Flight from Fernilee

By Jacy Brean

Out of the blue, the comfortable lives of the three Hadwin children are dramatically turned upside down when strange men arrest their parents and attempt to capture teenagers Alice and Miles, and their younger brother Joe.

Miles and his sister manage to escape and with help from the Tree People, a band of eco-warriors living secretly in the forest, rescue Joe and his new friend and fellow captive Odi from the clutches of the nunjas - weird women dedicated to the Global Order Brotherhood (GOB) headed by Elymas, a megalomania who plans to achieve world domination in a very unethical way. Fortunately, the runaways have their allies: The Tree People, their ingenious Uncle Jeff, Captain Catastrophe, and Mr. Big, Joe's special friend to whom he turns whenever there's a crisis.

Beginning with Uncle Jeff's warning to the Hadwin's parents, the story takes several twists and turns before the youngsters meet Mr. Smyle, a billionaire philanthropist who promises to help them find their parents, and in the meantime, gives them everything they could possibly want!

After a breathless chase through the forests, hills and canals of Derbyshire, an epic voyage with the hapless Captain Catastrophe and further brushes with the nasty nunjas, it all ends with a heart-stopping showdown between young Joe and the evil Elymas on top of the shivering mountain.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacy Brean
• Release date: Jan 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463155028

Jacy Brean

Born in Stockport, Jacy Brean now lives in the heart of Derbyshire's High Peak. one of the UK's most popular destinations for walkers, hang-gliders, and people who love beautiful scenery. She has one daughter and an army of nephews and nieces.

Book preview

CHAPTER 2

Although feeling uneasy for a couple of days, it wasn’t long before Miles forgot about the three-horned dragon and his conversation with Uncle Jeff. After all, he had enough to worry about, such as moving up to secondary school, getting onto the local soccer team, staying the right side of Alice, whose gaze could wither at fifty paces, and trying to keep his cool with Joe. Not an easy task – that kid was always mithering!

Please let me play! he'd beg. But invariably, Miles brushed off Joe’s pleas with the usual, You're too small! as he set off to practice dribbling with his pals, leaving Joe to amuse himself.

True, Joe was small for his age, but he wasn’t entirely alone. When dejected, he could turn to Mr. Big. Now, a lot of children have imaginary friends, but Mr. Big was different. To Joe, Mr. Big was a real person, someone kind who would never shout at him, or turn him away, or say, I told you so! It was a friendship that his parents tried hard to discourage. Especially his Dad.

As a scientist, Richard Hadwin was opposed to fairy tales, magic, superheroes of all kinds, assorted legends and anything that couldn’t be measured by a 12-inch ruler. Including Mr. Big. Believe in yourself, was the Hadwin mantra, and that would be the end of it...until the next time Joe started whispering to himself.

The boy needs a psychiatrist! Mr. Hadwin grumbled.

Jennifer Hadwin was more tactful. Just who IS this Mr. Big, Joe?

I don't know his name. I call him Mr. Big because he's very big and very strong and he looks after me.

How do you mean, he looks after you?

Well, sometimes, when I don't know what to do about something, I ask Mr. Big and then he gives me the answer. And sometimes, he does things to make everything all right.

For pity’s sake! yelled Mr. Hadwin, he should have grown out of this by now! He’s 10 years old!

Mrs. Hadwin sighed. Look, Joe, she sighed. Once and for all, there’s no such person as Mr. Big!

There is! There is! yelled Joe.

So? Where is he? his father demanded, turning his head to search for the mysterious Mr. Big. Where is he, Joe? Come on, point him out to us! If he’s your friend, we’d like to be introduced! But Joe pursed his lips and folded his arms stubbornly.

He doesn’t exist, does he? said Dad.

Does yes! This was one argument his parents were never going to win.

Then why can’t we see him?! Dad cried, his fists clenched with frustration.

Because he’s invisible! came the answer,

Now, let's try and be rational about this, his Mum suggested. Your father and I love you very, very much and there's nothing we won't do to make you happy. Whenever you have any problems, you can talk to us. Okay?

