Gorilla City Read online

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  Charlie Small’s journal was found washed up on the banks of the river Wyre, at Skippool in Lancashire, England. No one is sure where it came from or how old it may be. The address listed inside no longer exists, so if you have any information as to the whereabouts of Charlie Small, please contact the publishers.

  My Adventures Begin

  Such a lot has happened since lunchtime! It’s now midnight and I’m camped in the middle of a vast and windswept plain, many miles from home. I’d been looking for adventure—and I’ve found it. More adventure than I could have possibly imagined!

  It all started this afternoon. There was a huge storm last night and it was still raining really hard when I woke up, so I’d stayed indoors playing computer games. I’d finally beaten the big boss on level six when Mum came into my room.

  ‘I can’t believe you’re still playing that stupid game, Charlie,’ she sighed. ‘It stopped raining ages ago. Why don’t you go to the park? I’m sure some of your friends will be there.’

  ‘I don’t want to go to the park,’ I said, pulling a face and striking the console with a rapid rat-a-tat-tat.

  ‘You need some fresh air,’ Mum insisted.

  ‘But if I can just finish this next level, I’ll beat my best score,’ I protested.

  Just then—and I have no idea what caused it—the computer crackled and a tiny spark of electricity ran a ragged path right across the picture. The game froze and the screen faded to black.

  ‘No way!’ I moaned. ‘What was that?’

  I tried rebooting the computer, but the game wouldn’t restart. ‘Oh, brilliant.’ I scowled. ‘It’s broken! What am I supposed to do now?’

  ‘Well,’ said Mum, ‘seeing as the computer is off and you don’t want to go to the park, how about making yourself useful by tidying your room?’

  I looked around at the huge piles of stuff on my floor and gulped. Suddenly going outside didn’t seem like such a bad idea.

  ‘Can’t I go exploring, Mum?’ I asked. ‘If I promise to tidy my room later?’

  Mum pursed her lips.

  ‘I could try out that raft Dad helped me build …’

  She put her hands on her hips.

  ‘And you did say I needed some fresh air,’ I pointed out.

  ‘Oh, all right,’ said Mum, heading downstairs with a sigh. ‘Just don’t be late for tea.’

  Brilliant! I rummaged under my bed for my rucksack. I always took it out with me if I was going exploring, and kept it packed full of things that might come in handy. Dragging it out, I checked to make sure they were all there:

  1) My penknife (Mum would kill me if she knew about this!)

  2) A ball of string

  3) A water bottle (full)

  4) A big bag of Paterchak’s mint humbugs (the stripy kind)

  5) A telescope

  6) My pyjamas (in case I ever have to camp out overnight!)

  7) A scarf

  8) An old railway ticket

  9) This old notebook (to write up my adventures in)

  10) My mobile phone and wind-up charger

  11) A pack of wild animal collector’s cards. They are full of very scary facts, and could be useful to an explorer

  12) A glue pen (to stick any interesting finds in my book)

  I swung the rucksack onto my back, threw my leg over the banister and slid down into the hall.

  I’d just grabbed my coat and was running for the door when my nose caught the smell of freshly baked cakes wafting from the kitchen. I couldn’t resist sneaking back to steal one off the tray.

  ‘See you later, Mum,’ I yelled, dodging past her and racing for the back door.

  But if I’d known then what I know now, I would have grabbed the whole tray of cakes. Because something tells me I won’t be tasting Mum’s delicious cooking again for a very long time.

  But hold on! I’m getting ahead of myself! If this is to be a proper explorer’s diary, I need to tell things in the right order. And that means I can’t write about yet. (I want this to surprise you as much as it surprised me!) I need to explain how I got here, and why I don’t think I’ll be tasting any more of Mum’s cakes any time soon …

  I ran down the path to the bottom of our garden, pushed past the weeds at the side of the shed and stepped up onto the bank of the stream. I untied my raft, used the wooden oar to push my way through the reeds that grew thick from the bank and began to paddle downstream. There was no one else around, but I didn’t mind. I’d decided to see if I could make it all the way to the main river.

