Best laid plans

Ah dear... So much for the 1700 or so words I had hoped to write today. Unexpected visitors meant that my writing was severely curtailed tonight. I have only a meagre 205 words to offer. It is a strange little scene and one that I am not sure will remain in the final version of this story. But it does contain a cameo appearance by a character that was specifically requested by the one follower of this blog. So Emma, this is for you!
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Sixpence travelled as fast as his legs would carry him. Where had Charlotte gone? And how had she disappeared so quickly? His eyes darted this way and that, listening all the time for the beating of the owl’s wings or the rapturous laughter of the young girl.

Despite the lateness of the hour, all the animals were alert. Only they seemed able to grasp the danger that the town was in. Horses stamped and whinnied, steam from their nostrils rising in the night air. Cows mooed mournfully. And still the humans of the town slept on.

As Sixpence passed by the last farm, a mule known as Peg stepped into the moonlight. She hawed and tossed her head, indicating a path to the right. Go that way, she seemed to say. The trees grew densely there – a perfect place to escape being seen. With a swish of his tail as thanks, Sixpence trotted down the path in pursuit of his young friend.

Above on the hillside, the stranger watched as a lone cat came closer. Follow if you wish, he thought. You are only condemning yourself to the same fate. He began another tune – and waited for his prey to be delivered to him.