The Map Maker's Quest Read Online Free PDF Page A

twins.”
    â€œHe did seem kinda irritated at that,” Jane agreed. She smiled at him and then tucked her map and pen inside the inner pocket of her jacket. She slipped the amulet over her head and tucked it inside her shirt where it would be safe. Suddenly there was another knock on the door, and Jacob stepped to the side to let Grandpa Able into the room.
    â€œJany, I know you two are going after the book,” Grandpa Able said. He hugged them both warmly and then reached into the front pocket of his flannel shirt. “There is one more thing I wanted to give you but I didn’t want anyone else to see it.”
    He handed her a small slip of yellowed parchment paper and then turned and headed towards the door. When he reached the top of the steps he stopped and looked back.
    â€œGrandma and I are going to go see your aunt in Florida,” Grandpa Able said. He held up two plane tickets and smiled. “I think that will keep us from becoming hostages in this game of cat and mouse.”
    Jane breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried that, even if they managed to rescue their mothers somehow, the Adherents would simply keep taking hostages. “Have a fun time,” Jane replied. “We’ll miss you. Are you flying out of Duluth?”
    â€œNo, I figured we’d drive to the Twin Cities,” Grandpa Able replied. “I think that’ll remove us from these characters’ clutches.”
    â€œI don’t know if they have a map that reaches to the Twin Cities,” Jackie chimed in. “I remember being moved north before the world went dark.”
    They all hugged one last time, and then everyone went downstairs to see the elder Timbrill couple off. Once the car was in motion, Jane turned to Jackie and Jacob, her face set in an angry scowl.
    â€œLet’s finish getting ready,” Jane growled. “Then we’re going to find a way to end this once and for all.”
    About twenty minutes later, they gathered in the living room of the silent house, the occasional creaking of the old structure being the only noise. Jane was keyed up and her foot tapped almost constantly as they all filtered into the room.
    â€œWhere are we meeting them?” Jacob asked again. He leaned over the table and looked at Jane’s map.
    â€œHere at Palisade Head,” Jane replied. She pointed to the area of the stone outcropping. She had been adding furiously to the map and it had grown to include much of the lake and the main part of the city.
    â€œYou have to cross over near there though, right?” Jacob asked.
    â€œYes,” Jane said. “Well, at least Jackie does. I think I might be able to emerge anywhere on my map.”
    â€œOkay,” Jacob said. He tapped his chin with his right hand as he considered the map. “I want to take Jackie through with me. I think I can guide her out at the right spot.”
    â€œRemember, we have to wait until evening in order for Jackie to cross over again,” Jane pointed out. All the things Tasker had taught her were swirling around her mind.
    â€œWell,” Jacob said. “You or I could go across and find out what the plans are. Whoever stays here can take my car and start looking for clues about the book.”
    Suddenly Jane slapped her head with her right hand and exclaimed loudly, “Duh, I forgot about the piece of paper Grandpa gave me.” She reached into the front pocket of her jeans and carefully opened the square of parchment. Written on the surface of the material were these simple lines.
    Â 
    Set in iron,
    Etched in glass,
    Revealed by light,
    Read the words,
    Follow the path.
    Â 
    â€œCouldn’t be simple, could it,” Jacob said. He scratched his head as he looked at the words. They were printed neatly on the paper and whoever had written them had been left handed, that was the only thing he could tell for sure.
    Jackie read the words again, she always enjoyed a good word