The tower shook with every hit of an axe. The squirrels ran to the rusty, bordered up window and Carl pulled out a small pocket knife from his bag. It wasn’t hard to cut down the bars covering the window as they were very old. Finally, they cut the last bar and jumped up to the moss-covered windowsill. Cleo pulled out three balloons from Carl’s bag, a red one, a green one and a blue one. Caleo was first and he grabbed the blue one and blew it up. He clutched onto the balloon and took a jump out the window. Cleo was next, she got the red one and blew it up till it was perfect and leapt out the window after her brother. Last was Carl, he held the red one,  blew it up and followed his siblings out the window to the ground below.

They ran as fast as they could to get away from Gharmah’s army. The witches of Almond Forest fought them, layed spells on them and some even got their broom-sticks and flew into the bleak midnight sky. A bitter coldness crept into Carl’s body as he realised it was going to be so hard to get away.

By sunrise, they realised they had entered Snattle Forest. Unexpectedly, the forest was filled with strange colours. The sky was a bright yellow and the grass was a soft red colour. The trees were patterned in black and white and appeared to be glowing. But this wasn’t a good thing, in fact, this was a bad thing, a very bad thing. With all the swirling patterns and the strange colours, the three squirrels got hypnotised and fell to the ground.

When they awoke, they realised snakes were surrounding them, hissing in their faces. The squirrels got to their feet and tried walking over the snakes, but more just appeared. How were they going to get out? Caleo tried to scare the snakes away but they didn’t budge, they didn’t even flinch. Cleo tried kicking the snakes but again, they didn’t move. After standing in silence for a few moments, suddenly, Carl realised something. These weren’t real snakes! In fact they were fully mechanical. He saw an electrical cord coming out of one of them, one had sparks flying out of it like it was broken, and one looked like it had run out of batteries right in front of their eyes! There was only one thing that would stop them; water! Carl got out his water bottle and chucked freezing cold water on their heads and they fell to the floor. So, they began their journey to safety once again.

Suddenly, a treacherous scream echoed through the land. It was coming from the edge of the forest, far beyond the squirrel’s eyes. But, being a squirrel would make you have incredible hearing. They knew something bad was about to happen. This would not be good…

With a blink of an eye, they found themselves staring up at one of Gharmah’s army soldiers. ‘Going somewhere?’ He asked with a grin. Immediately, he threw a big brown sack over their heads and they screeched as he carried them away.

The underground cave was a large space where Gharmah’s army slept, ate, sharpened their swords and got ready for war. At the back wall, right in the centre, Gharmah’s spirit sat on a large, golden throne. Gharmah was a transparent white-ish colour but you could see right through him. Outside, two guards stood making sure no one except the people they knew got in. Inside, the squirrels got put in an underground dungeon. They would not be able to get out unless someone helped them.

The sun had barely risen into the sky when the snowy owl arrived with a new letter. The three squirrels were half asleep when they opened up and read the worn out message. The were astonished when they saw that the paper said Gharmah had already destroyed Enchantment Forest. His next stop would probably be Almond Forest so they would need to set off on their next stop too. There was no time to lose. They gathered berries and equipment they could use and started on the next part of their journey.

Amazingly, the Forest was silent. The emerald green leaves swayed in the soft summer morning breeze. By midday, they had reached the edge of the forest and the squirrels paused. Ahead, they could just make out the faint outline of the cobwebbed covered Almond Towers surrounded by mist and fog. As soon as they saw it, they new this was the place for them to hide.

A few hours later, the trio of squirrels found themselves staring up at the tower. Sadly, it looked as if there was no way of getting inside. Carl leaned on the tower to think but just as he did, he pressed against a large brick sticking out and a chunk of the tower opened up right in front of their eyes. Cleo, who tried to be brave, took the first step.

As soon as they were in the tower, the wall immediately shut behind them. In the deep darkness they were standing in, they could hear footsteps and could see shadows and various objects floating around. The stone floor was cold under their feet. Cautiously, they edged closer to the long, spiral staircase and ambled up it. 

