Read Twirling Tails #7 for Free Online

along to mess around, but she seems serious about it. I heard Molly saying that she thinks Helena’s going to be really good.”
    â€œI am glad that you are good friends with Helena now,” Storm woofed.
    We’re almost there , Kirsten thought, a small smile on her face.
    Kirsten said her good-byes to her parents and then she and Storm set off. They headed to a short alleyway that led to a field at the back of some houses. The fences of all the backyards backed on to the field.

    Storm sniffed around in the grass, seeking out interesting smells and then raced around enjoying himself. He found a muddy twig and held it in his little front paws to chew one end.
    Suddenly, Kirsten heard loud growling and barking coming from behind one of the wooden fences. A noise like scratching claws filled the air as the unseen dogs tried to get into the field.
    Storm yelped and dropped the twig. He rushed over to Kirsten and crouched beside her, trembling from head to foot.
    â€œWhat’s wrong? Have you hurt your mouth on that wood?” Kirsten said worriedly. She picked him up and cradled him in her arms.
    Storm’s midnight blue eyes widened in terror. “Shadow knows where I am. He has used his magic on those dogs. They are trying to get to me.”
    Kirsten’s heart missed a beat as she realized that her friend was in great danger. Her mind whirled as she tried to think of the best thing to do. “That’s a pretty high fence. I don’t think they can get over,” she judged. “But you’d better hide in my bag, just in case. We’re leaving, right now!”
    Kirsten opened her shoulder bag and tucked the terrified puppy inside. Storm immediately curled up into a tight ball and lay there shaking.
    Her pulse racing, Kirsten jogged back toward the alleyway. She clutched her bag tightly so that Storm wasn’t jostled around too much.
    â€œI hope we don’t meet any more of Shadow’s dogs. How will I be able to tell if they’re dangerous?” Kirsten asked nervously.
    â€œThey will have cruel, pale eyes and extra long teeth.” Storm’s muffled woof rose from her bag.
    Once she was back out on the street, Kirsten gradually slowed down. No fierce dogs had run after them and the growling and snarling grew faint and then stopped altogether.
    â€œI think they’ve given up,” she puffed, feeling weak with relief.
    Storm uncurled and cautiously peered out of the unzipped bag. He tensed as he listened hard and then his whole body relaxed. “You are right, Kirsten. I am safe for the moment. But if Shadow finds me again, I may have to leave suddenly, without saying good-bye.”
    Kirsten experienced a sharp pang at the thought of losing her friend. She knew that she would never be ready to let him go. “I hope that evil Shadow never finds you and then you can stay with me forever!”
    Storm twisted to look up at her with serious midnight blue eyes. “I cannot do that. One day I must return to my own world to lead the Moon-claw pack.”
    â€œI know,” Kirsten said in a small voice, but she didn’t really want to think about it. She was determined to enjoy every single moment with her magical friend. She tried changing the subject.

    â€œI bet Tracy and Helena are already at Smoothers. Let’s go and meet them.”
    Storm sat up and rested his front paws outside the shoulder bag as Kirsten turned onto the busy main road. A bit farther on, she saw Tracy and Helena on the opposite side of the road. They were just passing a video store.
    They spotted her, too, and waved.
    Kirsten walked toward a pedestrian crosswalk in front of a building with scaffolding covering it. A clanging noise came from high up where builders were at work.
    As Kirsten went to press the button to cross, there was a shout.
    â€œLook out below!” someone warned.
    Kirsten glanced behind her and looked up. A heavy bucket clanged onto one of the