THE FERALS


By Tessa Harvey


Horrified, Brodie backed away, pulling his arm free and running away, dropped the stick.

Realising her mistake, Jill called after him in a placatory way but he was gone into some nearby trees. 

Compounding her error, Jill told Jake Brodie had not showed up, and moved away without a backward glance, already absorbed in thoughts of the new member of staff.

While Jake searched the school fruitlessly, checking the office and classrooms, Brodie had kept running. When he finally stumbled to a halt, nothing looked familiar. He remembered climbing through a fence around the school, and was afraid, knowing he wasn't allowed to do that.

The little boy felt cheerless and alone and very tired. It was cold. He curled up in a small ball and cried for his mother. He could still remember her and called aloud for her to come. "I want you mum!" Sucking his thumb, an old habit, he at last slept, small face tear-stained. Trees towered all around him. He found himself a small lonely clearing with tall grass and a hollow tree behind his back sheltering him a little. The hurts he ran from overwhelmed him.

That night spring was held prisoner by a sharp drop in temperature. Frost crept in...


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