Joe nodded, his Mum gave him a kiss, and his Dad ruffled his white-blonde hair affectionately. Yet, that night and every night before he went to sleep, Joe would talk to Mr. Big.

CHAPTER 3

A year went by, then another and life carried on as normal for the Hadwin family - until one fateful Saturday morning.

Get up Miles! It was Alice, banging on his bedroom door. Mum needs help with the shopping!

It wasn’t like Miles to lie in bed, but he hadn’t slept terribly well the night before, owing to a dull ache in his stomach. Groaning, he pulled the covers over his head and cursed his rotten luck. Couldn’t be on a school day, oh no! he thought like when there’s a geography test or anything. Has to be on a Saturday when it’s football practice! And he swore never again to eat more than three mince pies at a sitting – at least not on a Friday. At the thought of food, he vaguely considered getting up for breakfast and was trying to decide between scrambled egg and corn flakes when he heard another bang.

All right, I’m coming! he yelled crossly. But then he realised it wasn’t Alice this time but someone at the front door, hammering so loudly, the house actually shook.

They’ll break the door down in a minute! Miles murmured to himself. From downstairs, he heard his mother’s angry voice. Who on earth can that be!?

It’s probably those Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mr. Hadwin said as he made towards the door. They must have changed their methods! But he stopped short as a huge crack, then a mighty thump, resounded from the hall and the front door burst open.

Pandemonium! Miles heard Joe and Alice shrieking, Mum and Dad protesting, and the sound of harsh male voices yelling: Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! over and over again.

Now fully awake, Miles leapt out of bed, pulled on his jeans and T-shirt from the day before floor and flew down the stairs to see one man standing in the now empty doorway barking orders while two other men in black trench coats manhandled his mother. Dad was being held face downwards on the floor by two other burly men, his hands manacled behind his back.

Richard and Jennifer Hadwin! You’re under arrest! the first man said.

What for?! cried Mrs. Hadwin.

Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! came the reply.

But Jennifer Hadwin was not easily intimidated. Our MP will hear about this… she began. The first man laughed unpleasantly. He can’t help you, we arrested him this morning….

Shut up! Shut up… his colleague continued.

Not me, you idiot! the boss snapped and whacked the offender across the face.

Sorry, Mr. Mordant, got a bit carried away there.

As I was saying continued Mordant, there’s been a coup. You’re under a new regime now. He laughed nastily and began toying with a large signet ring.

Mum! Dad!

It was Joe crying, Alice holding him tightly, her face white with shock. Miles was standing on the bottom stair, frozen to the spot, his eyes fixed on Mordant‘s finger. He felt his spine tingle just as it had under the street lamp when Uncle Jeff showed it to him. The dragon! he gasped.

Up until then, the intruders had ignored the children, but now Mordant, his gloating temporarily interrupted, jerked his head towards them.

Get the kids! he snarled. They’re going to the Babel Retreat. Sister Prism will take care of them!

This brought Richard Hadwin to his senses. With superhuman effort, he raised his head from under the heavy black boots that nailed him to the floor and yelled to the children with all his might:

Run!

And then Miles remembered Jeff‘s warning. When you see it, run! Run for your lives! Run! Run!

Then his mother joined in, shouting at the top of her voice Run children! Run!

Run! cried Miles and flew from the stair and dashed towards the kitchen and the back door, Alice and Joe chasing after him, dodging the clutches of the sinister men.

Skinner, Brown, Griswold - get after them!

Hearts pounding, legs pumping, lungs bursting, the children fled - out the back door, across the yard and into the field behind where the local rugby team was practicing.

If we can just make it to the woods…. thought Miles, his mind racing as he dodged the rugby players, intent on reaching the other side of the pitch. Fortunately, their pursuers were not so nimble and found themselves the objects of some rather fine tackles. After freeing themselves from the unseemly scrums that followed, the men resumed their chase, but Alice, Miles and Joe, now far in the distance, had disappeared over a hedge and were now heading, full-pelt into the woodland.

