The House on the Horrid Hill

Chapter 22

"Hurry up you guys. We need to get out of here," Alfred yelled to his mother and Amateus.

But it was no good. Every time he looked around Ozax had gained on them, they were never going to escape. Please, please he whispered, don't take my family away from me when I've only just found them.

They turned around a sharp bend and Alfred could see something in the distance. It looked as if it was coming towards them but he couldn't be sure.

"It's The Cruiser," yelled his mother finding the strength to pick up her speed. "C'mon boys, someone's come to save us!"

Alfred had absolutely no idea what the Cruiser was but he had never been so happy to see an unidentified object in his entire life. He kept running faster and faster and when he got closer he saw exactly what had come to save them.

Hammy was perched on the back of the most spectacular flying dragon ever! YES A FLYING DRAGON! If they weren't on the brink of being captured by Ozax, Alfred surely would have passed out from excitement right there and then. Somehow though, he managed to hold it together.

"Hammy, Hammy! I've never been so glad to see your furry little face," Alfred yelled.

"Quick Spud, get on, get on, me needs to get ye outta here. Boy oh boy me's been worried about ye," shouted Hammy, close to tears. "I thought I had gone and got Unwin's other son killed too."

"Hammy wait. My mother. My brother. They're not dead!" Alfred pointed excitedly as his mother came to a stop in front of Cruiser, whose nose she affectionately rubbed before throwing her arms around Hammy and hugging him tight like she would never let go.

"We've no time for this now, Ozax is right behind us," yelled Alfred interrupting their little reunion.

They all hopped on board and Cruiser broke into a gallop as everyone held on tight. He spread his red tipped wings and they soared high into the sky. Alfred and Amateus laughed in amazement, Hammy and Diamond just breathed a big sigh of relief.

It seemed like the longest journey of their lives, and Alfred knew how lucky they had been to escape from the clutches of Ozax. They'd lost sight of him somewhere back in the Aphotic Valley and they were beginning to feel safe again – for now.

They travelled in silence, each with their own thoughts. Finally, as they neared closer to The Chambers they watched as Ulwin burst through the doors just as Cruiser landed them safely.

"FATHER! FATHER!" Alfred shouted.

Ulwin stopped dead in his tracks. He could clearly see four passengers on board, but who were they?

Diamond jumped down from Cruiser and sprinted towards her husband, and he could do nothing but sob as he watched her approach, Alfred and Amateus following closely on her heels.

Ulwin didn't know how they were all here and he didn't really care - there would be plenty time for explanations later. Finally his family was complete again, scooping them up in his arms as they all shed tears of joy.

Somewhere in the background Hammy could be heard whooping loudly as he jumped from foot to foot, doing his own little celebratory dance as he cried. He had always felt so responsible for ripping them apart all those years ago and at last, he could forgive himself.

Of course, gloomy thoughts of Ozax still on the loose were on all their minds, but that was something they could deal with another day. Together!