  Up A Creek!

  I soon realized that finding my way wasn’t going to be easy. The stream was so full of rain from the thunderstorm that it had burst its banks. Muddy water was swirling through the reeds and tree roots at the bottom of next door’s garden, and the waste-ground on the far bank was all flooded.

  My little raft was soon bouncing about in the swirls and eddies, and twice I had to lean hard on my paddle so I wouldn’t be tipped overboard. I was concentrating so hard I didn’t notice that storm clouds were gathering in the sky once again.

  It was then that things really started to happen …

  There was a sudden rumble of thunder and the heavens opened. The rain came pouring down and I was soaked in seconds. The stream began churning with froth, and before I could paddle for the bank my raft was swept along in a surge of floodwater!

  It was pointless trying to paddle, so I raised the oar out of the water and WHAM! a huge bolt of lightning shot from the clouds. It flashed down onto the end of my upraised paddle and sent a judder dancing right through my body. Whoa! My limbs kicked and tingled with energy and then I was slammed down onto the raft as the fork of brilliant light passed right through me, fizzing and cracking along the stream until it disappeared from view.

  I lay still for a moment as the raft spun in crazy circles; then I sat up very carefully, heart racing, and quickly inspected myself for damage. Amazingly, I seemed to be completely unharmed!

  I was just struggling to my feet when I heard a thick buzzing noise like a muffled chain saw. I turned my head and WHOOSH! a huge dragonfly, much bigger than any I’d ever seen before, swooped past my nose and flew off across the reeds. I was so surprised I almost toppled into the water!

  It was gone in a flash of emerald green, and I didn’t really get a good look. But I knew it’s had been massive, maybe even as big as a crow. If I’d remembered to pack my net, I might have caught it. But a net was one of the explorer things that I hadn’t brought with me.

  I was a bit disappointed. I thought I’d missed out on the chance of making an important scientific discovery. Little did I know what was waiting just round the corner!

  Don’t forget net next time!

  Into A Tunnel

  As I was swept around a curve in the stream, I expected to see the main river somewhere up ahead. Instead, I saw that the banks were now lined with tall trees that arched over the water, creating a long dark tunnel. I paddled furiously, trying to slow down, but the current was too strong and I was sucked into the tunnel mouth.

  My raft raced along, the foliage grew thicker and the tunnel got darker … and darker … and darker.

  It was very quiet beneath the trees, and the only sounds I could hear were drops of water plopping into the creek, the quiet swish of my paddle as I tried to keep the boat steady and—

  Suddenly twigs cracked somewhere in the undergrowth and a strange cry came from the trees. I looked up in alarm and SMACK—an enormous cobweb caught me full in the face! It wrapped itself around my head, covering my eyes and filling my open mouth. It was as strong as cotton-thread and I had to tear at it with both hands to rip myself free.

  Something dropped onto my shoulder and scuttled down my
back. Ugh! I couldn’t bear to look, but shook myself wildly until I heard whatever it was plop into the water behind me.

  I sat back, panting hard, my heartbeat sounding loud amid the silence of the trees. This adventuring business was starting to get more than a little bit scary!

  Part of me thought that perhaps I’d had enough exploring for one day, and that now was probably a very good time to go home. But what kind of an explorer would I be then? If every famous adventurer had run for home as soon as they’d got a fright, then nothing would ever have been discovered! No, I thought. A proper explorer would carry on—even if there were strange things lurking in the trees overhead.

  The current was too strong for me to stop my raft anyway. And even if I could have slowed down, there was nowhere to climb out onto the bank. The sides of the stream were covered in a mass of thorny roots. I had to go on!

  The entrance to the tunnel had now disappeared and I was in almost total darkness. I ducked low on my raft in case there were more cobwebs up ahead, and felt the stream twisting and turning as the current pulled me onwards. Pretty soon I had no idea which way was home.

  ‘Don’t panic,’ I muttered to myself, starting to panic. ‘Don’t—Whoa!’

