17. Lost and not found
When Diego walked into the cave his jaw dropped in shock as he saw Riley, Alex, Katie, Benny and Mandy proudly walking and falling. Diego heard Manny gasp behind him. Alex wobbled up to Diego, tripped and fell onto Diego's front paws.
''They know how to walk,'' said Mia smiling happily.
''They were here the whole time,'' muttered Diego.
''What?'' asked Mia looking curiously at Diego who coughed lightly.
''Nothing, nothing,'' he said.
''This is great news, isn't it Manny,'' said Ellie as she comforted Mandy who had fallen down.
''Yeah,'' said Manny sitting down weakly.
''I was about to be eaten alive for no reason then,'' said Sid frowning.
-
''I want to play,'' said Riley to Diego.
''Mummy, come and play,'' said Alex looking at Mia.
''Yes, play with us,'' said Katie trying to jump on top of Diego who smiled.
''Play with us,'' said Benny looking at Manny hopefully.
''Please,'' begged Mandy running around Ellie.
Ellie looked at Mia, Mia looked at Diego, Diego looked at Manny, Manny looked at Ellie, Ellie looked at Mia, Mia looked at Diego. Diego groaned and got up glancing at Mia pleadingly. The kids all cheered and jumped around. Diego sighed and followed them.
''What do you want to play?'' asked Diego already bored.
''Let's play the mud game,'' suggested Alex and everyone except Diego nodded.
''I'll throw the mud,'' said Benny.
''Me too,'' said Mandy,''What's our target though?'' They all looked at Diego smiling.
''Why don't we play...er...catch,'' said Diego quickly,'' all of you against me.''
''Won't you get tired Daddy?'' asked Riley.
''No, I'll be fine,'' assured Diego smirking.
''Run, Daddy, run,'' said Katie and Diego took off faster than lightning with the kids behind him. Obviously they couldn't catch up with him. One by one they slowed down tired. Diego stopped after about 3 minutes of running and turned around. The kids were all walking slowly and panting.
''Let's go back to the cave,'' said Diego and they all nodded.
-
Once they were all inside the cave Diego sat back down next to Mia.
Manny nodded his head approvingly as Ellie chuckled and Mia just rolled their eyes.
''What did you think of my game?'' asked Diego coolly.
''That was genius,'' said Manny.
''I think I might do that,'' said Mia.
''Or we could tell my brother's to play instead,'' said Ellie and they all smiled at the thought. These moments of silence were well appreciated now.
''I can't sleep,'' came a little voice from inside the cave.
''Baby,'' said another little voice.
''I'm not a baby. You're a baby.''
''You're a bigger baby.'' Manny looked at Diego, Diego looked at Mia, Mia looked at Ellie, Ellie looked at Manny.
''Okay, I'll go,'' he said getting up and sighing. When he got into the cave he saw that the young sabers had started a little battle, with the mammoths cheering them on.
''Get off, get off.''
''Hey, hey stop now,'' said Manny frowning. They all stopped and looked up smiling innocently at Manny.
''It's time to go to sleep,'' said Manny.
''Why?'' groaned Alex.
''I don't want to,'' wailed Riley.
''Me neither,'' whined Katie.
''Sleeping is boring,'' said Mandy crossly.
''Can't we stay up a little bit more,'' begged Benny.
''No, now go to sleep,'' said Manny. They all did what they were told grumbling.
-
Next morning Crash and Eddie woke up earlier then usual.
''I can't sleep,'' said Eddie still hanging off the tree by his tail.
''Let's go somewhere,'' said Crash jumping down the tree.
''Where?'' asked Eddie following Crash.
''Dunno,'' answered Crash shrugging. They started walking off.
''Can we come as well?'' asked a small voice. Riley, Alex, Katie, Mandy and Benny were all looking hopefully at the possums. Crash and Eddie looked at each other.
''Er...yes,'' said Eddie,'' but you have to listen to me and Crash.'' They all nodded earnestly.
-
Mia got up stretching and looked around. She jumped when she noticed that Crash, Eddie, Riley, Alex, Katie, Mandy and Benny where all missing.
''Diego, wake up,'' she said nudging Diego roughly.
''What?'' he asked irritated.
''The children are missing,'' said Mia worriedly.
''What!'' yelped Diego jumping up and looking around. He groaned.
''Manny, Ellie, Sid get up,'' yelled Mia.
''What?'' asked Ellie and Manny sleepily.
''Everyone is missing,'' said Diego and both mammoths looked around disbelievingly.
''Sid, get up,'' yelled Manny.
''It wasn't me,'' screamed Sid jumping up.
''Let's find them now,'' said Manny.
--
Where are the possums going? Read and review.