Then something awful happened. Joe let go of Alice’s hand. And he stopped running. He didn’t know what was happening. He didn’t know why Miles and Alice were running, or who the big men were. All he knew was he wanted to rescue his parents. He wasn’t scared of the horrible men. He was going back home.

In her panic, Alice didn’t notice at first. She and Miles kept running, not daring to look behind them, jumping over ditches, scrambling under barbed wire, panting until they felt their lungs begin to burst. At last they reached the trees and flung themselves into a mass of dense undergrowth until they could catch their breath.

Only then, did they realise that Joe was no longer with them. Where’s Joe? cried Alice, looking around frantically. We’ve lost Joe!

They must have got him! said Miles between gasps. Alice tried to stand up. Joe! she cried and would have gone on calling had Miles not put a hand over her mouth and dragged her down again into the bushes.

There’s nothing we can do! he reasoned. There’s too many of them…. But Alice wasn’t listening. Tears welled in her eyes and she started shaking with terror. Joe, Joe…! she whimpered.

Miles grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. Look, we know where they’ll take him, that Mordant man said. So we’ll wait until those men have gone and then we’ll find him and get him out! Please Alice, we have to stay calm, it’s our only chance. We’re going to find him Alice. And Mum and Dad too. Everything’s going to be all right! It‘s going to be all right.

In the distance, they heard the men shouting to each other as they raced in pursuit.

Which way did they go? they were yelling. Spread out one of them said, and Miles and Alice could only freeze at the sound of shrubs being kicked and of twigs being broken underfoot. At one point, a man came within yards of their hiding place, and was just about to find them when one of his colleagues called out, There's a ditch to your left. Look down there!

With the man out of earshot, Miles and Alice began crawling on their elbows, commando-style, through the prickly bushes to get deeper into the wood. Before long, they came upon a fallen hollow tree trunk which had just enough room for the two of them to curl up inside. Miles pulled a branch up behind them so as to conceal the entrance, and from their hiding place, the children squashed together, hardly able to move.

Before long, an enormous pair of feet could be heard approaching the old tree trunk. Stay here, Skinner. was the command. I'll station myself at the north end of the wood, Brown will guard the west side and the others can flush them out.

Okay, Griswold, said his companion. Once his superior was out of sight, Skinner sat down on the trunk. He was easily the biggest of the men with an unbelievably wide bottom, and, as soon as he made contact with the fallen tree, it creaked ominously. All Miles and Alice could do was pray their hiding place would hold up under the strain. Moments later and to their great relief, they heard another shout.

Oi! Skinner! Get off your fat behind and start searching! The boss ain't moving 'til we catch those brats!

Skinner leapt up, but in doing so, the weight of his bottom dislodged the tree which jolted into motion and began to roll downhill - slowly at first, then gathering speed, flattening everything in its path as the hill dropped perilously towards the river that gushed through the gully below. Miles and Alice held their breath, unable to scream, helpless and stiff with terror. Being so tightly packed into the trunk helped brace their bodies against much of the impact, but it was still the most terrifying white-knuckle ride they‘d ever experienced!

This isn't doing my stomach any good at all Miles thought to himself, as the hollow log continued to roll faster and faster downhill, stopping only when eventually, it hit the river with a tremendous splash. Instead of being spun head over heels, the children now felt themselves being thrust from side to side as the current swept them along. Miles could hear Alice hyperventilating and instinctively reached out a hand. It's alright now, he said. At least they were safe from the men who, convinced their prey were still hiding in the wood, found sticks to probe the foliage inch by inch. Sometime later, Griswold had another bright idea. Set fire to the place! he yelled. We'll smoke the beggars out! But by this time, Miles and Alice were speeding down the river.

CHAPTER 4

At last, the voyage came to an abrupt halt when an overhanging oak tree caught them in its branches. Just as well, because another few metres and they'd have shot over a waterfall, which plunged dramatically into a treacherous gorge.

I think we can get out now, said Miles.

