As Pomkin awoke, he could hear the footsteps of Prasc walking over 9 she had been awake for a while).

“Come here prasc, faster!” exclaimed Pom. His eyes were glaring at the map he thought was useless 2 seconds ago. Black lines were crawling up and around  the old brown map revealing a path to what they thought was safe.

“Pooh, get off. Oh wait, look, it’s a symbol instead of words. Mmm that’s weird.” Prasc explained that in her wound up brain she didn’t have  a clue what the sign meant. “Well then we are going right?”

Prasc nodded;looking worried. Sooner,they got to the end of the dusty tunnel, however there was no light to blind their curious eyes- just darkness and gloom.

On the children’s map it showed that this uninviting forest was called the Forbidden Forest. “It’s so black.” whined Pom- it was only 12:00pm-.Prasc was feeling so determined, her curious eyes looked up at the towering trees and down at the brown, uneven floor. 

“C’mon, it’s fine, we’ll be safe in a couple of hours.” Prasc was the most cheerful of all the rabbits which was usually.

After walking for a while, poor Pooh was getting hungry which meant Prasc was getting more stressed. Meanwhile, Pom was building up his confidence levels bit by bit. The oldest rabbit didn’t want Pom to ask the huge amount of questions whirling around in his scrunched up brain. SCREECH! Iron. Pompkin looked like he was going to explode and ran. Luckily, Pracs caught up before he tripped on the same symbol as on the map. They had made it. Just as rain split the clouds in half and started to pour down. 

When the haired creatures arrived Pom whispered,”It’s so warm.”

In the centre of the rorom a fire was cackling to keep them hot inside. On the walls herbs and seeds hung up in little jars like: Pumpkin seeds, parsley,basil and chia seeds.

“Wait guys, it’s silent.”. Obviously this meant no more Death-eater chasing them to death.

Out of nowhere, a huge man with a brown bushy beard appeared and the children screamed…

I’m ready to run, but don’t want to get killed. I happen to notice the egg has gold tin-foil like pieces all over it. “It’s okay.” Grace says in a reassuring voice. Yet again, she takes another step forward. Grace seems like she is trying to cover her fear, as she speaks.

The Snailmander stops and nodds it’s head as if to say, I’m okay. “We are here to protect you and your egg.” Once again , a nodd. The spikes down his back lower and surprisingly, he looks cute. Deeply, they both stare at each other. I think, Grace is doing it, she has calmed it down.

“We have to leave now, but we will come another day.” says Grace soothingly as she walks away and comes to me. Together, we stroll past the Snailmander, his eyes caught mine and I noticed the ocean in the Snailmander’s eyes.

Outside, Grace wraps one of her arms around my shoulder as we walk. Inside, I listen to the Snailmander slither back to see it’s egg.

Grace and I raise our heads at the dark, peaceful sky, counting the stars. “We need to do something, everyone’s out to kill him.” Grace hisses at me. Eventually, we came up with a master plan. All we need to do is tell the mystery-on-sea council that it needs more signs under the pier because of a water misshapen that occurred . I think, the Snailmander will be free.

As the sun rises, more people start to arrive in town. I notice Mrs. Zapp setting up her cafe, Mr. Martin putting out some deck chairs to rent and Miss. Oliver’s ice cream shop opening; the ice cream makes me hungry! By the time we get to the book dispensary the early-morning traffic starts to build up.

I scrabble around with my keys to find the right one and shove it in. As we enter through the door, Grace runs to get her book about the Snailmander. Outside, clouds start flying away happily. Inside it’s warm and cosy.I think to myself, Will the egg survive? Will the Snailmander be unharmed from prying eyes?

Grace runs to my room and quickly opens the book and starts scanning her eyes through to find the facts about the egg.”Oh my!” Grace shouts. I wander over and see a piece of blue sea-glass with gold specs all over it, in the book!

“The egg!” We both scream.

All day, Grace has her head in books about the Snailmander, looking for more information. For example she found: Captain T’s book written in 1865 and a captain’s log written in 1869. Captain T believed the egg was caught but put back by some random town folk. Ever since then,all the town people have been rushing around to find the egg!

That evening, we sit and talk for a while. Turns out, our adventure is not over. It has barely started…

3 days later, we are sitting in my small room. Together, we sit not talking, taking tiny sips of  our cappuccinos (my favourite drink). Outside the darkened mist is covering the town. Inside, we are warm and comfy in my room. Despite this, Grace has plans, “Joules, you have to start believing me.” I roll my eyes. “I know where it lives.”

It turns out grace spent hours last night pacing up and down the beach. She says she saw the slime trails under the pier, just like the ones at the circus.

I lock up the dispensary, make sure the windows are closed and get my fluffy jacket. The gloomy mist swirls as the distant moon hangs high; we can’t see far ahead. It’s like being on a different planet, with no-one else around. Grace and I follow the path and sand until we make it to the pier. Under the pier is forbidden. That means danger. Although, all of this makes Grace more excited. I can’t escape her, she is too bone-headed and won’t give up. Carefully, we reach the door. Much to Grace’s surprise, the door was bolted up. This didn’t stop her. 

I hadn’t believed Grace but the trails of sloppy, green substance were there. While I was looking around, Grace was unlocking the door with her hair pin! “Done.” Grace said. She had unlocked the door! “Come on then! Let’s seize the moment!” Truthfully,  I don’t want to go, but I know I have to

Darkness. Total darkness. It smells of rotten socks and dead plants. My legs shake as I take ant size steps towards the entrance. Flick! Grace turns her torch on. Finally, I can see. Just as I believe nothing is there… “I found it!” On a pile of dried palm leaves, -from summer- a neon blue, shimmering egg lays. We stare in surprise. It has an evil egg.

