Unicorn Power! by Mariko Tamaki

Author:Mariko Tamaki
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abrams
Published: 2017-10-19T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

It would have been a pretty strenuous climb without Jo’s invention, which turned the rope into a sort of conveyor belt.

Jo, who was also a pretty avid climber, went last. Just in case someone needed help.

“That was really slippery,” she said, when she finally grabbed April’s hand at the top. “I really don’t think I’ve ever seen a mountain like this.”

Once they were all up the face, a group hug was clearly in order.

April squeezed her friends ferociously. “Crackerjack, we’re awesome!”

Ripley, who really really loved a group hug, wiggled happily. “YAY!”

Mal looked around, wide-eyed. “It’s like a whole other world up here,” she said. It felt alien. Pluto-like. A place where earthlings dared not tread. The air felt like it was Air Lite. Air Free.

Molly stood at the edge, for a moment, and looked down at the now tiny unicorns below. It was hard to see them because of the fog. They looked like the Dippin’ Dots her mom liked to get at the mall.

Ripley pulled on Jo’s arm. “Why is it so foggy?”

Jo looked around. “Fog happens when cold air meets warm air,” she said. “We must have hit a colder spot. Probably because we’re getting kind of high up.”

“Cooooool,” Ripley exhaled and watched as the phantom of her breath mixed with the fog.

April coiled the rope and slung it over her shoulder in case they hit another steep part. “Okay,” she said, pointing to the gap in the rock where the trail continued, “upward!”

Everyone started walking except Mal. “Uh. Hey, so, just asking, but when do you think we’ll be back?”

April turned. “I don’t know. I mean, the plan is to get to the top, and we don’t know exactly how long—”

Mal’s eyes darted to the side. “Do you think we’ll be back before dinner?”

Jo shifted her backpack. “Why?”

“I have . . . an appointment to practice the accordion with Zodiac?” Mal said, her voice uncertain. “Before dinner.”

“Okay, but we have a plan.” April’s face did a small crumple, like a little fold in a crisp piece of paper.

“Yeah,” Mal said, hopeful, “I know, I just . . .”

Molly, Ripley, and Jo looked from April to Mal and back.

“Sure,” April said, a little unsure. “Once we finish this.”

“Okay,” Mal said.

“We’re almost there!” April cheered, switching gears to let’s-get-up-this-mountain mode. “I can feel it!” And with that, she turned and started hiking again.

“Stay close,” Jo called back, as Ripley scampered behind her.

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