Chapter Eleven

They walked for the remainder of the day, Silver walking steadfastly beside Bigwig the entire way, ready to support him in case he needed a hand. Bigwig snarled at him, but Hazel noticed more than once Bigwig reaching a hand out to the other boy's shoulder.

Fiver seemed to have new energy after finally leaving what they had fondly dubbed 'Cowslip's House of Horrors', and was often running off, or pausing for a moment to smell the flowers before racing to catch up. At first, Pipkin joined him, but he quickly got tired, and instead attached himself to Bigwig's side, as if to make sure the older boy didn't suddenly disappear while he wasn't paying attention.

Dandelion, Acorn and Blackberry walked together, seeming still a bit shocked by how close it had been. Before long, however, Dandelion had lightened the mood with a story, and the three were smiling again, though still casting nervous looks at Bigwig from time to time.

Hazel led the group, walking by himself. He needed to think about what they could do next. As much as he wanted to believe Fiver was right, and there would be a wonderful place in the hills just waiting for them, he had his doubts. Even if this place existed, which it might not, who knows how long it might take to get there? They needed to find a safe place sooner rather than later.

Once it started getting dark, however, Hazel had to admit that even sooner wouldn't be soon enough for tonight. "Anybody see a good spot to sleep tonight?" he called out.

"Yep!" Acorn called back. He flopped to the ground. "Right here seems perfect to me."

Dandelion happily lay down beside him. "I concur. It's a nice night, let's just spend it outside."

"Not a good idea." Bigwig scowled at them. "It's right out in the open, anyone could see us."

"Would the police really still be looking for us? And so far from Sandelford?" Blackberry asked him sceptically. "I vote for staying here." He turned to Hazel. "What do you think, Hazel?"

Looking around at the group, it only took Hazel a moment to decide. "We're staying here tonight. Sorry, Bigwig, but everyone's tired, and I'm sure nobody wants to walk any further tonight when we can sleep in the open."

"Well, I want to!" Bigwig crossed his arms. "This isn't safe. Just because you don't see that, Hazel, doesn't mean I shouldn't keep going, and find a safer place to spend the night."

"Me too!" Pipkin piped up, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "I'll keep walking with you, Bigwig! Only, I'm just so-" A yawn cut him off, and he sat down on the ground. "But I'll keep going, I can! I'm just-" Another yawn, then a final mumble of "really sleepy," and Pipkin was curled up on the ground, asleep.

Bigwig sighed, then smiled, reaching down to ruffle Pipkin's hair, careful not to wake him. "That's okay, kid. I'll stay too." He lay down on the grass beside the younger boy and drifted off to sleep, still smiling.

"He must have been more tired than he seemed," Hazel murmured to Blackberry, looking down at the two boys.

"Yeah, he didn't even set anyone on watch," Blackberry murmured back. "Should we be worried?"

The question had been asked jokingly, but Hazel took it seriously. "Maybe, but there's nothing we can do about it here. Go to sleep, Blackberry. It's been a long day."

Blackberry nodded, and headed back towards Dandelion and Acorn, who were looking up at the stars and chatting quietly. Hazel watched him go, then turned to try and find Fiver. As they weren't that big a group, it wasn't hard to find him, sitting beneath the stars, face filled with wonder. "Aren't they beautiful?" Fiver asked in awe, not turning around.

"I guess so, but Fiver, I need to talk to you." Hazel didn't even spare a moment to look at the stars, too caught up with worry.

Fiver tugged his sleeve. "Sit down, Hazel. You're worrying too much."

"So you aren't having any feelings about this place?"

Fiver looked up at his brother, crossing his arms, "No, I'm not having feelings about this place, but I don't have feelings about everything that happens, so it doesn't matter anyway. Now will you sit down and watch the stars with me?"

Hazel sighed, then sat down on the grass beside his brother. Fiver smiled at him, immediately switching position so his head was in Hazel's lap. "Hey, I didn't sit down to be used as a pillow!" Hazel halfheartedly protested.

Fiver just snuggled further into Hazel's side, his eyes dropping shut. "Don't care. You're comfy."

Hazel sighed again in mock exasperation, then smiled. Carefully, he lay back, making sure not to jostle Fiver too much, and looked up at the stars. Fiver was right, they really were lovely tonight. Surely he could spend just a moment to look at them. Not too long, just - just a - moment... Before Hazel knew it, he was asleep.