After several hours of undisturbed sleep, Raven stirred, waking with a start. Pitch black surrounded him, and it took a few moments to remember where and why he was there. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and stretched out his stiff back. Despite the blankets and sleeping bags, the platform had still been hard and cold to sleep on.
Raven could see the luminous hands of Samson’s watch – 6 am. He gently began to rouse the others. Samson now awake, helped Raven to wake the rest. Slowly, the little camp on the East Houndsford subway platform came to life, with only just a little bit of grumbling and one or two mumbles of ‘just another five minutes’. Bed rolls were soon re-rolled, and backpacks were zipped. Some of the uneaten snacks from the previous night were re-interrogated for a makeshift breakfast.
Raven: Hey guys! Time to get going again. We’ve got another four stations to go before we get to Barking Green. All going well, I reckon it will take us around two or three hours to get there.
With one final sweep of the platform to make sure that nothing had been left behind, the clan set off once more down the subway tunnel towards their destination. Again, as they came to each station, they sent one scout ahead to carefully check that all was clear. The remainder of the journey proved uneventful, and by the time they had checked off the second to last station, Dogwood Farm, the collective mood was decidedly beginning to lift. The line had emerged from underground, and they were now out in semi-countryside. All the boys were pleased to be back out in the fresh morning air, with the early morning sun that greeted them all warmly. In the distance, lay the last couple of hundred metres of track. It was a welcome sight. A short time later, they reached the end of the line at the Barking Green train station.
The question on more than one of the boys’ minds was – “what now?”
The boys had arrived at the small market village of Barking Green on the outskirts of the city. Across, and not far from the train station, they could see a large village green. The green was surrounded by mature trees, but the thing that they really noticed were the flower beds. Instead of being overgrown and choked with weeds like most gardens since the collapse, they were well-kept and tended. There must be someone at least, still alive somewhere in the village.
Samson: Well. We’ve come this far; we may as well go and take a look around – it looks nice enough!
The rest of the boys readily agreed, and they set off in good spirits towards the green. As they got closer, they could hear the sound of many birds up in the trees, something they had missed living in the rotting decay of the city. Squirrels chattered noisily as they gathered acorns from beneath the oak trees, and then skittered playfully back up to their nests to store the acorns stuffed into their cheeks.
Across the green on the opposite side to the train station they could see a large building, the village pub surrounded by more well-kept flower boxes.
Charlie: Look! There’s smoke coming out that chimney!
Sure enough, when they all turned to look, the boys could definitely see wisps of puffy white smoke coming out of the pub chimney.
A few moments passed while they stood and wondered what they should do.
Seb who had hardly spoken a word since last night spoke up.
Seb: I – I think it looks OK, a couple of us should go and see who’s there, Red wanted us to come here, and we have to start somewhere.
Raven: Alright then. I’ll go over and I’ll need someone else…
Lewis: I’ll do it. Take me.
He paused and looked at them all earnestly.
I’ve gotta good feeling about this place.
Lewis was the youngest of the clan, just ten years old. He was sensitive and at times seemed to perceive things differently, displaying an empathy and wisdom beyond his years.
Raven: OK then Lewis. You’re up – you and me – let’s go!
Leaving the other boys to wait under the trees at the green, Raven and Lewis set off across the green and towards the pub. As they got closer, they could see that everything was well-kept, the flowers, the swept path; it was if here at least, the collapse had never happened, and this was just a regular day in a small country village. A sign near the front door read – “The Fox and Hounds.”
Raven and Lewis paused at the big front door.
Lewis: I guess we knock.
Without further hesitation, Lewis reached forward and rapped the knocker on the door several times.
Immediately a great commotion could be heard behind the door. Not just any sort of commotion but that of several excited barking dogs.
Voice: Now, now, now – sit down all of you! Yes, Angus! That means you too! I mean it – sit – and shush!
Let me see who this is!
Inserted into the massive oak front door of the pub there was a little hatch window covered in a lattice that could be opened to see who was outside without opening the door. The hatch opened. Raven and Lewis couldn’t quite see who was inside as it quickly closed again. Then very slowly the door began to creek open.
Grandma Bella: Well, hello there boys – you seem to be a long way from home.
It would be fair to say that neither Raven nor Lewis, were expecting to see who or what was standing just inside the door. They just stood there not quite knowing what to say.
Standing before the boys was an older, kindly looking grey and white husky dog.
Lewis nudged Raven and spoke to him in a low but excited voice.
Lewis: Raven – it’s true! I knew it was true!
Grandma Bella: What’s true dear?
Lewis: I’ve heard of you! You’re a Hunde from the planet Hundeerde, aren’t you!
Grandma Bella: Well yes – that is true!
Grandma Bella spied Dogger still being held tightly under Lewis’ arm. She made a gesture towards Dogger.
And who do we have here then?
Lewis: Oh! This is dogger – he’s my friend. I’m Lewis, and…
He inclined his head casually towards Raven.
…this is my other friend – Raven.
Raven made an awkward wave with his hand.
Raven: Hello. Um, er.. we need your help – do you know whether there is a safe place to stay around here? We were told there was.
Grandma Bella: Well, that could be right here. I’m Grandma Bella.
Grandma Bella looked out into the lane.
So, is it just the two of you then?
Raven smiled sheepishly and shuffled his feet.
Raven: Um, actually no. There are ten more of us waiting over at the green.
Grandma Bella: My goodness! Well, we better be meeting them all then.
Grandma Bella called back over her shoulder, inside the pub.
Pups! Come and meet some new friends!
With that the excited barking started all over again, and three excitable young husky hundes came bouncing out of the door to meet Raven and Lewis.
Angus: Arwoof, woof, woof! I’m Angus! I’m the oldest – I’m six!
Fergus: Woof! I’m Fergus – and this is my brother, Hamish – but he don’t talk much, We’re five!
While Angus and Fergus capered around Raven and Lewis excitedly, sniffing them all over, there was a third husky puppy more reserved than the others. He came out from behind Grandma Bella slowly and approached Lewis, his nose quivering. He seemed to be particularly interested in Dogger, cocking his head inquisitively to one side. Lewis knelt down on one knee and held out Dogger just a little for Hamish to sniff.
Lewis: This is Dogger – would you like to meet him?
Hamish sniffed dogger carefully and then he nuzzled under Lewis’ chin and gave him a little lick.
Hamish: Hello.
Grandma Bella: Well, this is a good start. I see you have passed the Hamish test. If he licks you, he likes you – then you must be OK.
Let’s go and meet the rest of your friends.
Raven, Lewis, Grandma Bella and the three young huskies set off towards the green to find the others.
Screw Pile Developments 