Free Magic Bunny: Dancing Days by Sue Bentley Page B

the floor with her long legs outstretched.
    ‘What just happened?’ She felt like pinching herself to see if she was dreaming.
    ‘I hope you are not hurt?’ asked a little voice from across the changing room.

Chapter
TWO
    Sara looked around and saw a tiny fluffy black-and-white bunny crouching on top of the nearest bench. It had big chocolate-brown eyes and they seemed to be twinkling with tiny rainbows. Sara’s eyes widened as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. She must be more shaken up by her fall than she thought. She was imagining the oddest things!

    Sara watched as the cute bunny hopped closer towards her – it was definitely real. But there was no way it could have spoken to her!
    ‘How did you get in here?’ she thought aloud. ‘I wonder if you belong to someone from the dance class?’
    ‘I do not belong to anyone,’ the bunny told her. ‘I had just arrived here when I saw you fall, so I used my magic to stop you hurting yourself. I am sorry if I startled you.’
    Sara did a double take. ‘You … you really can talk!’ she blurted out.
    The bunny blinked at her. Despite its tiny size it didn’t seem to be afraid of her.
    Sara noticed that it wore a tiny gold key on a chain round its neck.
    ‘All the rabbits in my warren can talk. I am Arrow, guardian of Moonglow Meadow and keeper of the key that keeps our meadow lush and green,’ the bunny said, lifting his fluffy little head proudly. ‘May I know your name?’
    ‘S-Sara. Sara Penfold. I just … um … called in here to … erm … pick up some of my stuff,’ she stammered. Her mind was still whirling. She couldn’t believe this was happening, but she didn’t want to scare this amazing bunny away. ‘Thanks for saving me from hurting myself. I could have made my bad ankle even worse.’
    ‘You are welcome!’ Arrow bowed his head. ‘I am honoured to meet you, Sara.’
    ‘Um … me too.’ She dipped her head, feeling a bit strange at being so formal while still sitting on the floor with only one trainer on and a heavily bandaged ankle.
    Arrow twitched his long floppy ears and his face took on a serious look. ‘I need somewhere to hide, and quickly.’
    ‘Why do you need to do that?’ Sara asked. ‘Is someone after you?’
    The black-and-white bunny’s brown eyes flashed with sadness and anger.
    ‘Yes. I am in hiding from our neighbours, who are fierce dark rabbits. Their land is dry and stony, but they refuse to share our meadow with us. They want to steal the key and use it to make their own land green again. If they do this, Moonglow Meadow will become a desert.’
    ‘Oh no! That would be terrible!’ Sara exclaimed.
    ‘Yes, it would. That is why Strike, our leader, sent me here to keep the magic key safe.’
    Sara frowned, puzzled. ‘Is Moonglow Meadow near here then – behind the community college?’
    The tiny bunny shook his head. ‘It is far away. In another world.’
    Sara felt her curiosity taking over from her shock. Arrow’s homeland sounded so strange and wonderful! ‘No offence, but you’re very tiny for such an important mission,’ she said gently.
    Rainbows gleamed more brightly in Arrow’s dewy brown eyes. ‘Please stay there,’ he ordered, rising up on to his back legs.
    Sara felt another warm prickling sensation down her spine as the key round his neck began flashing and a cloud of shimmering crystal dust appeared. It swirled round Arrow like a miniature whirlwind, and when it cleared, Sara saw that the cute black-and-white bunny had disappeared. In his place stood the most beautiful and impressive rabbit she had ever seen. It was the size of a large cat and had silky pure-white fur, flecked with silver. The tips of its large ears looked as if they’d been dipped in silver glitter and its glowing chocolate-brown eyes flashed with jewel-bright rainbows.

    ‘Arrow?’ Sara gasped in wonderment.
    ‘Yes, it is still me, Sara,’ Arrow said in a smooth velvety voice.
    Before she had time to