Have Faith

A Close Call

The river was falling apart in chunks of ice. The turquoise water, carrying the blocks away. Now, we only had a smaller path to walk across, and we needed to go, quickly. We stood on some rocks just above the river, it was a perfect view to see how we could make it across.

"We need to cross, now". I told everyone; the Beavers nodded.

"Don't beavers make dams?". Lucy asked worriedly.

"I'm not that fast, dear". Mr Beaver replied.

"Come on". Peter grabbed mine and Lucy's hand.

We began to make our way down with the Beavers in the lead and Susan right behind us; she had an angry look on her face.

"Wait". She yelled and Peter stopped, but I helped Lucy down to the Beavers who waited patiently near the ice. "Will you think about this for a minute?"

"We don't have a minute". I snapped back from a ledge below them. "Stop wasting time".

"I'm just trying to be realistic". Susan defended herself.

"No, you're trying to be smart. As usual". Peter sneered and left Susan standing dumbstruck on the hill. Then, there was a howl.

We all made it down the hill and I ran forward to test the ice. I carefully placed my foot down but recoiled it instantly. The ice sunk a bit and sprayed chilled water onto my cloak. It definitely wasn't stable to walk across.

"Wait". Mr Beaver stopped us. "Maybe I should go first".

"Maybe you should". Peter said, pulling me away from the ice.

Mr Beaver nodded and gingerly stepped onto the ice. He was finding the best route by patting it with his tail and feet. I was about to walk on again, when the ice cracked.

"You've been sneaking second helpings, haven't you?". Mrs Beaver accused him, and I bet he looked very guilty.

"You never know which meals gonna be your last". He called back. "Especially with your cooking".

Mrs Beaver followed her husband across the ice and slowly, we caught up with them; Lucy clinging to Peters arm. The ice kept breaking away and we weren't even halfway across it, even better, Lucy almost fell in.

"If Mum knew what we were doing". Susan muttered.

"Mum's not here". Peter shouted; I too was getting fed up with Susan's constant complaining.

A bit chunk of ice fell down near us, but luckily missed us and didn't break our unsteady path. I looked up and saw several wolves running across the top.

"Look". I screamed and pointed at them. Peters eyes widened in shock and yelled run.

But we had to jump from iceberg to iceberg since they kept breaking away. We were too late though; the wolves had already made it to the other side and waited for us to come to them. We were playing into their trap. The leader jumped from a rock and landed in front of us. Peter and I gasped and pulled our other siblings behind us.

Lucy screamed. We went to back away but by now the ice was fully broken into chunks and there were wolves on either side. Mr Beaver snarled at one of the wolves, but it pounced and grabbed him around the neck. Mrs Beaver and I shrieked.

On instinct, I grabbed my bow and loaded an arrow into it. Peter and I pointed our weapons threateningly at the wolf. He cautiously walked towards us.