“Wow,” Hansel exclaims.

It IS pretty cool. Jonah and I are so used to it that it doesn’t seem like such a big deal. But I guess it is. I mean, how many kids get to jump through portals in and out of fairy tales?

“We have to tell Maryrose we’re not ready to go yet,” I say. “I’m sure she’ll close the portal and open it when we knock again. In fifteen minutes. We’ll just get the jewels first and make sure Hansel and Gretel will be okay.”

“And maybe have another snack or two,” Jonah adds. “Or three.”

The portal is still swirling.

“Maryrose,” I say to the portal, “can you just pause the swirling for like five minutes? Please?”

“Who’s Maryrose?” Gretel asks.

“Oh, um, she’s sort of like our travel agent,” I say. “Listen, guys. We need to get the tray of jewels on the witch’s coffee table. That way you’ll be able to afford to buy food. Who’s coming with me? Gretel?”

“Are you crazy?” Gretel asks. “I’m not going into the witch’s house!”

“I’ll go!” says Hansel.

Gretel puts her hand on his shoulder. “And neither is my brother,” she says. “He stays with me.”

Aw. She’s a good sister. Just like me!

I look inside the house again. The jewels probably don’t even belong to the witch. I’m sure she stole them from someone else. So I shouldn’t feel bad about stealing from her. She’s evil. She eats children! I’ll be like Robin Hood. Taking from the rich to give to the poor. Taking from the witch to give to the poor.

Jonah’s eyes light up. “I’ll come. Sounds fun. Do you think the door is locked?”

“We could always eat through it,” I say as we step closer to the entrance.

He turns the handle. “It’s open!” he says with a trace of disappointment. He totally wanted to eat through the door.

I glance at my watch. “Okay, guys,” I tell Hansel and Gretel. “Jonah and I are going to run inside the house. You two keep a lookout here. If you see anyone, yell out.”

“Okay,” Gretel says, looking at the swirling tree. I can’t blame her. It’s pretty cool.

Jonah carefully pushes open the door. I step forward, Prince at my heels.

I poke my head in and look around. “Hello?” I call out.

No one answers.

“Hello? Anyone home?”

Still no answer.

The witch is definitely not here. Perfect.

“Okay, let’s go in. But be careful!” I tell Jonah. “We don’t know much about this witch.”

“Except that she likes kid pie,” Jonah says.

Yeah, except that. I was trying to forget that part.

“Don’t touch anything,” I tell Prince. He wags his tail in understanding.

We step in farther and look around.

“I’m grabbing the jewels,” I say. I run to the table and pick up the tray. “I wish I had a bag to put them in.”

“Let me see if she has a plastic one under the sink,” Jonah says.