Worlds Collide (The Land of Stories #6)(51)

“Don’t be so hard on yourself—you’ve got a lot on your mind,” Bob said. “Speaking of which, any word from Conner?”

“Nothing,” she said with a heavy sigh. “I’ve tried calling a dozen times, but no one is answering. I know I worry about them constantly, but I can’t fight a feeling that something terrible has happened. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I feel like they both need me.”

Bob and Charlotte were distracted when the pirates from Starboardia started moaning at the television.

“What’s going on?” Charlotte asked.

“Some lady came on the screen and interrupted our show!” Fish-Lips Lucy grumbled. “And Maria was just about to catch José being unfaithful!”

Bob and Charlotte glanced at the screen to see what they were talking about. President of the United States Katherine Walker was sitting at her desk in the Oval Office, about to give a national address.

“That lady is the president,” Bob said. “She only comes on TV when something important is happening.”

“But it’s past midnight on the East Coast,” Charlotte said. “What could be so important?”

“Beats me,” Bob said. “Turn it up, guys.”

The pirates turned up the volume and everyone in the commissary gathered around the television. The characters outside could tell something was going on and came in to see what the big deal was. The Blissworm even peeked out from its cocoon.

“My fellow Americans,” President Walker said to the camera. “By now I’m sure you’ve heard about the situation unfolding in New York City. There are many outlandish reports circulating in the news and social media, so allow me to present the facts and calm the frenzy. Early yesterday morning, a massive gas leak was discovered at the main branch of the New York Public Library. Local authorities were called to the scene and quickly ordered an evacuation of the surrounding area. After carefully assessing the damage throughout the day, that evacuation has now been extended to the entire island of Manhattan. I understand this poses an inconvenience of immeasurable proportions, but nothing, I repeat, nothing, is more important than the safety of the American people. We assure you the situation is being taken care of by highly trained professionals and there is no need to panic….”

Charlotte instantly began to panic.

“She wouldn’t be reassuring the country if there were nothing to worry about,” Charlotte said. “Now I know I wasn’t just being paranoid—something’s definitely happened! The twins are in danger!”

Just then, Charlotte’s cell phone started buzzing in her pocket. She retrieved the phone and saw an incoming call from an unfamiliar number. Charlotte immediately answered the phone, praying she’d hear the voices of her children on the other end.

“Conner, is that you?”

“Mrs. Gordon? Oh, thank God, I’ve finally got you! I’ve been trying to get a signal for hours but there’s a lot of people using their cell phones around here!”

At first Charlotte didn’t recognize the young voice, but she could tell that the caller was standing in a crowded area.

“Who is this?” she asked.

“It’s Mindy—Mindy McClowsky,” Mindy said.

“And Cindy Strutherbergers!” Cindy added.

“And Lindy Lenkins!” Lindy announced.

Wendy performed a quick clap-snap combo to announce her presence.

“Wendy Takahashi is with us, too,” Mindy said. “You’re on speaker with the Book Huggers from Willow Crest High School.”

Charlotte was automatically annoyed. “Girls, I really don’t have time to talk about whether or not Alex and Conner are interning at Area 51—”

“You don’t have to!” Mindy said. “We just saw Conner and he told us all about your family secret! Our mission is complete—we’re totally in the loop now! And boy, do you guys have enough drama to fill a week of talk shows, or what!”

“Wait a second, did you say you just saw Conner?”

“Yes!” Mindy said. “We were just at the library with him and his friends—and by the way, don’t believe a word anyone says about a gas leak. That is totally not what’s going on!”

The news overwhelmed Charlotte and she sat down. The pirates turned off the television so they could eavesdrop on her conversation.

“Where is Conner now? Is he or Alex with you?”

“No, he and his friends went to find Alex, but we’re not sure where they went,” Mindy explained. “Come to think of it, I’m not sure where we are, either. After we crawled out of the abandoned subway tunnel, we got shoved into a bus by police officers and they drove us off the island.”

“I think we’re in Brooklyn,” Lindy said.

“No, this is definitely Queens,” Cindy said.

Wendy pointed to a sign that clearly stated they were in Hoboken, but no one paid attention to her.

“It’s impossible to tell,” Mindy said. “Anyway, this weird bridge-thingy appeared in the library that leads directly to the fairy-tale world. I guess a bunch of witches came out of it earlier and something way worse is coming soon. It’s like a bad episode of Doctor Who over here! Conner asked us to call you and say they need backup—he said you’d know what to do!”