[I DO NOT & NEVER WILL OWN Fireman Sam]

Chapter 4: The Search

Sam, Elvis, Penny, Steele, Dylis, Trevor, Derek, Charlie, Bronwyn, Sarah, James, Mandy, Mike, and Helen all arrived in Newtown Square.

"Right," Sam said, "Now we're here, let's begin our search for Norman."

"I think the best option is to split up; we'll cover more ground that way." Penny added.

"That's a very good idea, Penny." Sam said. "Right," he told everyone, "We're all gonna split up and search for Norman. We'll split into 4 groups, and search for Norman in different parts of the town. With our walkie talkies, we'll be keeping in touch."

"Um, Uncle Sam?" Sarah asked, "shouldn't we wait till Tom Thomas arrives in his helicopter to help us search for him?"

"Well," Sam said, "Tom radioed that he had to refuel his helicopter, but he said he'll be here soon. When he arrives, we'll start looking for Norman."

"Well, I'm afraid we can't wait for him!" Dilys said crossly. "There's no telling what mischief my Norman's gotten up to here!"

"Hmm, you're probably right, Dilys." Sam said. "I think it might be best we start without him. He might be ages."

With that in mind, they split into 4 groups, and searched different parts of Newtown, looking everywhere they could think of, and asking anyone if they'd seen Norman.

At one point, Sam went to ask a police officer if he'd seen Norman.

"He's got orange hair, glasses, and wears green army pants." Sam told the officer, describing Norman for him.

"Well," said a police officer, "It's not much to go on, but if we see him, we'll let you know."

"Thanks, officer." Sam said as he left. "You know," he said to himself, "perhaps Pontypandy could do with some police officers of it's own."

"I feel really worried about Norman, Uncle Sam." Sarah said. "So am I, Sarah." James said to his sister.

"So am I." Sam assured his niece & nephew. "Oh, he's most foolish to run away from home like this." He sighed. "But don't you two worry," he added, "We're not giving up till we find him."

Meanwhile, Tom Thomas had just finished refueling his helicopter, Wallaby 1, so he was heading off to fly over Newtown to search for Norman Price.

He got into the helicopter, and set off, over Pontypandy, towards Newtown.

But, as he was flying over the forest, it was about then he caught a glimpse of an all too familiar someone walking along a path in said forest.

He hovered in mid-air for a while, and gasped. "Wait a minute." Tom muttered, leaning over to look closer. He saw who it was, and gasped. "It's Norman!" he said. "But, Sam said he ran away to Newtown, so what's he doing here?"

By this time, Norman Price had seen Tom's helicopter, and ran, knowing Tom would find him and try to bring him home to Pontypandy.

"I'd better tell Fireman Sam about this." Tom said. He activated his radio, so he could contact Sam.

At Newtown, Sam was sitting on a bench, when he got the call.

"Fireman Sam!" Tom's voice rang from the walkie talkie.

"Yes, Tom?" Sam asked, "What is it?"

And Tom Thomas said, "Norman Price isn't in Newtown! He's in the forest!"

"What?!" Sam said, shocked, confused, and maybe even the slightest bit angry. "I can't believe it!" he exclaimed. "I'd better tell Station Officer Steele about this!"

He called Steele on his walkie talkie. "Steele, I have some news to report."

Later, Sam, Elvis, Penny, Steele, Dylis, Trevor, Derek, Charlie, Bronwyn, Sarah, James, Mandy, Mike, and Helen were heading back to the forest. They were all shocked, concerned, and slightly angry that Norman Price had led them to the wrong place; but no one was more angry than Dilys.

"Of all the stunts Norman's pulled, this is the worst!" she snapped. "When I find him...!"

"Now, Dilys," said Bronwyn, trying to calm Dilys down, "let's all be calm and rational here. Norman's only a young boy, you know."

"I know he is!" Dilys snapped back. "He's also a very NAUGHTY little boy! He's gonna be in so much trouble when I'm through with him!"

Bronwyn went quiet, and backed down into her seat.

Soon, the vehicles arrived at the forest car park. Fireman Sam, Penny, Steele, and Elvis, followed by Radar, came out of Jupiter and Venus, respectively.

"You lot," Sam told Dylis, Trevor, Derek, Charlie, Bronwyn, Sarah, James, Mandy, and Mike, "you stay here and wait for us. We'll go find Norman and bring him here."

"I'll come too." Helen said, "in case he needs first aid."

With that, the 3 firefighters, station officer, nurse, and Rescue dog dashed into the forest.

"Oh, i hope they find him." Mandy Flood said anxiously. "Don't worry, Mandy." Sarah said. "Uncle Sam will find Norman."

The first place Sam, Elvis, Penny, Steele, Radar and Helen went on their search for Norman was at the charred campsite. The searched all the charred and knocked down tents, until Radar noticed something in one of the tents - a few crisp packets and a banana peel.

"Norman definitely was here." Penny said, picking up the litter. "This reminds me of when he ate everything from the whole picnic basket on the day he, Mandy, Helen, Dilys, Steele and Trevor went to the beach."

"Yes," Sam said, "but the forest is a big place. It could take all day to find Norman in here."

Suddenly, Sam heard a loud familiar sounding yell. "What was that?" he wondered. Almost immediately, he heard the yell again. It only took him one tenth of a second to realize who it was.

"Norman!" Sam cried. "That sounds like him over there!" he called, pointing to the trees.

So without a second thought, Sam, Elvis, Penny, Steele, Radar and Helen headed off through the forest, listening out for Norman's yells.

Before too long, they found Norman - he was trapped in a shallow ravine, clutching his leg.

"HELP!" Norman yelled at the top of his voice. "Somebody, help!"

He'd been calling for help, but no one had heard him. "Oh, why was I so foolish to run away from home?" Norman said sadly. "I bet by the time anyone finds me I'll be dead and frozen, and I never said I loved anyone!"

SUDDENLY!

He just happened to glance up, and it was then he saw Fireman Sam, Elvis, Penny, Helen, Radar, and Steele.

"FIREMAN SAM!" Norman cried. "Am I glad to see you!"

"We've found him!" Penny exclaimed. "Norman," she called, "can you climb out?"

"I can't!" Norman cried! "I hurt my leg when I fell into the ravine as I ran away upon seeing Tom's helicopter!"

"We have to rescue him and get him to hospital, fast!" Helen said.

"The only question is... how?" Sam wondered.

A/N: What a cliffhanger moment!

Will Norman be rescued?

Will he be in big trouble for running away and making everyone worry for no reason?

And Will Pontypandy get police officers of it's own one day?

Find out all the answers pretty soon!

Reviews are appreciated.