my story

Freedom
Book 1

The Black River

Prologue

Angelina Diaz lowered her sunglasses and said, “611, I’m air balloon number 57 8.” The guard nodded, took out a small walkie-talkie and said, “Justice at exit 89,000,” A minute rolled by. The guard again raised the walkie-talkie and said something about opening the gates and to hurry up about it. The rusty old double gates behind the guard creaked open slowly. Angelina placed her sunglasses back onto her nose, walked passed the guard and through the gate. As she walked away she could hear the guard muttering something about finally opening the gates into the tiny device. She heard another man’s voice saying something about the button being stuck. “Fishy, very fishy,” She thought to herself.
“Oh, get back to work Alfred,” she heard the guard at the gate say angrily. Did he mean Alfred Longlegs? She decided to walk faster.
She walked up a short driveway and up a path to a glass door with a window sign that stated, “HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES AND RENTALS,” in bold black letters. Angelina pushed open the door and walked swiftly over to the circler desk in the middle of the room. A youth sat in a computer chair with his feet on the desk near the keyboard reading “THE POINT GAZETTE”. Angelina took off her sunglasses and put them in her purse. She looked around. She could see a couch, two chairs; a fake potted plant and a TV to the left while to the right a small table with some kids books and toys and games underneath the table in a woven wooden basket. Then Angelina turned back to the youth. It was show time.
“I think you need a bell or something,” Angelina said casually to the youth. He was so startled that he almost fell out of the chair.
“Yeah, I-I guess we do,” the teen said, slightly smiling as he folded his newspaper. As he was straitening up Angelina noticed his name tag hanging from a long string around his neck. “HENRY FIELD”. Below his name it read, “MAIN DESK AND SECURITY SUPERVISOR”. Underneath that was a picture of Henry, a young man with messy blonde hair, a white smile (like TV stars) and gentle amber eyes complete with a plain blue shirt and blue tie with white seagulls in the back round. He was the double agent.
“I’m A.D. 18,” Angelina interjected in a whisper when Henry looked up at her. Henry sat up a little straighter, leaned forward and said, “H.F. 40.” Well, that’s spy talk for you.
Just then the door opened and a pudgy man and his wife entered.
“Mr. Gibbons, Mrs. Gibbons I’ll be right with you,” Henry said politely as he stood up.
“We’ll be right here,” Mr. Gibbons said smiling. Mrs. Gibbons smiled as well.
***
Henry pushed open the door. Angelina froze 5 feet from the door.
“She’s beautiful,” she said gazing at the tethered balloon. The balloon was the color of the sunset with black stripes going down the sides.
On the side of the balloon was the name “JUSTICE” in bright pastel blue.
“Ms. Diaz,” Henry said giving her his hand to help her into the balloon. Angelina took Henry’s hand and climbed, just a little bit nervously, into the basket.
“Thanks!” Angelina said, waving, as she rose into the air. Henry stood, with one hand covering his eyes from the sun and one hand in his pocket. He waited until Angelina was 20 feet in the air before he jogged back to the door. He turned and waved before disappearing into the building. Angelina turned her head toward the sky and breathed in the spring air. She was now 22 feet in the air and rising slowly. 5 minutes rolled by with the wind. 10 minutes ...15 minutes. Swoosh. A white US Air airplane flew 9 feet above and 50 feet away from JUSTICE. Then another swoosh was heard. A black jet swooped down from above. Angelina screamed.
The co-pilot of the US Air, Seth Comet, glanced out his window thinking he heard a scream. His eyes widened.
“ANGELINA!”




