  Something nudged my raft, something huge, and I heard the slap of a tail on water. I paddled hard and fast, my heart pounding against my chest, and then, finally, I saw a pinprick of light in the distance. It looked like the end of the tunnel at last!

  But just as I thought I might make it safely out at the other end, CRUMP! My raft was lifted out of the water and I toppled backwards, splashing into the river!

  Danger From The Deep!

  I sank in a cascade of bubbles, thrashing about in a blind panic. Through the churning water I glimpsed a cold black eye, then a row of teeth like chips of flint.

  What was it?

  Then, as I surfaced, I saw something rise near the far bank, and I knew: a CROCODILE!

  But that was crazy! What was a crocodile doing in our local stream?

  Now wasn’t the time to wonder—the monster was speeding straight towards me, mouth wide open. Then, just as it closed in to strike, my raft drifted between us.

  The crocodile took a huge bite, shaking the boat furiously until the ropes snapped and the logs splintered. Then it rolled, readying itself for another attack, and as its tail whipped past me, I grabbed hold, and hung on for dear life.

  The croc started thrashing wildly, winding me and making me gasp. Then WHOOSH, we were away on a roller coaster ride, ploughing through the water and throwing up a huge fan of spray!

  The crocodile twisted and turned, snapping at me as I clung desperately on. At one point I thought it was all over as the beast whipped round and slammed its mighty jaws shut. A powerful tug at my back nearly plucked me from my perch on its tail, and for one horrible moment I expected its rows of splintered teeth to slice into me. But then I realized that the beast had bitten into the rucksack on my back!

  The enraged crocodile let go but continued to spin and spiral, leaping from the river and then diving into its murky depths. Somehow I managed to hold on and crawl up its gnarled back, gripping its scaly body with my hands and knees like a bucking bronco rider.

  I held on for dear life as we sped towards daylight, the sides of the tunnel passing in a blur of greens and yellows. I was starting to tire and felt my hold on the crocodile’s back slipping. But I knew that if I let go I would be instant fast food. I had to do something.

  Reaching over my shoulder with one hand, I felt around in my rucksack until I found the ball of string I had packed as part of my explorer’s kit. Gripping the crocodile with my legs, I managed to make a slipknot at one end of the string. Then, ever so slowly, I edged my way up its long, slippery back, pushing myself forward until I was astride its head.

  This was it. I knew I only had one chance. Any slipup and I would drop straight into the croc’s deadly jaws. As we raced out of the tunnel into dazzling sunlight, I lunged forward and passed the loop of the string around its snout and pulled with all my might. The knot slipped up the string and drew the loop tight around the croc’s jaws. Now it couldn’t bite and all I had to do was wait for it to tire.

  I was still congratulating myself when we shot straight out into midair, like a bullet from a gun. The river had come to a sudden halt in a high, roaring waterfall!

  Far From Home

  Down, down I dropped, still astride the crocodile’s back.

  Through billows of spray and down through the coloured arc of a rainbow, until THWACK! we hit the water and I was knocked clear of the reptile and sank in a roar of foam.

  Buffeted and battered like a rag in a washing machine, I kicked for the surface, praying that my loop of string would hold tight around the crocodile’s snout.

  I broke through the surface, and looked desperately around until I spotted the great beast. It was floating stunned and winded on the other side of the wide lake that pooled at the base of the falls. The string was still tied firmly around its mouth.

  I swam for the shore and clambered out, shaking with exhaustion, and carefully edged near to where the crocodile flopped pathetically in the shallows. Then, quick as I could, I yanked at the string and freed the croc from its muzzle.

  It drifted away, tired and defeated.

  Panting, I reached round to put the ball of string back in my rucksack. My hand brushed against something sharp. It was one of the crocodile’s teeth, wedged into the buckle! I pulled it out. The tooth was razor sharp, serrated like a steak knife and as big as my hand. Fantastic!

