I am almost ready to run but it is only the end of the hole that is facing me. The pink egg glows and I carefully notice that it is covered in tiny swirls of amber. But we are absolutely trapped! It is then that Robert starts to speak, in a low, comforting voice he said “It is fine,” taking a step forward. I can hear that he is trying to sound calm to cover his fear.

The Antamander pauses and tilts its head to the left. Its pink-red eyes are fixed on us both. “We are not going to harm you or your precious egg. We will protect you.” By hearing those words I disagreed with him. Slowly, Robert held his arms out with his hands open to show that he was no threat. They both stood and stared at each other. The Antamander seemed to be listening. It gives a low growl, Then it lowers its body to have a nap. I…I think it is working! Robert’s talk with the Antamander worked!

“We are leaving now, whenever you are in trouble just give us a low growl,” Robert says, stepping to one side and together we walk past the Antamander and out of the mouth of the hole. It’s eyes hold mine and in them I can see fire, lava and the glitter of so many tiny, red sparks of life. It bows its head to sleep, we are safe once more.

Outside, I take a deep breath as it has been a big adventure. Inside, we hear the Antamander shuffling towards its egg to keep it safe.

The mist has cleared. The bright moon eyes Life beach and the stars stud the dark night sky, their beautiful reflections speckle the sea. All is still and all is calm. We walk towards the promenade and talk. No one should find the hole. No one must find the Antamander and her precious egg. Robert talks rapidly about what we should do and I don’t even understand a word! I know he is full of ideas-pretend that there was a rockfall and report it to the local council. Get more signs up, banning people from going near the Green rock (the Misty Rocks). I listen as he speaks at 60 mph car speed, his face determined and forceful.

By the time we are walking through the town , it is awakening . The sunset casts dark shadows on the hot sand. Katie’s music club doors are opening like it is the happiest day for some Rock and Roll. She gives me a hug and waves to Robert. Thessalonica’s shoe shop is waiting for customers. She is now  trying out some new shoes. When  she saw us, she gave us a beautiful smile. Mr Vendaloff is setting up his SATs tuition. Children come in a line to his office. After all of those children went inside to study with their tutors, he looked out of the window and saw us. He gave us a big wave. By the time we reach the museum, an evening nap has begun. Few cars snake by but most of them are in their driveway.

 I fiddle with the keys and push the door open. Inside, it is cold and silent. There wasn’t a single sound. As I turn on the lights, my mind bursts with questions. Will the Antamander survive to see its baby? Will the baby Antamander survive after its birth?

Robert peers over to look at this section called ‘Showcase of beachcombing’. I look over to see if she has anything to tell me. Then she points at a cracked pink with amber swirls. Now I know what she is thinking about.

All day she is watching this video, when a boy found an egg and it cracked and then it seems that the Antamander has roamed around the place until it laid an egg. So that explains why our town doesn’t eat eggs.

That night, we talked. Our adventure is not over. It has just begun.     

It doesn’t have to be the

Snowflakes on the ground

or the cry of the cold winter’s day.

It doesn’t have to be the

jumping petals of flowers or the music on Easter day.

It could be the park,

Dove Dale at summer when

it’s hot so that people can sit on it’s wet grass,

or the road at  spring where the benches are dry to sit on.

Be a cry of sorrow

where you don’t want to go.

Notice the raindrops like the tears

rolling down Mother Earth’s cheeks.