Free Lost Places by Carla Jablonski

story.” The troll handed Tim the book, then reached under the platform and pulled out a long pipe. He lit it and settled back comfortably.
    Tim flipped the huge, heavy tome open. His eyes widened. “Hey, these pages are blank!”

Chapter Seven
    â€œA TOAST TO MOLLY!” a pink dinosaur cheered, holding up a delicate teacup.
    Molly glared at the pudgy pink creature sitting across the table from her. She was still trapped in the dollhouse, but somehow it had expanded. The chair she sat on was now the right size, though the ceiling was still close to her head. To make it all worse, it had transformed from the elegant mansion she had discovered in the woods into a pink nightmare of a plastic playhouse. She felt cramped by the odd scale and suffocated by the group of dinosaurs all grinning at her. And she felt furious at being trapped in this ridiculous situation. Most especially she was angry that she was feeling so afraid.
    Afraid of dinosaurs who look like giant pink marshmallows. What is wrong with me? She glanced down at the narl Crimple. He sat on the chair nextto her, dwarfed now by the size of the furniture. If he can be brave, she determined, so can I.
    â€œSippy sip with us, Molly dolly!” another dinosaur chirped. “There is no bad caffeine in these cups.”
    â€œTo hairstyling appointments,” the third pink dino said, raising his delicate teacup toward Molly. “There will be many in your future. And fingernail painting. Toenails, too!”
    â€œTo the itsy-bitsy waist you will have and the pretty, shiny dresses you will always wear!”
    â€œDo you have any idea what they’re hinting at?” Crimple whispered.
    â€œI wouldn’t call it hinting, Crimple.” Molly picked up the Lacey doll that sat beside Crimple on the chair. She shook the doll in disgust. “They want to turn me into one of these. They want to make me grow up to be just what these dolls are—decorative, sexy, brainless, and silent.”
    â€œBut why?” Crimple asked.
    Molly was too aggravated to sit still. She stood and paced in front of the table, ignoring the shocked expressions of the pink creatures sipping tea.
    â€œThey told me that I’m being groomed to grow up to marry some nasty old magician,” Molly explained through gritted teeth. Every time she thought about this plan it infuriated her all over again. “And they want me to grow up right now.”
    â€œNo!” Crimple exclaimed.
    â€œYes! Can you believe it? They said I have to learn to smile all the time and wiggle when I walk! And embroider. Of all things! As if anyone cared about making dainty doilies.” She glared at the Lacey doll again. “But most important of all, I have to look like this!”
    She felt hot breath on the back of her head.
    â€œEr, Molly,” Crimple said uncertainly.
    Molly whirled around and faced the pink dino looming over her squarely. “I’m not smiling or wiggling, blimpo,” she snarled. “I don’t care what you do.”
    She flung the doll across the table, scattering teacups and dainty sandwiches.
    An angry pink lizard leaped to its enormous feet.
    â€œNasty girl,” the dinosaur growled. “You made me spill! Now there’s tea on my tummy and on the pretty-pretty rug.”
    â€œYou made a messy mess,” the other dinosaur scolded. “You must tidy before it stains.”
    â€œI don’t see why,” Molly retorted. “You’re a horrid color anyway. You and the rug. It’s as if a bubblegum factory exploded in here. I wouldn’t touch either of you with a ten-foot scrub brush.”
    â€œI am going to tell on you, piggy Molly, who makes messes. I am going to tell your governessand she will make you mind.”
    â€œYeah, right,” Molly scoffed. “I’d like to see her try.”
    â€œI do not try , child. I succeed,” a voice behind Molly rasped.
    Molly’s scalp prickled.