When they finally got to the top, they got out the berries they had brought and began what felt like a big feast. When they finished, they sat in silence, thinking about their journey ahead. Carl made a cosy area in the corner of the tower. He put Cleo and Caleo to sleep but as he did, he noticed a small window. Rusted, dust-covered bars bordered it up but he could still see out of it. Moonlight from the window shone on the hard stone floor. He looked out into the horizon. But there, right in front of his eyes, was what looked like one of Gharmah’s army soldiers guarding Overlake Bridge. This would mean him and his army were definitely in Almond Forest.

Outside the tower, Gharmah’s army had destroyed Enchantment Forest and had now moved on to Almond. They chopped down trees, wrecked animal’s and witch’s homes and even killed some of them!

Inside, Carl tried to get to sleep, he counted sheep, he ran around to tire himself out and stuffed his face with more berries but he just couldn’t get to sleep.

Just as the oldest squirrel finally got to sleep, he heard a crash downstairs. He got up and looked out of the window. It looked like one of Gharmah’s soldiers was trying to knock the tower down. Shocked, Carl called his siblings, ‘Guys, we need to get out of here!’

Finally, they were ready to leave.

That afternoon, a message arrived from a beautiful Snowy owl flying through the treehouse window. Shockingly, the message said that the evil spirit, Gharmah, was on his way to demolish Enchantment Forest and everything beyond. No one would be safe. They would have to escape from this treacherous Island immediately.

The next morning, the three squirrels, Cleo, Caleo and Carl, made a plan. Gharma and his unbeatable army wouldn’t be far away now, so they needed to think quickly. Their journey to safety would take at least a week, but it would be worth it if they wanted to live another day. They would make their way through Enchantment Forest, walk over Overlake Bridge, take a trip through Almond Forest, Almond Towers and the ghosts, witches and ghouls that lived there. Snattle Forest would follow and hopefully they wouldn’t get into any fights with the snakes. Next, a rough journey through Snowtip Mountains and the polar bears and end up at woodstone bridge. Woodstone Bridge is about a mile long and it is very old, so it would not be an easy walk. Finally, they would end up at The Island of Pottle and would see Grandma Cathy.

They set off on their journey as soon as they could. Carl clutched onto the map they had made and walked through Enchantment Forest. Amazingly, it had only taken them about half an hour to walk from their home tree to Overlake Bridge. Once they got over the wooden, moss-covered bridge, they entered Almond Forest. When they entered the Forest, they realised it was much more dark and damp than their usual lively home. They had never thought to explore this new Forest before, but they were happy they hadn’t when they saw ghosts and witches circling a tree and chanting a spell ahead.

Unfazed, Car slowly took the lead as he didn’t want his little brother or sister getting hurt. As they walked on, they started to get tired and looked for a tree to sleep in. Carl went to look for sticks to light a fire and Cleo 

and Caleo collected leaves, twigs and soft items for a nest in the tree. Once they had found all the items they needed, they lit an illuminating fire and all sat next to it. Carl told his siblings what the next stage of the plan was as they ate fresh berries from the tree. When they were finished, they climbed the tree until they got to the nest the young twins had made. They snuggled up close as they didn’t have much space. If it weren’t for the tweeting of the birds that sounded like a lullaby, they would probably have never gotten to sleep.

They dreamed about getting over Woodstone bridge and onto the Island of Pottle to see Grandma Cathy. But would their dream ever come true? Would they ever actually reach the safety of their Grandma’s Island?

How to look after a Hill Troll

Have you ever wanted a Hill Troll as a pet?

If so, you can purchase a baby Hill Troll from your local adoption centre, you will never get bored! However, caring for a troll is not easy, and so you will have to follow these instructions.

What you need

A Troll whistle, a fun, relaxing area, a long leash, comfy sitting and sleeping areas, blankets and lots of food.

