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 steps
    Assessing his enemies, he targetted them. Strongest to weakest, and let fly. 
    Knowing her son was dyslexic, Mary Tyler had read each night to him. They were Bible stories and she made them come alive. Her words flowed like a wide smooth river. When Steven read, the words jolted and jarred like a stream full of jagged rocks.
    He loved listening to her and when he play acted out the many stories, his favourite was David and Goliath. Trying to use a slingshot had totally exasperated him. A catapult had proved much more successful.
    Creeping closer, Steven saw Peggy was backed against a tree. The youths were in a loose circle around her. It was unnerving how silent they were. The leader looked to be a big, hairy man, obviously older.
    Random thoughts flitted around Steven's brain, but one made sense. These Bible heroes had always prayed before action. But who to!!
    God, the Christian God. So he did. "Please help me win, Christian God," Steven murmured. His dad's face flitted before him. "And sorry about dad," he added.

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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...
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