The windows are all closed. Jake reported from a window sill. I scurried
around on the ground, but there weren't ay basement windows for us to slip
through.
Rachel there's a dog flap in the front door. Tobias said. Jake and I raced to the flap and pushed our way in.
The first thing that hit me was the smell. What on earth is that? I asked, nose twitching.
Doesn't smell good. Let's go investigate. Jake bounded further into the house. I paused a moment, fighting the squirrel part of me that wanted to get out immediately. Then I followed Jake, bending low, subconsciously trying to avoid danger.
The house was eerily silent. The only sounds were of our claws pattering against the marble-tiled floor. The windows were tinted dark blue, and the light that shone through cast a gloomy shadow all over the house. The rooms were bare, left unfurnished except for the odd table or chair. I crept into the kitchen. The smell got stronger. Empty packets of Chinese take-out littered the floor. A mouse lay dead, lifeless eyes glittering. I felt majorly creeped out. The smell was definitely from this room. It was oppressive, overwhelming. I felt as though it was trying to suffocate me! My eyes fell on the stove. I glanced at the knobs.
Gas! Jake! It's gas! I shouted, sprinting out of the kitchen.
What? I slammed into a confused Jake, sending us skidding across the floor.
The smell! I panted. It's gas! Someone left the gas on! Something clicked in my mind. I had bent low to avoid danger, but what danger? I stared across the living room, searching.
I saw a long thin thread.
Jake, do you see what I see?
I see. Dead people.
Jake!
Okay, okay. I see. a string? We ventured closer. It's a wire! He whispered. The wire was strung tautly between two walls. It was almost transparent. If you weren't looking for it, chances were that you would miss it. Anyone coming into the house from the front door would trip over it.
It's attached to something! Jake exclaimed. We followed the wire. It was coiled tightly around a metal rod. I stared at the strange contraption, trying to figure out what it was. I think it's an alarm. Jake said.
I shook my head. Alarms can be connected to the door itself. I pointed to the rough black surfaces the metal rod would strike against if someone tripped over the wire. What does that remind you of?
A match box and a match. It's a lighter! Jake and I exchanged looks. I knew the same thought was in his mind.
This was a trap!
Jake! Rachel! Two men in black suits coming your way and they don't look like your friendly neighborhood group! I didn't need Tobias to warn me. I could feel the vibrations on the floor.
What do we do, Jake? I asked.
Depends on who this trap was set for. Jake replied tersely.
They've reach the door! Tobias announced. You two should hit the road sometime now. I glanced at Jake. His squirrel eyes were dancing with thought. The door knob jiggled. The smell of gas was overpowering.
Let's go! Jake yelled. As the door opened slowly, Jake and I shot through the dog flap.
What took you guys so long? Marco whined. He was waiting at the gate with Ax and Cassie.
Go, go, go, go, GO!!! Jake hollered. Getting the hint, Cassie grabbed Ax and ran. I smacked into Marco and dragged him along with me.
Behind us, the door of the house clicked shut.
I paused when we were across the road and spun around; wanting to see what was going to happen. I was aware of everyone waiting behind me with bated breath.
BOOM!!!
The forced of the explosion knocked us off our feet. I scanned the sky, looking for Tobias among the panicked flock of birds. I saw his red-tail flicker in and out of the crowd, and then watched as he swooped down to us. Tobias was safe. I sighed with relief.
The black van I had noticed earlier peeled away and sped down the road, disappearing from sight. I watched the hunger flames lick at the demolished house. The crackling heat was unbearable, even from here.
We should call the fire department. Cassie said suddenly.
And demorph. Ax added. We have been in morph for one of your hours and forty of your minutes.
Tobias? Jake called.
I'm on it. He soared up into the air, our watchful eye.
Demorph, remorph into birds. We meet at Cassie's barn. Jake ordered. The neighbours will call the fire department. He added for Cassie's benefit.
