'Not one ant sleeps until we get every scrap of food on this island!' bellowed Hopper at us. The rest of the grasshoppers were driving us back from all directions. I could hear screaming. Everyone was running in different directions trying to make an escape.

I had to do something, but what could I possibly do to help anyone now? Then a thought struck me, I could fly while no one else could, didn't that mean I had a much better chance of getting away? And if the grasshoppers broke ranks, more ants would get away so they weren't likely to do that just to chase after one ant, and if I did get away maybe I could get some sort of help, if they were willing. But it would be a start. I ran in the opposite direction, straight ahead of me were grasshoppers. I took flight. I shot over the grasshoppers and flew as fast as my wings could carry me. The sounds behind me were blurred but I could vaguely hear grasshoppers' shouts. I put on a small burst of speed. Although I hadn't anticipated a chase there was a large chance that I would be pursued very soon. Hopper would never let me just get away.

The rest of the colony probably thought that I was a coward for running off and my mother, what did she think? Well, at least if I did something useful they might change their minds. Then I heard it, another set of wings and screaming. Oh, no! Not Thumper! I flew faster, breathing deeply. I could feel tremendous pain in my joints. The screaming was getting closer and closer. I needed somewhere to hide and fast. The Blueberry Scout Club House! I dived down, eastwards. I could see it not far ahead.

The screaming was ever closer. Sweat poured down my back, my vision was becoming blurred. With one last effort I landed in the club house. The screams died away but they echoed in my head. I wasn't the only one taking refuge there. Before I knew what was happening I was knocked down and was being embraced by every Blueberry Scout at once.

'You're here!' said a delighted Petal, bouncing up and down.

'Alright, alright,' I said laughing, 'I'm glad to see you too but I can't breathe under you lot!' They smiled nervously and got off me. I noticed there were three more kids in there, three boys. They were called Wood and Stump, the other boy I recognized as the boy Petal had been dancing with earlier. What was his name again? Ah, Kevin, that was it. Several of them looked slightly fidgety. Then the Lead Blueberry Scout, Zenna, spoke,

'Petal came and told us that you had told her to come to find us and tell us to hide, so we came here, and then some grasshoppers came past and said that after they had all the food they said that Hopper was going to . . . was going to . . .' she trailed off and looked at the floor. I waited, anticipating what was coming next, I was dreading it. Petal picked up where Zenna had left off,

'They said Hopper would squish the Queen.' I gasped and clapped my hands over my mouth. I was absolutely horrified. No, it couldn't be true! It just couldn't be! I looked around at the little subdued faces and knew that it was. Silence. Then I made up my mind, knowing I had no choice,

'Listen carefully, all of you. I need you to stay here and I'm going to go and get help, I'll be back soon,'

'Please don't leave us!' cried Petal in dismay.

'I'm sorry but I must.' I replied. She started to weep.

'Can't I come with you?' I shook my head.

'I don't want to put you in danger too,' I answered stroking her head 'but I promise I will come back soon what ever happens.' She nodded shakily and hugged me.

'I wish I was brave like you,' she answered tearfully. I felt embarrassed.

'You are brave.' I answered. I climbed out of the entrance. I sincerely hoped I wouldn't have to break that promise. I looked around me. I listened. Nothing. I slowly started to walk listening to every sound I made. Then I heard rustling behind me. I turned. Nothing. I zoomed into the air, slightly suspicious. It was a good thing I did this when I did for a moment later a grasshopper landed what would have been right on top of me. I heard wings. I looked up to see two more grasshoppers above heading straight for me! I gasped. I flew hard dodging in and out of the foliage. I just had to make it; I just had to, thinking of my poor mother's fate.

I could hear the grasshoppers' shouts close behind me. I was very scared, I could be caught at any moment and then I would never be able to save my mother or anyone else in the colony. I willed my wings to go faster.

By this time I had got to the opposite side of the riverbed and was desperately hoping that Flik and the other bugs weren't too far off. My mouth was dry and my wings were starting to feel numb, I knew I couldn't go on much longer. I was gasping for breathe. Then I saw it, not too far ahead was P.T. Flea's circus wagon. Thank goodness. I had almost made it. I dived down deeper in between the stalks of grass. Then I ascended to get them to lose me for at least a few moments. I used my last spurt of energy and . . . Woah! I crashed right into Flik and sent us both tumbling! We crashed to the ground of the wagon. The Circus Bugs had seen the grasshoppers coming and brought up the door.