In that instant, I feel a shot of guilt through my heart. “We shouldn’t be here.” I his tugging on her hand. I let go walking quickly to the exit. But I can’t . Something is there ! A recognising sound fills  my ears, a high hiss, the squelchy sound of any movement and the slimy growl. Grace and I lift up our torches to see it. The Snailmander! Grace holds her hand out and steps forward; I edge back.

Prologue

You have probably been to Mystery-on-Sea. In summer, you probably made epic sandcastles and eaten ice cream. When you were there, all the random shops were open and the sea could only whisper. It’s that kind of place…in summer.

However, when it gets cold and wet none of that’s there. The sea roars and the shops are empty and dull. You should try and see through the dark mist and view ice hanging from every building. Almost no-one is there. Even the locals have their own specific reasons for not going near the beach.

Chapter 1

My name is Joules Rancher and I work at the famous book dispensary; I am the caretaker here. I dust the books, put the Mermonkey to bed and lock up at the end of the day. In the past people have said my job would be boring but I have proved them wrong. In the dispensary, I have my own room with a heater, bed and comfy things to keep me from getting cold in the winter. When it’s summer, I’m never bored because of all the customers. Although, I get lonely in the winter, since no-one comes.

A girls bangs on the door and mutters, “Let me in!” I open the door not knowing what to do. She looks pale and cold, so I let her in. Questions buzzed around my head like flies but I asked none of them. She sits on my bean-bag at once and says, “Hide me!”

Before I carry on with what happens next, there’s a local story you need to know. It is so old no-one really knows much at all, except what they were told. Locals tell the story to everyone; a stormy night, strange noises were heard, and a rare species of mander was spotted- the Sanilmander.  It smelled of rotten fish and came out after sunset. Apparently, they saw a slime trail too, which led to the sea!  Everyone says it still comes out after sunset, either way everyone has to lock doors and close their blinds/curtains before sunset. 

Some say the creature wished for entertainment. Some say it saw a lost girl. Some say it got chased to land. Personally, I’ve never seen it (Because we aren’t allowed out) but I have noticed some slime trails in the past. Additionally, the wind makes some strange noises.

“Who are you?Why? What happened?” questions leaked out of me like a waterfall. 

“Lock the door then I’ll explain! It’s coming

In the evening, whilst the sun was  gladly setting, the most unbelievable thing happened to me.

Me and Herbie Lemon were strolling down the beach with our delicious, salty chips when I looked over and saw two, white luminous circles moving along the sandy shore. The waves were crashing against it, so the bulbs would come and go.

Something else soon  caught my attention though. Mrs. Fossil. Out of nowhere, she screamed at the sight of the bulbs and declared she was going. Without a doubt I followed. Although Herbie decided to stay just in-case we got into trouble and needed help.

Flip. Slurp! The Malamander. He was coming. I didn’t know what to do so I ran, but it was terribly fast. Soon later, it had me, almost killing me. Luckily, Herbie was jumping in the sea then sand to distract the Malamander. Stomp! Stomp! Herbie was coming closer taking the attention of the evil monstrous creature, meanwhile me and Mrs. Fossil were running for our lives.

Half an hour later, Herbie appeared from the now darkness and all of us were safe.

“Hello kids!” the rabbit bursted with a huge smile. As much as she tried Prasc couldn’t force out the words ‘Who are you?’ purely because of shock.

Mysteriously, he still answered, “Look, I know you’re sacred , but I love children. Oh and me names Hagrid.” It seemed he loved talking as he went on and on about everything. However, Pomkin picked up on the fact that he lives alone but there is a visitor. Rudely, Pom interrupted, ”Who is your guest can you describe him or her?” 

Without hesitation, there new  friend explained that he had spikes all over him and massive muscles. Snigger. It was the Death-Eater.

Within a second screams filled the dusty warren. THUD! Gorm footsteps. Why was no-one moving? Pom, Prasc and little Pooh scurried over to the very back of the room.

“Don’t you be worryin kids, I’ll take care of this.”

“No Hagrid, please you can’t come back to us.” Soon enough for Prasc’s likings, he dragged himself over towards the children. “Come here. ”A deep voice filled the intense room. The tiny lungs of Pooh were literally about to explode.

The children were desperate for safety as the huge, evil rabbit appeared. His mask was covered with deadly, sharp spikes that could kill in an instant. Inside the rabbits were frightened of anything about to come their way. Outside, they looked as brave as they could (it didn’t look very brave).

Nervously, the haired creatures started running for the exit under all the clutter, whilst Death-Eater chased them to suck out their souls. Meanwhile, the way to get out was discovered by Pomkin but Pooh actually moved everything out of the way. Excited to see the trees, they rushed out the old, wooden and chipped door.

Just as they thought they were free a massive shadow cast over them. The three rabbits were caught. Unexpectedly, the Gorm’s sword slipped out of his pocket and sliced off Poms arm. Since Pomkins trousers were too long he ripped of some fabric and covered it up. Happily, blood dipped all over the Gorm- which the children laughed at even upside down-.

Loudly, the nasty rabbit screamed, ”Pull the trap to take them to the dungeons!” The children were going to die…