Wild Thornberry Adventure

chapter 6

Cherry had gotten information that Sarah had told Mrs. Fairgood and the other girls that she, Eliza and Darwin were headed for Africa. Cherry had to adjust to warm weather despite her protests against it and she wore a dark blue tank top with black shorts and sneakers. Eliza wore a lighter blue tank top and cargo shorts with brown shoes. They were now on a train after a long, strenuous flight.

"How you holding up, Cherry?" Eliza asked.

"I'll be fine," Cherry yawned in mid-sentence. "I'm just glad to be off that plane."

"Sorry we couldn't get you to sit with us." Eliza smiled apologetically.

"Oh, it's okay. Why did we have to go to Africa? I hate hot and sunshine..." Cherry moaned.

"I'm sure you'll live."

"She has a point, Eliza, what if it's humid and my fur frizzes up?" Darwin frowned.

"Help! The poachers!" a distant voice called. Cherry and Eliza turned to see a rhino trapped half way in a net and he ran across the plains. "Help! The poachers! I've been shot!"

"Oh, poor guy!" Cherry moaned.

"Darwin, get up!" Eliza ordered.

"What?" Darwin snapped to forced attention.

"I'll get help!" Eliza rushed to find the conductor of the train.

Cherry pressed her face against the plate-glass window, wishing she could help the poor, endangered animal. Eliza begged and pleaded to get off the train, but almost no one would listen to her. She then went back to Cherry.

"Come on Cherry, we're getting off this train." Eliza said.

"Coming!" Cherry followed as she strapped on her backpack.

Cherry and Eliza jumped out of the train safely and slid cautiously down a small hill while the rhino slammed himself down on the ground. He looked very tired and worn out. The girls looked worried and they rushed over to aid him.

"Hang on, we'll get help for you, don't worry." Cherry tried to soothe him.

"They shot me... at the river..." the rhino wheezed. "They were trying to take my horn when I ran away..."

"Someone please help, this rhino's been shot!" Cherry cried out with tears stinging in her eyes.

As if on cue, there came a couple of people in a vehicle. A blonde man with a beard and a woman with dark blue hair. They came out of their car as they noticed the young girls with the rhino.

"Please help us," Eliza begged as she stood next to Cherry. "This rhino's been shot!"

"We're terrified he's in grave danger!" Cherry squealed.

"Oh dear." the blue haired woman handed Eliza something to press down upon the rhino. "Hold this, right here."

"Is he still alive?" Eliza asked, worriedly.

"Barely," the woman replied. "But don't worry, honey, I think I can save him."

"You're both very brave young ladies," the blonde man assisted. "We saw you jump from that train."

"We had to save this rhino." Cherry explained.

Eliza's eyes widened as she spotted the man take out a blade with a golden handle.

"That's the knife from the man who took Tally..." Eliza whispered with worry.

"Excuse me?" the blonde man asked.

"Honey, keep applying pressure." the blue haired woman instructed.

"I-I'm sorry, I-I just..." Eliza continued as her palms sweated.