In Deep Dark Wood by Marita Conlon-Mckenna Page B

at him like some sad little kid. Standing up, Rory brushed the mud and dirt off himself, the furry animal watching him all the time. Opening his backpack, he took out a crust of bread, but it had hardened so much that he could scarcely chew it. In a temper he flung the stale bread to the ground, trying to banish all memory of his normal breakfasts of pancakes or muffins or hot toast. The furry animal sniffed at the bread, disdainfully at first, then lifted it, squirrel-like, in its paws and began to chew it.
    Rory started to walk, the thing hopping after him. Sometimes it would disappear and then he’d notice a flash of white in the undergrowth and it would be back again. He was glad of the company and it felt vaguely like having his dog, Jackie, along with him. At times, he thought he saw anotherflash of white and guessed that there might be two or three of them. Anyway, they seemed docile and harmless enough, and he had no reason to be scared of such gentle, rabbit-like, animals.
    Rory stopped to study Birch’s map, trying to hazard a guess as to where he was and how far he had come. Green lines criss-crossed everywhere, illustrating the density of the woods, but gave him few clues as to his whereabouts. He put the map back in his backpack and retrieved a last precious square of chocolate to give him some energy.
    The furry animal had become more daring now and had begun to chew on the tip of his trainers. He shook his foot to deter it, but the creature clung giddily on to his leg. Putting his hand down, he attempted to push it away. Suddenly, a sharp pain seared through his fingers, jolting his nerves. It had bitten him! The sharp, white teeth were still stuck deep in his skin.
    ‘Ow! Ow! Get off! Get off!’ he screamed in panic, as the animal bit down even harder on his finger. Rory noticed with horror that two other creatures were hopping forward to join the first.
    Vvrrruunngg!
    From nowhere, an arrow flew through the air. Rory jumped as the animal’s grip instantly weakened, and, squealing with pain, it slumped to the ground.
    ‘Killed it!’ came a triumphant shout.
    The other animals took off through the trees. Rory winced with pain, and saw that his two middle fingers were bleeding.
    ‘Let me see that, stranger!’
    Rory turned to see a boy, a bit older than himself, standing behind him, his bow still in his hand, a quiver of arrows slung across his back.
    ‘Filthy things, those creepers! Let me see the bite!’
    Still shocked, Rory tried to move his hand slowly, letting the stranger, with his plaited, jet-black hair and piercing brown eyes, examine it.
    ‘It needs some salve, but since we’ve none we’ll just have to wash it clean.’
    Rory watched as the young archer poured water from a flask on to the wounds and then, pulling a piece of cloth from around his neck, covered the fingers.
    ‘Thank you,’ he said, still feeling shaky.
    The other boy just nodded. ‘I’m Conrad,’ he said.
    ‘Rory. Rory Murphy.’
    They shook hands, each sizing the other up.
    ‘I thought that creeper thing was going to bite the finger off me.’
    ‘Would have done, too,’ agreed Conrad, showing him his own hand with half his little finger missing.
    ‘God!’ said Rory, feeling sick.
    ‘Never let one of those stupid-looking creepers get too close to you. I’ve heard of men getting their ears and noses bitten off!’ warned Conrad.
    Rory could feel the boy’s brown eyes staring at him.
    ‘You are not from these parts. What brings you to Dark Wood?’
    ‘I’m searching for my sister,’ Rory explained.
    ‘So! A quest to find a fair lady.’
    ‘Mia’s just a kid, she’s only eleven!’
    ‘Run off into the woods, did she? Silly girl!’
    ‘No! It’s not like that! Not like that at all! Mia was kidnapped … oh, I don’t know what you’d call it!’ he said desperately.
    ‘No doubt a band of thieves or vagabonds, hoping to hold her for a hefty ransom?’ exclaimed Conrad.
    Rory shook his head. ‘I know who