Devon Blake and the Starship Crash by Douglas Warren Page B

Jacinda called loudly, her voice on the edge of panic. Looking
     
pleadingly at Devon, she seemed about to cry. In a flash her worry turned to anger as she
     
realized that Devon was trying to suppress a grin. Her eyes narrowed and her mouth shrank
     
down to an angry scowl.
     
“What…is going on?” Jacinda’s hands moved to her hips, her whole posture teetering on
     
the edge of exasperation. “This had better not be some kind of dumb joke.”
Devon finally mastered his mirth and managed to respond. “No, it’s not a joke…exactly.
     
But…you know Flim. He likes to play tricks on people, and I’m sure this is one of his tricks.”
     
“But where did he go?” Jacinda asked. Merrell was looming over her shoulder, a look of
     
expectation on his face as well.
     
“Hmm, that is a little hard to explain.” Devon paused, not really wanting to reveal Flim’s
     
special talent. Devon began to wither under her relentless glare. “Let’s just say he is really good
     
at hiding.”
     
Jacinda signed, shaking her head, uttering a single word. “Boys.”
     
Merrell stifled a snicker as well, earning him a sharp look from Jacinda as well.
     
The sound of rustling leaves broke the building tension, drawing all of their attention
     
toward the deep forest surrounding the hilltop. All three friends peered into the undergrowth,
     
expecting to see Flim emerge with a smile of triumph on his face.
     
When no one appeared they all looked at each other, confused.
     
Jacinda was the first to speak. “Okay, so where is he? I honestly didn’t think he had this
     
kind of patience.”
     
“I have no…” The words caught in Devon’s throat as a figure emerged from the
     
undergrowth behind Jacinda and Merrell.
     
Jacinda recognized the look of surprise on Devon’s face and began to turn. “It’s about
     
time you…” She froze as well when she saw the figure. It surely was not Flim.
     
The creature, if that word could be used, stood upright. It was about the same height as
     
Jacinda, but the similarities ended there. What looked like soft green feathers covered its entire
     
body. Bright amber eyes peered out of the green, fuzzy face, almost like those of a friendly
     
puppy. The creature shifted, turning slightly toward Merrell, whose back was still turned.
Jacinda’s eyes grew wide as the creature reached out to touch Merrell. He flinched when
     
the creature made contact with his arm, but then seemed to relax, a look of contentment on his
     
face.
     
Devon leaped forward toward Merrell. His friend seemed to be under some sort of spell,
     
but if he could jar him, perhaps it would be broken. Devon bowled over the larger boy. The two
     
went down in a heap, tangled together and struggling.
     
The creature hopped back, just barely avoiding ending up on the ground with Devon and
     
Merrell. With a fluttering that sounded like leaves in a stiff wind, it scampered back into the
     
undergrowth, quickly disappearing, its green ruff blending perfectly with the surrounding leaves.
     
With a grunt, Merrell pushed Devon off of him. He sat up, scowling. “Why did you do
     
that.”
     
Devon stared at him, eyes wide. “Are you kidding? That thing was doing something to
     
you. I thought I was saving you.”
     
“Saving me? I don’t know about that.” The blush of embarrassment began to fill
     
Merrell’s face. “I mean…it seemed friendly enough.”
     
Jacinda shook her head. “Not to Devon and me. It looked like it was taking control of
     
you.”
     
Merrell shook his head. “Why would you think that? I’m strong and can take care of
     
myself. Just because I’m big doesn’t mean I have a weak mind.” He scowled at Devon, perhaps
     
more angry than he should be.
     
“That’s not what I meant…not at all,” Devon said. “I was just afraid that I might be
     
losing a new friend. I didn’t want anything to happen to you.”
Merrell’s face softened, the anger