Abigail grabbed Squeak and jumped on the groundhog’s back. They ran through the hedge trees and climbed onto the fox den. The entrance quickly opened and the four hopped inside to safety.

The buzzard turned back and sat in the treetops. They stood together quietly in the darkness.

The old badger came running through the tunnel. “I heard a scream. Is everything okay?” More curious animals followed behind him.

“We were spotted by a buzzard. It made an attempt to catch us but we escaped,” the mallard gasped for breath.

“Do you think it’s a spy for Farangis?” the old badger asked. “I don’t know. Either way somebody knows we’re here,” the groundhog worried.

The tension settled over the animals. They knew time was running out.

“Let’s hope King Benjamin and the others save us soon,” Abigail said.

“And bring Dad back home.” Squeak squeezed his mother’s hand.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

An Even Trade

MARLON LICKED HIS LIPS as he stared at the boy’s backpack.

Benjamin and his friends went into the woods for some privacy while they waited for the collar.

“How long are those raccoons going to take?” Roscoe asked impatiently.

“I don’t know, but time’s running out. It’s nearly midday.” Paco looked at the sky.

Benjamin sat on a fallen log. I guess this is going to take longer than I thought.

The pig frowned. “That fat raccoon hasn’t taken his eyes off King Benjamin!”

“Look at him. He looks like he’s in a trance!” Roscoe said.

“Inhabitants of the land, come out! Come out!”

“What’s that?” Clementine’s pointy ears perked up.

Three buzzards flew over the trees. “All under the rule of Farangis, come out!”

“Get down!” Paco said urgently. The three friends burrowed under the grass.

This can’t be good! Benjamin crouched in the itchy weeds.

The buzzards flew down to the raccoons, who frantically covered up their belongings. “Who’s in charge here?” one of them demanded.

“That’d be me, baldy,” Marlon replied from his branch. The buzzard flew to him while the others kept an eye on Marlon’s workers. “What’s all this about? And be quick. Time is honey. I got a business to run.” Marlon rested his head on his palms.

“Yes, fat raccoon. So we’ve heard. Tree-limb removal, I believe. Very original.”

“Hey, gorgeous. Call it what you want. I gotta put food on the table.” Marlon lazily picked his teeth with his claws.

“Looks like you’ve had too much.” The buzzard stared at his fat gut. Marlon daydreamed about the sandwich and looked over toward the boy…he and his friends were gone! “Four travelers walk these lands–a goat, a pig, a small dog…and a human.”

Marlon looked at him idly. “Sounds like the carnival’s back. Hey, you should join. I hear they’re always looking for more freaks.”