A Forest Charm

by Sue Bentley

  “No, I have not!” Cassie said truthfully. Well, it was true that she hadn’t eaten any chocolate—yet. And after finding Storm, she’d forgotten all about it. “Anyway, so what? It’s only one tiny little bar.”

  “It’s against the rules to bring your own food. Let’s see what the others have to say when I show them this!” Erin waved the bar in the air triumphantly.

  “Give it back!” Cassie cried, jumping up to try and reach it, but Erin kept dodging out of her way.

  Suddenly, Storm streaked upward, shedding a glittering rocket’s trail of gold sparkles behind him. He shot between Cassie and Erin, grasping the bar in his sharp little teeth. Tossing his head, he pulled the chocolate out of Erin’s hand.

  “What—” Erin looked up in surprise at her empty hand.

  Storm drifted to the ground in another flurry of sparks. Laying back his ears, he bounded away into the bushes.

  Cassie bit back another grin. Because Erin couldn’t see Storm, she must have thought the chocolate had tried to escape by leaping into the air all by itself !

  “I don’t get it. Where did that chocolate go?” Erin said, frowning.

  “Beats me,” Cassie said casually. She didn’t even mind losing the chocolate bar. It was worth it to see the look on Erin’s bratty face! Cassie slung her backpack over her shoulder. “What are you waiting for? I thought we were in a hurry.”

  Still looking puzzled, Erin began following Cassie.

  Storm exploded out of the bushes in a flurry of leaves and came tearing over to Cassie with a wide, mischievous grin on his little, square, white face.

  “Thanks, Storm. You were fantastic. I don’t think Erin will bother telling on me now that the evidence has disappeared!” she whispered.

  “I am glad I was able to help,” Storm woofed. He stretched and then kicked at the ground with his short, back legs, sending a tiny spray of muddy grass in Erin’s direction.

  Erin skirted sideways to avoid getting spattered. “There are some megafreaky breezes in this forest,” she commented.

  Cassie thought she was going to burst with laughter. Clapping both hands over her mouth, she broke into a jog. Having Storm as her own special teammate this weekend was going to be the most fun ever.

  Chapter FOUR

  Cassie’s spirits were high as the group trekked along a forest track. Storm was trotting along beside her. Her earlier annoyance at Erin’s unfriendliness faded into the background as she thought about her amazing new puppy friend. The morning flew by and it seemed like about five minutes before they all reached a clearing.

  Storm’s ears twitched as he looked up at the tall, sweet chestnut trees that surrounded the area. There were lots of fallen branches, and a thick layer of gold and orange leaves covered everything.

  “This is a safe place,” he woofed.

  Cassie quickly checked that no one was listening before answering. “I’m glad you like it. Because it looks like we’re about to set up camp here,” she whispered.

  The instructors explained that the Reds, Blues, and Greens would need to make everything they needed from materials they could find around them. There would also be a special task for the kids from each team.

  “I wonder what that’s going to be,” Cassie whispered to Storm.

  He sat at Cassie’s feet, all attention. His fluffy, white bottom was parked on her walking boots. She had to stop herself from bending down to stroke him.

  “This suddenly seems like an awful lot of hard work,” her dad said. “I hope we don’t actually have to hunt for our food as well.” His face was red and sweating from the walk. Cassie could see there were damp patches on his T-shirt through his open shirt.

  She gave him a little nudge. “Think of it as a challenge, Dad! The Red team rules, okay!”

  He scrunched up his face, but then reached across to ruffle her mop of fair curls. “Well, I’m glad to see that you’ve perked up. I thought our most difficult task was going to be cheer-up-the-grumpy-daughter!” he teased.

  “Da-ad! I wasn’t that bad. Was I, Mom?” Cassie said, grinning.

  Mrs. Yorke smiled and held up her open hands. “I’m saying nothing!”

  Everyone had a drink of bottled water before they started work. Cassie took a swig of hers and then bent down and pretended to be fiddling with her boots. Making sure that no one was watching, she poured some water into her hand for Storm.

  His soft, whiskery little muzzle tickled her as he lapped it up. “Thank you, Cassie,” he woofed, licking his chops.

