Worlds Within

WORLDS WITHIN

  Copyright 2006 by Steven & Margaret Larson

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be resold. Thank you for respecting the work of the authors.

  Other books available by these authors

  CHILDREN'S FANTASY BOOKS

  Murky Manor

  Cave of Discovery

  The World Beyond the Door

  A COLLECTION OF WRITINGS

  Thoughts on the Wind

  Print versions available at: www.lulu.com/larsonworlds

  Visit us at our web site www.home.earthlink.net/~larsonworlds

  CONTENTS

  1 The Edge of Discovery

  2 Nitika

  3 Book Possession

  4 Catch a Falling Star

  5 St. Elmo

  6 Dinosaur Dreams

  7 Encountering the Hulk

  8 Alarming Events

  9 Ghouls and Specters

  10 Score! Score! Scorpions

  11 Ressa

  12 Lost Kingdom

  13 Honored

  Epilogue

  Notes

  CHAPTER 1 - THE EDGE OF DISCOVERY

  The bell rang, and all the students headed to the cafeteria in a vast, jumbled mass. Being shorter than many of the other kids, Toby Traverse disappeared quickly in the crowd. They swarmed into the lunchroom, and Toby was squeezed into line. Numbed by the chaos around him, he opened the book he was carrying and tried to escape into the story. Bumped and jostled he gave up and reluctantly tucked the book into his backpack. The classic two-dimensional story of Flatland would have to wait until he was out of this three-dimensional nightmare.

  Across the room he spotted the hulking figure of Buz and his sinister shadow Arnie, leaning against the wall. Magnus soon joined them. Even from across the room his face had a menacing leer. Buz, Arnie and Magnus - he just thought of them as BAM.

  Turning away, Toby glanced at the back of the line and recognized Ressa by her short dark hair. She was entertaining a group of laughing girls who surrounded her like adoring fans. As she turned to face his way, her hair swirled around her face in loose curls. He sighed. It must be nice to be popular.

  He read the menu for Monday - spaghetti. As he picked up a tray he tried not to think about the boys across the room. Maybe they wouldn't notice him this time.

  The plump elderly woman behind the counter dished up a glob of spaghetti and slid it towards him. He placed it on his tray and added a salad. It wasn't salad as he'd come to know it since staying with his grandmother. Her salads were always an exotic mixture. She added bean sprouts, seaweed, goat cheeses, strange mushrooms, and other vegetation that most people would only eat on a survivor show. After the first month he had stopped asking about the strange plants that inhabited his bowl from places he couldn't pronounce and couldn't find on a map.

  Reaching for a bowl of pudding, he was jerked back to the present as a hand darted past him. "I believe this one is mine," said Magnus.

  "Filling my tray for me Tobias?" said the oily voice of Buz. Looking up, Toby was dismayed to see the three of them. The older boys from 7th grade towered above him.

  Arnie picked up the salad. "I don't much like salad Tobias, why don't you just keep it?" He thrust the bowl at Toby spilling lettuce down the front of his shirt.

  Startled, Toby cried out, "Hey!" and stepped back, pulling on the tray. But Buz was still holding the other end.

  "Where you going with my food, kid?" Buz sneered. He jerked on the tray. The sudden movement knocked the bowl out of Magnus's hand and pudding splattered everywhere. The empty bowl spun noisily on the floor. Spaghetti flew across the room in a solid lump with the sauce separating like the saucer section of the Starship Enterprise. It landed in two separate spots on the floor and slid, leaving a greasy trail behind. The plate skidded across a nearby table spilling drinks. Chairs toppled backwards as kids jumped up in alarm.

  There were shouts from the cafeteria staff. Kids were screaming. The sound of the salad bowl dropping from Toby's shirt to the floor was barely heard.

  He brushed the lettuce off his shirt. As he bent down to pick up the bowl, the noise faded. The room became deathly quiet. He felt a chill down his spine as he stood up. Closing his eyes, he wished desperately that he could turn invisible. He stiffened as he felt the iron grip of fingers pinching his shoulder. A cold voice said, 'What's going on here?"

  Opening his eyes he noticed that BAM was nowhere to be seen. Somehow they had managed to pull off the invisibility trick. They had left him in the middle of this wreckage with his life in havoc. The fingers, of course, belonged to the Principal, Mr. Carson.

  In a commanding voice he ordered several of the boys to clean up the mess. Everyone else immediately took their seats. All that could be heard was the soft sound of forks scraping across plates as everyone pretended to eat. No one wanted to be singled out by "Kick" Carson. It was a nickname that he had earned as a star player on his college football team. Although he no longer kicked footballs, the students at Sierra Middle School thought it still fit his style.

  "Come with me young man." Toby winced as the fingers bit deeper into his shoulder. Carson turned him around and maneuvered him down the hall. They walked past a table full of girls, and Toby saw Ressa staring wide eyed at him. His face flushed as he realized she had finally noticed him. Too bad she probably would never have anything to do with him now. At the doorway, he met the sympathetic gaze of a tall lanky kid. Jason was a transfer from out of state, and one of his few friends at this new school. Jason smiled and Toby tried to smile back.

  He had managed to make it though Christmas before having this encounter, but the New Year wasn't starting out so well. Being at a new school was more difficult than he had thought it would be.

  They passed a glass case filled with trophies won by the school's Scorpion Soccer team. It was no use trying to explain about Buz and the others. Carson thought all athletes were ideal students, and Buz and the others were star athletes. They entered the office, and Carson pushed him into a faded green chair.

  "I'm disappointed in you Toby. If you'd show half that much energy in your gym class you'd go a lot farther. You should channel those destructive impulses into sports. Learn some teamwork and you could get along better with others instead of causing this kind of scene."

  There was a knock on the door, but Carson's stare never wavered. The overhead light glinted on the closely cropped silver hair at his temples. Toby waited, not knowing what to say. There was another knock, and he began to squirm under the scrutiny. At the third knock, Carson's secretary, Mrs. Hightower, looked in and said, "Sir?"

  Carson finally said, "Don't leave that chair. Sit there and think about it till I get back."

  He left the room. There were muffled voices, and then Toby could hear footsteps echoing down the long, tiled hall. Her chair squeaked softly as Mrs. Hightower sat down. Then there was only the steady clicking of the computer keys.

  Toby leaned back in the chair. The books in his pack pressed into his shoulder blades. He brushed the damp hair off his forehead. Here he was in Kick Carson's office while those jocks were loose. Life was so unfair. If he had to sit here in this office, why couldn't it at least have been during his hated gym class instead of having to miss lunch?

  He pulled Flatland out of his backpack and tried to read. It was a classic science fiction book about a two-dimensional world. But the book required too much concentration. He put it back in his pack.

  I shouldn't even be in this position, he thought. If my parents hadn't gotten that promotion, the University would not have sent them to Antarctica for a year. They were there now studying penguins with other scientists, while he was stuck here living with Janie, his grandmother. He felt as out of place h
ere as a penguin. The only claim to fame that this small town in the southwestern desert had going for it was the DNA institute. The Family Ancestry Studies and Testing Institute, known as FAST, was the nationally acclaimed lab where his grandmother worked.

  Then again, things were not too bad. Living with Janie was an adventure in itself. She certainly kept things from being boring. He sat up and checked out the office.

  The carpet at his feet was worn from years of kids sitting where he was now. On Carson's desk was a paperweight. It was a scorpion sealed in Lucite. Fascinated, Toby was drawn out of the chair towards the desk. He leaned closer to see all the details of the imprisoned creature. Its eyes stared back at him menacingly.

  He reached out to pick it up. The sudden ringing of the phone shattered the silence making him jump and jerk his hand back. Mrs. Hightower answered it from her office. The tension eased from his back as he slowly relaxed and looked around the room.

  He was surprised to see a bookcase. Unable to resist the attraction of books, he glanced quickly at the closed door. Moving around the desk he began to read the titles. Baseball Greats, Football Heroes, Wrestling Superstars, How To Be A Marathon Winner. Figures, he thought. On another shelf were assorted autobiographies of sports heroes.

  He should have known there wouldn't be anything worth reading in this office. Football trophies from various years were used as bookends. They were all engraved "Will 'Kick' Carson."

  He was just about to return to the chair, when he noticed a small, leather bound book. It was sandwiched in between the autobiographies. Gold lettering on the spine read "Worlds Within - A Traveler's Journal." On impulse he pulled the book out. Listening carefully for returning footsteps, he opened the book.

  He couldn't believe that Carson would own a book like this. It looked like some kind of travel book, but he couldn't figure out what country it described. It wasn't like a Frommer's guide with listings of hotels and restaurants. Instead it gave information on plants and animals, and there were short descriptions of different people's travel experiences. But he was strangely draw to the pictures.

  He paused at one of an ancient arena with a dark, starless sky. Thin clouds covered a gibbous moon giving it an eerie glow. Crumbling stone walls surrounded an open field like bleachers at a racetrack. He could almost hear rats scampering through the debris. He quickly turned the page.

  A red sandstone arch filled the frame. It would have looked more natural in a desert setting, but instead was surrounded by tall pine trees. Yellow flowers poked their heads through the thick grass that completely hid the base of the arch. A petroglyph of a lizard was carved into the rock just above the tall grass. Looking closely he saw a bee perched on a flower petal. He heard a faint buzzing and rubbed his ear. The buzzing stopped. The view on the other side of the arch was in shadow, but there were shapes that might have been short dumpy trees. The opposite page had facts about the size and habitat for the lizard, and height and growing season for the flowers.

  He flipped several pages and came to a section titled Rock Marmots. They were described as small animals that could pull in their heads and legs so they resembled rocks when frightened or threatened. It listed foods they ate, how long they lived, their limited eyesight and keen sense of hearing. He felt prickles on his skin and the feeling that someone was watching him. Looking up he glanced around the room, but he was still alone. He skipped over the rest of the details.

  On the next page was a picture of a primitive hut with several tall trees. For a moment the leaves blurred as if they were moving. He blinked and wiped a hand across his eyes.

  The hut was made from pine logs covered with daub. A dirt path led up to the door where an old man sat on a stone bench. He was leaning against the wall and holding a book. The writing on the cover was too small for Toby to make out.

  He dug out his house key from his pocket. On the key ring were two of last year's birthday presents from Janie, a tiny flashlight and a magnifying glass. Using the magnifying glass he focused on the book cover in the picture. Long fingers with neatly trimmed nails zoomed into focus. He scanned up to the title of the book and read "The Fall of the Tyrant."

  Hearing a rustling of paper, he dropped the magnifying glass. When he bent down to pick it up, he saw dirt instead of the worn carpet. Suddenly the air felt cooler. With shaking fingers, he grasped the key ring and looked up fearing to see Carson. To his amazement he was standing on the path outside the hut. The man in the picture was looking at him questioningly.

  "Hello traveler," the old man said. His voice was rich and smooth. A slight breeze stirred the thick white hair, which fell to his shoulders. The corners of his clear green eyes crinkled into a multitude of lines as he smiled.

  Toby hesitatingly smiled back. "Where am I?" he asked.

  "You are on the edge of discovery," he replied.

  Toby raised his eyebrows and nodded, "Yeah, okay?but does this edge have a name?"

  "Like me, it has many names, but you can call me Caedman. What name do you go by traveler?"

  Toby stared at him and thought, why me? This day is just getting stranger and weirder. Out loud he said, "Toby."

  Caedman smiled. "Well, Toby, welcome to my home."

  Could be it's like the Wardrobe thing, he thought. He turned around and looked behind him half expecting to see the school office. But the road wound off into the distance and disappeared over a hill.

  "I see you've brought a book," Caedman said.

  Spinning back around Toby said, "What?"

  Caedman nodded at the book in Toby's hand. "Many books have found their way to my door," he said.

  Toby looked down. "Oh, the book. Well, it's not actually mine. I just, um, I was just, ah, looking through it."

  "Does any book really belong to just one person? Do not the ideas within the pages belong to the greater world and to those who embrace them?"

  As Toby tried to comprehend this strange question, he was distracted by sounds from inside the hut. There was a shuffling noise and the soft thud of a heavy falling object.

  "Are you hungry? I was about to take some nourishment." Caedman stood up, opened the door, and looked back questioningly.

  The mention of food made his stomach suddenly feel very empty. The idea of eating was enticing.

  He shrugged. "Sounds okay, I guess," he said and followed Caedman into the hut. He could always change his mind if the food looked funny.

  After the bright sunlight, it was dark inside. As his eyes adjusted, he saw shelves of books lining the walls of the round room. At the top of the shelves the walls curved inward forming a domed ceiling. In the middle of the room was a fire pit encircled by a low stone wall.

  Movement caught his eye. He turned to see a girl about his own age. She was replacing a large book on one of the shelves. Two long braids of dark red hair hung down her back. A camel colored tunic was belted at her waist and hung down below her hips. Dark brown pants covered the tops of her leather boots.

  She turned around and stopped suddenly when she saw Toby. They stared uncertainly at each other.

  "Marnie, we have a visitor. Toby is joining us for our meal."

  Toby smiled shyly, and Marnie's face broke into a grin.

  They sat on the dirt floor next to the wall surrounding the fire pit. It was about a foot and a half tall, making a convenient table. Caedman sat on a small stool. A hammered copper tube fanned out in a funnel above the fire forming a chimney that directed the smoke up and out through the roof.

  Caedman brought out a bowl filled with small loaves of bread about the size of muffins. Thick slices of cheese filled another plate. There were small cups of steaming tea and goblets of water.

  Picking up what he thought was a grape, Toby was surprised to find it tasted more like a plumb. He bit into the bread. It had a crunchy crust coated with a honey glaze and encrusted with nuts. Inside it was soft and sweet. The cheese crumbled in his fingers when he picked it up. It had a sharp tang, and the t
artness lingered on his tongue. Caedman was eating small, wrinkled, purple peppers with his cheese. Toby decided not to try them.

