THE MOUNTAIN 

By Tessa Harvey

    Mick, the bearded leader turned suddenly. He had heard a sibilant whisper. He often boasted about having acute hearing.
    Suddenly, soundlessly, he teetered and fell, sending up a litter of leaves and dust. Next was the youngest, who clutched his face, squawking like a chicken. He slithered down a tree trunk.
    Pandemonium broke out. "We've been shot!" screamed the fourth as he took a hit to his nether regions, hopping around in agony.
    Peggy giggled nervously, afraid to move. Suddenly she saw Steven beckoning. "Come on," he called, urgently. Collecting her backpack, she raced across the small clearing.
    "Hurry," he whispered. The young man led her, hurrying along the trail, then ducked under some old bent fence wire.
    Peggy heard water and then they were slithering down a grassy, rocky slope. "In here," near a gnarled old rowan was a hidden hollow. They scuttled in, already hearing thudding footsteps and yells. Angry yells!
    Suddenly they heard the metal fence twanging as a couple of the youths clumsily tried to climb through.
    "Leave it," shouted the leader, but two of the men were already sliding down to the pool, tarnishing its pure beauty by their ugly words.
    Steven felt all the courage drain from him. He could have protected Peggy from one adversary, but probably not two, especially as they were certain to call for assistance.
    He clutched Peggy, determined to do his best, then they heard police sirens. Their adversaries scuttled back through the wire and away.
    They both stayed until Peggy heard her uncle calling her and answered.
    The youths were held for questioning and their money returned. The youngsters left to go home, but arranged to stay in touch.
    Steven determined to make things right with his father - and get closer to God.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE MOUNTAIN  By Tessa Harvey     Scrambling down, zig-zagging, he reached the side of the pool. He had only been travelling half an hour or so, but decided to stop for a while. The car journey had been long and arduous, almost grueling. He had left angry. His head hurt.     Opening his rucksack, Steven rummaged around for some sandwiches and water. He drained one of his water-bottles and decided to re-fill it at the side of the pool. He flicked some water over his face, licking his lips. It tasted cool and delicious.     The sun beat down, so he moved further into the shade of the trees, mostly rowan and ash. Leaning on a very low branch, he must have startled a duck hidden by the bank. It flew out. Relaxing, he paused, listening to the flap of its feathers. It made no other sound. Must be a nest, he thought, but did not search for it.     He was just collecting his gear, when he heard the snarl of voices.     "Don't see why we hav...
Read more
THE MOUNTAIN  By Tessa Harvey     Puffing and panting, the young people pulled themselves up the last few feet of boulders to crest the summit. It was a wonderful feeling to stand so high above the world and the view of valleys, streams, villages, and sea and city in the remote distance was indeed stupendous. Steven took photos of the view, watching as Peggy texted intently. "Family?" he queried.     "My uncle is a police inspector," she answered, pausing. "He is going to check out the young men at the carpark. At least I hope he is." She sank down, tired.     "I didn't want to text near those men and provoke them. Then after that I could not get a signal until now."     She leaned back, happy in the warm sun. The sky was a brilliant blue. "Best be going soon." Steven broke the silence after a while.     "Have you any spare water?" asked Peggy, glaring at him. Gratefully, she gulped some down after Steven proffered the fla...
Read more
THE MOUNTAIN   By Tessa Harvey     The young girl closed her eyes remembering clearly how she had wiped Steven's water bottle with a rumpled tissue, then caught him watching. "Boy germs," she remarked, laughing. Later, when he had a quick gulp, she saw as he surreptitiously wiped the top with his sleeve. When he glanced up, she had been trying to stifle a giggle!     She thought then they had become friends. Please don't go, she thought. Opening her eyes, Peggy saw the blokes had formed a rough circle around her. Most unnerving was their silence. Taunts would have been easier to handle and possibly share a laugh. She felt like prey.     Steven had actually taken her phone, one of his nefarious skills. Quickly he dialed her uncle. Then sent a text. From his pocket he pulled out a bag of strong elastic. He searched for a stout cleft stick. Finally he filled his pockets with the gnarliest pebbles he could find and using all his woodcraft, retraced his ste...
Read more