Chapter 1
Meet me, the sneak

Look I didn’t mean to snoop on what I did. Well, ok I did but I didn’t mean to. But if you really think about it if I hadn’t snooped then Angelina Diaz would probably still be in a secret under ground cave in Jasper, Alabama.
Hey, maybe I should tell a little back round about me before I start telling you the story. By the way, if you don’t want to hear my back round story then you can just skip this part. You won’t hurt my feelings. First of all, I have straight auburn hair which is almost always in a ponytail. Second, I have hazel eyes. Third and last, I am a complete WEIRDO! Or at lest, I think I am. I have two sets of braces. Um... I think that’s it...on with the story.
It all started when my snobby brother, Jack Arnold, and I were walking home from school one Friday in May. He turned toward me and said, “I double dare you to go snoop around the police office in the next 24 hours or I’ll call you a scared chicken.” Man, he can get on my nerves. I had to. I know when to do it, how to do it and what I shouldn’t do, I just didn’t know what to do or say once I got caught.
But luckily I didn’t have to worry about that.
So, at 11:57 pm I snuck out of bed, through the door, down the hall, down the stairs and almost to the door when a voice said, “Martha, what do think your doing?” I spun around slowly and there on the steps were Mom and Dad. Busted.
“I-I…um…I was getting a…a…” I was hopeless. Mom lifted an eyebrow. Dad shakes his head sadly.
“Martha,” Mom says coming down the stairs. “If you’re looking for the kitchen it’s over there.” She points her index finger to the right.
“I-I was…um… making sure the door was…a… locked. Just to-to be sure, you know.” I stumbled over my own words. Then Dad speaks. “I see. But why in your clothes?”
I looked down. I had to change into my clothes.
“Yeah, I forgot where I put my bathrobe. Mom always wears hers if she's in her pajamas,” I blurt.
“Well, I-touché,” Mom said. “But you didn’t have to get fully dressed,”
“Good point,” I say. “Um, I’d better get to bed now,”
“Good night, Martha,” Mom said as I walk passed.
“Night, Mart,” Dad adds. I turn and smile, then I almost ran upstairs.


***
12:57 pm aka an hour later…
I opened my window and snuck out. (Don’t even think of asking me how I got down. And don’t try it at home or anywhere…Unless you absolutely have to.) I admit it; I forgot that Mom’s tulips were right underneath my window. I squashed 5 out of 9 tulips that night. I remember thinking, “if Mom finds out I am sooo dead.” (She didn’t find out though, so don’t worry about my punishment because I didn’t have one.)
I got my bike helmet and bike out of the shed. I took off. As I raced down the road I could feel the cool, refreshing breeze against my face as my hair whipped about wildly in the breeze. I peddled and peddled and peddled and-well, you get the picture.

