Free The Mysterious Abductions by Tracey Hecht

Coach! As you wish!” Jerry’s distinct, timid voice bounced off the stone walls. The jerboa entered the room. “I’ll b-b-be right back, just one—” At the sight of the familiar creatures, he froze. Then he spun toward the entrance to flee.
    But Ciro was already blocking the way. Jerry was trapped.

Chapter Twenty
    NEW RECRUITS

    â€œD -d-don’t eat me,” pleaded Jerry in a whisper. His large ears flopped over his face. “I didn’t d-do anything wrong!”
    â€œWe don’t have much time,” said the fox. She towered over the tiny jerboa. “Tell us what you know. Where are they?”
    â€œThey’re all here! You’ve got to believe me! I had no ch-choice!”
    â€œJerry,” said Dawn, “I don’t want to lose my temper.”
    But the jerboa kept on. “I s-swear, I’m b-b-barely involved! The jerboas just sweep the floor during breaks with our tails.” We don’t even play!”
    â€œPlay what, exactly?” asked Dawn.
    â€œThe game,” Jerry said. “Y-you know, with the team.”
    â€œWhat sort of game?” Ciro asked. His voice was tinged with impatience. “Stop talking in circles.”
    Glancing over his shoulder, Jerry eyed the coyote and gulped. “Oh, well, it’s h-h-hard to explain….”
    Dawn extended her claws and took a slow step toward the jerboa.
    â€œR-r-right,” Jerry stammered. “The game. It’s the one with the sticks. I mean, birds! Beaks! You know, you hit the spider and try to score.”
    The animals exchanged confused looks. They had never heard of such a game.
    â€œWhose idea is this?” Ciro asked.
    â€œYes,” pressed the fox. “Who is this ‘Coach’ you were talking to?”
    Suddenly, the jerboa’s ears stood on end.
    Boom, boom, boom.
    Heavy footsteps.
    â€œOh d-d-dear.” Jerry crouched into a ball. “It’s him!”
    Dawn searched the room for a place to hide, but it was too late.
    â€œWell, well, well.” A deep baritone voice thrummed from the shadows. “What do we have here?”
    Suddenly, the footsteps multiplied.
    Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom.
    â€œOh goodness!” Tobin gasped.
    A giant crocodile thundered into the room. His body, at least ten feet long, was covered in mud-colored scales. Two rows of jagged spikes ran down his back. He was flanked by five smaller crocs.
    â€œC-Coach Boris!” said the jerboa. “Please, d-d-don’t hurt my family! I don’t know how these intruders got in here!”
    Ignoring Jerry, Boris eyed the newcomers. Then he leaned back his head and cackled, exposing his long curved teeth. His five followers did the same.
    â€œOh, little Jerry.” The croc thumped his long tail on the ground. “No need to fret. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
    Jerry gazed up at the reptile. “I… I haven’t?”
    â€œOn the contrary,” said Boris, “I’m quite pleased.”
    â€œYou… y-you are?”
    Boris walked up to Tobin, sticking his pointedsnout in the pangolin’s face.
    â€œA natural armor. Most interesting.” He ran a claw down the side of Tobin’s shuddering scales. “Might be useful on defense.”
    He turned his head to Cora. She was clenching her paws, trying her best not to quiver noticeably.
    â€œAnother wombat, huh? I hope you’re better than the other one I have. He’s worthless.”
    Ciro was the next in line. He peeled back his lips and snarled as the crocodile approached. Boris leaned his head back for a short, sharp laugh.
    â€œHa! You can always trust a coyote to bring that scrappy fighting spirit! I can tell you will do quite well here.”
    Finally, the croc made his way over to Dawn.
    â€œNow, this is promising. A fox! And an excellent specimen, at that: strong, slender, and sturdy. Perhaps the perfect build for an offensive player!”
    As Boris