'Hey, where'd she go?' shouted a grasshopper. I clung to Flik's shoulders.

'I dunno, could be anywhere.' Replied another,

'Maybe she tricked us,' said the third 'maybe she turned round and we didn't notice.' We heard wings flying away into the distance. I let out a sigh of relief. Flik turned his head. I let go of his shoulders. He gave me a look. I took a few steps back. The look seemed to be almost of distaste. I hesitated. Although I hadn't really expected him to be delighted to see me, I hadn't really expected this either.

'Listen, Flik, the colony is in a vast amount of trouble and we need you help.' I began.

'Well, what am I supposed to do about it? I'm banished, remember?' he answered coldly. I felt bitter.

'Please Flik, just listen to me, please.' I begged. He folded his arms and turned his back on me. I went round the other side of him but he turned away again. I felt desperate. 'The grasshoppers are eating our entire food supply!' Flik turned away yet again. The circus bugs looked concerned but didn't say anything. Flik continued to give me the cold shoulder. 'They've practically moved into the anthill!' Flik gave a shrug. 'And Hopper is going to squish the Queen, Flik! Can't you understand?' Don't you realize what this means!' I was starting to lose my cool.

'Can't you see that I'm depressed enough already without you getting on at me!' he shouted savagely before turning away again. I felt down cast. I sat down on one of the benches, defeated. How could I possibly help my mother now? Tears pricked my eyes and rolled down my cheeks. The Circus bugs looked like they wanted to say something. Flik turned his head towards me. He had a different expression on his face. Was it guilt? I looked at the floor feeling retched. I heard something sit next to me. I looked up to see it was Flik. I looked down at the floor again.

'Gee . . . um . . . sorry I yelled at you,' he said quietly, he sounded slightly embarrassed 'I-I just need more self control. And, and I'm . . .' he trailed off. He hesitated. 'I'm sorry I lied to you.' I looked up, slightly surprised, then I remembered when he had returned to Ant Island with the bugs and how he had, all of a sudden seemed to be panicked.

'You, you thought they were warriors at first though, didn't you?' I asked consciously, turning my head to look at the circus bugs, 'But when you returned you realized you had made a mistake. Then you covered it up.' He nodded 'because . . . because . . .' I stopped. I knew the reason and I knew he did too. He always seemed to mess up. He put his arm round my shoulder.

'Of course I'll help you.'

'You will?' I asked hopefully. He hesitated, then wiped my tears off my face.

'We'll all help.' He answered. I flung my arms around him in an embrace.

'Thank you.'

'Alright,' whispered Flik 'everybody understand what they've gotta do?' We nodded. We were hiding under some leaves near to the colony and Flik was using one of his telescopes to keep an eye on what was going on. We were going to use the bird. All we needed was The Blueberry Scouts.

'Wait, Flik,' said Francis the ladybug 'there's gotta be a reason we're there in the first place,'

'Just say Atta invited you of somethin',' replied Flik.

Petal was thrilled to see me, so were all the other kids. I had to tell them to calm down.

'It's pay back time,' said Zenna,

'Blueberry style!' continued Petal,

'Blueberry rock!' finished Blossom. They cheered.

We were under the leaves again. So were The Blueberry Scouts.

'We need someone to be a lookout to tell us of any danger and when it's safe to go.' Pointed out Manny the preying mantis. Flik thought for a moment.

'Atta, you're a fast flyer, plus ants are pretty small, could you do that?' I nodded nervously. 'And I'll be half way between you and here just in case something goes wrong.' I took flight and landed incredibly close to the colony. At least I could see that my mother was still alive.

Suddenly I was knocked to the ground.

'Hold her!' shouted a voice. I screamed and tried to scramble away but they grabbed my arms. I struggled. It was no use, I couldn't escape.

'We've got her!' shouted another voice. Then a third voice spoke,

'I'm sure that Hopper will be very pleased to see you!'