1:02 am
I hid my bicycle, as best I could, underneath a huge bush in front of the police station.
I held my breath as I snuck up the steps, while also carefully watching the windows. I opened the door and…came face-to-face with a boy my age. I was wondering why he was here while I was also thinking, “I’m like sooo busted”.
“Hello, there,” the boy said.
“Hi.” I said. Then we just stood there, forgetting our manners, and staring at each other. Then I couldn’t help it.
“What are you doing here?!” we both blurted.
The boy took a deep breath and started, “I…ah…Jack Arnold Kent-”
“Dared you?” I finished.
“How did you- ”
“He’s my older brother,” I said interrupting him again.
“I-oh…well…that-that makes sense,” he said.
“Yeah, I guess so,” I put in. Again we just stared.
Suddenly we heard somebody walking down the hall. The boy ran and ducked behind a fake plant. I followed. We watched as a young police officer sat down behind the desk. She opened a thick paperback book. She started to read out loud. A few minutes later she went quiet.
“Drat, who knows how long she’ll be there,” I heard the boy groan beside me. I suppose I shouldn’t call him “the boy” any more even though I don’t know his name until…well, I don’t really know how long I didn’t know his name. Robbie. That’s his name. Now, continuing the story…
I know Robbie was right. I mean she could be there until her shift was over. Or until bathroom break.
We stayed there for like ever. Then she made for the bathroom… I think. I mean, I didn’t stay. I followed Robbie out the front door, around the building and through the back door. Then we sprinted down the hall, snuck up to a closed door and listened.
“Ford, you take 7 or 8 officers to help you with that,” a deep, husky voice was saying. It was Sheriff Chriswall, a tall stern man who likes his marshmallows burned to a crisp. “Pick your men, please,” he added.
“I’ll take McDeer, Haring, Peddling, Roberts, Willtusks, Raff and Limon with me if you have no need of them,” another man’s voice said. Sheriff Chriswall must have nodded because I didn’t hear him say anything.
Then my ears pricked up because Sheriff Chriswall started talking again.
“I sent 52 a letter about 2 days ago so he should be sending his answer in soon. My plan is he’ll talk to Agents Field and Comet as well as the gate guard and a Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons.” He said.
Then the doorknob turned. Robbie stepped backwards and then he ran behind a trashcan. As luck would have it I was on the wrong side of luck. The door banged into my face and I became a Martha sandwich with wall and door bread. From that point on I have never laughed at ANY funny comedy especially when people, cartoon or not, get made into an inedible sandwich by gratitude of a door.
Once the officer had disappeared I slid out from behind the door and stooped down beside Robbie.
“Hello. Martha,” Robbie said. I hit him. Not a slap, a hit and not a gentle hit either. “Owww, Martha! That hurt,” He cried out loud. At that very instant two pairs of feet started bolting down the hallway. Robbie grabbed my arm and pulled me into an empty class room. We blindly found hiding places in the dark classroom and waited. About 16 seconds later I heard voices outside the door.
“I’ll check on this side you check over there.” Sheriff Chriswall said, his husky voice ringing in my ears. The door swung open and there he was. I ducked back into the clean and empty trash can. He took a quick sweep of the room then left. “That’s not like him. He always cheeks more intently. Very odd-no, more like suspicious.” I thought to myself.
I was just about to get out of that trashcan, because being in a trash can even if it’s clean its totally disgusting, when he leaped into the room, the door swinging shut behind him. He flipped on the light. I thought he might have seen me but he didn’t, thankfully. Once he left-for sure-Robbie and I left our hiding spots.
Once again Robbie got the better hiding spot-outside. He had climbed out of the window and just…well, did the normal thing, waited patiently. From then on I decided that I would never agree to any of my brother Jack Arnold's dares-ever again.
***
2:45 am
There we were, peddling like CRAZY.
“I’m Robbie,” Robbie said as we turned onto Windsor Street. (I’m pretty sure he probably would have shaken my hand if hadn’t been on our bikes.)
We split up and went our separate ways on the corner of Simpson Drive and Dewey Lane.
I now knew his name.
***
2:53 pm
I plopped down on my bed. I had one last thought. Then I was asleep.
***
“Wake up, sweetheart.”
I rolled over and groaned sleepily. “That is…um…oh, yeah, Mom. Gosh, I’m so dumb sometimes.” I opened my eyes a little to see Mom sitting on my bed right next to me. She pats my arm gently. I sigh. She smiles.
“I know this is an odd thing for me to ask in the morning but, do you know a boy named Robbie?”
I sat up. I stared at her. She has this way of looking at you like she’s just wondering but she really knows what your hiding. (And, um, I don’t like it when she does that.)
“He just called,” She adds. “Is he a friend?” I don’t say a word so Mom repeats what she’s just said.
“Ah...yeah, um...school.” (I’m not lying-yet.) My mouth is as dry as a desert with extra sand and 100% more heat.
“When did you guys meet?”
I can’t say that I met Robbie yesterday because I didn’t. I met him sometime after12:00 am this morning. I am sooo toast. That’s it!
“MOM, WHATEVER YOUR COOKING FOR BREAKFAST IS BURNING!!!” I yell making my hazel eyes as wide as they’re go.
Mom is out of my room faster then Dash from THE INCREDIBLES.
I just smiled. I got out of bed, yawned, stretched and looked at my clock. 10:37 am. Then I walked out onto the hallway.
As I walked down the stairs I heard the TV and James, Beth Rose, Joel, Owen and 2 year old Jane laughing in the family room. I yawned again as I walked down the hall. I pecked into the family room and saw a peek of a Tom and Jerry episode as I passed.
But where was Jack Arnold?
As it happened Mom did burn the Turkey bacon she’d put in the microwave. I sat down at the table and Mom placed a plate with steaming sunny side up eggs, two pieces of bacon and bagels with cream cheese in front of me. I said a silent prayer, picked up my fork and started shoveling food into my mouth.
“So, you never answered my question about when you met that boy, um, Robbie,” Mom said turning around and wiping her hands with a dry dish cloth. She’d been washing the dishes. I gulped down a forkful of eggs.
“We, um, he’s a friend of a friend.” I still wasn’t lying yet-unless you include last night when I said I was checking to see if the door was locked-which you probably will. Robbie was-is Lindsey's friend who is Harold’s friend who is my friend. (I know it’s a bit confusing. I had to explain this to mom at lest a dozen times.)
When I’d finished explaining how I slightly knew Robbie, Mom said that Robbie sounded like a very popular kid at school. I didn’t know. I didn’t tell mom that. I should have been in the same grade as him but…you see…I’m a bit touchy about this subject. I was held back. There I said it. So, now you know. But being held back did help me improve. Next week I’m going to an 8th grade math class.
“You’re not hiding anything, are you?” mom asked after a minute. I either had to tell the truth and get a lecture about free agency and an angry older brother or tell a lie. I was about to tell her the awful truth when I heard Beth Rose yelling for mom while Joel yelled at Jane who was crying loudly.
While mom was in the family room trying to find out what was wrong and comfort Jane at the same time, the phone rang. I picked it up. Anything to keep me from answering mom’s tricky question about Robbie, even for a few minutes. I had to find a way to answer her.











































