Ch4-Barry

CHAPTER FOUR Barry Jack and Annie followed Brother Michael out of the parlor. The monk carried two lanterns and chatted while he led them down a chilly hall. "This monastery was built on the highest part of the pass almost eight hundred years ago," Brother Michael said. "We have a dog kennel and a chapel, as well as a library filled with books and

exhibits of rocks, minerals, and butterflies. Father Laurent is quite well known for his research and his nature expeditions." "That's cool," murmured Jack. But he was too worried about their mission to say any more. How will we ever find a flower here? he wondered again. Brother Michael opened a door to a small room. "We have many rooms for travelers," he said. "But tonight you are our only visitors." The monk placed a lantern on a table between two small beds. "I hope you will sleep well," he said. "And if you have more questions, I will be glad to answer them tomorrow." "Thanks. Good night," said Annie. "Good night," said Brother Michael, and he left the room and closed the door. Jack and Annie sat on their beds. The lantern light was casting shadows on the white walls of the small room. The wind rattled the windowpanes. "I'm so glad to be here," Annie said, sighing, "and not lost outside in the dead of night." She lay

back and covered herself with a brown woolen blanket. "No kidding," said Jack. "But it still makes no sense that Teddy and Kathleen sent us here." "We'll figure it out tomorrow," said Annie. Jack reached into his bag and took out the small scroll. He unrolled it and read aloud by the lantern light: The second thing to break the spell is a white and yellow flower. Live its meaning for yourself, if only for an hour. "It's a mystery," said Jack. "No flower can live in a cold, snowy place like this. And live its meaning? What's that about? And why just an hour?" "I don't know," murmured Annie. She closed her eyes and yawned. "Aren't you tired?" "Yeah, very," said Jack. "But I'm also worried about our mission." He put the scroll back into his bag and pulled out their research book.

Jack flipped through it until he came to a section with photos of plants and animals. He read the chapter title aloud: "Flora and Fauna of the Alps." He looked at Annie. "Flora and fauna means plants and animals. Did you know that?" Annie didn't open her eyes or say anything. "Are you asleep?" asked Jack. "Yes," said Annie. "You should go to sleep, too. You can read all this stuff in the morning." "But nothing makes sense," said Jack. "I don't know if I can sleep." "Try," said Annie. Jack sighed. He closed the research book and placed it on the floor. Then he blew out the lantern flame and pulled up his wool blanket. Jack kept his eyes open, but he couldn't see a thing. The room was pitch-black. From somewhere in the monastery came soft, beautiful singing. Two or three Saints barked. The panes of their window rattled as the wind moaned outside. "We forgot to ask what year it is," said Jack. "It's hard to tell, don't you think?" "Shhh," whispered Annie.

"But it feels timeless here," Jack went on. "Everything could be in a time long ago or in our time: sun, snow, mountains, monks, soup, singing… wind… wool… night…" Jack closed his eyes. "And dogs…," murmured Annie. "Dogs…," Jack repeated in a whisper. And he fell asleep. Jack opened his eyes. Cold gray light came through a paned window. Where am I? he wondered. He sat up, put his glasses on, and looked around the white-walled room. Annie was still asleep. Oh, yeah, the monastery, Jack thought. "Hey, Annie," he whispered. "Wake up." "Where are we?" Annie asked, opening her eyes. "In the Swiss Alps," said Jack. "We are? Why?" Annie asked groggily. "Good question," said Jack. "Let's read about flora and fauna of the Alps and figure it out."

Jack reached for the book on the floor. Just as he grabbed it, the door banged open, and a Saint Bernard dog burst into the room. The dog flung himself onto Jack's bed. "Ahhh!" Jack yelled. "Whoa!" cried Annie. The giant dog plopped down on top of Jack and panted, HEH-HEH-HEH! His head was as big as a basketball. His breath smelled like fish and crackers. His fur smelled like wet wool. "Okay, get off, please!" said Jack. He tried to push the dog off, but the dog just wrinkled his brow and looked curiously into Jack's eyes. Drool hung from his long jowls. "Eww! Annie, help!" said Jack. "Hey, you!" Annie called to the huge, panting dog. "Come to me!" The Saint Bernard jumped off Jack and bounded onto Annie's bed with the same joy and energy. Annie couldn't stop giggling as the dog licked her face. "Barry!" said Brother Michael. He stood in the doorway.