CHAPTER 1
Snatched!
It was a typical morning in the life of Chester Chipmunk, foraging for nuts to make sure his family would have a good supply to make it through another harsh Canadian winter. Chester often told his family how lucky they were to live in such a safe place, where the food was so plentiful thanks to the nice lady and her son, who always made sure that the bird feeders were full and the squirrels and chipmunks had a good supply of peanuts. Chester thought, It's because of their kindness that our bellies are always full and we never need to worry about venturing into the wilderness to find enough to eat.
He continued stuffing nuts into his already bursting cheeks. I think that's enough for today. Time to head home to the wife and kids. He sighed contentedly, thinking of his wife, Chelsea, and their five adorable kids, Chase, Chip, Chara, Chester Junior, and the baby Cherish. Chester was very proud of how well he provided for his little brood.
Then, in the blink of an eye, Chester's entire world was turned upside down. He was making his way back home when out of the bushes sprang a terrifying black-and-white monster. Chester was wide-eyed and cowered in fear. Although the monster made not a sound, its intentions were very clear. In an instant, the creature was upon Chester, and the chipmunk was firmly gripped between its sharp teeth. He fought valiantly through the pain, but to no avail. With his heart pounding wildly, his only thoughts were of his young family. How will they survive without me there to care for them? Who will bring them food and make sure they are safe?
He deeply regretted not telling them how much he loved them before he left earlier that morning, and he hoped that they knew.
The next thing he knew, he was fearfully facing a window that seemed to lead into the dwelling where the nice lady lived. As if on command, the window opened. No! thought Chester. Please, please, please ...Don't take me in there! What if I never make it out alive? What would happen to my family? But struggling only made the grip on his neck tighten. The next thing he knew, the monster, with Chester in its powerful jaws, was inside.
Chester felt like a rag doll being tossed this way and that. He felt certain that his neck would snap at any moment. Isn't there anyone who cares enough to help me? he wondered as he felt himself slipping away. Through his closing eyes, he caught sight of a huge pair of sneakered feet. What now? he wondered. Could things possibly get any worse? His gaze travelled weakly up from the huge sneakers to find that they belonged to a gargantuan two-legged apparition who looked a lot like the nice lady who always made sure that the bird feeders were full and the squirrels and chipmunks had a good supply of peanuts. It was the nice lady's son!
Chester watched, amazed, as the apparition engaged in battle with the fearsome creature, screaming, "No, Freckle! Stop! Drop it, Freckle!" He picked something up from the floor and began to berate the monster. "No, Freckle! Stop!"
The monster named Freckle looked confused but loosened its grip. Chester fell limply to the floor. Am I free? Is this nightmare over? As weak as he was, he thought, I have no time to waste. Somehow I have to find the strength to make my move. I have to find a way to get back to my family.
He quickly darted into a dark room that was piled high with boxes of all shapes and sizes, including one low open box that was filled with what looked like sand. His nose twitched. What is that smell? he wondered, shuddering. The overpowering smell emanating from the box of sand reminded him of the black-and-white monster, and it made his eyes sting and his stomach turn.
The door to the room slammed shut, and Chester was trapped inside in total darkness. He was still trembling in fear thinking of what had almost happened to him. I could so easily not have survived that attack. What will happen next? How can I possibly escape from this prison alive when I know the monster is waiting patiently on the other side of the door? I have to try to get through this. I have to try to get home.
CHAPTER 2
Captivity
Chester's eyes flew open. A blinding light had woken him from a fitful, nightmare-filled sleep. Once again the two-legged apparition appeared. This time he started tossing the boxes all over the place, peering behind them, inside them, and under them. Chester was confused. What is he doing now? He seems to be searching for something ... Could he be looking for me? Could he possibly be trying to help me again? But how can I know for sure? But just when Chester thought maybe he should leave his hiding place and show himself, something appeared that made him freeze dead in his tracks. The black- and-white monster was right behind him!
Chester caught his breath and drew back as far as he could into his hidey-hole, but the cat quickly sniffed him out. It came closer and closer, crouching with ears flattened and tail twitching. Chester was certain that the cat was preparing to pounce, so he held his breath and stayed as still and as quiet as he could. If I make myself as small as I possibly can, maybe it won't see me. But I'm sure the creature must be able to hear my heart pounding — it feels like it's going to burst right out of my chest.
Once again the oddly helpful two-legged apparition came to Chester's rescue and managed to shoo the menacing monster out of the room. But before he left, he placed a small bowl of water and a dish of peanuts on the floor. Is that for me? Chester wondered. Why does this strange person keep trying to save me? I just don't understand.
Chester waited a few moments to make sure the coast was clear, and then he crept cautiously over to the bowls and dug in. I didn't realize how hungry I was. I've been too busy just trying to stay alive to even think about food. But these nuts sure are tasty. He gobbled up as many nuts as his tummy could handle and slurped down the fresh water until his thirst was quenched. Then, once again in total darkness, he slipped back into his hiding place. Chester felt a little stronger now that he was no longer hungry. He felt himself getting a little bit calmer, and he was definitely a lot sleepier.
Days passed, but how many — Chester had no idea. It's so dark in here that I can't tell whether it's day or night. I'm losing track of time, he worried. Although he did manage to sustain himself thanks to the food that his kind rescuer had left, he could feel himself getting weaker. He could feel his spirit and his will to live fading away. He thought sadly, What is the point of living without my family, without my friends, and without my freedom? He found himself drifting in and out of sleep. Sometimes he dreamed he was out in the sunshine, collecting nuts or playing with his children; other times he had vivid nightmares of vicious monsters stealing him away and taking him to a place he could never escape from alive. Those nightmares left him feeling desperate, and his heart beat wildly as he panted for breath.
After what felt like an eternity, Chester was once again startled awake. He peered cautiously out into the room. The door had opened again, and Chester didn't understand what was going on when it stayed open. But...
