Free Werewolf versus Dragon by David Sinden

pit.
    â€œBlimey,” Orson said. He stepped over to the edge and looked down. “That’s a Ring of Horrors, all right. Those stakes will stop anything escaping.”
    â€œIt looks like someone’s been here recently,” the Inspector told him, examining a footprint in the mud at the edge of the pit. “Get the apples, ropes, and chains, Mr. Orson. They could be back any minute.”
    While Inspector Black examined the footprints, Orson unloaded everything from the back of the truck.
    â€œWhat do you want me to do with all this?” Orson asked.
    â€œRescue the beast, of course. The ropes and chains are to secure the dragon. The apples, Mr. Orson, are for you—in case you get hungry. I need you to stay here and keep watch.”
    â€œWhat are you going to do?”
    From inside his coat, Inspector Black pulled out the bundle of papers that Dr. Fielding had given him.
    â€œI’m going to check out these criminals.”
    He got back into his truck. “Remember. Stay alert in case the beast hunter comes.” He started the engine. “We’ll catch him, Mr. Orson.”
    Inspector Black gave a thumbs-up, then drove the truck out of the clearing.
    â€œRight you are,” Orson called after him.
    The giant placed the kit and the barrels at the edge of the clearing, then paced around the pit. He stepped slowly, glancing from side to side, looking out for criminals or dragons. The clearing was surrounded by tall trees. He peered through the branches into the shadows.
    Around and around he went. And each time he circled the pit, he looked across at the two barrels and sniffed. He could smell the apples.
    He stepped over to a barrel, reached in, and took out two handfuls of apples, then popped them into his mouth. They tasted delicious.
    He glanced around at the bushes and trees.
    There was no sign of anyone.
    The woods were quiet.
    It was tough keeping watch. There weren’t any beasts to rescue. In fact, there wasn’t really very much at all to do. Except eat.
    Orson sat down on the ground with the two barrels on either side of him. He dug in, eating handful after handful of apples. They tasted sweet and juicy.
    He scarfed two or three at a time, apple juice running down his chin.
    â€œMmmm, lovely apples,” he muttered.
    In no time at all, the barrels were empty and the giant’s belly was full.
    Orson leaned against a tree and stretched out his legs. As he kept watch, his eyes began to feel heavy.
    He yawned. Soon he was snoring.
    Just then, in the bushes, something moved.
    Blud crept out wearing a gas mask. On his back was a cylinder of tranquilizer gas. While Orsonsnored, Blud pointed the tube under the giant’s nose and sprayed the gas.
    The giant slumped to the ground.
    Blud pulled off the gas mask. “Tie him up!” he called.
    Bone stepped out from the bushes and picked up the ropes and chains beside Orson. He started wrapping them tightly around the giant’s legs. He wrapped Orson’s arms and tied his hands behind his back, locking them with the padlock.
    Blud ran off through the trees as Bone wrapped the rope around the giant’s head, gagging his mouth.
    There was the sound of an engine as a yellow crane trundled noisily into the clearing. Its caterpillar tracks squashed the bushes and trees in its path. Blud was sitting in the cab pulling levers. Attached to the arm of the crane was a long steel cable with a hook on its end. The crane belched smoke as Blud swung its arm above Orson.
    Bone steadied the hook. As the hook lowered, he attached it to the ropes and chains around Orson’s ankles.

    â€œUp you go,” Bone said.
    Blud pulled the levers in the crane, and Orson lifted up off the ground, hanging upside down. He was as tall as the trees, swinging from side to side, and fast asleep.
    â€œLet’s get out of here,” Bone called. He climbed up to the back of the cab behind Blud, and the crane drove into the woods,