  Taking a sip of the hot tea, he grimaced at the strong, bitter taste. It was even worse than the strange herbal stuff that Janie bought at Alice's Food Emporium. He managed to swallow it down to be polite. Living with Janie had given him a lot of practice in being polite when it came to eating. The water was much better. It was cold and refreshing, and had a faint fruity flavor.

  "Your book has a fine cover," Caedman said. "It looks much like a book I had when I was just a few years older than you. It appears to be bound in sheepskin."

  Toby studied the hermit. The old man was relaxed and comfortable in his humble surroundings. Green eyes looked steadily at him from a face wrinkled and brown from the sun. His presence gave the room a safe and comfortable feeling. Without hesitation he handed him the book.

  Caedman smiled and tenderly stroked the cover. "In my book," he said softly, "the inside cover had an inscription. He closed his eyes and slowly recited:

  Upon each page a world awaits,

  Not merely what it seems.

  Explore and visit for a time

  Where waking blurs with dreams.

  Within are worlds, to be revealed,

  Some set a time apart.

  May it be, that you will see,

  The dreams within your heart.

  A faint smile touched his lips, and he opened his eyes.

  "What happened to your book?" Toby asked.

  "It was passed on to my daughter." He handed the book back.

  As they ate, Toby found himself telling Marnie all about his life with Janie and his problems at school. Marnie told him that she and her older brother, Berren lived in the village with their uncle.

  Their talk drifted, and soon they were discussing their favorite stories and books. Before Toby realized how much time had passed, Berren arrived to take Marnie home.

  He was a couple years older than Toby and at least a foot taller. He was carrying a massive wooden staff. Its top had been carved into a ram's head with sharp horns. The middle was smooth, dark wood, and the bottom had been shaped into a ram's hoof.

  As he leaned the staff against the door, the muscles in his arm rippled under skin that had been tanned a golden brown. His tousled hair was the same dark red as Marnie's. It was wavy and looked uncombed.

  Caedman introduced them and the older boy held out his hand in greeting. Toby's small hand was swallowed up in the friendly but powerful grip. Berren's light brown eyes sparkled, and his voice was deep and quiet. Toby liked him immediately.

  When they left, Berren carried the heavy staff in one hand and a book he had borrowed in the other. As he watched them walk together down the road, Toby suddenly felt very lonely. He shivered and wondered how he was going to get home. He felt fingers on his shoulder. Unlike Carson's harsh grip, this touch was warm and comforting. Turning around he looked up at Caedman.

  "Probably time you were heading back home too," the old man said.

  "But how? I don't even know how I got here!" Toby said.

  Caedman chuckled. "There's only one road. You need merely retrace your steps. The book will show you the way."

  Toby ran inside, grabbed his backpack, and snatched up the leather book.

  "This is a traveling book," the hermit said as he opened the cover. "Your heart led you to the picture you chose to follow." He turned to the picture of the hut, and drawing Toby close he pointed. "There are two books in the picture. The one in my hands brings you here. The one on the bench takes you home."

  Toby now noticed the second book in the picture. "You'll need your eye piece," Caedman said.

  Pulling the key ring out of his pocket, Toby adjusted the magnifying glass. He focused on the second book in the picture. On its cover was a building that looked like the library at home. He could see a bush covered with purple flowers swaying gently against the wall. He took a deep breath. The air was filled with the strong perfume of lilacs. He looked up. To his great relief, the massive stone structure of the library stood firm and solid in front of him. He glanced up at the turret where a clock was surrounded by elaborate carvings in the stone. If he hurried he could make it home just before Janie did. Hopefully the mess at school would be forgotten, and she wouldn't have to find out.

  He didn't notice that he was being watched from a dimly lit upstairs window. The slim figure of a woman stood framed in the opening. She watched as Toby turned and ran home. For several moments she stood motionless. Then she moved, and a small glint of light twinkled briefly at her neck. A cloud of long dark hair flowed out behind her as she turned and melted into the shadows of the room. The light went out. Above the darkened window, a stone gargoyle leered at the parking lot below where a mud-spattered jeep was parked.

  Back at the school, Carson was just returning to his office. The buses had all left, and most of the teachers had gone home. He was not surprised to find that Toby was not there. Mrs. Hightower probably sent him home, he thought.

  That was the least of his concerns. When the former principal had retired at the end of the last school year, the board had told him to be patient while they went through the process of filling the position. That was over six months ago. He was so certain they were going to offer him the job today when they asked him to come to their meeting. But they passed him over! He burned with the indignation of it. Not only was he not given the promotion, but they had the nerve to ask him to do the work until they filled the spot. He had to find a way to get that promotion!

  It should be easy to intimidate the head of the school board. Morris Simmons was a spineless jellyfish. He must have a weakness to exploit. All he had to do was find something to use against him.