The Door, Clark Mahoney [the gingerbread man read aloud txt] 📗

Part 1: The Trap

She was a brave little monkey, enjoying the afternoon, swinging from tree to tree, without a care in the world. She was free to climb, free to swing, free to move about wherever she wanted, but today, her bravery was to be tested.

Elisa loved the outdoors. She loved to feel the sun shining on her soft monkey fur. She loved to feel the bark of the jungle trees on her soft monkey hands. She loved to swing from vines and branches using her long monkey tail. She was a happy monkey.

Brown fur glistened in the sun as she moved from tree to tree. Following behind her in a game of “tag” was her cousin-friend, Alicia. Their nesting areas were far apart, and they only saw each other on special days, holidays, or birth-celebrations. Today was one of those days and they were eager to play.

Alicia had darker fur, almost black, with dark brown eyes that glistened with happiness from playing with her best friend, Elisa. Both girls had brothers that that loved, kind to their sisters, sometimes. When Ethan felt sad, or lonely, Alicia would give him a kiss on the head, and he’d cheer up. When Luca fell down, Elisa was there to help him up and make him feel better. Both girls were good older sisters, kind and sweet.

But today they were exploring the jungle. Off in the distance was a volcano, erupting occasionally, spewing out lava and scorching the jungle floor, vines destroyed, trees burned, animals chased away. They wanted to visit this part of the jungle, and explore.

Little did they know that a jaguar had devised an evil trap for an unsuspecting girl. His name was Alex, and he was feared among the beasts and critters that roamed the jungle. Malia, the baby boa, was terrified of him. She loved to tease Alex while hidden up in the trees. Or, she’d toss fruit his way, and hide, pretending that it had fallen on its own.

Well, Alex knew that Malia was the culprit. AND, he knew that Elisa participated in this game too, tossing and laughing, and tossing some more. She thought that she was sneaky, hiding behind tree trunks, but no. He knew, and he swore that he’d get back at her one day. He’d take his revenge on this little vine-swinger, and THEN she’d know the meaning of the word “fear.”

Elisa and Alicia scrambled across the jungle floor, leaping over fallen trees, and jumping across boulders here and there. Up they’d go, into a tree, then swing on a vine across a little creek, and down on the other side, and toward the volcano. On and on they went that afternoon, unaware that they were departing to their demise.

Alex smiled to himself, as he worked to create his secret trap. A vine draped here, and another there. A tree branch here, and another there. Then tie them together with a thin and pliable vine. Good. Now, just spread some leaves about the ground to disguise it, and perfect. Ready.

He slid away into the darkness of the jungle, among the leafy plants, to hide. He was a gorgeous cat, with jet black hair, and green eyes. A most beautiful creature, feared by all jungle creatures, and very, very sneaky. He could sneak up on unsuspecting critters, often playing with their friends, and he would attack. They were his to capture, his to play with, and his to eat.

Well, he’d just wait for the girls, for he knew that they were going to come this way. They’d been here before on several play-dates, taking the same path each time. And, he’d snuck up on them while they were playing, hidden among the trees. And, he’d listened to their secret conversations. Yes, he’d heard them talking about the volcano earlier that day, while they ran about along the side of a hill, up to the top, then down, and around and around, with others joining in the chase, even a blond-haired little tree-climber with very green eyes, just like Alex’s.

The girls came bounding toward Alex’s trap, unknowingly. Bouncing along the ground, their laughter echoing through the jungle, they came closer. As Alicia stopped to explore a nearby tree, Elisa noticed a cave. She’d never seen this one before, and she wanted to check it out.

“Hey, look at this cave,” Elisa called to Alicia.

“I’m NOT going in there!” Alicia whimpered, for she was often afraid of dark places, not knowing what might be hidden inside.

Elisa was NOT afraid of anything. She’d climbed tall trees alone, explored hidden valleys alone, swam across mighty rivers alone, and alone she’d explore this cave without her friend.

“I’m going inside,” she bravely stated, and quickly she walked on all fours into the cave. Once inside a few steps, she stopped to let her eyes adjust to the darkness. It wasn’t pitch-black dark, for she could still see a little bit. It was more like gray-dark, like when the sun is setting, but it isn’t all the way down.

