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Hey,

Here is a revised version (again lol) of my chapter! I don’t know if you wanted to read it or not. Also tagging you just in case! @thedarkninja03

 

Chapter One: Disappearing Act

It was late summer and the leaves swished contentedly in the soft breeze. Jered Martin stood outside his house, listening to a frog croak in the nearby lake.

His mom was in town applying for a job. He looked at his watch. I hope she’ll be home soon. I’m starving!

Just then, his 11-year-old brother, Tim, came crashing out of the house. “That sister of ours sure is something!” he said, slamming the door.

Jered smiled to himself. ‘Something’ hardly did her justice. Spunky, carefree, argumentative, sassy. The list could go on and on, was more like their 8-year-old sister Ana.

“What did she do this time?” Jered asked.

Tim snorted, “What does she do any time?!”

Jered laughed.

“She took all my hot wheels out of my bedroom and hid them under her bed,” Tim said, throwing his arms in the air.

“That was because he made fun of my princess shirt,” came an indignant voice behind them.

Jered turned around and regarded his younger sister with growing amusement.

“I see,” he said. “You should give them back Ana.”

“Alright,” she mumbled reluctantly, and sticking her tongue out, walked inside.

Tim followed her a little warily.

As the two walked in, Keren, walked out. “What was all that about?” she asked.

“Nothing, just a little quarrel.”

Keren sat next to him letting out a sigh. “It feels so good to finally sit down!” she whispered.

Jered felt bad for his 16-year-old sister. His mom always trying to find work, was never home. Leaving Karen to watch them.

Which meant she had to prepare the meals, and really keep the house together.

“If Mom gets this job, she won’t be gone as much. And you can have a break.” Jered said.

She smiled “I sure hope so.”

Jered heard the rumble of an approaching car engine and looking up, saw their mom pulling into the driveway. “Thank goodness,” he said, rising to his feet.

He helped Karen onto her feet and gave her a reassuring smile.

“Keep your fingers crossed.”

Jered pushed his chair back from the table. They had just finished a delicious dinner of tamale pie.

He made eye contact with Karen then addressed his mom,

“How did your job interview go?”

She smiled, “Good, I think. The man was very pleased since I’ve done this type of work before.”

“So you think you’ll get the job?” Karen asked.

“I think I might,” Mrs. Martin said.

Karen smiled clearly pleased, Ana laughed, and Tim reached over the table to give their mom a hand five.

Jered surveyed the happy scene, proud of his family. With everything they’d gone through they had persevered through it all.

His mom had stayed hopeful, supporting her family, even when her husband died. His siblings had stayed supportive of their mom, even when all they knew and loved was taken away and they moved to Colorado.

Even when they were forced to move into the middle of nowhere, into a house with a flooded basement and missing stairs to the attic. A house with broken upstairs windows and a creepy outhouse in the back.

It doesn’t matter what the house is like, or that the outhouse is probably haunted. This is what matters.

Jered walked upstairs heading for his room. The dishes had been done and now he was ready for his bed. He didn’t even bother to change his clothing. Yawning, he contentedly dropped onto the soft blankets and fell asleep…

Two men stood on top of a tower looking down on the landscape below. “Sire?” one man inquired apprehensively. He knew his leader was in a bad mood but needed to have this conversation.

“What is it Ethan?” answered the other man. He was a tall man dressed in a robe of black. His shoulder-length hair streaming out behind him in the wind.

The shorter man cleared his throat nervously. “We have to move the troops out sire.”

He paused waiting for an outburst but was emboldened when none came.

“The ninjas will only get stronger if we wait any longer. They are already gathering their forces. All your wizards are lounging about and not paying attention to the need at hand!” he finished determinedly.

Aclabar whirled around to face him. Grabbing his throat he growled menacingly, “Don’t you ever disrespect my wizards ever again, they will gather and attack when I am ready.” He smiled. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, sire” Ethan choked out.

The grip on Ethan’s throat loosened and he fell to the floor gasping for breath. Aclabar turned away, “I can have another man replace you as general, if that is your wish?”

Ethan’s body stiffened.“No sir.”

Aclabar smiled. “Good.”

Jered sat up in bed, sweat glistening on his temple. He glanced at his clock,

2:01 AM.

He groaned, his head hurt.

Images of his dream flashed into his mind. But he remembered little.

The next morning, Jered was sharply awakened by shouts of laughter drifting from the stairwell. Then Ana suddenly appeared heading for his bed. He sat up quickly.

“Okay okay I’m awake,” he said.

Ana gave a squeal of laughter and pounced on him anyway.

“It’s already 9:30, mom said I had to wait to wake you, till at least 9:30. We’re all waiting for you!”

“Get out and let me get dressed,” he grumbled.

Five minutes later, Jered walked downstairs. Ana came up to him and grabbed his hand pulling him towards the door. He looked questioningly at Keren. “What is this all about?”

She smiled. “We’re going to explore today.”

Her words sent an exited chill down his spine and suddenly he didn’t feel as tired.

“Oh cool, let’s go to the lake,” he suggested.

His mom hurried in handing each of them packets of food. “For lunch,” she explained smiling.

“Thanks, mom,” he said, taking his packet.

“We’ll be home before dark!” Keren called as they tumbled outside.

 

Jered glanced behind him making sure Ana wasn’t lagging behind. Tim was running ahead. “Hurry, we’re almost there!” he called.

Jered slowed down and grabbed Ana’s hand. “Come on, you can do it,” he encouraged.

Rounding the last corner, Jered realized the “lake”, was only a small muddy pond.

Tim stopped. “Oh,” he said disappointed and sat on the grass.

“That pond is so muddy we can’t even swim in it!” Keren said dismayed.

They were all hot and had hoped for a refreshing swim.

“I don’t know,” Jered said. “But maybe it’s still swimmable.”

Tim brightened a little.“Yeah, who said it wasn’t swimmable?” He said laughingly and started for the pond.

Jered headed down the hillside after him. “Wait, I want to see how deep it is first!” He called.

But Tim was already waist-high in the muddy water.

Suddenly Tim shouted out and disappeared into its murky depths!