Chapter 2
The phone call, the coolest room ever and the very mysterious letter

When Robbie called I was outside throwing the football to Joel. He wanted to be a famous NFL football player. But, for now, he was stuck with me.
Mom had forgotten all about our talk and I was hoping it would stay like that.
***
“Hello, this is Martha Kent.” I began unzipping my jacket with one hand.
“Hi, Miss. Kent.” said a voice that I recognized on the other line.
“Robbie!!” I screamed.
“Martha, quiet down in there please.” Mom called from the kitchen. I sighed and said to Robbie, “One moment, please,” then I clasped my hand on the receiver and cried, “yes, mom!”
“Thank you, dear,” Mom called. I just took my hand off the receiver and rolled my eyes. “I’m back.”
“I was wondering if you could come over,” Robbie said casually. I froze.
“Martha? Martha? Hello? Hello?” Robbie’s voice came through the receiver like an echo. Finally I asked, “Is that why you called?”
“Ah, yes,” Robbie said in an its-kind-of-obvious tone. I could just image Robbie lifting his eyebrows and rolling his eyes. I thought for a minute.
“Where do you live?” I asked.
“Well, where do live?” Robbie asked.
“I asked first.”
“Just tell me.”
“You tell me first,” I said. We could have gone on forever.
“Tell me!” Robbie cried. I was so stunned I told him.
“Denver Way.”
“I live on the other side of town on 7703 Pencil Point Drive,” Robbie said.
“I should be there in about 15 to 20 minutes,” I said. Then I hung up. I walked into the next room.
“Hey, mom?”
“Mmm?” She was on the computer checking her important work e-mail.
“Could I go over to Robbie’s? I’d be back for dinner. I promise.”
“Whatever,” Mom said deleting a message.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“Yes.” Mom said.
I ran out of the room, into the kitchen, pulled open the cabinet underneath the sink, grabbed the oldest key in the lot, stuffed it in my left back pocket, raced out the backdoor, ran to the storage shed, pulled the key out of my pocket and unlocked the storage shed in the back yard. I grabbed my bicycle helmet, shoved it on my head and pulled my two-wheeler out.
“Hey! Where you going, Mars?” James called as I peddled passed him. He set down the basketball he’d been shooting and Owen grabbed the ball off the ground.
“To a friend’s!” I cried as I rolled off the driveway.
“No fair!” I heard James yell as I turned off our street onto Apple Bakers Road. Then I took a left on Evermore Drive. Then right on Charleston Avenue which lead me onto the Packersvile Bridge. My legs were aching like crazy, but I kept on going. Twelve more blocks... Herman Road... one down nine to go... Bobber Drive... Waxsile Way... only seven more... Haxsol Avenue. I can’t list them all but there were quite a few odd ones like; Hazard Lane, Snake bite Road and Danger Zone Drive. That snake one really freaked me out. I pictured a snake and a helpless toddler, and I pulled over when I saw the other two.
***
When I saw Robbie’s house, mine felt like a closet.
It was huge! I can’t even describe what it looks like it was so big. I really wish I could but I-I just can’t. It was way too cool. All I can say is that it looked like a mansion if not a palace.
But just wait ‘till you see Robbie's room. Then you can let your mouth drop wide open, I promise. You can let it touch the floor if you’d like. And I mean it. You will be amazed. I admit I was jealous. Ok, I was SUPER JEALOUS.
I walked up to the door and rang the doorbell nervously. About 60 seconds later Robbie answered the door and led me inside.
“Hi,” he said. “This way. I wanted to ask you some questions. Why don’t we go up to my bedroom to talk?”