  “There’ll be a prize for the team who constructs the best shelter and another for the one that gets a fire started. You might find it helpful to elect a leader,” an instructor was explaining.

  Cassie’s attention was still on Storm when Mr. Ronson’s loud voice suddenly made her jump.

  “I’ll be the Red team’s leader,” he boomed. “I’m the most experienced at outdoor skills. Any objections?” he asked.

  “Er … well …” Mr. Yorke murmured, looking a bit stunned.

  “No? That’s settled then,” Mr. Ronson said.

  After the Blue and Green teams had decided on their leaders, an instructor explained about the kids’ task. “While the adults build a shelter to sleep in, you’re going to look for a hidden package, containing fire-making tools. There’s one for each team. And there’ll be a prize for the team who gets their fire going first.”

  “That sounds like fun,” Cassie whispered to Storm. “And you’ll be able to have a good run around the forest.”

  Storm nodded and eagerly wagged his stumpy tail.

  As the teams moved apart and then set to work, Mr. Ronson took charge. “Okay. You two can start by collecting some branches. We need to trim them before we use them to build the shelter,” he said, jabbing a finger at Cassie’s mom and dad, before turning to his wife. “And you can collect some twigs for firewood. Okay, guys, get to it!” he ordered.

  Cassie’s dad made a wry face at her before he set off toward some fallen branches.

  “I see what dad means about Mr. Ronson. He’s really enjoying bossing everyone around, isn’t he? No wonder Erin’s so unbearable,” Cassie said to Storm.

  Storm growled very softly in agreement.

  Cassie suddenly noticed that Erin was looking at her with narrowed eyes and angry, flushed cheeks. She realized that she must have spoken more loudly than she’d intended to and Erin had heard her.

  She chewed at her lip, feeling guilty. No one liked to hear someone else criticizing their dad. “Erin, I’m really—” Cassie was about to apologize, but just then Mr. Ronson came over.

  “Okay, you two. You need to find that hidden package and get back here with it pronto. That prize for lighting a fire first is ours, okay?”

  “No problem. I won’t let you down, Dad,” Erin said.

  “Don’t you mean we won’t let the team down?” Cassie asked.

  Erin ignored her. “Does Cassie have to come with me? She’ll only lag behind and slow me down!”

  Cassie saw Storm’s fuzzy, white fringe dip in a frown. “That is not a very nice thing to say!” he yapped.

  Cassie agreed with him. “But I wasn’t very nice about her dad, though, was I? Erin’s probably just getting back at me,” she whispered to him.

  But Storm snorted and didn’t seem so sure.

  “The task is for both of you. Those are the rules, Erin,” Mr. Ronson said. He handed Erin a small map and a piece of chalk. “Why don’t you show Cassie how it’s done by setting a good example?”

  “If I have to,” Erin said reluctantly, slanting a sideways look at Cassie. “But it won’t be my fault if she messes up.”

  Mr. Ronson patted his daughter’s arm. He smiled down at Cassie. “I’m sure you’ll do your best, dear. A team’s only as strong as its weakest member, you know.”

  Charming, Cassie fumed quietly, but wisely chose not to say anything.

  Erin began studying the map as her dad walked back to the rest of the Reds.

 
; “Can I have a look?” Cassie asked, going toward her and peering over her shoulder.

  After they had both worked out the way to go, Erin crumpled up the map and threw it on the floor.

  “Erin!” Cassie cried, angry at the older girl’s littering. But before she could go and pick the map up, she saw Erin already stomping off through the trees.

  “Well, come on!” Erin called back impatiently.

  Cassie sighed and she and Storm set off after her. She decided she would pick the map up on their way back.

  At first Erin walked at a normal speed, swinging her arms, but the moment they had left the campsite she broke into a run, tearing away from Cassie and Storm.

  “Hey! Hang on!” Cassie called to her, speeding up.

  Erin looked over her shoulder and wagged her fingers in a wave. “Come on, slowpoke!”

  Cassie gritted her teeth in determination and broke into a run. She pumped her arms and legs like crazy as she tried to catch up with long-legged Erin. But it was no use. Erin easily outpaced her and was soon out of sight.

