The Mysterious Abductions Read Online Free PDF Page B

again.
    â€œOh goodness, does your stomach hurt? I think I swallowed a bit too much of that algae, myself,” said the pangolin.
    Dawn sighed. “The distress call was a bad idea. From now on, let’s just say ‘help,’ or ‘look over there’.”
    Bismark nodded. “Yes, no need to speak in nonsensical sounds that nobody can really understand, ça va? ”
    â€œSo, look over there,” whispered Dawn. She bobbed her neck in the direction of some tall grass by the side of the path. At first glance, it was perfectly ordinary, except for an odd flower with a long, drooping stalk and a blossom like a paintbrush. But there, between the blades of grass, were two familiar points of light.
    â€œOh goodness,” Tobin whispered.
    â€œDon’t be alarmed, my innocent friend,” Bismark said to Tobin. “The fox is merely drawing our attention to the beautiful scenery. What are these spooky-looking trees called, my love?”
    There was no reply. Bismark’s brow furrowed. All seven animals—Dawn, Tobin, Cora, and the four bats—gazed past him, their eyes trained on something just behind him. And they all wore expressions of fear. “ Mon dieu ! Is it something I said?” asked the sugar glider, his eyes growing wide.
    Cora shook her head.
    Slowly, Bismark rotated his head and looked over his shoulder.
    â€œAhhhh!” Spotting the eyes of the spy, the sugar glider shrieked.
    â€œEeeek!” So did the strange little creature.
    â€œOhhh!” The rest of the crew replied. And then they sprang into action.
    Tobin shot a noxious scent from his gland. Bismark lunged forward, his gliding flaps spread wide. Dawn pounced with bared teeth.
    There was a great commotion as a flurry of dirt and dust surrounded the animals. There were shouts here, furry limbs there, a bundle of bat wings flapping—chaos. When the uproar subsided and the air cleared, the animals saw the suspect before them, pinned and writhing beneath the commanding paws of the fox.

Chapter Ten
    THE JERBOA

    â€œD -d-d-don’t hurt me!” stammered the creature, trembling with fear beneath Dawn’s sturdy paw. “P-please! Let me go!”
    â€œPah!” scoffed Bismark, placing his hands on his hips. “Do not liberate that dangerous beast!”
    Dawn kept her paw firmly planted. She needed no advice.
    â€œD-d-dangerous?” echoed the animal. “That’s impossible! I’m t-t-t-tiny!”
    Tobin squinted. The creature was indeed tiny. From his head to his haunches, he was only half the size of the sugar glider. In fact, with his oversized ears, puny body, and long tail, he looked like a miniature, malnourished mouse—hardly the profile of an animal napper. But still, there was something strained about the way he spoke that made the pangolin suspicious.
    â€œP-p-please,” begged the creature. He sniveled and coughed. “My t-t-tail. Look out for my tail!” Nervously, he eyed Dawn’s rear paw. “It’s very s-s-sensitive.”
    But the fox still did not move. “Bring me something to tie him,” she instructed the bats. “We will secure this stranger until we know more.”
    â€œRight away!” said the bats. They stripped the surrounding greenery and quickly wove together a cord out of stalks and vines.
    With the creature restrained, Dawn finally lifted her paw. “Who are you?” she asked, leaning in. Her eyes narrowed to slivers.
    â€œI’m J-J-Jerry,” he said, tilting away from the fox. “J-J-Jerry the g-g-gentle jerboa.” The animal delivered a shaky smile that strained his cheeks and jaw.
    Not convinced, Dawn leaned in even closer. “Can you tell us anything about a missing wombat?”
    â€œAnd kiwis,” added Tobin.
    â€œOh, k-kiwi,” said Jerry. “I love kiwi. Delicious and high in water c-c-c-content. The seeds g-g-get stuck in my teeth, though.”
    â€œNot