Free The Mysterious Abductions by Tracey Hecht Page B

Dawn danced in his head, her face awash with Sea Sparkle light.
    â€œWith the coyotes’ help,” she continued, “we canmove this boulder aside.”
    Bismark’s eyes burst open. “Coyotes? Excuse me? Pardon ?”
    â€œThe coyotes are not to be feared,” Dawn said.
    â€œIt’s true!” said Tobin. “They’ve been friendly and loyal.”
    Ciro smiled and placed his paw over Dawn’s. “We work well together,” he said.
    Bismark glared at the two touching paws. His bald patch turned a deep red. “No! Absolutamente no!” he cried out. “This is an outrage! I will not cooperate with these canines!”
    â€œYou better keep your voice down,” cautioned Ciro.
    â€œHush, mush!” said the sugar glider. “Do you know who you’re talking to?”
    Ciro scratched his head in confusion. “Your name is Bismark, right?”
    â€œI may be small in stature but I am important! I’m the announcer, the songster, the maestro ! I am an esteemed member of the Nocturnal Brigade! I am—”
    Boom. Boom.
    â€œâ€”busted.”
    Bismark froze.
    â€œWhat do we have here?”
    The sugar glider popped his head out of the crack in the rock. Then, slowly, he spun around to face the fiery-eyed Boris.
    â€œWelcoming the captives, I see,” said the croc.
    â€œNo, no, no! In fact, I was just telling them how repulsivo they are!” Bismark forced a charming little grin.
    But the giant reptile was not fooled. “Crocs!”
    At once, Miss, Bee, Hay, Vee, and Orr came thumping to their leader’s side.
    â€œYes, Boss?” said Bee.
    â€œWhat’s the trouble?” asked Vee.
    Boris crossed his arms and glared at the sugar glider. “The maestro is the trouble. Lock this traitor squirrel up here with the others.” The crocodile’s long mouth curved ever so slightly into a smile. “I’d like a moment to consider my options.”

Chapter Twenty-Two
    THE JERBOA’S TALE

    â€œN onsense!” exclaimed Bismark. “That swamp-dwelling reptile will come to his senses in no time. I am his most valuable asset! You can’t treat your talent this way!”
    The animals groaned. With Bismark now trapped in the chambers too, there was no one to fetch Ajax and Julian. They were stuck, just like before.
    â€œYou can’t fit through that crack?” asked Ciro.
    â€œ Absolument pas !” said the sugar glider. Heplaced his hands on his hips. “How many times must I say it? I’m not some pygmy flying squirrel! I’m larger than I look, you know.”
    The coyote sighed.
    â€œMaybe Ajax and Julian will find us,” said Tobin. “We shouldn’t give up hope just yet, right?”
    â€œDoubtful,” said the sugar glider. “These caves are crazy, I tell you. Mazes! Labyrinths! Impossible to navigate…without prior experience, that is.”
    â€œWhat can we do now? We’re trapped here forever!” Cora sobbed.
    The fox furrowed her brow. She had a plan. “Well, Bismark can still prove of use.”
    With a flourish of his cape, the sugar glider bowed. “But of course I can, foxy dame! I am the most useful of the useful. Name anything! Anything at all. A soothing song? A sweet caress? What do you desire, my lady?”
    â€œWhat I desire is information.” She stepped toward Bismark. “Tell us about this game.”
    â€œAh, yes, the game,” said the sugar glider. “Well, you see, it’s all about balance. A delicate combination of pitch, tenor, and strength.”
    Tobin cocked his head. “Pitch?” he asked. “You mean…throwing?”
    â€œNo, no, no, my scaly amigo. Pitch! As in key! Notes! Song! I am speaking of my role as announcer!”
    Dawn took a deep breath. “Bismark, we need to know about the actual game. What happens on the floor out there?”
    Bismark let out a disinterested sigh.