Ch2-Who Are They

CHAPTER TWO Who Are They? Snow blew into the tree house. Jack and Annie wore wool coats, hats, and mittens. Jack's canvas backpack had turned into a leather briefcase with buckles and a shoulder strap. Jack and Annie looked out the window.

Below the tree house was a wide, snow-covered field that ended in a wall of evergreen trees. Beyond the trees was a city skyline. "This is definitely New York," said Annie. "See the Empire State Building? Remember our visit to the top?" She pointed to a faraway building that rose above the others. "This must be Central Park. I remember that big field."

"Yeah, I do, too," said Jack. "But we've landed in New York in 1938. It was different back then." He opened their research book and read from the introduction: The city of New York is the largest city in the Western Hemisphere. It covers an area of 322 square miles. Jack closed the book. "Whoa. Even in 1938, New York was a huge city," he said. "This is going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack." "I'll read our mission poem again," said Annie. She read the first verse aloud: The very last unicorn Is now hidden well

By those who have put him Under a spell. "Okay, so this unicorn was put under a spell," said Jack, "and he must be hidden somewhere in New York, or Merlin wouldn't have sent us here." "Right," said Annie. She read the next verse: Four centuries, four decades From that afternoon, At the end of November, Before the blue moon, "What's a blue moon?" asked Annie, looking up. "I've heard that expression before." "It's when you have two full moons in the same month," said Jack. "It doesn't happen very often."

"Oh," said Annie. She read on: He will wake once more And be free to go home If you call out his name: Divine Flower of Rome. "Wait, does that mean the unicorn's name is Divine Flower of Rome?" asked Jack. "I guess," said Annie. She read on: You must coax him to stand Once his name is spoken. His chain will breaks And the spell, too, be broken.

Then a young girl must love him And show him the way, Lest he be trapped forever On public display. If he loses this chance To rise and depart, All magic will fade From his horn and his heart. "So I'm the young girl!" said Annie. "And I have to help him get home, or his magic will fade away forever!" "Right," said Jack. "Okay. Let's review: There's a unicorn on public display somewhere in New York City. He's under a spell. The spell runs out in