When Tolver yelled “Jump!” Sam and the pig had lurched toward the portal and then through. As the portal narrowed behind them, Sam felt like he was getting longer and stringier. It itched.
This time, he knew it was the pookah’s shape-changing magic, and that made it less frightening. But he still closed his eyes.
When Gilfillan shook him off and backed away, Sam didn’t try to grab the pookah’s leash. He crawled forward as the pookah disappeared back through the portal. Sam smelled damp paper and opened his eyes to find himself crammed back into the Little Free Library. His idea had worked!
A piece of marsh grass dangled from his T-shirt. His cheek, crusted with salt, pressed against a copy of The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street.
Morning sunlight sparkled through the broken plexiglass door. To Sam’s dismay, the light took on an especially bright edge around the easily recognizable silhouette of Mason McGargee looking at him curiously from the other side.