Chapter 3

A few days later, we are sat in the cosiness of my cubby hole. Slowly, we slurp our hot chocolate down (my absolute favourite) and stay in silence. Outside, the wild waves are climbing over the rocks. Inside, I am wrapped up in my huge black blanket. Charlotte sits up and looks me directly in the eye. “Right then,” she begins, “I have been building a plan in this silence, want to hear it?” I huff and get ready for the plan that she has got in her crazy head.

Apparently, Charlotte has been investigating (on her own in this weird town) without me. Even though I never really wanted to witness the koalamander, I don’t like to be the one to blame if someone dies.

Locking the fish and chip shop, I run to keep up with Charlotte’s pounding feet. She is wasting no time finding evidence and the koalamander. I manage to catch her up and get my breath back. The wind brushes through my hair and we do our coats up tighter than usual. The sun is just visible behind the hills; Charlotte is pointing at something. I follow her arm and notice a shadow looming near the hill. “Is that…?” I whisper. We both hold our breath in awe.

I had no clue of what Charlotte was saying: she was talking to herself, like people do. On the sand, there are trails of strawberry juice which looked like blood. The shadow is hidden now but we are pretty sure it’s that ugly legend. I am holding onto Charlotte’s arm now: she is brave but I know inside her head that she is frightened.

We stroll over to a mysterious cave and switch our torches on. The wind is slowing. Boulders are smashed on the floor and puddles of water cover the silvery floor. Charlotte is creeping towards the darker corner of the crumbly cave. Just as I am about to suggest to go back, Charlotte beckons me over. “Look! It’s a nest!” I stare at the stone nest. Directly in the middle of it is a shimmering glass like egg.

Charlotte steps away. I follow her move. The ground shakes and the puddles wobble. I grab my leg: something scratches me. I am oblivious to it after a few seconds because I’m trying to find out where the Koalamander is. Charlotte is smiling and frowning at the same time so I think that she is enjoying the show. We are both aware of the danger: the koalamander. Charlotte is creeping towards the nest trying to grab the egg.