Ch10-The Secret

CHAPTER TEN The Secret "Well done," Teddy said softly. "Indeed," said Kathleen, smiling at Jack and Annie. Morgan smiled at them, too. "Thank you for your four secrets," she said. "You're welcome," said Annie. "But we're not exactly sure what the fourth secret is."

"I told Annie I don't think it can be a baby penguin," said Jack. "Because in our time people aren't allowed to have baby penguins." "That is true," said Morgan. "But people can always take care of someone—or some creature— who needs them." "So that's the secret?" said Annie. Morgan nodded. "Taking loving care of another can make one very happy," she said. "Like the other three secrets, it helps us look outside ourselves. Then we can better see all the gifts the world has to offer." "Yeah, taking care of Penny really took my attention off myself," Jack said. "I forgot about a million things I was worried about."

"I know you will miss her," said Morgan. "But I imagine you will see her again someday." "So are we going on another mission soon?" asked Annie. "Return home and rest first, and we will send for you again," said Morgan. "Can you try to make it really soon?" said Annie. "We don't like long rests." Morgan laughed. "We will see," she said. "Oh, before we leave, I want to take a picture of you three guys," said Annie. "It's for my family project at school. You seem like a family to me. Look this way, please." Annie aimed her camera at Morgan, Teddy, and Kathleen. "Smile!" she said.

"What are you doing?" asked Teddy. "What are you holding?" "It's a camera," said Annie. "Just smile. Say cheese." "Cheese? Why 'cheese'?" said Teddy. Click! Flash! "Got it." Annie put her camera back into her pocket. "What was that? What did you do?" asked Teddy. "It's hard to explain," said Jack. "It's like magic. From our time." "Good-bye now," said Morgan, smiling. "Have a safe journey home to your family."

"Thanks," said Jack. "See all you guys again soon—real soon, we hope!" said Annie. "We hope so, too!" said Teddy. "Good-bye," said Kathleen. Jack and Annie left the garden cottage and hurried back to the tree house. They climbed up the rope ladder. Jack grabbed the Pennsylvania book and opened it to a picture of the Frog Creek woods. "Wait, I see Merlin and Penny! Look!" Annie pointed toward Merlin in the distance. He was still walking through the apple orchard with Penny at his side.

"They look like a little family now, too," said Jack. "Yeah, they do. I should take their picture," said Annie. She aimed her camera at Merlin and Penny and took a picture. Then she sighed. "Okay, home now." "Bye, Penny," Jack said softly. Then he pointed in the book to the words Frog Creek. "I wish we could go there!" he said. The wind started to blow. The tree house started to spin. It spun faster and faster. Then everything was still. Absolutely still.