The sun began to rise as Widow woke up. Something was tapping at the entrance to the shelter. A yellow beak popped through a gap in some moss. Widow sighed. It was only Mallory, the messenger, who had a note that was attached to string. The string was around Mallory’s neck so Widow had to carefully untie the string that was in a knot. Widow knew this message was from their mother. The knot was exactly how their mother does her knots. The message said that the Death Droppers had raided the cottage and that they had to swiftly move up to the windmill. The Death Droppers were last seen following their footprints through the woods… There was no time to waste. Widow checked the map with Mallory’s help as the hedgehogs set off through the mountains.

As they started to leave, the mountains were quiet. There had been an ice storm the night before so the mountains were very wet and slippery which made it hard to walk. The wind swept past them, making them feel cold and like they were in greenland. Sammy knew this would make it easier for the Death Droppers to track them as the wetness made it so when they walked through wet mud it would show their footprints. Around midday, they had reached the edge of the mountains and right then they stopped. Ahead, they could just see the outline of what had to be Meep palace. We could probably hide there for a while, thought Widow.

A couple of hours later, the hedgehog siblings found themselves circling the palace walls. The meep palace guard soldiers guarded the main entrance, their horrid faces staring at them. So, Widow led Sammy and Diesel round the walls until they found a place to get in. It was where they took the rubbish out. 

The dirt and the gravel hurt and the smell of rubbish was vile but Widow led the other two through until they found the end of the alley. Meep palace was the perfect place to hide as the Death Droppers would not be able to get through as the metal walls and steel doors would surely be enough to hold them back. As long as they were not caught, they would be safe until the Death Droppers had passed.

As night drew in, Widow had found the perfect place to hide. Far down a crack in a brick wall, that was small enough to fit them through, was a small open space but big enough for them to stay in. It was an enclosed space and with no animals inside except for them. There was some hay and straw on the ground making a perfect sleeping area. Outside, it was hailing. Inside, Widow, Sammy and Diesel were talking about how safe this place was. But soon Diesel was asleep clutching some straw as he dreamt. 

Widow slipped back through the crack. They needed food, quickly. He walked through the dark and the shadows so no one would see her and then she stared. Burps and groans drifted through the crowds as Meeps shopped and walked. Meeps arguing but also talking. Widow was horrified by how they acted. At the other end of the market, Widow could just see two Meeps eating worms. Widow was disgusted. Death droppers were horrible but Meeps were just as horrible. From a market stall, when the owner wasn’t looking, Widow stole some cheddar, milk, nuts, pea flakes, oatcakes and some strawberries. At least they won’t starve.

At that very moment, there was a shout from a window across the market. “ AY ‘ AY! WHAT YA DOIN? LEAVE AT ONCEEEEEE!” A shaggy, bumpy face that stared at Widow. Walking backwards into a shadow, Widow froze. Coming down the street, holding a bow and arrow, was a creature. Shadow moving, it was making everything seem more creepy. Bow so long it was scraping against the floor. Threateningly, the thing moved closer and closer to where Widow was standing. Terrified but also a bit bold, some meeps were standing in a line holding daggers, knives, swords and even baguettes while beginning to make their way to the moving shadow. Widow held her breath. Hoping she won’t be seen, Widow stod in the dark, shadow of a tall broken building.