Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7 Over the next few days, several more animals– this time dogs– went missing from addresses all across town, and finally the newspapers were joining the dots. 'Pilfering Pet-Predator Poaches Pooches!' read one headline. 'Dog-Gone Mystery Sends Town Barking Mad!' read another. 'Interest Rates Set to Rise as Inflation Slows Down!' read another, which only ever printed the really boring news. The police were baffled. All sorts of animals were going missing and there was a growing collection of conflicting clues: bones in the Pit of Penguins at the zoo, the video of a small bear at the school and large feline footprints in people's back gardens– it seemed like the whole town had gone wild.

Charlie's friends had stopped accusing him directly, but he could see– even behind Flora's eyes and despite her strenuous denials– that there was still doubt there. It was agreed that they should break into the zoo as soon as possible. 'So we can finally found out the truth about Charlie,' said Mohsen. 'No!' said Flora, glancing at Charlie. 'So we can stop more animals from getting eaten!' So the following day, the four friends found themselves outside the zoo just after closing time. Their faces were stern, ready for action. 'Right,' said Flora. 'We need to be extra careful to make sure nobody sees Charlie changing now. Because if anybody else finds out, they're going to think he's the one eating the animals.' 'Ah,' said Wogan. 'There might be a little problem with–' 'It's fine, Flora,' Mohsen was simultaneously replying. 'Apart from us, only Dylan knows about Charlie's powers. And no one is going to believe him. So as long as we keep completely quiet, everything will be OK.' 'Yes, about that,' said Wogan. 'There's a chance I might have–' 'You're right, Mohsen,' said Flora. 'I shouldn't worry. It's not like any of us would be stupid enough to blab to anyone.' 'Hi, guys!' said a voice suddenly.

Three of the four friends swung round in shock; the fourth looked guilty. It was Daisy and Lola. 'Erm, hi. What are you doing here?' asked Flora. 'We're here to help break into the zoo,' said Daisy brightly. 'To see if it's Charlie eating all the animals,' explained Lola. 'You know, when he changes into an animal himself.' 'H-h-how did you…?' stammered Flora. 'Thanks for inviting us, Wogan!' said Daisy. 'Hey, why are you running away?' 'WOGAN! COME BACK HERE IMMEDIATELY!' roared Flora. Wogan slunk back to the gang, a look of terror on his face. 'I-I-I…' Wogan stuttered. 'DONOT SAY A WORD,' Flora roared again. 'Look,' said Charlie, glaring at Wogan. 'It can't be helped now, so let's carry on and find out what's happening, OK? Anybody have an idea how to get in?' Charlie looked up at the huge wire fence that confronted them. 'Well, we could just use the key,' said Lola, holding up a key. 'What's that?' asked Charlie. 'It's the key,' replied Lola, looking at Charlie as if he was simple. 'To the zoo.' 'H-h-how…?' stammered Charlie. 'Do you guys always stammer this much?' asked Daisy.

'My mum's one of the hippo-keepers,' said Lola. 'So I borrowed the key when she wasn't looking. I thought it would be useful. You know, since we're breaking into the zoo.' The four friends stood there in stunned silence until Wogan broke it. 'Yes! That's… That's why I invited them! I knew Lola's mum worked here so I knew she'd bring the key!' Five deeply suspicious faces hard-stared at Wogan.

'Anyway!' said Wogan brightly. 'Enough friendly chit-chat. Let's get going!' Lola sprang into action, unlocked the gate and, a moment later, they were all inside. 'Right,' said Mohsen. 'Which way? Which animals should we talk to first?' 'Well, which were the first to go missing?' asked Charlie. 'Chinchillas,' said Flora. 'Then eagles, a llama, and some penguins. The penguins would be a good place to start because that's where the bones were found and–' 'Ooooooh! Penguins!' cried Daisy. 'They're so sweet! Let's go to the penguins!' 'Ooooooh!' agreed Wogan. 'Yes! Penguins! I love penguins!' 'You've changed your tune,' said Mohsen. 'Last time we were here you said you hated them. You called them greasy-looking–' Wogan shushed Mohsen, glaring at him. 'Aw!' said Daisy, who fortunately hadn't heard Mohsen. 'You like penguins too, Wogan?' 'Oh yeah,' replied Wogan, nodding. 'Big fan of penguins. Long-time favourite. Definitely.' 'Me too!' beamed Daisy. 'Would you like to come to the school dance, Wogan?' 'I– uh– I guess so! Yes!' Wogan blushed. Daisy rushed off, smiling. 'You don't mind, do you, Charlie?' asked Wogan. 'If I go with Daisy?' 'Not at all,' Charlie said.

Flora looked like she was about to lose her temper AGAIN, so before she could say anything, Charlie blurted out, 'OK then! Penguins it is!' They set off quickly. The zoo was eerily silent, apart from the odd snuffle and squeak from a curious animal. If Charlie wasn't mistaken, there was an air of fear hanging over the place. The animals seemed to be cowering in the corners of their cages as they walked past. Presently they arrived at the Pit of Penguins, which had about thirty or so penguins huddling round a large pool. 'I'm going to go around the corner to change,' Charlie announced, suddenly feeling shy in front of Daisy and Lola. 'If I'm anything close to a penguin, stick me in there.' Charlie went behind a small hut, closed his eyes. He remembered how the day after the school dance, his family was going to be torn apart. Nothing would be the same again. It was easy to change. As the electricity ripped through him, he tried to imagine not just a picture of a penguin, but what it was like to BE a penguin. He imagined the little wings and the curved beak. He imagined standing in the freezing Antarctic wind, warming an egg under his bum. He was getting smaller– a good sign! He was growing feathers– another good sign! He was growing wings! Was it finally happening? Had he finally worked out how to change into whichever animal he wanted?