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the park. ‘It’s my dog and I’ll do what I like.’ The cough turned into a fit of coughing.
    ‘You’re choking her!’ screamed Clem as she followed. Without thinking she grabbed the man’s arm. It was what she would do at home to her brothers. ‘Let her go.’
    ‘Get lost!’ With his free arm the man shoved Clem away, then he started to walk faster. ‘Go away.’ The dog’s head was twisted. She gurgled as though she was drowning. She could barely walk. Her legs flapped along the ground.
    ‘Stop it,’ said Clem. She hurled herself at the man, her left shoulder smacking into his chest.
    Darcy saw the man’s arm come up and called out, ‘No! Clem, duck,’ but his warning was too late. The arm shoved Clem back and she tumbled to the ground.
    ‘Bully!’ cried Darcy, leaping to Clem’s defence. Bryce and Mio did, too. But they’d only taken a couple of steps when the man swung around, his fist raised. ‘Any closer, and she gets it.’
    Darcy, Mio and Bryce froze.
    Clem tried to get up. Her ankle was throbbing from where she’d fallen awkwardly and her back was aching. She looked at the small beagle fighting for breath and vowed that the man was not going to get away with this.
    ‘Abunai!’ Mio called to Clem. ‘Don’t move. He’s dangerous.’ Karate had taught Mio that there were times to attack and times to withdraw. This was a time to withdraw.
    Clem stayed where she’d fallen. Her eyes rested on the dog then moved to the man. The ground was hard beneath her, gravel digging into her hands, but she didn’t feel it.
    ‘Don’t try it again.’ The man jabbed a threatening finger at Clem, then backed away. A spine-chilling howl filled the air. A howl that pealed like church bells at a funeral.
    ‘Please, don’t hurt her,’ pleaded Clem, staggering to her feet. A lump formed in her throat. ‘Please.’
    The dog looked at Clem, its kohl-rimmed eyes deep wells of sadness. More howls ripped the air.
    ‘No-o-o-o!’ Tears streamed down Clem’s cheeks. The man walked down the street and through the gate to the park, jolting the dog with each step.
    Darcy, Mio and Bryce ran over to Clem and Darcy threw his arms around her, making little shush, shush noises. Mio patted Clem’s arm, saying, ‘Baka!’, the strongest insult she could think of, as she watched the man go. Bryce gave Clem a hug. Tears welled in his eyes and he didn’t try to hide them. For once, he was lost for song.
    ‘Stupid bitch!’ The man had crossed the park and stopped. In a voice loud enough for the kids to hear he yelled, ‘It’s the dog pound for you.’ With a last shake of his fist he disappeared round the corner.
    Clem pulled away, wiping her tears on her sleeve. ‘We have to stop him,’ she told the others.
    Darcy gripped Clem’s arm and shook her, saying, ‘Are you mad?’
    Mio grabbed the other arm. ‘He could’ve really hurt you.’
    Clem tried to break free but now it was Bryce who blocked her. ‘We prefer you in one piece.’
    A series of howls broke the silence. Every hair on Clem’s body stood on end. She shivered, then thrust out her jaw and pulled herself to her full height. ‘I’m going to find her. And you’re going to help me.’
    She held out a shaky hand, palm down. ‘Go the Freewheelers.’ Her eyes dared the others to resist. ‘To freedom.’

Chapter Five
    Late Saturday morning, after karate and guitar lessons, Mio and Bryce met at the Jacobs’ place. The kids huddled in the kitchen eating cheese spread out of the jar. Darcy polished off his spoonful in one gulp, insisting, ‘It tastes better this way.’ Bryce took little nibbles and rolled them around with his tongue savouring the creamy taste and texture. Clem flattened her cheese spread against the roof of her mouth, trying not to suck too hard so it lasted longer. And Mio? She licked her spoon tentatively, her pink tongue darting in and out.
    ‘You look like a kitten,’ said Clem with a laugh. Then she pointed to the cupboard