Unholy.

Strangely, by the time Oliver and Henry had finished breakfast the next morning, the early fog had been wafted away by a sunny breeze. Saturday was for tennis. Oliver's coach had been trying to correct his footwork as he served. Oliver and Henry were playing in a doubles match to see it they were improving. Simon somehow won his vital contest against an older boy in Year 10.

Oliver was excited, walking across the grassy park to the centre court. Henry could be very speedy around the court. Their parents were ready on the sidelines, with a cooler of energy drinks and granola bars. Oliver could feel nervous sweat rolling down his back. He was determined to do well at his favourite sport, but it was up to the selection panel to decide the rankings.

Oliver took five deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling. He carefully placed his feet on the service line, exactly as his coach had shown him. He eased his arm over his shoulder, and heard a satisfying thwack as his racquet smashed the ball over the net, right into their first court, whizzing past his rival. Ace! Henry hi-fived him, and even Simon cheered. Soon their doubles match was on for real. Oliver was thrilled when he and Henry took the first set after reaching 40-15 in each game.

The boys walked off the court, full of happy smiles. The overnight episode of the ringing school bell did not seem so spooky now, all was bright and sunny. Oliver's Mum usually wanted him and Simon to join in visiting Grandma on Saturday afternoon. Simon was having a bit of an argument about this, without telling his parents that he had a date with Poppy at the shopping complex. Being older, he got away with being cheeky. He did tell his Mum he was too mature to visit GrandmaSucks, as he always described her. Oliver zipped his lips, interested to see if the brothers would get any more pocket money after that. Simon's blue eyes grew larger, which was always a sure sign that he was telling fibs. He made up a story about Oliver needing yet more joggers, and the boys urgently needed to be taken by Simon to choose some.

Just then, Oliver's coach came over, and told his folks that he wanted Oliver to play in singles matches with a higher ranking player. He and Henry were valued players for the tennis club. They could be rising stars, as well as Simon. Oliver's Dad was so pleased, this was their family tradition, so he gave Simon enough money for Oliver's new joggers, and told the little dudes he would decide later about more pocket money. But he did give Oliver and Simon a little extra spending money, while their Mum was talking to the coach. Not long after, Simon, Oliver and Henry were catching the bus to Eastville Shopping Centre. This was a world first for the younger dudes, an adult free shopping experience. Oliver was going to keep Simon and Poppy a secret. Henry was sworn to silence.

Simon led the two lads into the sprawling mall, and headed to the Food Court. He sat down to wait for Poppy, and said to Oliver, "Right, here's our plan. You two have to disappear until half past two. Then meet me back here, I shall buy your shoes. You can try on new joggers, see what fits. Here's some money for lunch, eat what you like for once. Better than GrandmaSuck's house!"

Oliver smiled, he knew he was heading for his favourite donut shop, on the far side of the food venues there. Then he and Henry could head over to the sports store, where all his best brands were for sale. He gave a thumbs up to Simon, and did not make any smart remarks about Poppy. This was finally a first time for boys. Henry rated as a mate and extra brother.

Leaving Simon waiting for Poppy to appear, Oliver and Henry strolled to the last store in the Food Court. They were both hungry and thirsty. Oliver had always loved hot cinnamon donuts, with their holes, and sprinkling of sugar. They were his very favourite. He planned to have some healthy choice burgers after he had fed his craving for donuts. Henry eagerly tagged along, this was a fun day.

In addition to Oliver's love for donuts, he also had a normal boy crush on Kelsey. She was the regular teenage shop assistant at Donut Express. The shop was right near the exit, alongside some seats where folk could sit and enjoy their carbs. But today, Kelsey was missing. There was only a rather cranky looking older lady, who was not that fussed about being there. She looked at Oliver, who was gaping in dismay at the donut display.

'What do you want?" she asked grumpily. Oliver did not say, "What about some manners?" Although he was sure his Dad would have. Sure, there were some cinnamon donuts there, waiting to be bagged up. But there were no holes in the cinnamon donuts, or any of the other donuts.

While Henry looked on, amazed, Oliver asked politely, "Could I please have six cinnamon donuts with holes, like normal?"

Oliver paid for the lunch, but it was not the same. The unholed donuts tasted a bit off. He looked at the floor next to the seating, and saw a large mudded paw print. It was the same size as the one last night in the school office. He showed Henry, who noticed that there was a trail of paw prints, heading somewhere.

Sipping their drinks, Oliver and Henry followed the paw tracks. Had the Hidden Hound of Eastville stolen their donut holes? Was this a message from somewhere or someone? Oliver was determined to find this Hidden Hound, and tell it to rak off. But the pawprints led straight to the door of the janitor's office, and there they disappeared. Henry tried to open the door, but it was locked from the inside.

The two boys did not want to get into trouble with the shopping centre management. So they turned to finding the sports store, and tried on joggers. By then, it was time to meet Simon at the Food Court. Oliver and Henry told him about the pawprints, and the missing donut holes. Simon did not look that surprised, saying,

"You two are now members of the Hidden Hound Club. You are being dogged by strange things." Henry looked terrified, but only for a minute. Oliver had his doubts about some of Simon's ideas. Maybe he was telling them the truth, of his fibs. Oliver did not really understand. He would have to wait for more mysteries, like the unholy donuts of Eastville.