Eritopia

To Catch a Hyena

'Calypso!' Anya wailed. The monkey was hanging off her back, legs trailing above the ground.

'I told you to stay still,' she said as he dropped to the floor.

'You're too slippery,' Calypso fretted. The makeshift harness had slipped below her belly.

Bear lifted it and the monkey back into position. 'Sit there and don't fidget,' he said. He started to adjust the fastenings.

Van waited ahead for them.

'We're keeping our leader waiting,' Calypso said. 'We don't want to lose him again, do we?'

'Just be thankful he came back,' Anya said.

'Well, I think we could get on very well without him.'

'What?' Anya said. 'You wouldn't have a clue where to go.'

'Better than you.'

'I don't think so.'

'Stop arguing, you two.' Bear finished tightening the harness. 'It's clear none of us know where we are.'

Van had turned back to see if they were ready.

'We're coming,' Anya called. They moved off again. Van did the same.

'Why does he have to stay in front?' Calypso asked.

'He's scouting,' Bear said.

'For what?' said Calypso.

'For danger, I suppose.'

'We don't even know if there is any,' said Calypso.

'Of course there is. We're near the Outside.'

'Are we though? We could be anywhere.'

Bear looked around. There were still lots of trees, but it was brighter overhead, with a hint of sunlight between clouds. He couldn't say if they had come east, west or wherever, because there were no paths to give them a sense of direction. Only Van up ahead, a flash of orange and grey among the trees.

'Would you do me a small favour, and scratch my neck?' Anya asked Bear as he walked beside her. He obliged, and after a few trials found the spot she was indicating.

'Ah, thank you,' she breathed.

'Do you think what Van said about Not-Bear is true?' he asked. 'About his capture and escape? How did he know?'

'He said there were spies and informants in the forest,' Anya said. 'I expect they told him.'

'But we've hardly seen any. And they didn't come into the Circle. Where did he really go when he disappeared?'

'I was sleeping.'

'So was I, but he wasn't. It was almost like...'

'What?'

'He was waiting for someone.'

'Or some thing.'

'Stop!'

Van was back with them, or rather, he had halted and they caught up with him. He was motionless, and gazing ahead. They followed his stare.

'What is it?' Bear asked.

'Quiet.'

About a hundred paces ahead of them a creature had stepped out of the trees and sniffed the air. It was on all fours, had a skulking gait, thin legs and grey fur stippled with black.

'Hyena,' Van whispered.

Bear had heard about hyenas. They lived in the dark reaches of the Forest. It was said they preyed on sick animals and those who strayed too far from the Inside. The trip to the Occasion was more dangerous because of them.