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 where is the monster? Has my rescuer given up on me? Does he think I'm dead? What should I do now? Chester thought carefully about what his next move should be. I must not hurry. I must bide my time. I must make sure that it's safe before I try to make my escape. In his little hiding place, he waited and waited until finally he couldn't wait any longer. He dared to venture forth from the room that had been his prison. What will I find on the other side of the door? he wondered. He had no idea, but he vowed that he would find out. Chester tried to prepare himself. I will face whatever comes my way with as much courage and strength as I can muster. I just have to keep thinking about my family and my real life on the outside.

Quiet as a mouse, he crept slowly into another room and saw that his new friend and savior was sleeping soundly, snoring softly. Unfortunately, the monster was curled snugly by his side, contentedly purring away. Chester caught sight of something on the floor beside the bed that made him stop cold. He felt his knees buckle and his stomach lurch. He quickly saw that it was the lifeless body of a harmless bird. Oh no! That's my friend Charlie Chickadee! Charlie Chickadee would always make sure to drop some tasty treats from his perch on the bird feeder when he saw that Chester was foraging in the yard.

Chester was horrified and knew for sure who was responsible for this. How can this be? Charlie did nothing to deserve this! He was a good bird. He would never even hurt a fly. And what if I'm next? That cat is surely out to get me. He shuddered, said a silent farewell to his friend, and raced out of that room as fast as his little legs would allow.

He bounded up a series of steps and found himself in what seemed to be a totally different world. It was bright and cheery, not dark, dreary, and frightening like the downstairs. He cautiously sniffed around, trying to get his bearings in this new place, and he found a fireplace with a hot fire warming the room. Next to the fireplace was a fragrant pile of wood. This is the perfect spot for me to hide! The smell of the logs and the crackling fire filled his nostrils and even reminded him a little bit of his home. Finally! A safe place for me to rest. If I can rest, maybe I can find the strength to keep going. I have to keep going. I have to find my way back, somehow ... Exhausted, he settled in and felt himself nodding off. As he slept this time, only beautiful visions of his wife, his children, his friends, and his home filled his dreams.

CHAPTER 3

Now What?

Just as he finally allowed himself to rest, to sleep peacefully in a place where he believed he could feel somewhat secure, Chester was jolted awake. What is that sound? It was a sound that sent chills through his entire body and made him quake with fear. It was the sound of angry barking, and the sound was getting closer by the second. Good heavens. Now what? he thought. How much more can one little chipmunk take? I'm so tired and so weak. I'm not sure I can keep going. Why do these horrible things keep happening to me?

Chester's thoughts flew back to the time of his kidnapping. He had thought that the creature who took him then was the most terrifying and evil creature he had ever seen. But the two who were approaching him now, making those evil noises, were even more frightening and even larger — much larger. The hackles on their backs were raised, and their teeth were bared. Chester felt certain that this was it. It's all over for me now. There is no possible way that I can escape from this. He bravely stood, puffed out his chest, and prepared himself to meet his fate with dignity.

The nice lady, who always made sure that the bird feeders were full and the squirrels and chipmunks had a good supply of peanuts, rushed in to save him. Chester now knew she was called Mom because the two-legged apparition who had helped him so many times had called her that. She quickly called to the two angry animals, identifying them as Peanut and Pumpkin. Somehow she managed to encourage them to leave the house through the back door. The nice lady named Mom is very crafty! Chester thought. She enticed them with treats, and something about that word made them forget all about the little chipmunk cowering in the woodpile. Drooling and with tongues lolling, they obediently followed Mom outside. They may be scary, but they're certainly not very bright, Chester thought.

Chester breathed another sigh of relief. Whew! That was another close one! It's so strange how these two-legged beings keep coming to my rescue. I'm not sure why they seem so intent on saving me, but I'm most definitely grateful that they are! I'm so thankful that they always seem to be right there whenever and wherever I need them. He knew that he would have been doomed if it was not for their help. I still don't really understand, though. How do they know? Are they watching me?

Once again, Chester scrambled to find a place to hide. I am so tired of hiding. I'm tired of running. I'm just so tired. Oh, how he missed the freedom of running through the grass, the feel of the dew on his feet in the morning, the taste of the newly fallen rain. Will I ever have the chance to experience any of these things again? Will I ever see my family again? Are they worrying about me? Are they hungry? Do they miss me as much as I miss them? And, worst of all, do they think I'm gone for good? All these thoughts made Chester feel very sad and very helpless. Chester was not used to feeling helpless; he was used to being in charge.

Chester found himself again forced into hiding. But for some reason there was a constant supply of nuts and water. No one has ever brought me food and water before. No one has ever tried to care for me. I'm the one who looks after everyone. I'm the one who is strong. I'm the provider. It was a strange feeling to have someone taking care of him. It wasn't quite as horrible as before in that basement, but it certainly wasn't home.

CHAPTER 4

Courage!

One day Chester was drawn out of hiding by an irresistible smell that made his mouth water and his tummy growl. He built up the nerve to leave the dark place where he had been hiding. He climbed and climbed, and then he climbed even higher. While standing on his little hind legs, he stretched as high as he could and sniffed at the jar he found on the counter. He sniffed and sniffed and thought, No way! I must have died and gone to heaven! What he was sniffing appeared to be a jar full of ... No, it can't be! Peanut butter! It simply cannot get any better than this! Except, of course, it could get better than that. It would be much better if I were sharing it with my family. But he dug in anyway, the peanut butter sticky in his mouth. I have to take my food when I can get it because I know I have to try to keep up my strength so that I can get out of here.

As he stuffed himself with peanut butter, his lips smacking, Chester thought, One thing I know for sure now is that all good things usually come to an end. It was a matter of time before this good thing came to an end too.

Mom spied Chester on the counter as he was clinging to the rim of the peanut butter jar. "Oh!" exclaimed Mom.

"Squeak!" exclaimed Chester. Oddly enough, Mom burst out laughing. She laughed so hard that she was almost crying. But she quickly collected herself and seemed to be trying to make him understand that she simply wanted to help him. She spoke softly to him as she approached with her hand outstretched, and she made little clucking noises. "Shh, little chipmunk. I won't hurt you. I just want to help you get out of here."

But Chester didn't understand the language that she was speaking, and he was far too frightened to listen to her pleas. I have to hide again! I have to find a safe place to hide! He flew across the counter, leaped down, and once again disappeared.

From his hiding spot, Chester watched as Mom went to the cupboard and took out a huge bag of peanuts. He watched as she carefully started placing the nuts in a trail from the countertop by the window to the peanut butter jar and down to the floor near where Chester hid. He watched as she opened the window over the sink, and he watched as she removed the screen from the window. Then he watched as she quietly left the room.

Chester was afraid to venture once again into the unknown, but he was much more afraid of never getting out of there. That's all I want. I just want to be free again. Free to enjoy my family. Free to enjoy spending time with my friends. Free to enjoy my life as a free chipmunk. Is that too much to ask?

Chester made his decision. He decided it was time to swallow his fear and to once again attempt to secure his freedom. He steeled himself, took a deep breath, and followed that trail of nuts.