  Cassie slowed down and then stopped in frustration. “Oh fudge! Forget it!

  I’ve always been terrible at running,” she puffed. “Erin’s just going to get the package by herself and then brag about it to everyone. Maybe she was right about me being useless. I should have stayed behind at the camp.”

  “That is not true, Cassie. I will help you catch up to her,” Storm woofed.

  Suddenly, Cassie felt a strange tingling sensation flowing down her back as bright gold sparks began igniting in Storm’s fluffy, white fur, and his pointed, white ears crackled with electricity.

  Something very strange was about to happen!

  Chapter FIVE

  Cassie watched in amazement as Storm lifted one little white paw and sent a fountain of gold sparks whooshing toward her. They swirled around, whirling faster and faster and then began forming into the shape of a magnificent horse with a dazzling white coat and a flowing gold mane and tail.

  The next instant, Cassie found herself seated on the back of the beautiful horse. “Wow!” she breathed, patting its warm, silky neck. “This is amazing!”

  Storm leaped up in front of her in another little flurry of sparks and Cassie wrapped her hands in the thick golden mane and held on tight. The horse snorted and pawed the ground with one elegant hoof, before it galloped away in a blur of speed. Storm’s fluffy, white fur rippled in the breeze as they raced along, searching for Erin.

  Cassie laughed with delight as trees flashed past them. Now and then the horse veered expertly to one side to avoid a particularly big tree, or wove through the tall bushes.

  “I feel just like Jilly Atkins in Outback Trail,” she told Storm.

  “Is Jilly one of your friends?” Storm barked.

  “No. She’s not a real person. She’s a character in books and computer games. But I like her because she’s strong and brave and she always tries to do her best.”

  Storm turned to look up at her. “Just like you!”

  Cassie smiled at him. No one had ever called her strong and brave before. “Look, there’s Erin!” she cried, pointing at a thin figure standing beneath a spreading oak tree. “Good job, Storm!”

  Once again, Cassie felt a prickling sensation down her spine. There was a flash of golden sparkles. The horse melted into a wisp of white and gold smoke before disappearing with a soft Pop!, and then she and Storm were standing on the leaf-covered ground behind a thick bush.

  Cassie started hurrying toward Erin, with Storm trotting invisibly beside her. She pretended to be out of breath as if she’d been running hard.

  Erin turned around as Cassie came lumbering up to her. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, scowling.

  “Thanks very much for waiting for me,” Cassie said sarcastically.

  “Well, you should have got a move on. I can’t help it if you’re a slowpoke,” Erin scoffed.

  Cassie felt her temper rise as Erin hit a raw nerve. “Don’t call me that!” she exclaimed in frustration. “It was your fault I couldn’t keep up. You deliberately ran off and left me!”

  “Okay. Relax,” Erin said warily, taking a step back. “Maybe I was a bit too excited to get going. Anyway, you’re here now, aren’t you? Look. That’s where the package must be hidden.” She pointed up into the branches where a red flag was fluttering from a fork in the trunk. “One of us has to climb up and get it.”

  Cassie could see that the flag was fairly high up, but the trunk had plenty of knobbly spots for safe hand and footholds. She paused, expecting Erin to leap forward and scale the tree in her usual “me-first” way.

  But Erin looked unusually tense. “Go ahead. What are you waiting for? Climb up there, Cassie!”

  But Cassie was fed up with being bossed around. “Why don’t we flip for it? Loser climbs up.” She took a quarter out of her pocket, tossed it and covered the coin with her hand. “Your call.”

  “Heads!” Erin said.

  Cassie uncovered the coin. “It’s tails. You lose.”

  “How about best of three?” Erin said quickly.

  Cassie shrugged. She tossed the coin twice more and won each time. “Congratulations! You go up the tree.”

  The color drained from Erin’s face. She hung her head. “I … er … can’t,” she murmured.

  Cassie frowned. “Why not? It’s an easy climb.”

  “I don’t like heights, okay?” Erin snapped. “I guess you think I’m pathetic now, don’t you?”

  Cassie was shocked. The way Erin had behaved so far, she didn’t think the older girl would be afraid of anything. She was tempted to tease Erin now and get her back, but seeing how nervous Erin looked, she decided not to.

