The Mysterious Secret of Frankly Woods

Franks to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

clear winter night; stars twinkled brightly in the sky above.

The trees below bore white sleeves like strange, ghostly figures frozen to the spot in the icy landscape. It was the kind of night – for anyone with an ounce of sense – to stay indoors beside a roaring fire, though some did not take heed…

A young girl walked

Franks to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Garlands of holly, ivy and laurels draped snowy branches, each one linked by lanterns below which an abundance of gifts sat heaped. Laden tables sagged under the

A huge bonfire filled the glade

The day had begun quietly. The family sat down to a breakfast prepared by Mrs Briggs. Ella thought that she seemed quieter than usual, which was no surprise after the horror at the fair a few days previous. She had not said one word about the whole thing, as if she was up to something.

Ella pushed the thought away. Maybe she was becoming paranoid. But who could blame her? She had barely gotten a wink of sleep since the awful experience. The nightmare repeated over and over in her head; she kept hearing the words telling her that their family were barred from the village and the school…

How had it come to this?

Simon escaped to his office after breakfast to avoid the usual argument that took place each morning now between wife and son. Danial wanted to go out and explore, but Ella thought it was too cold and wanted him to stay indoors.

Their quarrel could still be heard reverberating around the lofty halls ten minutes later, this time joined by something unfamiliar. Simon strained his ears to listen to a distant hum, but could not fathom it out. The hum increased with each passing moment. Soon Ella burst into the room.

“People!”

Simon stared none the wiser.

“Coming up the drive… with placards!” Ella stuttered.

What was she on about?

Ella pointed out of the window, her face pale as if she’d seen a ghost. The din grew louder. Simon jumped to his feet. He rushed to join her, becoming open-mouthed at the sight that greeted them.

A crowd of people was walking up the drive towards the hall. Shouts and chants could be heard amongst the placard-waving mass.

“Fracking no, traitors go!”

“My God!” Ella gasped, becoming even paler.

“What’s going on?” Danial asked as he joined them.

Ella grabbed her husband. “I’m calling the police!”

“I don’t think we’re at that stage quite yet,” Simon smiled reassuringly. “Everything will be fine, please don’t worry!”

Worry was an understatement…

Simon left his office, Ella running after him.

“Stay here!” She shouted to her son. Though only small and slight, nobody would hurt her family while she had breath left in her body.

The hall door creaked open, almost groaning in anticipation of what was to come. The chants grew louder and for the first time Simon could make out clearly what was written on the placards.

‘Fracking stop or family rot!’ was one choice slogan, along with ‘Our children matter too!’, and ‘Stop now or trouble we vow!’.

For a brief moment fury erupted inside Simon. How dare these people threaten his family? Ella peered over his shoulder at the throng, who seemed to become more hostile with each passing moment. She herself now saw the placards and gulped hard.

“I’m calling the police, now!”

Simon shook his head. “No. Let me talk to them; there’s been enough trouble already.”

“They don’t look ready to talk,

seen the like

The child had never seen such a sight.

she did not feel the biting cold that whipped around her

The hum grew ever louder overhead, like angry thunder and lighting. The animals fled in different directions. Anna clamped her hands to her ears to block out a deafening roar that screamed above, while the trees jarred below. The Spriggan followed suit, disappearing on the icy wind…