white coat Sam put an arm around Barloc and realized they were both trembling She glanced at Uncle Mitch He wiped his face looking unsure for the first time since she’d met him Is anyone hurt he asked They all shook their heads catching their breath Tuck pointed to a series of ledges below that were staggered like steps We can head down these ledges to the beach and follow the shoreline back to the path that leads to the meadow It may take longer and No Uncle Mitch looked up as if seeking another way out But we’re trapped here Sam 3
said The only way out is down Barloc whinnied in agreement Uncle Mitch sat silently for a moment then nodded reluctantly He stood helping Sam and Tuck up Stay against the cliff wall and test each step before moving These rocks are slippery with moss he said They carefully made their way down ledge by ledge Barloc’s hooves clacking on stone The beach grew closer waves pulsing along the shoreline They saw giant boulders spread across the sand Uncle Mitch hopped off the lowest ledge and down onto the beach looking warily around and then 4
motioning for the rest of them to follow him Sam Tuck and Barloc jumped down just as the sand twisted and morphed at their feet bulging in a massive mound They all froze One giant fist punched through the sand then another A furry head appeared facing the sea Two gigantic hands spread out on the beach and the creature pushed himself up Clambering out of the sand he stood as tall as a house The beast shook his head and blasted out a wild bellow beating his chest The angry echo bounced off the cliff walls Sam’s feet finally unfroze and she yanked at Uncle Mitch’s shirt to run but he wouldn’t move He just 5
