Yolik and His Friends

"They crossed the wide heath as fast as they could and soon reached a gentle mountain slope. Huge trees grew along the slope, their crowns thick and heavy. Deep hollows gaped in their trunks. From those hollows, strange silky threads stretched upward toward the branches, crossing and weaving together. Underfoot, instead of grass, the ground was covered with rusty-red moss. Scattered across it lay gnawed bones, tufts of animal fur, torn wings, and broken insect legs. The friends froze. Their little hearts squeezed tight with fear. Vona pressed close to Yolik and whispered anxiously, “Who do you think lives in those hollows?” “I don’t know,” Yolik murmured, nervously rubbing his nose. “But I think it’s something big… and dangerous.” “There’s nothing to guess,” Flosi said, his voice shaking. “It’s a predator. And not just one. We should leave before it notices us.” “Yes… this place feels awful,” Vona agreed quietly. “Let’s go back.” “Wait,” Katla said, narrowing her eyes. Mischief sparkled inside her. “I’ll take a look. What if there’s nobody there?” “And what if there is somebody?” Flosi whispered. “Then what?” “Then we run!” Katla giggled, giving him a wink. “Katla, that’s a bad idea,” Yolik warned her. “Oh, stop worrying,” she waved him off. “The city is right behind this mountain. And I remember someone who really wants a photograph.” Yolik glanced at Vona hopefully, sure she would stop Katla. But Vona knew her friend too well. Once Katla made up her mind—especially when danger was involved—she never turned back. So Vona only sighed, lifted her hand, and said softly, “Do whatever you want. You won’t listen anyway. Just… please be careful.” Katla smiled and boldly flew up to the hollow. She peeked inside— —and froze. From the darkness, enormous eyes stared back at her, burning with anger. Katla spun around to flee, but her wings brushed against the silky threads. They were sticky. "