Barry

Glad you could join us for the next urgent episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

“Hey, I’m Barry. Good ta make yer acquaintance. When I heard youse callin’, I was on my way ta da Floor — it’s gonna be a hot time down dere tonight. Looks like youse are stuck in a nesty situation.” He paused as though he were waiting for some kind of appreciative response.

The flames below flared as they struck the tree next door. Ash and glowing cinders swirled around them.

“Um, yes,” Elliot ventured, “we are. Stuck, that is.“

“I’m yer guy! I mean, look at deeze legs!” He flexed his muscles so they could see the stringy definition of his thighs. “Da ladies can’t get enough of ’em!” He winked an ogling eye at Cassandra.

The outermost tips of Yvonne’s tree glowed red.

Elliot stared in confused disbelief. ‘Nesty situation?’ What was that — a joke? True, his froggy legs were sculpted and firm, but Elliot wondered if this guy had ever exercised his brain.

“Look… Barry?” Cassandra crooned, “I can see you’re an exceptional specimen — a real charmer — and I’d love to hang out with you and see where it goes, but we really need to get out of here fast.” She wiggled her eye stalks at him. “Do you think you can help us with that?”

“Sure I can! Lemme warm up.” He stretched his legs and started counting squats. “1 sexy knee bend, 2 sexy knee bends, 3…”

Their portion of the woods was becoming an inferno.

Elliot bristled and quietly implored Cassandra, “Give me just another minute. I’m sure I can come up with a plan that doesn’t involve… Barry!”

Cassandra leaned toward Elliot and whispered, “Will that plan involve becoming escargot?”

He had no answer. Sparks showered into the nest.

Cassandra kissed him on the cheek. “Well, my love, I know he’s obnoxious, but he’s our best hope for a speedy getaway.” She smiled and swung her eyes from Elliot to Barry. “I mean, look at those legs!”

Elliot couldn’t help but grin.

Barry, having completed his reps, didn’t bother to wipe off the sweat glistening on his smooth, green skin. “Okay! Youse ready? Hop on and I’ll take youse somewhere youse guys have never been!”

Cringing, Elliot grabbed a wad of fluff from the nest and suggested, “Maybe we can just dry off your back first.”

Barry shrugged and complied.

In those few extra moments, a new wind gusted across them, and an accusing voice filled the air.

“And just where do you think you are going, you ungrateful little brats?” Guess who

To be continued…

Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .