Finally they were ready to leave. In the morning, a message had arrived from a messenger bird to announce that the Grackle was a few minutes away from Hicker Hills. No one would survive if they stayed in the hills. There were too many crunchy leaves that would give away their spot if they stepped on one and the warrens were too fragile to withstand the power of the Grackle.

So it was up to the three wolves, Joseph,Jane and James. They left home. Their journey to escape the Grackle would unfortunately take four days but first they would have to pass through Menace Mount and make their way to Vine Village, over to Wolly Woods and then finally across Bronty Bridge to Vile Valley. Not even the Grackle could enter the Valley, covered with pebbles and leaves by wolves long ago. Once the wolves reached their destination they would be safe. Other wolves have chosen to go somewhere else but Joseph’s mother had given them an old map that showed them the way to Vile Valley. Too ill to travel she had stayed in the hills. Holding the ancient map, the gang of three wolves hiked up the emerald,green hills. Soon they arrived at Menace Mount, making their way to Vile Valley. Thick snow builded up as they followed the pathways. Carefully, Joseph took the lead. Walking slowly as the winter winds nearly swept the map away. Wherever he looked, he pictured the piercing eyes of the Grackle or or the sharp eyes of bears.

Following behind, Jane carried baby James. Tired, she tried to follow her older brother. Jane tried to make it fun for baby James but soon he realised what they were actually doing. As the sun descended and the wind grew stronger, the group decided that they would take out their tent and sleep on the mountain for the night. Joseph and Jane assembled the tent and James had gathered some nearby rocks he had found. Joseph rubbed the rocks together making a fire. Soon they were all warm.

That night they nibbled on bits of cookie,dried mango,cheese and bananas. James was soon fast asleep snuggled in a pink sleeping bag. Carefully, Joseph zipped up the tent so the Grackle wouldn’t see them.

As Joseph fell asleep his mind was still awake dreaming about the Grackle unzipping the tent and finding them. Would they ever reach Vine Valley?