“Ok, fine with me,” I said as Robbie led me to the stairs. Boy, did I get a workout. He led me up three flights of stairs! When we got to the third floor he pulled a string and an attic ladder/stair thingy descended in front of us. We climbed up, walked across half of the attic and came to a wooden, medium sized square in the wall. There was an old rusty looking lock on the small door. Robbie pulled out a small gold vintage key on a silver ball chain along with a small purple library card, a silver key and a pencil on a string out of his pocket. He put it into the lock and turned. Click! Robbie pushed open the door and crawled inside. I was too stunned to do or say anything until Robbie poked his head back through the opening and asked, “Aren’t you coming, Martha?”
I nodded and crawled in. As I crawled in I heard Robbie flip a switch. I looked up saw the cleanest attic room ever. No cobwebs. Not one. I was flabbergasted the moment I stood up in that room. I was standing in a large attic room with the coolest decorations I’d ever seen. Across from me was a door. A regular sized redwood door. On both sides of the door were 20 shelves (ten on each side) which were completely crammed with almost every book on the planet. A small window was letting in spectacular sunshine to the right while to the far left corner I could see an unmade loft bed with a red and green plaid blanket. Underneath the bed were a canwood desk and an Eames black swivel chair with arm rests. At the window was a brass telescope. A vintage wood dresser was placed at the end of the bed and on top of the dresser were about 50,000 trophies. Some were for karate and some were for wired sports I’d never even heard about before like Quidditch World Cup finalist award. To the right was a shiny oak wood chest labeled “SCIENCE KITS, MICROSCOPE & NOTEBOOKS” engraved on the lid.
(Are you astonished yet? And that isn’t all!)
“How was last night?” Robbie asked sitting down in the swivel chair.
“Ok, I guess.” I said. “How about you?”
Robbie smiled and pulled out the key chain.
“I have a house key.” he said still smiling.
“Why didn’t I think of that?” I asked myself.
“How did you get in?” Robbie asked.
I shrugged and said simply, “First I tried a paper clip but in the end I had to climb in through the window.”
Robbie tried not to laugh.
“Hey, it’s not funny.” I said trying not to laugh myself. Robbie cleared his throat, “Um, let me show you something.” He got up and led me to the redwood door. He turned the doorknob and opened it. It was a walk-in closet. At the end I could see another door. Robbie walked over to the door with me following. It was 8 plain oak wood grain door. (Sorry, I’m obsessed with these things.)
Robbie opened the door and I saw a shiny metal door with no handle. There was one round silver button on the side. An elevator. I just stood there gaping.
“I was wondering how you got everything up here,” I said.
“It’s mainly for Grandma and Grandpa Hellman.” Robbie said.
“Hellman?” I snickered.
“Hey!” Robbie cried.
“You’re smiling,” I pointed out.
“So are you,” Robbie said. We kept laughing until we ran out.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Ding Dong! Robbie burst past. I ran after him. When I finally got down stairs Robbie was staring at a letter. I read the front of the letter over his shoulder.
WILLIAM J. HELLMAN
7703 PENCIL POINT DRIVE
Near the bottom of the letter were two words.
PERSONAL (in red)
And
CONFIDENTIAL (in blue)
We just stared.
***
“What do think it’s for, the letter I mean?” I asked as we sat on Robbie's loft bed.
“It didn’t have a return address,” Robbie said almost to himself. “Maybe it’s from the bank or the court.” He said thinking aloud.
“Why the court?” I wondered.
“Dad went to court last week. He wouldn’t tell me why though,” Robbie told me.
“Maybe he has a dark and mysterious past,” I said in a dark and mysterious voice.
“I don’t think so,” said Robbie.
Little did we know I was dead right. But in a whole different way.














































