Worlds Collide (The Land of Stories #6)(25)
“I… I… I can’t remember,” he admitted. “But that doesn’t matter now—all that matters is finding my friends and warning them.”
The little girl shrugged and started to skip as she pulled him toward the newly materialized mirrors. Froggy was glad she was escorting him; otherwise he would have frozen with panic after forgetting his own name. Wherever the Bailey twins were, he prayed they’d find them quickly. Froggy had to warn them about the Literary Army while he still knew there was something to warn them about.
CHAPTER SEVEN
PIZZA BAGELS AND BARRICADES
In Midtown Manhattan, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Thirty-Fourth Street, was a famous bistro called Cheesy Street. The café was a tourist hotspot and sold all the food New York City was famous for. Visitors and locals alike journeyed to Cheesy Street for their renowned pizza, bagels, cheesecake, pastrami, and clam chowder. The staff had seen their fair share of eccentric customers over the years, but nothing like the party of twelve who joined them for lunch today.
Mindy, Cindy, Lindy, and Wendy (known in their community as the Book Huggers) shared a plate of Cheesy Street’s signature pizza bagels. The girls stared down at the cheesy hybrid on their plates in total silence, with blank expressions. Sitting across from them were all four pairs of the Book Huggers’ parents. They eyed their daughters with great caution and concern, as if the girls were explosives with faulty wiring.
“I’m so glad we decided to go on this trip,” Mindy’s mom said. “It was very last-minute, but sometimes a spontaneous trip is exactly what you need to clear your head. Isn’t it?”
The Book Huggers didn’t respond or look up from their plates.
“I think we picked the perfect place to visit,” Cindy’s dad said. “Isn’t New York an amazing city? There are so many things to do and see here. What’s been your favorite attraction so far?”
Once again, the Book Huggers didn’t say a word or move a muscle.
“I loved Central Park,” Lindy’s mom said. “I also liked the Empire State Building, visiting Ellis Island, our tour of the United Nations, and of course, last night’s performance of The Phantom of the Opera.”
“I imagine everyone leaves New York feeling influenced or inspired in some way,” Wendy’s dad said. “It really makes you think how many different people there are in this world. It reminds you how many different interests there are to devote your time and energy to. It sure makes Willow Crest and everyone who lives there seem rather dull. Wouldn’t you agree?”
The Book Huggers nodded in perfect unison without looking up. It was rather creepy, but their parents were thankful for any response they could get.
“Let’s address the elephant in the room, and I’m not talking about Cheesy Street’s mascot,” Mindy’s other mom said. “We know the last week has been really challenging for you. Recovering from a psychotic breakdown requires profound strength. Hallucination and obsession are very difficult things to recognize and admit to, but we couldn’t be prouder of you girls for taking the proper steps to treat yourselves. Dr. Jackson was very confident that all you needed was a little time, a little love, and some pleasant distractions, and you’d be good as new. Hopefully this spontaneous trip will be just what the doctor ordered.”
Finally, the Book Huggers looked up from their plates and smiled at their parents. The trip itself wasn’t enough to take the Bailey twins off their minds, but the compassion coming from their parents warmed their hearts.
“Thank you,” Mindy said. “And even though we’ve been quiet all week, we really appreciate you taking us on this trip.”
“Yeah, this week has been awesome,” Cindy said. “It was really nice of you guys to all take time off from work to treat us like this.”
“Whatever we may be going through, we’re lucky to have parents like you to go through it with,” Lindy added.
Wendy pointed to her heart and then pointed to their parents—implying that their compassion was fully reciprocated. The Book Huggers’ parents were so relieved to finally hear their children speak, tears came to their eyes.
“Fantastic,” Cindy’s mom said. “I’m so glad we’re all on the same page. Now, let’s make the most of our last day in the city. I say we take a helicopter tour after lunch, but first, let’s order some dessert!”
The party of twelve happily looked over the dessert menu. Their concentration was momentarily interrupted by a procession of four police cars speeding down the street with their sirens blaring.
“Wow, whatever is happening at the library must be serious,” Lindy’s dad said. “We’ve seen dozens of police cars headed that way, and I heard they evacuated all the buildings in a two-block radius.”
“When we were shopping on Fifth Avenue earlier, we asked an officer what was going on,” Wendy’s mom said. “They told us it was a big gas leak but nothing they couldn’t handle. The evacuation is just a precaution.”
The Book Huggers looked out the window behind their parents to watch the police cars racing down Fifth Avenue, but their hearts stopped at another alarming sight on Thirty-Fourth Street. Through the front window of a taxi van waiting for the cops to pass, they saw a very familiar freckled face.