  “No, I don’t think you’re pathetic,” Cassie replied. “It’s no big deal. Everyone’s scared of something. I’m scared of big, hairy spiders.”

  Erin looked relieved. “You won’t tell anyone, will you? Dad doesn’t believe in being scared of things. He says everyone has to face their fears. That’s what he always does.”

  “Yeah, well not everybody’s that strong,” Cassie said. “Of course I won’t say anything.”

  “Thanks,” Erin said, smiling with genuine warmth for the first time since Cassie had met her. She looked much softer and prettier without the scowl she wore so often.

  Cassie found herself wondering for the first time whether she and Erin could become friends. It would be really nice as their dads worked together and they’d probably get to meet each other again in the future.

  Cassie took a firm handhold on the oak’s trunk and then braced her foot against a ridge of bark. She swung herself up, climbed up to the fork, and reached for the package.

  From her high vantage point, she smiled as she caught a glimpse of a small white shape diving into a bush. Storm was obviously chasing a poor rabbit again!

  Cassie climbed down carefully. She had barely reached the ground before Erin grabbed the package out of her hands and tore it open. A small key-ring-like object, but with only two small, metal tags, fell into her hands.

  “The flint and striker. Now we can go back and get a fire started,” Erin said triumphantly. “I really want to win that prize. Let’s go!”

  Cassie followed as Erin set off confidently. But they had only been walking for a couple of minutes when Erin stopped and looked around. “I’m not sure which way to go now.”

  “Me neither. I can’t see any chalk marks on the trees—” Cassie stopped as she saw the look on Erin’s face.

  “I forgot to make any,” Erin murmured, looking a bit embarassed.

  And Cassie knew why. Erin had been too intent on leaving her behind to mark a chalk trail back to camp.

  Erin’s face fell. “We’re completely lost. What are we going to do?”

  Chapter SIX

  Cassie knew that Storm would easily be able to follow their scent trail back to camp, but he was busy chasing rabbits. With Erin so close, Cassie couldn’t call him. She knew that Storm was bound t
o come and find her soon, but of course she couldn’t tell Erin that.

  Cassie tried to think of some way of causing a delay. As she shifted her backpack, she heard a faint crackling of chip wrappers.

  “I think I’ll have a quick snack before we start off again,” she said, playing for time. She sat down and took out a bag of chips. “Do you want some?”

  Erin looked at her in disbelief. “No, I don’t! Don’t you care that we’re lost? How can you just sit there stuffing your face?”

  “Easily,” Cassie said, munching happily. “Chill out, Erin. Something will turn up; it always does.”

  Erin stamped her feet. “We’re going to be so late back. I know my dad’s counting on winning both prizes. He’ll be furious that he can’t start the fire.”

  “I thought you said he was an expert at outdoor stuff. Can’t he rub two sticks together or something?” Cassie suggested reasonably.

  “Don’t be stupid. That would take forever!” Erin snapped. “Okay! I’m going to try and find my way back now. You can stay here if you’d like. See if I care.”

  “Will you just hang on for thirty seconds? I’m thinking,” Cassie said.

  “Yeah, I can hear the rusty wheels going around,” Erin sneered.

  “Ha-ha,” Cassie said, thinking that Erin’s new friendliness hadn’t lasted very long.

  Just then, Storm emerged from the bushes. He came running over with his tongue lolling out and jumped into Cassie’s lap. Bits of twig and leaves speckled his white fur. “I had a very good time. Are we ready to go back now?” he panted.

  Cassie pretended to be zipping up her backpack, so that she could whisper to him. “Yes, but Erin didn’t put chalk marks on the trees, so we don’t know which way to go. Can you find the way for us, please?”

  Storm jumped to the ground, his stumpy tail wagging. “I will be glad to do that!”

  “Great.” Cassie jumped to her feet and dusted herself off. “I think those chips must have fed my brain because I can remember the way back now,” she said, winking at Storm. “Follow me, Erin!”

  Erin shook her head slowly as Cassie stomped off. “You are so annoying, Cassie Yorke!” she cried.