I ran. My bare feet were being battered and bruised by every rock, fossil and pitfall seed. I headed towards the beach; note in hand, ready to send out a note to my mom for escape. She would understand, she got into the same sort of things as me. I suddenly heard a squeal behind me and I whirled around in fright. It was Pecan, running up to me. I was looking forward to a good chase scene and then I would get some transport at the last minute and Crazy Redd would be angrily shaking his head at me. Hahaha.

"Oh My God! Chipmunk! Have you seen the latest fashions in Ms. Nintendique? I so need some 'Lovely Furniture'. *Hint Hint*" squealed Pecan as fast as she could, an excited look across her pretty face.

"I don't have time," I sighed, and then felt slightly guilty as her face drooped, then frowned. "If you really want to know, I'm on the run." At those words, I heard a rustle, and I saw a glint of orange move between the trees.

"Oooh!" she squealed again, her eyes alight with glee. "An obsessive lover! I've always wanted one of them, Chipmunk!" She followed my gaze and also saw the orange thing amongst the trees. "Is that him? COO-EEEE! SHE'S OVER HERE!" She yelled, waving her arms and jumping up and down. While she was facing the other way, and just as the glint of orange emerged as Crazy Redd, I fled.

"That's going to be some gossip!" giggled Pecan after me, as she wrote a letter to Queenie. I didn't look back, and I was glad I was leaving people like her behind. I focused forwards, and I skidded to a halt.

A big, metal ship, crowded with animals, with a turtley thing at the helm. A gangplank led up to it. At the bottom of the gangplank, a young boy, with chestnut brown hair was stepping forwards and backwards. "Hey," I said, poking the boy in the back. He jumped and screamed with fright, and tottered backwards.

"Wh-who are you?" He stammered. He was visibly shaking, his face was pale and you could see the innocence in his soft hazel eyes. He seemed to notice he was shaking because he stopped abruptly, looking stiff and nervous.

"I'm Alex!" I said brightly, determined to sound cheerful even though I was being chased by a crazy fox. "What's your name?"

"Caitlin." He replied, his mouth still quivering, fighting with himself to stay strong like me. "Do you know what this is?"

"It's a ship, you getting on or what?" I replied, stating the obvious. I nudged him gently, edging him towards my ticket out of here.

"Ummm, I'm not sure" He stammered, trying to edge the other way.

I sighed. "I've got to get on," I said firmly. "Nice meeting you." I smiled at him cheerily, and then started to head up the gangplank. Then I heard a loud noise. I was lurched forwards and a creaking sound was deafening my ears.