I took one last look at the burning house and saw the neighbours running out into the street. Then I began to demorph.
Rachel there's a dog flap in the front door. Tobias said. Jake and I raced to the flap and pushed our way in.
The first thing that hit me was the smell. What on earth is that? I asked, nose twitching.
Doesn't smell good. Let's go investigate. Jake bounded further into the house. I paused a moment, fighting the squirrel part of me that wanted to get out immediately. Then I followed Jake, bending low, subconsciously trying to avoid danger.
The house was eerily silent. The only sounds were of our claws pattering against the marble-tiled floor. The windows were tinted dark blue, and the light that shone through cast a gloomy shadow all over the house. The rooms were bare, left unfurnished except for the odd table or chair. I crept into the kitchen. The smell got stronger. Empty packets of Chinese take-out littered the floor. A mouse lay dead, lifeless eyes glittering. I felt majorly creeped out. The smell was definitely from this room. It was oppressive, overwhelming. I felt as though it was trying to suffocate me! My eyes fell on the stove. I glanced at the knobs.
Gas! Jake! It's gas! I shouted, sprinting out of the kitchen.
What? I slammed into a confused Jake, sending us skidding across the floor.
The smell! I panted. It's gas! Someone left the gas on! Something clicked in my mind. I had bent low to avoid danger, but what danger? I stared across the living room, searching.
I saw a long thin thread.
Jake, do you see what I see?
I see. Dead people.
Jake!
Okay, okay. I see. a string? We ventured closer. It's a wire! He whispered. The wire was strung tautly between two walls. It was almost transparent. If you weren't looking for it, chances were that you would miss it. Anyone coming into the house from the front door would trip over it.
It's attached to something! Jake exclaimed. We followed the wire. It was coiled tightly around a metal rod. I stared at the strange contraption, trying to figure out what it was. I think it's an alarm. Jake said.
I shook my head. Alarms can be connected to the door itself. I pointed to the rough black surfaces the metal rod would strike against if someone tripped over the wire. What does that remind you of?
A match box and a match. It's a lighter! Jake and I exchanged looks. I knew the same thought was in his mind.
This was a trap!
Jake! Rachel! Two men in black suits coming your way and they don't look like your friendly neighborhood group! I didn't need Tobias to warn me. I could feel the vibrations on the floor.
What do we do, Jake? I asked.
Depends on who this trap was set for. Jake replied tersely.
They've reach the door! Tobias announced. You two should hit the road sometime now. I glanced at Jake. His squirrel eyes were dancing with thought. The door knob jiggled. The smell of gas was overpowering.
Let's go! Jake yelled. As the door opened slowly, Jake and I shot through the dog flap.
What took you guys so long? Marco whined. He was waiting at the gate with Ax and Cassie.
Go, go, go, go, GO!!! Jake hollered. Getting the hint, Cassie grabbed Ax and ran. I smacked into Marco and dragged him along with me.
Behind us, the door of the house clicked shut.
I paused when we were across the road and spun around; wanting to see what was going to happen. I was aware of everyone waiting behind me with bated breath.
BOOM!!!
The forced of the explosion knocked us off our feet. I scanned the sky, looking for Tobias among the panicked flock of birds. I saw his red-tail flicker in and out of the crowd, and then watched as he swooped down to us. Tobias was safe. I sighed with relief.
The black van I had noticed earlier peeled away and sped down the road, disappearing from sight. I watched the hunger flames lick at the demolished house. The crackling heat was unbearable, even from here.
We should call the fire department. Cassie said suddenly.
And demorph. Ax added. We have been in morph for one of your hours and forty of your minutes.
Tobias? Jake called.
I'm on it. He soared up into the air, our watchful eye.
Demorph, remorph into birds. We meet at Cassie's barn. Jake ordered. The neighbours will call the fire department. He added for Cassie's benefit.
I took one last look at the burning house and saw the neighbours running out into the street. Then I began to demorph.