One.

The tall, muddy cowboy passed Toby the first quarter of the watch, looked deep into his eyes and whispered in a deep western voice, ’�Run! Now.’�
Toby didn’t know if he was teasing or not but two things made his made up that this was no joke. One, the cowboy’s deep intense stare which made Toby swallow hard and two, the distant rubble of horse’s hooves. The Indian Man was already on his way.

Toby looked at the dust rising from the east and started to move quickly towards the top of the cliff. He knew all he had to do was get to the top and jump off into the water and all would be safe and his first mission accomplished. Toby had plenty of time to make it so he started his short journey up the hill. He even had time to look around at the vastness of the hot red countryside around him. He jogged past some large boulders still clutching the watch tight in his hand but as he got onto the first steep part of the hill, he saw something move in the earth in front of him. The ground started stirring and six ugly animals had dug themselves out of the yellowy mud and pointed themselves at Toby. Sitting there were six large black, shiny scorpions with their stings raised and Toby stopped in his tracks staring at them with his eyes wide. They were both standing staring at each other like some sort of face off and Toby didn’t know what to do. He slowly took a few steps forward and all six scorpions took a few slow steps towards Toby. His heart started to beat faster, those dreadful scorpions they were too close for comfort, so he quickly took a few steps back and but so did the scorpions. Toby took another step backwards and again, the scorpions did the same thing. They were copying every move he made. He stepped sideways, he stepped diagonal, he even jumped in the air slightly but they were still playing some horrible game of ’�Copy Cat.’� These ghastly giant beasts were Toby’s mirror and he couldn’t think of a way past them without being attacked.

Suddenly, behind him, an arrow landed about ten meters away from him upright in the ground and it made a noise which made Toby spin on the spot. He had forgotten all about the Indian Man who was very nearly caught up with him and he didn’t look very happy. Toby panicked and started stumbling backwards with his eyes firmly on the Indian, who was flying towards him on his horse. He looked over his shoulder and he saw as he was walking backwards, so were the scorpions, they were still copying every move! There was a ten metre gap in-between them both so Toby started to run as fast as he could backwards up the hill, the scorpions followed suit and was running backwards too.

Toby still had his back to the scorpions as he ran up the hill towards the cliff. The horse was getting nearer but so was the cliff edge.
’�Ten more seconds, that’s all I need.’� Toby thought. ’�Just ten more seconds’�
He was only a short way away from the edge as he looked behind him and he saw all six scorpions who were running as fast as Toby, run straight over the edge of the cliff and away from sight. Toby knew he was safe now so he did a quick spin and tried to run forwards but he was too cocky and he fell over his feet and landed hard onto the muddy ground. He turned towards the Indian who had followed him up the hill; he made the horse trot towards him and he had his bow and arrow raised to Toby’s heart.
’�Treasure?’� The Indian man said in his deep voice.
There was a large splash as he heard the scorpions hitting the water.
’�I haven’t got it’� stuttered Toby. ’�It’�it fell’�it just fell in the sea.’�
’�Small boy lie. Now small boy die.’� said the Indian man as he pulled back his bow.
Toby wriggled backwards toward the edge but it was still too far away. Toby closed his eyes and waited for the cold hard pain of the arrow. BANG!

Toby was dead.

But he could still open his eyes. He could still move and He could still see! He saw everything, the hill, the cliff, the vast open countryside but more importantly and he could see the Indian Man lying face down next to him. He was dead. Toby looked to the right and along the cliff the tall, muddy cowboy was standing there with a smoke rising from his gun. The Cowboy dipped his hat as Toby stood up, smiled at him, squeezed the part of the watch and threw himself head first towards the water. The cliff walls were flashing past him as Toby held his breath for the large splash. The water was cold but Toby soon got used to it and when all the bubbles had cleared, he opened his eyes and you wouldn’t believe what he could see’�’�’�..And we see what he saw, tomorrow. Good Night. Tobes.’� And with that Toby’s dad shut his small notebook.
’�Aw Dad! Please tell me’� pleaded Toby, laid tightly under his duvet cover.
’�Nope. You’ve school in morning’� Toby’s dad said as he stood and walked towards Toby’s bedroom door and switched off the light.
’�Please!’� Toby pleaded once again.
’�No. Snuggle down’�
’�Just give me a clue’�!’�
’�Toby, no!’� Toby’s Dad said firmly. He was in no mood for an arguing.’� Now, Goodnight!’�
’�A small clue’�’� said Toby once more this time with a small wine in his voice.
’�NO!’� shouted Toby’s Dad and the door slammed shut. The room was in darkness. Toby didn’t close his eyes yet. He just looked into the darkness, thinking.

He fell asleep an hour later.