9 STUCK IN THE MUCK

CHAPTER 9 STUCK IN THE MUCK Worm, can you sense Mamu nearby?" Drake asked. Worm stopped moving and closed his eyes. I'm not sure how close Mamu is, but I can still sense her energy. I think if I create an energy bubble, it can lead us to her. "Great idea, Worm!" Drake agreed. "Go ahead and do it."

Worm's eyes glowed green, and a small green orb appeared in front of his face. "Follow that energy bubble!" Drake cried. Worm crawled through the forest, following the bubble. He wound through the trees and mist. After about thirty minutes, Drake became worried. "Worm, are we getting closer?" he asked. Mamu is much closer than before, Worm assured him.

A few minutes later, the mist began to rise. The space between the trees became wider. "There's a swamp just beyond the forest!" Drake cried. A slightly stinky smell reached Drake's nose. Plants grew out of large patches of shallow, muddy water. Worm's energy bubble floated toward it. "What is this place?" Drake wondered. I am not sure, but we must move forward, Worm replied. "Should we fly?" Drake asked. I will slowly float, so we don't move past the energy bubble, Worm answered. Worm glowed softly as he rose above the muck. He followed the green bubble.

"Drake! Worm!" Kishar and Mamu flew down from the sky. The energy bubble popped. "I'm so glad you found us," Kishar said. "We think Zoltan is close." "Let's go get him, then!" Drake said. "Worm, fly!"

Worm flapped his wings. Mamu shone her blue beam and followed the sparkles inside it. The two dragons flew low over the swamp. Then Drake spotted a head of yellow hair sticking out of the muck. Drake gasped. "We found Zoltan!"