Tales from the Hood by Michael Buckley Read Free Book Online Page A

Marino—Italian is even an official language of Switzerland.”
    “And how do you suggest we learn all this?” Sabrina asked.
    “The library, of course,” Uncle Jake said.
    Sabrina groaned. “Not the library.”
    “What’s wrong with the library?” Uncle Jake asked.
    “Nothing. The library is fine. It’s the librarian that’s the problem,” Sabrina said.
    “He’s a complete idiot,” Daphne explained.
    “I thought he was supposed to be the smartest guy in the world,” Uncle Jake said.
    “Maybe, but he’s still an idiot,” Sabrina said. “Why can’t you go?”
    Uncle Jake shook his head. “Someone’s got to stay here and keep an eye on Goldilocks.”
    “We’re going to need the flying carpet to get to the library,” Sabrina said as she reached into her pants pocket for her set of keys to the Hall of Wonders. But before she could hand them over to Mirror, Puck entered the room.
    “Uh-uh-uh-uh-uh,” he said. “You two aren’t going anywhere without protection.”
    “Well, you can forget sending one of your misfits with us,” Sabrina said. “In fact, you can get rid of the whole team.”
    “Listen, dogface. Almost everyone in this town wants you dead. Not that I can blame them. But if you were to die, I know the old lady would want to have a funeral, and if there’s a funeral I know I’m going to have to take a bath. So I will superglue a hobgoblin to your leg if I have to,” Puck declared.
    Sabrina was so angry she thought she might burst into flames. It wasn’t that Puck was being stubborn about his stupid security team; it was because he called her dogface. She knew it shouldn’t have mattered. He insulted her all the time, but for some reason this one stung. Why did it suddenly matter to her that he thought she was ugly?
    “What? No comeback?” Puck pressed, clearly surprised.
    “Maybe Puck can fly us to the library?” Daphne suggested.
    “Excellent idea,” Uncle Jake said.
    “Boring!” Puck cried.
    “Oh, I’m sorry, I was under the impression that you were some kind of mischief maker. I remember a time when you would have jumped at the chance to sneak out without my mother knowing,” Uncle Jake said. “Oh, well. I guess you’ve lost your touch.”
    Puck scowled. “I have not lost my touch for mischief! I invented mischief!”
    “These days you seem to act more like a good little boy than someone called the Trickster King. In fact, I’m surprised that people don’t mistake you for that other beloved flying boy that won’t grow up. What’s his name?”
    “Don’t you say it!” Puck warned.
    “I know who you’re talking about,” Daphne added, winking at her uncle. “The one that hangs out with the little girl and her brothers. He can fly, too. What’s his name?”
    “I mean it! Don’t you say his name in front of me. That guy is a washed-up has-been. Don’t you even compare us!”
    “Oh, I remember,” Uncle Jake said. “You’re acting like Peter—”
    Puck let out an angry bellow. “FINE!” he shouted. “I’ll go with you but let’s get something straight. I am not some goofy flying boy in green tights. I am the Trickster King: the spiritual leader of hooligans, good-for-nothings, pranksters, and class clowns. I am a villain feared worldwide and don’t you forget it.”
    “Of course you are,” Uncle Jake said.
    Two enormous insectlike wings popped out of Puck’s back. They stood taller than his body, and when he flapped them, the wind they created blew Sabrina’s hair around. He buzzed right over Sabrina’s and Daphne’s heads, snatching the girls off their feet and whisking them out the open bedroom window. Sabrina saw her uncle wave good-bye as she soared over the forest, bright with the setting sun’s palette of oranges, reds, and yellows.

 
    he Mid-Hudson Public Library was a small, squat building not far from the train station. Its parking lot was empty, as was the lot for the tiny auditorium next to it. When humans had lived in the