10 November 2007

CHAPTER 3

Something moves in the darkness.

I stoop down to avoid being noticed, feeling around the leaf litter for anything I can use as a weapon. I grab hold of a thick fallen branch and use it anyway. The black figure moves behind one tree trunk to another. I creep closer and closer, gripping tighter to the branch in defense position. The figure is dressed in baggy clothes and has spiky thorns poking out of its head. It has a broad waistline and is bulky but it moves about with ease. Just as I assure myself that there is nothing to worry about, the figure waves a hand signal to a second figure. Oh no, this can’t be good. I tell myself.

The two figures meet together behind a broad trunk, making clicking sounds that sound almost alien to me. I start to worry. Do they know I am spying on them? They must have spotted me and are now preparing to attack! I crouch down even lower with my hands spread out to the ground, trying to look inconspicuous.

A little drop of goo falls onto my palm. I bring it close to examine but cannot make anything out of it in the darkness. Flicking away the sticky substance to the ground, I wipe my hand on my shirt and look around to see where it came from. More drips of goo appear on my overalls and I feel goose bumps crawl up my arm. I slowly tilt my head skywards and peer through the thick canopy. My eyes enlarge with fear as they meet with a pair of huge yellow eyes. Panic-stricken as I am, my limbs shiver uncontrollably and I flop to the ground, lifting a trembling finger to point at the beast.

What happens next scared the living daylights out of me. A loud blast of cosmic energy fires into the trees above to where the beast is. The deafening roar of the beast permeates the air as it is trapped in a net.

“Get out of the way!” A voice shouts, and becomes louder as it nears me.

I am pushed and rolled over the ground, with only a tree stump to cushion the blow. A loud “thud” envelope the entire forest as the beast falls to the ground, sending heaps of fallen leaves into the night sky. Everything happens simultaneously and I am too confused and terrified to get my thoughts straight.

“You got him good, Ingrid” A voice says.
“Oh shucks, you aren’t that bad yourself” Another voice replies, and I assume must have been Ingrid.

A hand grabs my arm and lifts me off the ground. I come face to face with the ‘figure’ with thorns on his head. He turns out to be a boy not much taller than I am, with spiked hair and carrying an unusually large amount of weapons I have never seen in my life.

“You okay? My partner and I are sorry we almost flattened ya with out catch. The name’s Ozzie. Which force you belong to?”

I am puzzled by Ozzie’s introduction. What is that beast? Why are they hunting it? And what force is he referring to? I ask him just that.

“Are you sure you’re not new to the STRIPES? Who are you? Where are you from?”

“I’m Dave Yeo and I live on 2nd Darvey Avenue and I study at Hocken High. Am I still on Earth? Where am I exactly?”

Ozzie is joined by Ingrid and they seem stunned by what I have told them.

“You’re from the Yeo Family?” They both say in unison and stare at me with wide-eyed disbelief.

“Yes I am. Should I be worried about that?”

“This can’t be true! He must be Darrick’s son! He has sent help just like he promised!”

“Wait… How do you know my Gramps? What is this all about, someone please tell me!”

“We’ll fill you in once we get back to camp with this Hecktoclops. Come on quick!” Ozzie says as he waves for me to follow them.

I cannot believe what I am hearing. Ozzie and Ingrid seem to know Gramps very well. And I am now most certain I am no longer on Earth. This cannot be happening. Ingrid and Ozzie are already pulling the Hecktoclops and I follow them close behind. Further ahead, we are nearing a clearing in the forest with many others dressed in similar fashion to Ozzie and Ingrid. They all throw their curious gazes at me as I step into uncharted territory.
blabbered at 1:39 PM