Finally, they were ready to leave.

That lunchtime, a message had arrived from Clive, the crazy, andventurous fox to say the Drotch were coming. Frenzy Forest would not be safe anymore. The place was as open as a book and the Drotch could walk right in. They would surely use their chainsaws and machetes to mercilessly cut down the trees.

So the three young fox cubs, Helter, Skelter and Pop set off. Their journey would take at least a week and would consist of crossing Furriver to get to the lighthouse, turn on the light and guide the cargo ship aiming for the island to get to the coast. They would then gather the cargo and head to Handen’s Hideout, housed in Magenta Mountains. Their cousins had given them a map & compass to find their way.

Clipping the pouch shut, Helter led the small squad of fox cubs along the grassy plains of Fonnerland. They were soon at the rocky outcrops of the coastline so they headed the other way to Furriver. Picking up Pop with both paws, Skelter sped up to a jog, gently humming an old tune for pop. They finally reached the marsh and could see the gushing river ahead. Skelter couldn’t stop thinking about the Drotches pulling them under.

Trudging behind Helter, Skelter tugged on Pop’s paw and did up the last button on his jacket. The snow, which was getting heavier, was relentless and showing no sign of stopping. Then, Skelter pleaded Helter to stop for a rest. They spotted a fallen down, hollow tree and they got to work. Frozen, Pop stayed behind, thawing his tiny paws and taking out an ancient flute, playing a tune from their hometown, soothing his brother and sister and making them shed a lone tear of happiness. When both ends were covered with twigs and moss, Helter lit his lantern and set it down. Hungrily, Skelter took the food out of his knapsack and set it down.

That night, they had a nice little snack of leftover mice meat curry, banoffee pie and some baked aubergine and spinach pizza juice smoothie. Pop munched and glugged his share down and was asleep quicker than you could say Helter Skelter Pop.

As Helter got pulled under by sleep, he couldn’t stop imagining the Drotches clanking along with their chainmail armour and buzzing chainsaws. Would they ever reach Handen’s hideout?