03 The Strangers

CHAPTER 3 THE STRANGERS Tag pulled out his dagger and moved closer to Skyla. The two dark figures watched them. "Do you think they are dangerous?" whispered Skyla. Tag could feel her fur shaking.

"I'm not sure," Tag said. "They could be friendly." Tag and Skyla crept forward. The strangers did the same. Tag narrowed his eyes. There was something familiar about these figures. "Look," Skyla said. "One of them has a slingshot, just like me."

"The other has a dagger like mine," Tag whispered. He stood as tall as he could. "Who are you?" he shouted, trying to sound brave. His voice echoed around the trees. "Who are you... you... you..." a voice echoed back. "I'm Tag," Tag replied. "This is Skyla. We're searching for our friend." "Friend.... friend... friend..." the strange voice repeated. "Maybe they are trying to tell us they are friendly?" Skyla guessed. She lowered her slingshot, and the stranger did the same.

Tag walked closer to the figures, then he laughed. Skyla put her paws on her hips. "What's so funny?" she asked. "They look like us because they are us!" Tag laughed. He held out a wing to one of the strangers, and the stranger copied the action. "They are our reflections!" The tree trunks were silver and the moonlight shone off them, turning them into shiny mirrors. All around, Tag and Skyla could see their reflections staring back at them.

"Look at the water," Tag said. "It's silver like the trees." Skyla grinned and gave her reflection a high five. Her paw sparkled in the light. "Ugh, you were right, Tag," she said. "I'm still so glittery!" They walked on, zigzagging through the silvery trees. Soon, there was more water than solid ground. "How deep do you think this water will get?" Skyla asked, worried. "You know I can't swim."

The silvery water was almost up to her waist now. "There might be something under there, waiting to bite us," she added. "We've still got a way to go until we reach the tall trees," Tag said, wishing there was a quicker way to cross the swamp. He thought about flying ahead, but he couldn't leave Skyla behind. CROAK! CROAK! "What was that?" Skyla asked. She grabbed her slingshot. Tag pulled out his dagger again. Even with the big, bright moon, it was hard to see. CROAK! CROAK! CROAK! Tag peered through the darkness. A hundred small eyes peered back at him.