Sisters

He tightened his arm around Ebony’s neck.

       ‘Now make yourself scarce before I snap her neck like a twig.’

       Arrow crossed his arms, cocking his head to one side.

      ‘Do you like dogs?’ he asked matter of factly.

      ‘What?’ shouted Golly becoming very flustered.

       ‘I said…do you like dogs?’ Arrow asked a second time. Golly squinted at Arrow.

      ‘If you aren’t out of my sight in ten seconds I’ll…’ But Golly couldn’t finish. Star had crept up behind him and he had the whole of Golly’s head in his mouth. Arrow laughed to himself as he heard Golly’s muffled whimpering.  Ebony ran to Martha, then to Sapphire who was already sat upright rubbing her forehead, her hands covered in blood. Arrow walked up close to Star.

      ‘If you don’t keep still he’ll close his teeth,’ he shouted.

      Golly’s arms instantly fell limp to his sides and his legs began to shake. Arrow turned around. He had heard Elu groan. He was up on his feet dusting himself down.

      ‘Very brave move half Brother,’ said Arrow as he walked over to where Martha was lying. He crouched down to get a closer look at her.

      ‘Will she be alright?’ asked Ebony on the brink of crying. Sapphire gently lifted Martha’s head onto her knee.

      ‘She’s been knocked out,’ said Arrow, ‘and it may be a while before she comes to.’ But Martha suddenly took in a deep breath.

      ‘Unfortunately I am to!’ she groaned opening one eye.

      Sapphire and Ebony screeched with delight kissing and hugging her, as Martha pushed herself up onto her elbows. She looked around.

      ‘Are all the Scrabs gone?’ she asked.

      ‘Just this one left,’ said Arrow waving his arm towards Star. Martha looked round and began to laugh. Then they all started. Then she got to her feet with the help of the girls and walked a little way towards Star.

      ‘Oh Star,’ she said, ‘whatever would we do without you? Thank you for catching this Scrab for us. Now would you mind letting us see him?’  Golly was still whining as Martha took a hold of his arm.

      ‘Stand still when Star releases you boy,’ she said loudly.

      ‘Ok,’ came a pathetic, muffled reply from within Star’s huge mouth. The dog then opened his mouth, lifting its head away. Golly squinted his eyes, then rubbed them hard with filthy hands.  He looked at everyone in front of him. Then he slowly turned his head around. Star was staring down at him and let out a long low growl. Golly was terrified.

      ‘Oh no,’ said Golly moaning, looking down at his pants.

      ‘Oh dear,’ exclaimed Martha, ‘the poor boy’s wet himself!’