"There's a dent on your caravan", Patrick indicated.
"I know", Maggie sighed. "Dad should have bought a new last year, but he's always saying that it's too expensive."
After the dinner, Stanley dropped the bombshell.
"You know that uncle Douglas loves the mountains. And we've actually been professional mountaineers - that's a long time ago. Tomorrow, we'll take you on mountain climbing."
"All of us?" Carol asked.
"Everybody who wants to", Douglas answered.
"You, me, Patrick, Maggie and Carol", said Stanley and counted on his fingers.
"What about me?" James disappointedly wondered.
"You're strong", Douglas laughed. "Your job is to protect your mother, aunt Lynn and the kiddies."
The next day, uncle Douglas was up early.
"I feel how the mountain is waiting for us! It's moving!"
"Where is Mum?" Carol asked.
"She's sleeping", Maggie explained. "Joseph refused to fall asleep last night."
They walked to the lake and up a path. Patrick caught the first glimpse of the mountain.
"Wow! Right up there?"
Douglas scratched his head.
"No. Then we'll kill ourselves. But I think we'll manage to get to that boulder, at the very left of the corner. Got any objections, Stan?"
"I trust you."
"Listen to me, kids. This is no mischief, this is serious. You'll be tied up to me and Stan."
Carol shuddered. They were alone now, alone with the broiling sun and the clouds. Patrick felt urbane and tough. It was as if he knew the exact location of every stone, every cleft, every hole, every....
He heard it. Far from there, a rumbling roar and a cat-like animal. But it wasn't a cat. It was a monster.
Patrick cried out and fell backwards. Carol started to cry and Maggie shut her eyes.
"No!!" Douglas bawled. "Hang on, Patrick!"
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