“Is that Sssebassstian on the roof?” Farangis hissed. “Sssebassstian! Come in here, my pet!”

Malcolm froze when he heard the strange, eerie voice.

“What’s he waiting for?” Clementine said. “Do you see anyone coming?”

There was no time to waste. Malcolm waved the goat and pig over.

“C’mon!” Roscoe whispered. They raced to the barn, heaving and panting. “Hey, look over there.” He pointed down the wall at a large hole dug under the boards.

“I know I can fit under that,” Clementine said.

“Right. I’ll follow you.”

The pig looked up but Malcolm wasn’t there. “Malcolm?” he whispered. “Where are you? Do you suppose he’s with the others?”

“I don’t know, but he’s gotta tell them we found a way in.”

“Sssebassstian!” Farangis yelled. “We’re ready to go. Where are you, you fool?!”

The pig gasped. “Was that…?”

Roscoe shivered “I don’t know. We’d better hurry.”

Paco winced when he heard Farangis. “He’s inside, Sire. Are you ready?”

Benjamin smiled bravely. “I’m ready, Paco.”

Moving along the wall and keeping their distance from the large front opening just around the corner, they searched for an entrance but couldn’t find one.

Malcolm scrambled across the roof to Roscoe and Clementine’s side and leaned over the edge. The pig’s back half stuck out from under the wooden planks of the wall.

“Quick, fellas! It sounds like they’re about to leave.”

“They’re here! The four travelers are here!” The blood rushed from Malcolm’s face as he recognized the voice calling out. He turned and watched his big brother running from the hedge trees toward the barn, shouting at the top of his lungs. “Come out! They’re here!”

“Oh no…” the little raccoon said hopelessly, closing his eyes, “Oh, please no!”

The goat heard the yelling and was frightened. “Clementine, get in quick!”

“What isss that noissse?” Farangis bellowed.

“Sire,” Paco said. “Stay here. I’m going to see what’s going on.”

Malcolm left Roscoe and Clementine’s side of the barn and ran to the front peak.

“They’re here, Farangis!” Isaac shouted into the barn’s opening, panting for air.

“Isaac!” Malcolm called out in a hoarse whisper from above.

Isaac looked up, surprised to see his brother. He smiled and winked. The hissing came closer. Four rattlesnake heads waved back and forth. Paco peeked around the corner and froze. The snakes were approaching Isaac.

“On behalf of my boss, Marlon, my brother and I give you the travelers–”

“Kill him!” said a voice in the darkness.

“What?! Hey–” Isaac tried to step back but the snake struck swiftly.

“Isaac!” Malcolm shouted, horrified.

Isaac’s blood pounded in his head, disoriented from the poison racing through his system. He stumbled toward the trees on Roscoe and Clementine’s side of the barn.

“What’s going on, Roscoe?” Clementine asked, squeezing under the plank.

“I don’t know. Someone’s attacking…”