Dinosaur Stakeout by Judith Silverthorne

we’ll be hurled into the Cretaceous time.”
    “Amazing,” said Dr. Roost. “Well, let’s go!”
    Daniel felt suddenly nervous. It was one thing to go alone, but to purposely take someone else that he was responsible for wasn’t part of his plan for adventure. With Dr. Roost watching his every move, his ­self-­assurance seemed to slip. He had to concentrate on the task instead and bolster his own confidence. Besides being a momentous occasion, he knew how dangerous the trip was. Dr. Roost seemed to sense the seriousness. She stood still and silent, allowing Daniel to prepare himself mentally for their ­journey.
    Daniel stared at Mildred Roost intently. He should have little trouble convincing her of danger or when to return, unlike the problem he’d had with the Nelwins. They’d been so scared and disbelieving that they’d almost destroyed the chance to make it back. He’d just stay close to Dr. Roost and make sure they came back together. Her coming along changed his plans, ­though – ­she’d probably slow him ­down.
    “We have to stick really close together, and if we’re in any danger, we have to drop the cone and we’ll be back here instantly.” Just saying that out loud somehow made him feel ­safer.
    “I understand totally, Daniel,” Dr. Roost confirmed ­quietly.
    Daniel’s palms were sweaty and his heart thumped loudly as he moved about gathering the tools he needed and stowing them in his backpack. He went over to his stump and sat down. He stared at the patched wall where the pine cone was hidden, reassuring himself that he was only going for a short time. Just long enough to track down the Edmontosaurus, take a few pictures of any Stygimoloch they might see, and gather a few samples along the ­way.
    Daniel looked at her. “Be ready to dash off in any direction as soon as we arrive,” he directed ­her.
    She ­nodded.
    Reaching for the small garden trowel, Daniel clutched it firmly and stood up. Now was the time for action. He began scraping the patched dirt off the wall. Clink! He hit the stone covering the pine cone. He gulped. Gently, he pried out the stone and set down the trowel, pushing both away with his foot, while keeping his eyes on the ­hole.
    Swiftly, Daniel checked his pockets and adjusted his backpack. He was all set. If his theory was right, they should end up about where he’d been before. Hopefully, they wouldn’t land in the water, or they’d be at a disadvantage right from the start. He glanced over at Dr. ­Roost.
    She showed him a ­thumbs-­up signal. Her eyes danced with anticipation as she moved to stand beside ­him.
    “Stick right with me and move fast if you need to,” he warned again. “Now hold onto my hand.”
    She reached out and took his left hand, giving it a squeeze. She held her cane in her other hand and stood looking straight ahead and ready for ­action.
    Taking a deep breath, Daniel reached for the pine cone. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Dactyl appear in the doorway. There was no time to lose!
    In one sudden, jerking movement, Daniel grabbed for the cone. At the same time, Dr. Roost tightened her grip on his hand. A sizzling crack sounded in his ears. A split second later everything went ­black.
    Daniel and Mildred Roost were in prehistoric time!
    ~

    D aniel gasped in the hot, humid air, twisting his head this way and that, trying to take everything in at once. He heard Mildred Roost’s sharp intake of breath as she suddenly dropped his hand. Not seeing any immediate danger, Daniel tucked the pine cone into his jeans pocket, and watched in delight as Dr. Roost took in her surroundings, her mouth open in astonishment. Dawn was just breaking and streaks of yellow and pink lit up the ­sky.
    They’d landed almost on target on the shore of a huge inland sea. Daniel was sure it was the same one, because it stretched far into the horizon and ­familiar-­looking streams spilled into the muddy shore. Densely crowded small trees, low