Jonah and the Last Great Dragon Read Online Free PDF

Oh, gross!’
    A second ugly little animal peered round the corner of the church tower before slithering down the roof towards the children. This one was larger, with a flat, noseless face and a tail like a naked worm. It jumped up and down and began screaming at the children. The first one scrambled after it, and the creatures began to pick bits of moss and bird droppings out of the guttering to hurl at Erin and Jonah. Jonah yelled at the things and looked round for something to throw at them. He picked up a stick and hurled it at the roof. The bigger animal hissed and leapt for the drainpipe. It shinned down rapidly until it was halfway to the ground, and hung there by its bony, hairless tail, shrieking at the children.
    â€˜I don’t like this!’ gasped Erin in alarm, backing away. ‘Come on, Jonah. Whatever they are, they’re dangerous. Please let’s go!’
    â€˜OK.’ He was getting scared, too.
    They ran for the gate, while the animals screeched in fury. They burst through and Jonah shut it firmly behind them.
    â€˜We’d better tell Bryn or your father straightaway,’ he said. ‘They need to catch those things before someone gets bitten. What do you think they are?’
    â€˜Dunno, but they are definitely the yuckiest little animals I’ve ever seen,’ said Erin. ‘I should think Dad will call the pest control people.’
    Still feeling shaky, they walked carefully along the narrow lane between the tall hedgerows, keeping well into the side of the road and listening for vehicles. The afternoon sun warmed their faces and there was not a breath of wind, as they made their way towards Gilfach. Erin had just said again, ‘But what were they, Jonah?’ when, suddenly, they heard an unearthly, mournful sound that lifted the hairs on the backs of their necks. They stopped walking and looked around, for a moment too frightened to move.
    Erin clutched Jonah’s arm. The colour drained from her face. ‘What was that?’ she whispered.
    Jonah swallowed. ‘It sounds – oh, no! Erin, I think it might be that dog-thing I saw this morning.’ His legs seemed to tremble as he stared up at the hillside. ‘I think it’s up there,’ he murmured, ‘on the ridge.’
    Erin shook with nerves as the doleful howl echoed round the valley again.
    â€˜That’s not a dog, is it? It’s a wolf. You know it is.’
    Jonah swallowed and nodded.
    Erin grabbed his hand. ‘Oh, come on, quick. Let’s get home.’
    â€˜Yes, but don’t run! We don’t want it to notice us.’
    With their hearts hammering, they began to walk quickly along the lane, glancing upwards nervously. There was another howl from the animal on the hillside above them and, as they stood still in alarm, it was answered by a wailing cry from the woods on the other side of the valley.
    Involuntarily, Erin screamed, and clapped her hand over her mouth. ‘There’s more than one!’ she stammered, staring at Jonah with eyes like saucers. He began to pat his jeans pockets frantically.
    â€˜What are you doing?’
    â€˜Looking for my phone. I want to get someone to help but I think I’ve left it in my bedroom.’
    â€˜Oh, I’ve got mine.’ Erin’s fingers trembled as she keyed in the farm’s number. Another howl rang from the woods and was answered from the hill above them again. Erin’s eyes widened in fear as she put the phone to her ear. She listened for a moment and then looked at Jonah in alarm.
    â€˜I can’t get a signal.’ Her voice rose to a squeak. ‘What are we going to do?’
    Jonah tried to look calmer than he felt.
    â€˜Come on, we’re nearly at your house. Hold my hand. We’ll be all right.’

CHAPTER 7
ATTACKED
    Erin’s palm was clammy with fright as they hurried along the lane. Terrible howls echoed around the valley and the children’s legs felt stiff and