Out of This World Read Online Free PDF Page A

Aunt Catherine was with us?”
    “Because if they really had been gone as long as they thought, she would’ve been. They knew that Aunt Catherine would’ve been the first person we called. And if they weren’t back in a few days, she’d have moved in with us.”
    Jenna nodded. That made sense. “Well, now that you mention it, we should call her. Right away. We have to let her know what happened. And then we should call the police.”
    Zachary frowned. He had come to a conclusion that he didn’t like, but one that was inescapable. He took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and faced his sister. “No, Jen. You and I have to go in after them,” he said as bravely as he could. “It’s the only way.”
    “What!”
    “We have to Jen.”
    “But you heard Mom and Dad. That’s the one thing they told us not to do,” she reminded him. “No matter what.”
    “I know that. They also told us they’d make it back and not to worry. But that’s because they don’t want us to panic. They're in big, big trouble.”
    “I know . But if it’s so dangerous, how can we help? We’re just kids. We need to call the police. Maybe even the army.” Her face brightened. “That’s it. The army. They can bring Mom and Dad back if anyone can.”
    “That’s true,” said Zachary. “But there’s no time. Think about it. The bird came back through the portal about five minutes after they disappeared. Time for us is running at a different speed than time for them. Ten days for Mom and Dad is only four or five minutes for us. That means that while we've been listening to that bird and talking, ten or twenty more days have already gone by for them.” Zachary lowered his eyes. “And they’re not back,” he continued somberly. “How much longer do you think they can last? And even if they find a safe world, at the rate time is running for them, if they haven't made it back by tomorrow, they'll have died from old age.” He shook his head. “By the time Aunt Catherine or anyone else gets here it could be too late. We have to act now .”
    Jenna felt sick to her stomach as his point hit home. He was right. It might be too late for their parents already. She and her brother had experienced the same events, and both had the same facts, but he had been able to see so much more.
    She pointed toward the portal. “But if Mom and Dad can barely survive these worlds and can't figure out how to get back—how can we?”
    “I'm not sure. Maybe the natives that gave Mom and Dad such a hard time will give us a break because we’re kids. Maybe this will give us a chance to find Mom and Dad and figure out a way to return. I don't know. I only know that we have to try ,” he finished, determined.
    Jenna lowered her eyes. “Then you should go alone. I’ll just slow you down.”
    “What?”
    “Look, Zachary, let’s face it, I’m pretty much of an idiot. You’ll stand a better chance alone.”
    “Come on Jenna, we don’t have time to kid around.”
    A tear escaped from the corner of Jenna’s eyes and rolled slowly down her cheek. Zachary rarely noticed the emotions or body language of those around him, but it was impossible to miss what this meant. Jenna was serious . “Jen, you really think you’re stupid ? How could you be so stupid as to think you’re stupid?” he added in exasperation.
    “Yeah. I wonder,” said Jenna as another tear escaped her eye. “It’s not like you haven’t been reminding me a hundred times a day since I was born. You just said an hour ago that you couldn’t think of anyone on the planet more stupid than me.”
    Zachary shook his head as if to clear it. It was true he teased her a lot, but he never thought she took him seriously. Didn’t all brothers tease their sisters? “Jenna, don’t be crazy,” he said. “I think you’re very bright. I mean your grades are only okay, not great, but that’s because you’re lazy. If you can’t figure something out in a few seconds you just stop trying. But I