Lost in the Tunnel of Time Read Online Free PDF Page A

why we need them, mon! We’ll meet in the school auditorium for play tryouts. Don’t forget your supplies! The Black Dinosaurs are on the path of another adventure!”
    The school day on Monday seemed to pass in slow motion. A few students talked about the homework assignment. Tiffany Lawrence turned in her story early, typed and stapled. Ziggy, Rashawn, Rico, and Jerome had other things on their minds today. They met at lunch to make sure they had everything they needed.
    â€œAfter tryouts, when no one is looking,” Ziggyexplained, “we’ll see if we can get that trapdoor open. It shouldn’t take long to just take a quick look and see what’s down there, mon.”
    â€œDo you think it might be dangerous?” asked Rico, who tended to be cautious and more timid than the others.
    â€œNot if we’re very careful,” explained Rashawn. “Besides, what could possibly happen in just a few minutes?”
    Jerome agreed. The bell rang, calling them back to class, but the Black Dinosaurs eagerly waited for the bell signaling the end of the day.
    When the students finally assembled in the auditorium for play tryouts, Mr. Lyon seemed pleased with the large turnout. “Read over your scripts, and be ready when I call your name,” he announced. “Think about what part you’d like to play.”
    By the time Mr. Lyon got through all the tryouts, it was close to five o’clock and almost dark outside. Rico decided he wanted to be in the play after all and tried out for the part of a young doctor whosaves the lives of millions of people. Jerome tried out for the part of a young preacher who led his people to freedom. Rashawn tried out for the part of a great warrior who conquered many nations. And Ziggy signed up to be stage manager. “I like to be in charge, mon,” he said with a grin.
    Mr. Lyon thanked everyone for trying out, then dismissed everyone so he could lock up the building. He never even noticed that Ziggy, Rashawn, Rico, and Jerome, instead of leaving the building and heading for the late bus, moved quickly and quietly to the stairs behind the stage.
    One of the girls, however, did notice. Tiana started to say something, but she didn’t want to get them in trouble. She figured Mr. Lyon would see them and chase them out of the building. Her mother arrived to pick her up, and Tiana, after one last look at the big old school building, jumped in her mom’s car and went home.
    Rico and Rashawn easily moved the boxes off the top of the trapdoor. It was very old and looked as if it had not been opened for many years. The lock, asZiggy had said, was broken. Jerome quietly removed it and lifted the large iron handle on the trapdoor.
    â€œGive me a hand!” he whispered to his friends.
    Rashawn and Ziggy grabbed the handle too. “When I count to three—pull!” directed Rashawn.
    â€œOne—two—three—PULL!”
    With a strange creaking noise, as if it were yawning, the old wooden trapdoor opened slowly.
    â€œAwesome, mon!” Ziggy exclaimed.
    â€œSh-sh-sh!” Rico reminded him. “We’ve got to be quiet!”
    â€œWhat now?” asked Rashawn.
    â€œThere are steps leading down,” observed Rico nervously.
    â€œTo where?” asked Jerome.
    â€œLet’s find out!” cried Ziggy. His face showed his usual cheerful grin, but his voice seemed a little shaky.
    They pulled their flashlights out of the backpacks they wore and slowly peeked over the edge. The stairs leading down were made of wood. The air was very dusty and dry, but cool.
    Ziggy went first, carrying a small flashlight. He put his foot on the first step. It creaked, but held his weight. Then he tried another step. And another. And another. Soon they could hardly see him.
    â€œCome on down,” cried Ziggy. “I think it’s a hallway or a tunnel or something. I need more light. It’s perfectly safe, mon—I