Lost in the Tunnel of Time Read Online Free PDF

think!”
    Rashawn went down next, followed by Jerome, and finally Rico, who really didn’t want to, but didn’t want his friends to tease him for being scared. At the bottom of the steps, with flashlights shining weakly, Rico and Jerome looked around.
    They were in a small room. Boxes were stacked along the walls. Jerome looked closely at one of the boxes. “Look at the dates on these!” he said in amazement. The boxes read, SCHOOL RECORDS 1900–1909 .
    â€œThis is no Underground Railroad tunnel,” said Rashawn with disappointment. “It’s just an old storage room for ancient school records. I bet no one in the school even knows that this room exists.”



Rico still looked nervous. “Let’s get out of here before we get in trouble!”
    â€œYou’re right, mon,” agreed Ziggy. “Hey, look at this—an old rope. I bet it was used by some old cowboys in a rodeo.”
    â€œWere there cowboys in Ohio?” asked Rico, who was starting to relax now that they were getting ready to leave.
    â€œThere were cows, weren’t there? And boys? So I guess there could have been cowboys, mon! Watch me do a rope trick!”
    Rashawn glanced over at Ziggy. Just as he started to yell, “ZIGGY, DON’T!” Ziggy pulled the rope. The trapdoor slammed down with a loud and deafening thud . Except for the thin beams of their small flashlights, sudden darkness surrounded them.

RICO SHRIEKED, “I WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE! Now!” Ziggy gasped and dropped his flashlight.
    Jerome was breathing hard, but he said, “Relax, dudes. We have flashlights. We just have to go back up the stairs and push the door open.” He swept his light around the room and across the floor.
    Ziggy exclaimed, “Here’s my flashlight, mon! But it won’t come on. I think it broke when I dropped it!”
    Rashawn shook his flashlight, but he could not get that one to click on either. “I’ll check my backpack. I packed extra flashlights in there,” he said, trying to see in the dim light. Rico, eventhough his hands were sweaty with fear, used his light to find the spares and gave them to Rashawn and Ziggy.
    â€œNow what?” Rico asked. “I’m scared.”
    â€œLet’s get that door open and get out of here, mon! I’m with you.” Even Ziggy had lost some of his usual good humor.
    Jerome climbed the stairs and pushed. Nothing happened. “I need some help here,” he called. Rico, then Rashawn, and finally Ziggy, all crowded on the narrow wooden steps, pushing with all their might. The door would not budge.
    â€œWhy won’t it open?” asked Rico. He was starting to be really afraid. He didn’t like closed-in places and he didn’t want the other boys to know how scared he was.
    â€œDo you think anyone could hear us if we yell?” asked Jerome.
    â€œProbably not. We’re behind the storage area of the stage. There’s no reason for anyone to come back here. I bet everybody is already headed home,” Rico replied nervously.
    â€œBut we should try to get someone’s attention in case anyone’s still around!” said Rashawn. “Maybe Mr. Lyon will come back here to check the lights or something.”
    They pounded on the door and screamed. Nothing happened. Rico couldn’t help it. He started to cry. “It’s okay, mon,” Ziggy said gently. “We’ll get out of here. Don’t worry.” But even he sounded worried.
    Rashawn finally said, “Maybe there’s another way out of here. Let’s go down that hall.” They took their flashlights and book bags and slowly walked into the darkness. The walls were thick with dust and spiderwebs.
    Rico, still sniffling, followed closely behind Rashawn.
    Jerome complained, “These webs are getting all in my hair. I think I’m gonna scream! If you see a spider, just don’t tell me,