“I don’t know what you’re talking about Billy, but can you take me to your parents?”

“Not now, my dad will still be drunk.”

“Did he leave you here alone?” She could feel the anger rising in her face.

“You’re more lost than I thought, and no, my dad did not leave me here.”

“Then why are you here all alone?”

“I just don’t like it when he’s drunk.” He looked down into the fire. “Why were you running through the bush in the middle of the night?”

“Because…” Mary shuddered. “a Bobbejaan attacked us.”

Billy’s head snapped back to look at her. “Did it have long claws?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did it have huge Saber Tooth fangs.”

“I didn’t do an up close and personal inspection.”

“Okay.” Billy looked half un-interested. “So what did you see then?”

“Nothing.”

“Weren’t you running from the Bobbejaan?”

“Yes. When can we go to your parents?”

“But you didn’t see it?”

“Yes I ran, but didn’t see it.”

“Interesting.” Billy scratched in the fire with a stick.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“And do stay away from the berries.’’ He looked half behind her.

“Who’s there?” She whispered to him.

“The berries.” He whispered back.

“Berries?”

“Yes.”

“So why are you whispering?”

“You were whispering, Mary.”

“Cause I thought you heard something behind me?”

***

Tell us: Do you think Mary should stay with Billy?