The Fear

The best fighter of them all, though, was a giant of a boy called Fi

The final member of the expedition was Courtney, who would be sitting next to DogNut on the boat. Courtney and Aleisha, the girl who’d drowned when the sightseeing boat sank, had been best friends with Brooke, and DogNut knew that Courtney was desperate to be reunited with her. They’d been inseparable and Courtney missed her terribly. She was a big, heavy girl who had grown into a tough and fearless fighter, and DogNut was glad to have her along.

Five fighters and three passengers. Not bad numbers. But eight fighters would have been better …

DogNut supervised them as they stowed food and water, blankets and armour and weapons in the bottom of the boat. He was their boss and was pleased to see that they all did what he told them without grumbling. Here at the Tower he was captain of the Pathfinders, the name Jordan Hordern had given to the kids who went out scavenging, so he was used to giving orders. They were all taking orders from General Jordan Hordern, however. He was the big man. DogNut would only ever be second or third in line. Not this time, though. No, on this expedition he would be number one. He had to make sure the kids remembered that and did as they were told.

He smiled to himself. Numero Uno. Admiral of the Fleet. Top Dog.

There was a shout from the riverside and he looked over to see a small group of kids walking on to the metal pier where they were loading the boat. It was Jordan Hordern and Ed and three of the Tower guards carrying halberds. DogNut went over to meet them.

‘You all set?’ Ed asked.

‘Guess so.’

‘You sure about this?’ Jordan squinted at him through his thick glasses. DogNut shrugged.

‘You’re a useful man to have around,’ Jordan went on.

‘I’ll be back,’ said DogNut theatrically. ‘Bringing treasure from around the world!’

Jordan didn’t smile. He didn’t have much of a sense of humour.

‘Take care of yourself, won’t you?’ Ed gave DogNut a big hug.

‘Gay,’ said DogNut, and Ed hugged him again, harder this time, and lifted him off his feet. They laughed. Ed’s face looked crazy when he laughed. The scar down one side went white and tugged his mouth and eye out of shape.

‘It ain’t too late for you to change your mind,’ said DogNut. ‘Come with us.’

‘I’m staying, Doggo. They need me here. Besides, you got a full crew.’

‘I could kick someone’s arse off. Fi

‘Nah.’ Ed shook his head. ‘This is your gig.’

Olivia ran over and threw her ski

‘Please come with us!’ she squealed.

Ed picked her up and sat her on his hip.

‘I can’t come, Livvie. You’ll be all right with the Dog.’

‘I’m scared.’

Ed handed Olivia over to DogNut. ‘DogNut will look after you, won’t you?’

‘Course I will.’ DogNut beamed at Olivia and carried her to the boat, then passed her down to Marco and Felix who settled her at the front.

DogNut turned back to Ed.

‘Feels good to be doing something, man,’ he said, breathing in deeply and turning his face up to the sun. ‘It’s safe here, but I been feeling more and more boxed up lately. All we do is get from one day to the next. I’m taking control of things. Hitting back. Not letting the sickos rule my life.’

Ed raised an eyebrow. ‘And of course there’s Brooke.’ He leered at DogNut. It wasn’t a good expression for him.

‘Yeah, Brooke,’ said DogNut. ‘You missing out, man. I’m go

Ed raised his hands in surrender. ‘She’s all yours, dude.’

‘All mine,’ said DogNut.

‘All you got to do is find her.’

‘You had to bring me down, didn’t you,’ said DogNut. ‘Bust my bubble.’

‘You’ll find her.’ Ed sounded very sure of it. DogNut slapped his palm and clambered down into the boat.

‘But a year’s a long time,’ Ed called after him. ‘Maybe she’s changed?’

‘Pop, pop, pop,’ said DogNut, sitting down next to Courtney. ‘All my bubbles is busting.’

Jordan came and leant over the side of the pier, his face unreadable behind his glasses. They were held together with a dirty Elastoplast and were so scratched DogNut wondered how he could see anything through them.

‘I’ll keep your position open for you,’ he said. ‘You can pick up where you left off when you get back.’

‘Cheers,’ DogNut shouted, as he pushed the boat away from the edge. He gri

DogNut closed his eyes to shut out the image and moaned quietly, as if he’d hurt himself.

Then he grunted. Shook himself. Opened his eyes. He had to stay focused on what he was doing. It was time to let the daylight burn off the memories and let the fresh air blow the black tatters of the fading dream away.

Bad thoughts. They couldn’t help. They’d only poison his brain. He was going to leave them behind. Leave Leo behind. Leave his guilt back there in the basement of the bank. He was going to come back stronger.

He looked around the boat at the other kids. They didn’t seem to have noticed him losing it. They were all too wrapped up in themselves, dipping their oars in the water, settling on the benches. Good.

‘OK, let’s do this,’ DogNut shouted, and they were off, pulling fast through the shimmering water.

3

Apart from Fi

It was going to be interesting travelling back upriver to Lambeth Bridge – where they pla

They’d packed enough supplies to last them a week if they were careful. DogNut reckoned that any longer than that wouldn’t be safe. If they hadn’t found anyone in that time, they’d return to the Tower and try again at a later date.

He twisted round and looked at the others. Olivia sat up at the front like some kind of mini-figurehead. She was trembling slightly, whether from cold or fear he couldn’t tell. Her face was set in a determined expression. Marco and Felix sat side by side on the first bench, already bickering and criticizing each other’s rowing style. The next bench was taken up by Ugly Al and moody Jessica, rowing steadily and not talking to each other. DogNut and Courtney were on the last bench and Fi