Lost Places Read Online Free PDF

persistent notions.”
    â€œI have an idea.” Molly smiled. She crawled closer to the tree trunk. She knocked twice on the bark, then said, “Crimple, would you come out, sir, please? Tim and I would like to make wings for you, and we need your help!”
    The short branches on Crimple’s head emerged from the hole in the tree. The rest of him quickly followed. “Wings, you say?” He stepped out in front of Molly. “If you truly need my help, I’ll be most happy to oblige.”
    â€œExcellent!” Molly picked up some leaves and held them up to Crimple, checking them for size. Tim did the same for Tanger. They began twisting the stems together.
    â€œSo what else is out there in this place?” Molly asked as she fashioned a leaf wing beforeCrimple’s adoring eyes. He had a big smile on his face. Tim admired Molly’s clever way of smoothing things over with the nervous creature.
    â€œI don’t know,” Tim admitted. “This is as far as I’ve gone.”
    â€œAre you serious?” Molly gaped at him. “Why?”
    â€œWhy am I serious or why haven’t I gotten myself lost out there?”
    â€œTruly, Molly, miss,” Tanger said. He took a sip of rainwater he had collected in an acorn cap. “The Opener is right. Why should he venture farther than our tree? Our lovely meadow. It’s nice and picnickery here.”
    Crimple shuddered. “There’s no telling what might be out there.”
    â€œThis is absurd.” Molly put down her half-made wings and stood up. “I’m taking a look around.”
    â€œI don’t think that’s a good idea,” Tim argued. He reached for his backpack and pulled out a sandwich. “Like Crimple says, we don’t know what’s lurking out there.”
    â€œHey, no boyfriend of mine is going to see me as a weak and helpless female.” Molly waggled a finger at Tim. “You’d better not get all protective and overbearing or you’ll be in a load of trouble.”
    â€œAll right, all right,” Tim said with a laugh.He flopped onto his back and watched her go.
    Molly set off through the tall grasses. How much trouble could she really find in a place I made up as a kid? Tim thought, taking a bite of his sandwich and enjoying the spring sunshine. She should be fine. Besides, he knew Molly would get quite mad if he objected any further. The day was just too nice for any more arguing.
    â€œYou’d better go after her, your Openership,” Tanger said. “She could meet someone she hasn’t been introduced to.”
    â€œShe’s pretty good at introducing herself,” Tim assured Tanger. “That’s how I met her.”
    Tanger put his acorn cup down on the root beside him. “I’m afraid you don’t understand, Opener.”
    â€œOh, sazzle it!” Crimple exclaimed. “You stump heads can sit there and talk. I’m going after her.” Crimple raced across the meadow and disappeared into the tall grass.
    Tanger gasped. “He left the tree!”
    Tim glanced at Tanger. The narl looked horrified. “Uh, is he overreacting, or is Molly really in potential trouble?”
    It was as if the little narl hadn’t heard him. He seemed too stunned by Crimple’s departure. “He’s left the meadow. I can’t believe it.”
    Tanger’s fear was palpable, and now Tim was worried. He got to his feet. “Come on, we don’t want to lose them,” he said.
    â€œNo,” Tanger said. “No, we don’t.”
    â€œDo you want me to carry you? My legs are a lot longer.”
    â€œI’m heavier than you think,” Tanger said.
    Tim looked down at the six-inch twiglike man and suppressed a smile. “I’ll manage.”
    He knelt down and let the spiky little creature climb up onto his shoulder.
    â€œSet?” Tim asked.
    â€œI suppose I must be.”
    Tim carefully stood up