Speak for yourself replied Alice. It’s all very well for you, but I can't feel my legs! Even so, they managed to uncurl themselves from the trunk and waded stiffly through the freezing water to the bank.

Where are we? asked Miles as he looked around him. The river had widened dramatically, and both sides were generously fringed with trees.  As their fear subsided and the blood began to circulate again through bruised and battered limbs, they both started shivering.  

We'd better get dry suggested Alice, ever practical, and they started hunting for twigs and anything else they could use to light a fire. Miles took out the flint Uncle Jeff had given him and tried to create a spark. He tried and tried and tried again. Eventually, after several attempts, Alice rifled in her pocket and produced a cigarette lighter.

I didn't know you smoked! cried Miles, shocked.

I don't, Silly Alice replied. Nasty, disgusting vice! I won this playing poker.

To their relief it worked and soon the fire was crackling brightly - so brightly and greedily, in fact, they had quite a job finding enough fuel to keep it going. This activity, if truth were told, probably kept them warmer than the fire did, but at least it stopped them dwelling on their problems. Before long, Miles managed to find a couple of good-sized logs, which burnt more slowly, allowing them to relax for a while and enjoy the warmth. They sat huddled together in stunned silence as each tried to understand the awful events of the day.

THAT began Alice, was quite definitely THE worst, most embarrassing thing that's ever, ever happened to me! What DO you look like, Miles!

As it happened, Miles was not dressed in the best possible taste. His yellow T was stained with last night’s gravy and his jeans were an inch too short.

I'm sorry, Alice, he said, affecting the most sarcastic tone he could muster, but when you've like a billion evil people running after you and kidnapping your family, you don't stop to think what to wear for the occasion!  

Who were those men, anyway? said Alice. And what do they want with us?

Well, I'll tell you all I know, her brother replied. But, first of all, I'm going to have something to eat. I'm starving! He rooted in his back pocket and took out a mouldy piece of pepperoni pizza left over from his last takeaway. He hadn’t had room for it but could never say ‘No’. Want some? Alice winced and shook her head.

Suit yourself, he shrugged and, spurred on by a few fierce digs in the ribs, gave Alice a basic rundown of events since Uncle Jeff's last visit.

So, what do we do now? said Alice. Miles frowned and they both fell silent again, their spirits sinking. Neither had a clue. The fire's going out Alice remarked gloomily.

Then Miles had an idea. I know! he cried and leapt to his feet. Alice glanced up at him hopefully. We can strip the bark from the trees! That'll save us having to go off looking for logs again.

Is that the best you can think of? snapped Alice. But Miles was too busy to listen. He opened his Swiss army knife which Uncle Jeff had given him and began hacking into a nearby tree when......

There was a spine-chilling, piercing, blood-curdling scream!

The children shook with renewed terror. What's that? cried Alice.

It's ME! came a booming disembodied voice I'm bleeding!

Who are you? yelled Miles.

I'm Larch was the answer, and a man's head suddenly appeared from the high branches of the tree which Miles had started to strip. When you cut me with a knife, I scream! 

I'm Beech another head popped down from the tree, and if you steal my bark, I'll die!

And I'm Horse said yet another head and if you hurt me, I will whinny and kick and bite you - hard!

All at once, dozens of people started jumping out from all over the place; down from the trees and out from the enormous ferns that fringed the forest. At first, it was almost impossible to distinguish men from the women, as they all sported beads and smocks and dreadlocks, and their faces were smeared with greeny-brown gunge. If they didn’t look alarming enough, their makeshift clothes, dyed to blend into their surroundings, were decorated with assorted leaves and feathers.

I didn't mean any harm! cried Miles I'd never hurt a tree on purpose! Honestly I wouldn't

Beech bent over him menacingly, his face contorted with rage and his breath foul. "The trouble with you townies, you never think! You just don't care about the environment, do you! Well? Do you?"

Of course he doesn't! yelled another of his friends they're all alike. They don't deserve this beautiful planet.