She waited as her pupils dilated, growing in size to let in more light so that she might see, wanting to see, and feel, what was inside this cave. Maybe there’d be a treasure, or a pile of bananas. Maybe.

“Growl!”

She froze. No, she didn’t hear that sound, did she? No way. The one sound that all jungle creatures feared. No.

Then, darkness, as a door of vines and branches slammed shut behind her. In panic, she turned and grabbed at the door, pushing, pulling, but it was no good. She was trapped! And, nearby was a jaguar. But, not just ANY jaguar; it was Alex, the most feared cat in the jungle, dangerous, sneaky, and evil.

Fear set in, and tears began to pour down her cheeks, as is common among scared little girls. She called out to her dearest friend, “Help! Alicia. The door won’t open. I’m scared.”

Alicia had no idea how to help her friend.

Elisa had no idea how to get out.


Part 2: The Escape

“Growl! Hee, hee.”

She heard it clearly this time. Goosebumps ran up her nimble arms, as they began to shake and tremble in fear.

“So, my little friend. You think that it is funny to throw fruit at me while I prowl down below on the ground, do you?” he sneered. He had her. She had unwittingly fallen into his little trap, and he could take his time. There was no rush. His dinner tonight would be delightful, and spicy. Mmmm.

“Relax!” she told herself, but that was nearly impossible to do. “Where is he?” she wondered.

She closed her eyes, to help her pupils adjust to the darkness. If only she had time. Time.

“Elisa? Are you okay?” Alicia called from the other side of the door.

“Growl!” She heard it again, but this time, with her eyes closed, she knew where it was coming from. It was NOT coming from her left. Or her right. And, it was NOT coming from behind her.

“OMG!” she whispered. “Alicia?”

It was coming from the OTHER side of the door, outside, in the jungle. Alicia was in grave danger, and she didn’t even know it. Her hearing wasn’t near as good as Elisa’s, and she had no idea that lurking somewhere in the trees was the dreaded monkey-attacking jaguar called Alex.

“Think, think,” she told herself. Should I warn Alicia? No, she’d panic, and run off, and the jaguar would give chase and devour her in two seconds. What to do? What to do?

Tears began to flow down her cheeks again as she tried to think of a plan, of escape for herself, and of rescue for her friend. She loved Alicia, younger than she, by a year, and alone out there. How could she help? How?

Alex was hidden behind a bush, peering out at Alicia, and hungry. He’d waited for this moment, and it was now here. He would have his revenge. These girls would know the meaning of the word “FEAR.”

His claws began extend themselves in his paws, forcing their way into the soft earth below his feet. Right, left, right, left, clenching in anticipation. He was eager to pounce on this annoying vine-swinger, and end her tormenting taunts and teases.

Alicia could hear the soft crying coming from inside the cave. She was worried about her friend, but couldn’t unlock this strangely designed door to free her friend. Then, she heard heavy breathing, coming from right behind her. “What was that?” she asked, quietly, and the one-word response that came to her sent chills up and down her spine, filling her with dread.

“Alex.”

Elisa had a plan. She was scared, and crying, but she had a plan to save herself, and her friend. If only it would work.

Alex decided that the moment was right. The monkey that stood on the outside of the cave was frozen in fear, and the time was perfect to attack. He squared his haunches, and sprang forth with all the power he could muster, intent on ending the wait and beginning his feast.

Flying through the air, he realized his mistake, but only too late. His leap would carry him into the door, at full speed.

Elisa peered through the vine and branch door and warned her friend, “Duck quickly as soon as I say. No arguments. Just duck when I say.”

Seconds went by, and Alicia wondered when. When?

“Duck!” Elisa yelled, and Alicia did exactly that, falling quickly to the leafy ground.

Meanwhile, the jaguar had bounded from its hiding place and was nearing Alicia. Flying through the air, he saw that he’d miss her and hit the door. Too hard. Too fast.

Hoping to break his fall, he spread out his paws, pulled back his head, and closed his eyes, but it didn’t help. He crashed full speed into the door, flipping over and rolling into the cave. Lying on the floor on the inside of the door was Elisa, hand over her neck and head pushed down into the ground for safety. She felt the door glide over her, and heard the jaguar bounce and crash into the far side of the cave.

Quickly, she stood up, grabbed the door, and replaced it exactly where it had been, jamming it into the crevices to keep it from slipping out.

Lying on his back, feet in the