What to do

1. Your baby Hill Troll will need lots of attention. If they are misbehaving, use the whistle that you can buy from Trolls ‘R’ Us and they will stop and come 

to you

1. When you take your Troll out for a walk, make sure to keep it on it’s leash so that it doesn’t get in a fight or get into danger. Remember, Hill Trolls look are mean to people they don’t know, so keep it away from them 

1. These trolls might not look it, but they are actually herbivores! They like to eat fresh grass and lots of salads, so make sure you have lots stocked up as they eat about five or six times a day. To make a perfect meal that your Troll will enjoy, follow these steps:

First, collect vegetables and grass and put them on a large plate.

Next, get a big bucket of water as these trolls get very thirsty.

After that, put the food and water on a table.

Finally, call your Troll to come and eat!

1. Once you have looked after your Hill Troll for a while, they will be like a bodyguard to you. They will protect you and soon will no longer need their leash as they will know to stay with you.

A final note of warning

Hill Trolls can get very angry, so if this happens, put them down for a nap or give them some food.

Unicorns are fascinating creatures, especially the Autumn unicorn. This unicorn has many names, such as; The Tree Killer, The Autumn Beast , The leaf muncher and, of course, The Autumn unicorn.

This unicorn is a very powerful creature, it makes all the leaves fall off the trees in Autumn and makes all the conkers grow. Interestingly, The Autumn and The Spring unicorn are big enemies. People often catch them fighting. It is the same with The Summer and winter unicorns.

The Autumn unicorn, which is very pretty, is also very colourful as well. This unicorn doesn’t like people, so it is rarely spotted but there have been a few sightings of it. It has orange and yellow hair and blood red silky hair. Additionally, it’s eyes are a bright colour of amber and it’s horn is a dark, murky brown.

The unicorn, which is extremely powerful, lives near trees and forests, away from people. It sleeps under piles of leaves and some even in holes in trees or in ditches underground.

What do Autumn unicorns eat?

They are herbivores, so they eat everything nature. It can vary from fresh grass to leaves to twigs to even whole trees! Sometimes, as a treat, it will eat berries from bushes and juicy, red apples from small trees. It drinks water out of ponds or lakes nearby.

These unicorns usually only come out at night. This is lucky, as they are very dangerous creatures. Amazingly, it’s eyes are so bright that it lights up all the space around it. The Autumn unicorn can be very angry.The creature is so strong that it can take down whole brick walls and even buildings! If someone or something has annoyed it, the unicorn will get revenge. With it’s horn, it is one of the most powerful unicorns in the world!

If you see one, don’t make eye contact or any sudden movements. Just walk back slowly and don’t tell anyone about it. 

I Have Never Moonwalked on Mars

I have never eaten spaghetti on the snowy tip of Mount Everest,

But I have eaten pizza at an Italian restaurant.

I have never moonwalked on Mars,

But I have danced with my mum on a Friday night.

I have never been on a helicopter,

But I have been on a first class train to Liverpool.

I have never stroked a wild lion in the Savannah,

But I have stroked my auntie’s black cat under the moon.

I have never climbed the Great Wall of China,

But I have been to Go Ape on my friend’s birthday.

I have never stolen the Queen’s crown,

But I have taken blackberries from my grandad’s allotment.

I have never met a big bellowing giant,

But I have met my uncle who is really tall!

I have never been shopping in LA,

But I have been shopping with my mum in Camden Town.

I have never seen a spaceship above the tall, towering beautiful buildings of London,

But I have seen constellations at night like shimmering sequins in the midnight sky.

I want to paint the smell of a brand new book being opened at the bookshop.
The sound of a howling dog in the moonlight with the birds chirping and tweeting in the bushy tips of the towering trees.
The daffodils on the wooden kitchen table that my mum loves.

I want to paint the sound of a bright red lamborghini roaring down the road.
The smell of a shaggy brown and black dog that hasn’t been washed for weeks.
The feel of the cold breeze coming through the open window.

I want to paint the taste of the summer fruits in the hot shimmery sun.
The smell of the crazy cat lady’s house at dusk, with the hundreds of cats purring and meowing until breakfast.
The little tabby cat that sits on my windowsill at night, looking up at the bright, illuminated stars.