Stung by their rebukes, Miles’ chin began to quiver. So far, he’d managed to stay calm, but now he was being told off for harming a tree and he couldn't take any more. Had he not been so upset, he'd have been shocked at Alice who actually put her arm around him protectively. Leave him alone! she said, He's just a kid!

Beech snorted, Small rats grow into big rats, along with every other kind of vermin! And if you ever take a knife to one of my brothers again.... Beech pulled out his own knife, a huge Bowie with a shining blade.

Beech put that away! Can't you see the lad's scared? It was a young woman who spoke. With her pierced nostrils and half-head, she looked quite fierce, like an Amazon, but her voice was gentle, and there was genuine kindness in her olive-green eyes. I'm Laurel she said, What's your name, lad?

Miles, he replied. And I’m NOT scared! Laurel knew better and glared at Beech angrily. You should be ashamed of yourself, a grown man like you! We'll take them back to the village. They'll be safe there.

But if the police are after them......?

Laurel waived him aside. Well, I’m not going to grass them up. And anyway, those men don't sound like fuzz to me.

"How do you know about the men? asked Miles. Are you psychic?"

Laurel laughed. Some might say so. But no…. I was listening from the tree. We were there all the time and you never guessed, did you? Come on, we'll take you back to our village and get you some dry clothes. 

Alice glanced sideways at Laurel's outfit and prayed she wouldn't have to wear anything of hers. I'd rather die! she thought, and immediately felt guilty for her lack of gratitude.   

Just a minute! said Beech gruffly. How do we know we can trust them?

This time, it was Larch who answered. Come off it, Beech. You’re too suspicious by half. After all, they’re just kids.

Well, I reckon we should blindfold them, said Beech Isn't that our rule? Well! Isn't it?

The others groaned, but Beech insisted, and Laurel agreed to abide by the rules. So, the cold, frightened young Hadwins had scarves tied round their eyes before being half carried, half led to the tree people's village. Although unable to see, Miles tried to keep track of their journey by using his other senses, just as Uncle Jeff once taught him, and he noticed the ferns become particularly dense around his knees. Start crawling! hissed Beech, and Miles was pushed into a large rabbit hole, which smelled humid and dank. He heard Alice squeal with horror, as she realised they were underground. 

Don’t worry, soothed Laurel. There’s nothing here to harm you. I come through here every day. But Alice wouldn’t be consoled. I’ll ruin my nails! she cried, much to the amusement of the tree people, and it was a wretched girl who finally emerged from the tunnel with at least three chipped talons. But at least the path was easier from now on. 

In all, the village lay about a mile from the river; an area nestled deep into the forest where a variety of trees had been adapted for human habitation. When the blindfolds were removed, Alice and Miles saw nothing out of the ordinary at first, but there were people actually living in the trees, their tiny huts, painted various shades of green to blend into the foliage, accessible only by ropes. A series of nets connected each tree to its neighbour, and these too were completely camouflaged. Only the sound of muffled conversation and the sight of people climbing up and down their homemade rope ladders gave away the village's existence.

Strange thought Miles, I thought I knew every inch of this forest, but I’ve never seen this before.

Laurel, who obviously commanded respect from her fellow tree dwellers, led Miles and Alice to the foot of a beautiful oak and started cooing like a dove. That's my signal, she smiled and, almost immediately, a rope ladder appeared from the high branches above. Are you okay with heights? she asked. Her guests nodded and were ushered up the ladder.

Inside, Laurel's tree house was surprisingly comfortable. There was a squashy rose-coloured settee, a highly polished table, a matching cupboard, a small fridge, and a camper's stove. In one corner, Laurel even had a makeshift shower concocted from a spray nozzle, a length of hose, and a large bucket, and this was supplied by a large rain butt fastened securely to the trunk of the tree a few metres up above her dwelling. Soft voile curtains, richly coloured throws and a luxurious Chinese rug gave Laurel's home a hint of glamour, which impressed Alice no end, while skilfully placed mirrors created a sense of space.

This is so-o-o-o-o cool! Alice declared.  