  I wrapped the tooth in some leaves and pushed it right to the bottom of my rucksack. I couldn’t wait to show everyone at school. It was undeniable proof that I’d wrestled a croc and lived to tell the tale!

  But then, as I looked around to get my bearings, I began to wonder if I’d ever be going to school again. Because I could see immediately that absolutely EVERYTHING had changed!

  The waterfall had tumbled me down over three hundred metres of sheer cliff, and there was no way I could climb back up. And I couldn’t see any paths leading away from the lake either. It was surrounded by trees that grew in a tangle right up to the water’s edge. Trees so tall and thick and vine-covered that they looked suspiciously like a jungle. A dark, steamy jungle!

  As the air echoed to the sounds of unfamiliar birds and animals, I wondered if I had dropped into some sort of incredible theme park. But that was crazy. I was pretty sure I’d have heard if a new one was going to open anywhere near my house. So where on earth was I?

  I was in a tight spot, that’s where I was!

  I looked back up the huge cliff-face and decided I should probably let Mum know that I might be a bit late for tea. Rummaging in my rucksack, I found my mobile and dialled. Amazingly, I managed to get a signal.

  ‘Mum!’ I cried when she answered the phone.

  ‘Oh, hello, darling, is everything all right?’

  ‘Yeah, it’s brilliant! But Mum, I’ve discovered this weird river and I seem to have toppled over a waterfall into a deep valley.’

  ‘Sounds wonderful, dear,’ she replied. ‘Oh, wait a minute, Charlie. Here’s your dad just come in. Now remember, don’t be late for tea, and if you’re passing the shops on the way back, please pick up a pint of milk. Bye.’

  ‘Hold on a minute, Mum—’ I began. But she had already hung up.

  Never mind, I thought, returning my phone to the bottom of my bag. I could tell her everything when I got home. I eyed the heavy undergrowth. Whenever that might be.

  Into The Jungle

  I set off through the tangle of trees and bushes and was soon covered in scratches and bruises. My trainers were full of mud and water, but I didn’t care. What are a few scratches to a bold adventurer? Would Neil Armstrong have abandoned his moon mission just because he’d scuffed his best shoes? I don’t think so!

  I pushed bravely onwards, keeping my eyes peeled all the time. The jungle air was filled with the sounds of strange beast
s, and after my encounter with the crocodile I knew I had to tread really carefully.

  Calls drifted down from the treetops, and I could hear growls, grunts and snuffles as mysterious creatures scrambled through the undergrowth. But although I heard the rustle of leaves overhead and the cracking of twigs on the ground, I didn’t see anything at all—just endless trees and bushes. And every time I bent back a branch or pushed nervously through some vines, I thought I might come face to face with something horrible!

  But it wasn’t possible to stay scared for too long, because everything in this strange new world was so wonderful. The trees were draped with lichen-covered creepers, and strange fruits hung in great clusters from their branches. Some of the leaves were as large as tablecloths and as tough as leather.

  One fell to the ground just as I was passing through a small clearing and I decided it would make another great trophy to show off at school. I rolled it up and was just adding it to my explorer’s kit when I had the strangest feeling that I was being watched.

  I darted a look around the clearing, but I could see nothing. Just more trees!

  Feeling uneasy, I slipped back into the undergrowth and pressed on as quickly as I dared. I was sure that I could hear the rustle of leaves and the careful tread of footsteps behind me. But every time I stopped, so did the footsteps, and every time I started off, there they were again.

  It was not a nice feeling! I didn’t like it at all. And my imagination started going into overdrive. What could it be? A man-eating tiger, perhaps? Or a sly and hungry wolf? Or maybe it was someone from home, my dad or a friend looking for me. There was only one way to find out. I took a deep breath and swung round suddenly.

  There, just a few metres back, amongst the dark leaves, was a pair of angry red eyes, staring right at me.

  I ran!

  I ran as fast as I could through the tangle of branches, aware of the footsteps behind getting closer and closer. Then, all of a sudden, the jungle stopped and I raced out into a vast clearing—a plain of yellow grassland that stretched all the way to the horizon.