Wednesday, December 24, 2008

EIGHT

The other opossums were busy straightening the wrecked Cozy Room when Silas realized that the children weren’t there. “Where do you suppose Sam and Pinky are?”

The others looked about and Cocoa answered, “Maybe they’re on the heap getting us some dinner. We’ve worked up a powerful hunger with all this searching tonight.”

Bea snorted.

Henry said, “They’re so tiny they’d barely be a snack for the neighborhood tom-cat.”

The fur on Silas’s back stood straight up at the thought, and he raced from the warren to find them, Henry and Bea following reluctantly.

“Pinky! Sam!” he called into the darkness without reply. He turned to Henry, “Something awful must’ve happened to them!”

“Now Silas,” said Bea calmly, “Don’t jump to conclusions. You know how children are. They’re probably still searching for the locket, bless them.”

“I’m worn out from searching, and now this!” said Cocoa, joining them in the garden.

Bea regarded him with an icy stare. “Yes, stuffing yourself with raspberries can be so tiring!”

Silas intervened, “We mustn’t quibble at a time like this. Two precious lives may be at risk. Cocoa, I need for you to search the compost heap. Bea, you take the garden and briar patch while Henry and I circle the house.”

The opossums broke up, each serious in their tasks and praying for the safety of the children.

1 comment:

Susannah said...

I am captivated and my inner child wants to know what Pinky and Sam are going to do next!