8
I took the Gator out to see Esme again, and now that I knew where she lived, I got closer to the rocky terrain she’d mentioned and hollered. The feather she’d given me was in my pocket in case I needed it.
“Esme!” I cried. “It’s Tabitha. I have news.”
There was a silence and I strained to hear anything. A few birds chirped, but it was quiet.
I decided to hop off the Gator and walk even closer to the rocks. There were caves around here so she must have been in one of those. I’d hung out in a cave or two in my time, back when I’d been exploring the area beyond the farm.
“Esme!” I called again. I wished I had the parakeets with me so they could go ahead to find her, but they were off on their own business.
I stepped carefully over a patch of briars but saw something shimmering in them
