Pip Tumbleshore's Arc

Chapter 2 of 3

Pip skidded to a stop at the broth crossing. Stepping stones of crusty bread floated in the steaming soup. Vesper Greenpaw sat on the first stone, arms crossed, blocking the way. "Toll," she said. "Something joyful, or you turn back." Pip patted his flippers. He had no coins, only the flyer and a small bright sphere he'd been carrying for luck. He pulled out the bouncy ball. Its rainbow swirls caught the broth's glow. "Watch," Pip said, and bounced it hard on the bread. It sprang high, spun, and landed in Vesper's paws. She laughed, surprised, then bounced it back. They volleyed three times before she stepped aside, grinning. Pip hurried across the stones, ball gone, path open. But halfway over, he heard the bread behind him crack and sink. There was no going back now.