12 Follow the Path

CHAPTER 12 FOLLOW THE PATH Tag and Skyla walked toward the mountains ahead of them. "It might be quicker if we fly," Tag said. "We can follow the path from the sky." Skyla put her hand on her hip. "I can't fly without Blaze." "Ah," said Tag. "Good point. We'll have to walk."

"Besides," Skyla added. "Zeb said to stay on the path." Tag and Skyla walked on through a valley covered in tall pink grass. "I really hope Blaze is okay," Skyla said. "She has her firehawk powers to protect her," Tag said. "But we need to find her soon. Skyla nodded. Tag tried to keep to the path like Zeb had told them, but the grass grew tall and wild. Tag stopped walking. "I can't see the path anymore," he said. "The grass grew over it."

Skyla whistled. "It doesn't look like anyone has been this way for a very long time," she said. "I'll fly ahead quickly, just to see if I can find the path again," Tag said. "Okay, but hurry back!" Skyla called after her friend. Tag flew ahead. Farther along, he saw a dark line in the grass. He flew down closer. There was another wiggly brown line. And another. The squiggly lines were moving through the tall grass. And they were heading toward Skyla! I should never have left the path! Tag's heart raced as he flew back to Skyla as fast as he could. But he was too late.

"Giant snakes!" Tag shouted. Giant snakes surrounded Skyla. They slithered around her in a circle, moving closer and closer. "HISSSSSSSSSS!" A huge snake reared its head and hissed at Skyla. "Help!" Skyla screamed. Tag swooped over her head. "Quick! Grab my tail feathers," he called.

Skyla held on tight, and Tag flapped as hard as he could. Slowly, Skyla lifted off the ground. Tag tried to fly away from the snakes, but Skyla was heavy. Tag's feathers shook. The snakes were big enough to gobble them up whole. "Tassssssty sssssnack!" one snake hissed. "Eeeeek!" Skyla yelled as another snake showed its fangs.

Tag took a deep breath and flapped harder. He didn't stop flapping until they were through the valley, with the snakes far behind. "Phew!" Skyla said. "You really saved my tail there." Tag puffed. "We need to get out of here in case they follow us," he said. "Let's find those birds' nests!"