BOOOM! by Alan MacDonald Read Free Book Online

scaredy clots.’
    â€˜Who is?’ bristled Hammerhead. ‘Give me an axe, then we’ll see who’s scared.’
    Krakkk looked at him, twirling the axe in his hand. He could slay this miserable Urk by chopping off his fat head, but that would be too easy. Why not have some sport instead?
    â€˜Krakkk is fair,’ he said. ‘You want to live? I give you chance for save your skins.’
    He pointed down the slope. ‘Run to the forest,’ he said. ‘Run like rabbit.’
    Hammerhead looked uneasy. There had to be some catch – Krakkk wasn’t going to let them get away as easily as that. Maybe he had some kind of game in mind? He hoped it didn’t involve counting because he was rubbish at that.
    They didn’t have to wait long to find out. At an order from their Chief, a dozen Noneck warriors spread themselves across the hill. They had spears at the ready and one or two of them bent down to pick up hefty rocks. Iggy felt his legs turn to jelly. This was a rabbit hunt and they were the rabbits. The moment they set off down the hill the Nonecks would pick them off with their spears. Judging from their grinning faces, they were confident no one would escape. They were skilled hunters used to hitting a deer at fifty paces. Even if they ran like the wind, Iggy knew their chances of reaching the forest alive were slim.
    â€˜We ready,’ smiled Krakkk. ‘Who want to go first?’
    No one spoke. The only sound was a thin wailing voice begging for help. Iggy realised they had forgotten all about Snark, who was still trapped in the snakepit with his dad.
    Krakkk turned his head. ‘Fetch them,’ he ordered.
    The two Urks were dragged from the muddy pit. Borg was led to the top of the hill where he stood shivering and scared out of his wits. He knew something bad was about to happen but he couldn’t work out what. He gazed at the line of tall Noneck warriors waiting with their spears.
    â€˜I count to three. Then you run,’ said Krakkk.
    â€˜Run where?’
    â€˜To forest. If you reach, you live. If not, you die.’
    â€˜But wait!’ gasped Borg. ‘They got spears – they’ll kill me!’
    â€˜One,’ counted Krakkk. ‘Two . . .’
    â€˜Run, Dad!’ cried Snark.
    Borg didn’t wait for three, hurling himself down the slope as if he were being chased by a swarm of bees. He made straight for the river, knowing his only chance was to get across and reach the cover of the trees. Mud splattered his legs and his arms whirled as he slipped and slid, trying to stay on his feet. The Noneck warriors let him get halfway down the hill, just to make things more interesting. Then they drew back their arms and hurled their spears. One landed to Borg’s left and another just short of him. The rock that followed was more accurate. It struck Borg square on the head. He kept running for a few paces before falling flat. He didn’t get up. Iggy couldn’t tell if he was dead or nursing the mother of all headaches. The Nonecks cheered anyway – so far they’d scored full points.
    Krakkk grunted with satisfaction. He turned back to the other Urks, who were beginning to wish they’d stayed in the snakepit.
    â€˜You!’ he said, pointing to Hammerhead. ‘And you, Urg boy.’
    This was directed at Iggy. He looked at Hubba, who gave him a thumbs up. Umily hugged her father tightly, squashing her nose against his hairy chest. Krakkk pulled them apart and shoved the Chief towards the top of the hill. In a daze, Iggy took his place beside him. He glanced back at his parents, who were watching helplessly. This is probably the last time I’ll see them or this old valley , thought Iggy. It was a pity it was drizzling with rain. In the distance Old Grumbly was still rumbling as if working itself into a rage.
    Hammerhead leaned closer, lowering his voice.
    â€˜So. Got any cunning plans?’ he