Double Trouble (7 page)

“I like it very much,” Flame told her with a contented purr.

Kim had never felt so happy. She thought of the wish she had made when blowing out the candles. “We are going to have so many river trips with my grandparents and . . .” she began, and then stopped as Flame stiffened and suddenly sat upright. “What's wrong?” she asked him.

He had the same look on his face as when he had been hiding under her pillow.

Flame whined anxiously. The fur along his back stood up in a ridge as he stared fixedly at a thick clump of weeds. There was movement in them, as if something was pushing its way through. Kim thought she heard a low, powerful growl.

She felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle.

“My enemies are very close!” Flame whimpered. “I must go now!”

“Now?” Kim echoed in a tiny quivering voice. This couldn't be happening. She really didn't think she could say good-bye to Flame yet.

Beside her, Flame was shaking with terror.

Kim had a horrible sinking feeling in her stomach at the thought of losing him. But it was far worse to think of Flame being killed. She knew she had to be strong.

“Go, Flame. Go, right now! Don't let them catch you!” she forced herself to say.

Sparks began glinting in Flame's fur and his whiskers crackled with magic.

Tears stung Kim's eyes. Suddenly she knew she couldn't bear to watch her friend leave. Turning around, she stumbled toward the beaded curtain, but forgot about the step and tripped.

Kim screamed as she grabbed at thin air. She hit the river with a splash. Icy-cold water began to cover her head.

Chapter NINE

Gasping and thrashing around, Kim surfaced. She tried to swim, but her soaked jeans and sneakers made it difficult.

The
Sally Kim
was still heading away from her, upriver.

“Help!” she burbled, spitting out muddy water. “He-elp!”

She saw her mom and dad and her grandmother come out of the cabin. They waved frantically to her. “Kim!

Try and stay afloat! I'll throw you a rope!” yelled her dad.

Kim fought to stay calm. She was shivering and she could hardly feel her hands and feet.

She heard the
Sally Kim
's engine go into reverse. The houseboat moved slowly backward, her engine churning up the water.

Kim felt herself sinking and tried to kick out, but she could hardly move her legs. Something was wrapped around them. It must be waterweed. However much she tried to kick free, her legs were held fast by long tangled stems.

Kim started to panic as she sank under. In her mind she called out to Flame to help her, then remembered it was useless.

He had fled from his enemies. Flame was gone. No one could help her now.

She sank down and down.

Suddenly Kim felt something nudge against her shoulder. She turned around and found herself staring into an anxious pair of emerald eyes.

It was Flame! He had come back to save her.

Opening his little mouth, Flame blew out an enormous sparkly air bubble. Kim felt the bubble brush softly against her cheek and then enclose her head, just like an old-fashioned diver's helmet.

She took a deep, shaky breath of air and forced herself to relax.

Through the clear bubble, she could see the jungle of weeds and the river bottom just below her. Schools of little fish were darting in all directions.

Flame waved a silver paw to get her attention and then pointed toward the weed that was wound tightly around her legs.

Kim nodded to show that she understood. Flame began chewing the tough weed with his sharp teeth. Kim felt one leg come free followed by the other one.

She began to kick out, and under Flame's watchful eye rose slowly upward.

As soon as Kim's head broke the surface, the air bubble popped. She half-swam, half-crawled through the muddy reed bed to reach the safety of the riverbank.

Kim pulled herself up onto the bank and looked urgently around for any sign of Flame. She caught a glimpse of his soaked little form slipping out of the river before there was a bright flash. Kim saw Flame as a young white lion once more, his coat glowing with bright sparks. Next to him stood an old gray lion with a kind, wise face. And then Kim knew that it was now time for Flame to go.

“Good-bye, Flame. Thank you for saving me. I'll never forget you!” she whispered.

For a second, her eyes and Flame's eyes locked. “Be well, Kim,” Flame growled softly.

Then two slim, dark shapes broke cover. Growling fiercely, Ebony's spies ran straight at Flame.

Kim's blood ran cold. But Flame and the wise older lion had gone. Kim heard a faint howl of rage before the spies disappeared, too.

She shivered and her heart felt like it was breaking, but Kim felt a sense of deep relief that Flame was safe.

“Kim! Kim! Are you all right?” shouted voices. Kim turned around and saw her parents as the
Sally Kim
drew up to the bank.

Everyone crowded around her, wrapping her in warm blankets and giving her hot drinks.

Mia threw her arms around Kim and hugged her tightly. “I was so scared you might drown!” she said tearfully and then she looked around. “Where's Flame? We can't find him on the
Sally Kim
. He's . . . he's not . . .”

“Drowned?” Kim said, thinking quickly. “No . . . I . . . I saw him get scooped up in a fishing net by some fishermen in a boat.”

“Don't worry about Flame now, sweetie,” her mom said. “We'll look for him later. Let's get you out of these wet clothes . . .”

Kim nodded, knowing full well that they would never find Flame. She felt tired and sad, but her heart swelled with pride. A magic kitten had chosen her to be his friend. And she would always treasure the fond memories of Flame and their adventure together.

She linked hands with Mia, who smiled warmly at her. The rest of the school vacation stretched out before them.

About the Author

Sue Bentley's books for children often include animals or fairies. She lives in Northampton and enjoys reading, going to the movies, and sitting watching the frogs and newts in her garden pond. If she hadn't been a writer, she would probably have been a skydiver or a brain surgeon. The main reason she writes is that she can drink pots and pots of tea while she's typing. She has met and owned many cats and each one has brought a special sort of magic to her life.