The Hidden Forest

The Hidden Forest — page 7 — The Hidden Forest 8 left a terrible pit in her stomach until she started avoiding it altogether and took the back staircase whenever she went up to her bedroom Maybe it would be good to get away Adelaide opened her closet door and there hanging on the hook was the leather flight jacket her dad had given her just like Amelia’s She looked past it and started rifling through her closet She pulled out the metal detector her grandfather Poppa had surprised her with last Christmas Maybe there were some buried treasures from shipwrecks she could look for at least She grabbed some snorkeling gear too Now we’re getting somewhere she said as she started to pile up the gear to take The bedroom door opened and her mother popped her head in Adelaide why didn’t you answer me She stopped mid-sentence when she saw the pile of stuff on Adelaide’s floor Oh sweetie Mother please These mere trinkets are abso lutely necessary for the journey we’re about to em bark on You don’t mean you want to take all this junk with you I would hardly call my equipment junk It’s of the utmost importance Now maps where are my maps

The Hidden Forest — page 8 — Chance 9 Adelaide went over to the wall and carefully took down the map of Nantucket I think I might need this one too she said as she took down the map of the internal walkways of the Pyramid of Giza There may be some universal symbology that could be of use in the days to come The days to come her mother asked as she started taking out some of Adelaide’s summer clothes to pack Yes and Mom Adelaide said as she came over and rested a hand on her mother’s shoulder I’m sorry I won’t be here to look after you Will you be all right I’ll be okay I’ll have Dash with me Nantucket with Nana and Poppa is really the best place for you guys this summer her mother said trying to smile It didn’t fool Adelaide Everyone said that in time things would start to get bet ter but Adelaide was starting to wonder Things didn’t feel any better yet and all she could think about was tomorrow and tomorrow and tomor row Because tomorrow maybe there would be some adventure to undertake pyramids to climb secret passages to explore and the promise of the future to help forget the past Rein it in while you’re there okay Mind your grandparents her mom was saying And most

The Hidden Forest — page 9 — The Hidden Forest 10 important take care of your brother What time is it Go call him will you The ferry leaves in a few hours and we’ve got to get you guys packed up Adelaide opened the window again and shouted down to him Louis Come up and pack Pronto Addy you know I hate all that shouting Go down and tell him And you can take one piece of equipment with you but only one After her mother left Adelaide checked the hallway to make sure the coast was clear then tucked the snorkeling gear into the back of her duffel bag along with her binoculars She put some clothes on top to hide them and put the metal de tector over by the bag Then she thought a mo ment and opening the closet door looked at the flight jacket She carefully took it down folded it and put it into the duffel bag Most excellent she said as she surveyed it all

The Hidden Forest — page 10 — Chapter 3 STRANgE TIDINgS o Adelaide Louis and their mom arrived at the dock just as the ferry was blowing its horn Adelaide knew this was the moment to show she was grown-up but it was hard to keep the tears from pricking her eyes as she faced her mom to say good-bye You guys have to go Listen you’re going to have a great time her mom said as she gave Louis his baseball glove The ferry blew its horn again and Adelaide and Louis gave their mom one more kiss They boarded the ferry and went up to the top deck to wave good-bye Adelaide put on her big black 11

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