Roughly an hour before dawn, Flop awoke with a start but wasn’t sure why. Groaning, he scratched his ears and reflexively grabbed his taptak to check the time.
He was surprised to see a message from Uncle Nabin.
Why was he texting him now? Nabin was out hunting and wasn’t expected back for another week. Shrugging, Flop tapped the message open and noted the send time.
Then he read the text, and his eyes widened.
"Molly, wake up!" Flop hissed, gently shaking his wife’s shoulder.
"What? Flop! What’s going on? What time is…"
She trailed off when she saw the look on his face.
"What do you need me to do?" she said, trying to keep the tremble out of her voice.
"Wake the boys and Hazel quietly and take them to the playroom." Flop whispered. "Tell them you’re going to play a special game, whatever it takes to keep them occupied. We’ll let B.B. sleep for now."
He opened the master closet and slid a recessed panel open to reveal a hidden compartment.
Looking over his shoulder, he added, "Wake Breck and tell him I need him."
Molly nodded and left the room.
Flop pulled two rifles and several boxes of shells from the hidden compartment. He checked the sights and made sure both weapons were loaded.
Breck shuffled into the room and was about to speak when Flop held a paw in the air, shook his head, and waved Breck over to him.
Breck looked questioningly at his friend. Flop extended one of the rifles toward him and mouthed one word.
"Ravog."
Breck gulped and took the rifle.
Great suspense and tension! I don’t know what a Ravog is yet, but the danger it brings is clear and palpable. Beautifully done!