Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN The next morning Layla waved her friends off on their camping trip and then headed for the library. On her way there, she paused by an open window overlooking Sparkle Lake. More leaves had fallen in the night and the surface of the lake was now thick with rust-coloured leaves. They even fluttered up from the fountain as it spouted water. A foul smell crept in on the breeze. The smell stuck in the back of Layla's throat, making her sneeze. Poor Ms Nettles, she thought. It must be even worse for her with her hay fever.

Layla took out a notebook and listed all the things she knew about fire beetles. They were shy, they feasted on flash flies and they loved warm places. It wasn't much to go on. Maybe if she researched likely habitats… Layla skimmed through three books on deserts and two books on tropical climates without finding any reference to fire beetles. Then she saw a book on volcanoes. Volcanoes, of course! They were very warm places. There was a famous volcano on Unicorn Island. Mount Fury. Layla opened the book and to her delight it contained several chapters on the volcano. She read fast, her eyes gobbling up the words until she found something.

While very few creatures can survive the heat of Mount Fury, there is one that Positively seeks its warmth. The rare fire beetle favours a home on the crater's edge, living there until the volcano erupts when it will fly to sqfety. Layla stared at the page. If fire beetles lived on Mount Fury, couldn't the teachers go there and bring some back? Layla quicldy returned the book and headed for Ms Nettles' study, "Layla!" Ms Nettles, who was half hidden by a huge pile of books and papers on her desk, seemed irritated to see her. She sneezed. "I'm very busy. Please come back another time."

Part of Layla wanted to do as she was told but she stood her ground. This was too important. "Ms Nettles, did you know that fire beetles would chase the flash flies away? I found a book in the library that said that they live on Mount Fury. Can't you go there and get some?" Ms Nettles frowned. "Oh, Layla, of course I know that fire beetles can help with flash flies.

But Mount Fury could erupt at any time. It's far too dangerous to go there." Layla felt suddenly hot as a wild idea jumped into her head. She took a deep breath, wondering if she was completely crazy. "I'll go. Dancer will look after me." Ms Nettles' eyes softened slightly. "I know you want to help, Layla, but I will not have you and Dancer– or anyone else– putting themselves in danger. I forbid it." "But every day the lake looks worse!" exclaimed Layla. "The fountain is clogged up and the magic water can't flow around the island. Soon everyone will start to suffer and if the water isn't cleaned up the unicorns will get ill. We have to do something, Ms Nettles!" She blushed as she finished and waited for Ms Nettles to tell her off but the teacher just sighed. "I'm sorry, Layla. Now, please leave. I have lots to do." Layla's head was in a whirl as she backed

out of the study. She understood it would be risky to travel to the volcano. But the island was in danger. Should she stay safe and obey her teacher– or should she follow her heart? Layla went to Dancer's stable. "Oh good," he said, looking very pleased to see her. "I'm so bored. What have you been up to?" Layla quickly told him about her conversation with Ms Nettles. "I know she says it's too dangerous but we need to find some fire beetles." "Then let's go to Mount Fury– just you and me!" Dancer exclaimed. Layla bit her lip. The cautious voice in her head was saying "No, no, no!" but deep down it felt like the right thing to do. They had to try to save the island. "We could do it, Layla," said Dancer eagerly. "We could use the magical map to get