to get there.”
There was a model of Unicorn Island in the Great Hall that could take you anywhere on the island, although it was strictly forbidden to use the map without Ms Primrose’s permission.
“We’d be in so much trouble and we won’t have any of the others with us to help,” said Layla slowly, but even as she spoke, her mind was made up. “But I don’t care!” she declared. “We have to try to help!”
Layla and Dancer hurried into the school. Before they entered the hall, Layla crept into Ms Nettles’ classroom to raid the teacher’s cupboard. There were several beetle bags hanging up on the back of the door. Remembering she was hunting for fire beetles, Layla chose the thickest bag and hung it over her shoulder. She returned to Dancer and they went into the hall.
It was a huge room with a domed glass roof. The swirls of colour in the glass filled the hall with a rainbow light. On the walls were massive paintings of unicorns and in the centre of the room was the magical map – a model of the island in miniature, showing jagged mountains, lush meadows and sandy beaches with Unicorn Academy’s glass and marble building right at its centre beside Sparkle Lake. Usually the lake shone, but today it was clogged with minuscule leaves and a brown cloud seemed to hang over the academy’s buildings.
A magical force field of golden light surrounded the map. It buzzed and hummed. Layla’s heart thudded as they approached it. She’d used the map twice before. Would the force field let her pass this time? Layla squared her shoulders and tried to look confident even though her insides were churning with doubt. She stepped into the light and it dissolved in a shower of sparks. Layla’s breath rushed out and she grinned. If the map approved of her trip, then maybe this really was the right thing to do.
Dancer nuzzled her. “When we get to the volcano we might have to do lots of galloping and jumping,” he said, his voice serious. “Trust me, Layla. I’ll look after you.”
Layla met his eyes. “I know you will,” she said. And in that moment she really did know it. “And I’ll look after you too,” she told him softly. “I promise.” He nuzzled her and, with one hand on his mane, she took a deep breath.
“We need to find a fire beetle,” she told the map, hoping it might help if the map knew what they were planning. She stretched her hand out and touched the rocky slope of Mount Fury. Coloured lights burst around her and a fierce wind came from nowhere, plucking at Layla’s clothes. They started to spin round, twirling faster and faster until suddenly they were falling…
Dancer plunged like a falling stone and landed with a bone-jolting thud. In a daze, Layla stared around. They were on the lower slopes of Mount Fury. High above them, the mouth of the volcano was belching out clouds of thick smoke. Something was tickling her neck. Layla swatted at it. Her fingers touched cold glass and marble. Caught in her hair was a tiny model of Unicorn Academy. Layla tucked the tiny building in her pocket. She knew from her previous adventures that she and Dancer would need it to return to the school.
“Phaaaarrw!” coughed Dancer. “It smells terrible!”
Layla looked up to the top of the mountain again, shielding her eyes. Fiery-red dollops of lava were spurting over the edge of the crater and a pungent smell of rotten eggs drifted towards her.
“It looks like it might be about to erupt,” said Layla anxiously. “We’d better get moving and find some fire beetles before it does. They live at the very top by the crater.” She scrambled on to Dancer’s back.
“Hold tight!” Dancer set off up the side of the mountain, his hooves scattering lumps of rock, sending them tumbling behind in a stony river. Layla’s heart thudded painfully against her chest as his hooves slipped and slid on the steep, uneven surface. She gripped hold of his mane until her knuckles whitened. She really didn’t want to climb the volcano but no matter how scared she was, she wouldn’t give up. If there were fire beetles on the volcano, she and Dancer would find them!
“Keep going, Dancer!” she urged.
He launched into a canter. “We’ll soon be at the top,” he panted. “We’ll soon find those—” He broke off with an alarmed whinny as the ground began to shake. Layla squeaked in horror as a crack zigzagged across the rocky landscape, widening into a deep crevasse. She clung to Dancer’s mane, hardly daring to breathe as they teetered on the edge.
Slowly Dancer crept back from the sheer drop, stones rattling under his hooves.<
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“That was close!” he gasped when they were safe.
“If we’d fallen in, we would have died!” Layla stared at the gaping drop in front of them. It was at least two metres wide and she couldn’t even see the bottom. “How will we get to the top now?”
“We’ll have to jump it,” said Dancer. “Trust me, Layla, I know I can clear it. I’ve easily jumped that far before.”
But not taking off on steep, uneven ground, Layla wanted to say. What if there was another earthquake when he took off? What if the crack widened further as he jumped? Would they plummet into the crevasse?
Dancer sensed her anxiety and nuzzled her leg. “Layla, I can do this.”
Layla’s heart pounded but they didn’t have another option. “I trust you,” she said finally. She gripped Dancer’s sides with her knees and wrapped her fingers in his mane. Dancer took a few paces back then cantered forward. Layla shut her eyes and felt him leap into the air. There was a moment when they were hanging suspended over the crevasse, and then she felt his hooves thud into the ground as he landed on the other side. The breath rushed out of her. “You did it!” she cried, hugging him.
Dancer whinnied triumphantly. “I did! Now, let’s get to the top as fast as we can!”
The nearer they cantered to the summit, the hotter it was. Dancer’s sides soon grew slippery with sweat and Layla felt a trickle run down her nose. It was hard to breathe.
“Almost there,” wheezed Dancer.
“What’s that?” Layla pointed to some tiny red spots on the rocks in front of them. “Are they fire beetles?”
“I don’t know,” said Dancer. He went closer and snorted in shock. “No! That’s drops of lava!”