Tap-tap-tap.
Jack opened his eyes.
The Frog Creek woods were still dark and rainy.
"We're home," Annie said. Jack sighed.
"I miss them already," he said.
"Me too," said Annie. "Did you take a lot of noteson their habits and behavior?"Jack shrugged.
"I listed a few things about them," he said. "Butsometimes lists don't tell you much. You have to lovegorillas to really know them.""Yeah. That's right," said Annie.
Jack opened his backpack. He pulled out theirresearch book and put it in the corner.
Then he pulled out the twig that Ho-ho had givenhim. He smiled as he showed it to Annie.
"I promised Ho-ho I'd eat this later," he said. "But Ithink we should save it for Mor-gan instead.""Good idea," said Annie. "It'll prove to her that wefound a special magic.""Yeah, gorilla magic," said Jack. "The magic of allanimals," said Annie. "Yeah," said Jack.
He placed the twig next to the scrolls they'dbrought back from old England.
"Let's go," said Annie. She started down.
Jack pulled on his backpack. He put the flashlight inhis pack. Then he grabbed the umbrella and followedAnnie.
They started through the Frog Creek woods. It wasstill cool and dark and rainy.
Jack didn't mind, though. He didn't put on hisjacket. He didn't take out the flashlight. He didn't putup the umbrella.
Jack felt as if he weren't completely human yet.
There was still a bit of gorilla left in him.
"Ho, ho, ho," he said in a low voice. "Bu, bu," Anniesaid back.
"Huh, huh, huh," they said together. |