EXCERPT
Andrew, Mariella screamed out. Go see why Drexie is raising such a fracas in the house and dont let him outside. All we need is for him to bite someone. Great timing Mom, he thought, as he took his time moving toward the house. There was no rush until he neared the door and heard Drexie snarling madly, growling, tearing at the door and acting more wild than ever before. Easy boy, he soothed while opening the door just a crack. Your gonna scare these kids half to death. He tried to squeeze through the very tiny open space, but Drexie was frantic as he pushed his way outdoors and tore through the crowd. He raced to the trunk of a very tall White Spruce tree, ran his front paws up the rough bark and began to howl as never before. Andrew spotted him first, before a screaming child announced to the crowd that there was an intruder sitting high up in the tree. He was perched out on a wide branch where he could see all that was taking place down below and up until now he had gone undetected. His eyes burned red and his breath came out in little puffs of smoke. He suddenly took one leap from the branch, a drop of at least twenty feet, then appeared to float down to the earth, landing right beside Andrew with a thud. It was a startled reaction from the crowd when they all stood completely still with mouths hanging open and a look of fearful disbelief on their faces. The Corker suddenly took off on the run and the children took chase. No one knew why they were chasing the ghostlike spirit that was weaving among the trees, they simply ran single file and followed his trail. Their screams had silenced and the breeze had ceased to blow the leaves over their heads. It was as though all on earth was holding its breath and waiting to see what was about to happen. Andrew and Drexie remained in the same spot as though they were in a trance. A state that was allowing them to do nothing but watch as the children disappeared into the woods. Hes here, right here at our home. Your father always said he would never leave Phantom Valley. Mariella tore at the front of her jumper and balled it up into her fists as she spit out the words. She began to cry violent tears. Andrew, do something. Take Drexie and bring your sisters home. Ross and Vickie remained frozen in time, standing with their arms hanging loose at their sides. Andrew and Drexie didnt move a muscle or blink an eye. The spirit has them in his grasp and well never be able to bring them home, once he gets them into his lair in Phantom Valley. Mariella wailed as she covered her face with both of her hands and wept pitifully. Andrew heard the words and could feel the fear building deep in his stomach, but still he couldnt move a muscle. There was a force that seemed to surround him like a cloud and it held him tight in its grasp. The words of anguish that Mariella was wailing flowed through the deepest reaches of his brain then jerked Ross into action with a shudder. It was a moment before he could gather his thoughts together and fathom what had just taken place. He ran to Andrew, grabbed both shoulders, then shook as hard as he could. We have to go after them. Didnt you hear? The snarl that Drexie released just at that very moment had a way of moving everyone into action and at first they did nothing but run around in circles. Vickie, stay here with Mom, will ya? He was helpless to stop the hysterical screaming that Mariella was still releasing from her lungs. Neither boy moved as they stood and pondered which direction to take. Maybe we should separate, Ross. He raked his fingers through his hair as he thought about the few clues that might guide them in the right direction. Suddenly they both took off running like the wind until they were exhausted and completely out of breath. They stopped for just a moment to catch one fresh breath of air and let it fill the lungs that felt as though they were ready to burst then they drove on. Listen, Andrew raised his head up into the air. I thought I heard Angies radio. The two boys stood still as their ears strained to hear the faint sound in the distance, a sound that had to rise above the chirping of the birds and the rustle of the leaves as they blew in the wind. It is, Ross said, and its coming from that direction. He pointed over the ridge toward the gorge. We have to hurry, Ross, before they get across the bridge. He turned and wasted no time in racing as fast as he could go in the direction of the bridge and Ross was hot on his heals, following so close it looked as though the two were attached. They didnt go far, just several hundred yards, before they realized that there were racing footsteps coming toward them, traveling in their direction at a high rate of speed with a noise that sounded like a stampede of wild horses. They slowed the pace and stepped into a thick clump of trees to await the unknown origin of the racket.
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