The chicks and duckling had really done it now. They wandered far from the sanctuary to help out with the sanctuary since they were low on supplies, not really feeling up to playing a game or sitting around while doing nothing. However they didn't expect to get lost especially since it wasn't their first time being away from the sanctuary

"W-what if we get attacked." Clementine trembles, glancing up at the tree tops and over her shoulders

Lillian picked up some rocks her little sister dropped. "Nothing's going to happen to us. Besides we're not hatchlings anymore."

"Yeah. Only hatchlings would be scared. And I'm not scared of anything. In fact, just last week a badger tried to eat me but I wasn't terrified at all and managed to scare him off." Ricky smirks, holding his head high

"No you didn't. I saw the whole thing. You were scared of a little earth worm and aunt Mac had to get rid of it for you." Grayson rolls his eyes at Ricky's lie

"Guys, cut it out. We should be trying to find a way back home instead of bickering. Daddy was supposed to tell me a story about a chicken queen for bedtime tonight." Ava sighs. She clearly wasn't in the mood

The young ones observed their surroundings for anything, any kind of sign that would seem familiar as a landmark. It was almost dusk which didn't help since chickens or ducks couldn't see too well in the dark. They nestled down in an abandoned animal den for the night, neither one admitting that they were scared. What kind of predators lurked in the night?

Grayson noticed that Clementine was still trembling and moved closer to his little sister in an attempt to comfort her. The duckling felt better at her brother's comfort and thanked him

The gang didn't sleep well throughout the night, however. Strange noises were what mostly kept them up in fear that they'd be found by a predator of the night. Ava could've sworn that she heard growls by the entrance at some point and her siblings wouldn't have doubted it. If it was in fact a large predator it wouldn't have much luck getting in since the way into the den was rather small.

Once morning came, the five hurried out of the little den in search of breakfast, leaving behind the supplies. There would always be time to get more. They gathered edible nuts and berries and shared them amongst themselves. But they took no notice of being watched...

A snake was watching the youngsters from a nearby bush. But not just any snake. An Adder which was a venomous snake in England. It slithered towards the unsuspecting chicks and ducklings while they finished their breakfast

"Hello young ones. Lost?" The old snake hissed, startling the group

"Yeah. What of it?" Ricky ruffled his feathers

"I mean no harm." The Adder said, though he really did. They were dumb birds after all. Or so he thought

The chicks and Clementine didn't trust the reptile and ran in the opposite direction, the snake in pursuit. They didn't know how far they ran when they all skidded to a stop. Did they just hear voices? Unfortunately they didn't have time to listen as the Adder had chased after them, not wanting to pass up a meal like this. The gang was about to accept their fate when a rock hit the dumb snake on the head. He turned to see a hen in a green hat, glaring directly at the serpent

"Stay away from them!" Ginger clucks, throwing another rock

The old snake didn't want to risk getting himself killed and slithered away

After making sure he was no longer in sight, the feisty hen hugged her kids. "We were so worried."

"Can we go home now, mommy?" Clementine rubs her head against Ginger's soft feathers

"Yeah. I still need a bedtime story from last night." Ava chirps

"Pops is here?" Ricky asked

"Yes Clem, we can.Your father is back at the hut with Babs Incase you five had shown up while I was out looking for you." The hen caresses her adopted daughter's feathers and looked to her chicks

Bunty and Mac joined Ginger and her kids, relieved to have found them in the nick of time. The young ones all swore an oath. Never leave the safety of the sanctuary ever again, for it was far too dangerous out there for wee ones like themselves

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Until the next one