Benjamin felt hair stand up on the back of his neck.

“We must get to the creek, my friend,” Paco said.

“It’s up ahead,” he said with regret. “A good ways away, but keep going straight.”

“Thank you, George.”

Benjamin was still curious. “So no one has ever seen this thing?”

“Now that I think about it, a long time ago a white skunk saw the back half of it.”

“I didn’t know skunks came in white,” Clementine said.

“They don’t! He was black before he saw it. Well, good night.” The possum quickly waddled back in his hole leaving the others stunned.

“What can scare you so bad you turn white?” Roscoe asked.

“I don’t know, goat, and I sure don’t want to find out!” Clementine said.

The four friends faced the forest. The faded-blue moonlight glowed in the trees.

“Well,” Benjamin said, gripping the straps of his backpack, “I guess we keep going straight.” He strode ahead. “But keep your eyes, ears, and noses open for…it.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Between a Rock and a…

NIGHT WAS UPON THEM. The air became cool and damp. Roscoe made a few failed attempts at telling jokes, but everyone, including himself, was too scared to laugh. Something was out there–and they didn’t want it to know that they were, too.

Benjamin walked close to the goat for warmth. His feet got more sore with every step. “How much longer do you want to walk? I could use a break.”

“Me, too,” Clementine complained. “The rocks in the ground are sticking out and scraping my belly.”

“I don’t think it’s the rocks that are sticking out.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means, my friend, you’re…what’s the word I’m thinking of…fat.” Roscoe flapped his eyelashes and smiled.

“No, it’s because I’m a pig.”

“Yes, you are!”

“Your Majesty, I’m tired as well,” Paco said, “but I don’t like the thought of standing around in case, well, whatever it is is close by.”

“You’re right. Let’s keep moving. I would think we’d be near the creek by now.”

The goat’s ears swiveled. “Stop for a second! Do you hear that?”

“Hear what? I don’t hear anything,” Clementine replied.

“You can’t hear the bugs anymore,” Benjamin said, eyeing the trees. Indeed, the farther they traveled into the dark forest, the less noisy the bugs.

“Not that, Your Majesty. That trickling sound!” Roscoe’s head tilted.

“Water?” Paco asked.

“I think so. It must be close!”

“C’mon!” Benjamin took off through the trees and the others followed. The anticipation gave them all a sudden boost of energy as they raced through the weeds. Even Clementine ran faster than usual. The trickling got louder.

“I’m jumping right in when I get there!” the excited pig shouted.

“Hey, I think I can see it!” Benjamin was getting a little short of breath.