Miles was equally awed. I've always wanted to live in a tree house! And then his stomach rumbled, embarrassingly loudly.

You must be hungry, said Laurel, and she pulled out a packet of vegeburgers from her makeshift fridge. You can sleep here tonight, she said, and I'll make you something nice to eat. It seemed strange to watch this strange, war-like person opening tins and frying burgers, but oh, how good it was to have a proper cooked meal again! Nothing had ever tasted so delicious. Laurel smiled as the children tucked into their food.

Have you always lived here? asked Miles between mouthfuls.

No, Laurel replied. I was brought up in an ordinary house like you.

You must have been very unhappy. Miles remarked.

Actually, I had the happiest childhood ever, said Laurel. But then something happened and..... Briefly, her face darkened with sad memories. Let's just say I needed a haven. And where better to find one than in a forest!? she exclaimed.

Are you an outlaw? asked Miles. Alice kicked him in the shin. Of course, she isn't! she said crossly.

"We’re outlaws Miles announced. We’ve got secret services after us!" and he felt quite proud of the fact.

Well, someone seems to be after you, said Laurel. And you've no idea why? Laurel handed him a cup of hot steaming tea.

It's something to do with my parents. Something they did when they were young. And then there's this man called Elymas who hates them because they might know things, or something of the sort, I don’t really know, but then, grown-ups never tell children anything important, just let them get dragged off into who knows where by who knows what… His voice trailed off when he realised that somewhere along the line, Laurel had stopped listening. The young woman was standing, cup in hand, frozen like a statue, eyes wild with fear and her face blanched the colour of chalk.

Did you say Elymas?

That name again. Why did it trigger such strange reactions? 

Do you know him? asked Miles.

No. At least, not personally, thank God! Laurel replied. She paused and stared intently at her guests. You two are in terrible danger!

Miles and Alice looked at each other, anxiety rising once more.

Laurel went to the window and cooed again, this time with more urgency. Within minutes, Larch, Beech and Horse arrived, swinging in from neighbouring trees.

What's up? they asked in unison.

Laurel regarded them steadily. Summon the village! she cried. We need a council.

The council was a rare event for the tree people, only called in dire emergencies. A council? gasped Beech. That’s a bit drastic, isn’t it; a full council for two snotty kids? We didn’t even call one when Roots got nicked that time when…

Beech! This is an emergency! Please, just do as I ask!  Beech and his cronies disappeared down the rope ladder, muttering under their breath and Laurel turned to Miles and Alice. Don’t worry, she said, No-one’s going to hurt you. We won’t let them hurt you. If Miles had been somewhat alarmed earlier, Laurel’s trembling attempt to stay calm really freaked him out and her constant ‘Don’t worrys’ didn’t do much to reassure him either.

An hour later, the whole village was congregated, everyone sitting cross-legged round a huge fire which Beech, Larch and Horse had built with dead wood and peat. It smoked horribly and stunk even worse. Miles was staggered to see how many of the villagers there actually were – at least a hundred people, all living in total invisibility from the outside world. Normally, they’d be strumming homemade fiddles and guitars, relaxing with mugs of gooseberry wine and mead made from honey as they chatted happily about the day’s events. But now there was tension in the air, and they waited in silence until Laurel began to speak.

First of all, let me introduce you. This is Miles Hadwin and his sister Alice who have just survived a horrible and traumatic experience. Their parents have been arrested on a trumped-up charge and no one knows where they are or who’s taken them. We DO know that their younger brother has also abducted – and, he’s just 11 years old so must be feeling very scared right now.

Yeah, well what are WE supposed to do about it? Beech said. He bit into an apple, apparently unmoved by the Hadwins’ plight.

Yes, what's it to us? Horse echoed. It wasn’t that he didn’t care, but he enjoyed the peace of the forest and was loath to get involved with outsiders.

Oh, come on! replied Laurel. "Think about it! Why are we here? We're dropouts, hippies, crusties, whatever people like to call us - but we're all united in this respect.