Chapter 3
Robbie’s dad

Q: When will school end?
TIME: 2:37
A: NEVER!
I was sitting at my desk, my eyes glazed over about a gazillion times. Miss. Debris was just getting ready to hand out some pop quiz about the American Revolution when Mr. J. Doon, the principal, came in and called my name. Had the police seen me? Once when Jack had dared Curtis Millard to raid the “OH SO SWEET CANDY SHOPPE” Curtis had left evidence that he’d been there. Now Curtis is in the “ANDERSON PRIVATE SCHOOL OF AMERICA”.
I got up and walked shakily over to Principal J. Doon who was now studying the class with a skeptical look on his face. I followed Mr. J. Doon to room 9.7305 L where he pulled Robbie out of social studies class.
“I’d rather be back with Ms. Civil and her lectures then be here with Principal J. Doon.” Robbie whispered to me as we walked down the hall. Ms. Civil was known for her lectures, which have been known to last for more then five hours on some occasions.
To our surprise. Principal J. Doon didn’t lead us to his office. He led us outside and into the high school gym next door where the12th graders were having P.E. I saw my brother near the basketball net on the far side of the gym. Principal J. Doon told Robbie and me to stay right where we were, then he left to go find the high school principal, Mrs. Rolay, with Coach Lenard right behind him.
When my brother saw me his face turned bright red like a fire. He turned his back to me and kept talking to his two friends, Zac Luke and Isabella Brown.
A few minutes later Principal Rolay, Principal J. Doon and Coach Lenard entered the gym and confronted Jack. His face turned the color of fire. I thought he was going to hit someone, but he didn’t. I was relieved.
***
“As we understand it,” Principal Rolay said as we all walked down the hall to her office. “That two of you youngsters broke into the police office downtown.”
“We snuck in.” Robbie put in. “We didn’t brake in.”
“Alright you snuck in.” Rolay said.
“Once we are inside Principal Rolay's office I would like to hear the whole story.” Principal J. Doon said.
Robbie and I exchanged glances. Robbie sighed.
Principal Rolay led us inside her office and said, “Please sit down.”
We sat down as Principal Rolay picked up the AVAYA office phone. She called our parents and then she called the police office. In two minutes flat Sheriff Chriswall arrived.
“Spill the beans already, kids.” He said gruffly.
Robbie and I gave each other one last glance then we spilled the beans about Jack Arnold and his dare right there in Principal Rolay’s office. Jack Arnold was upset, but he didn’t lose his temper. All of our parents came 15 minutes after our story was said. Then it was told again. I thought Jack Arnold was going to try to protest, but he didn’t. I thought he was going to punch someone once they’d suspended him for a week, but he didn’t. I thought that he’d want to beat me to a pulp when we got home, but he didn’t he just smiled at me, thanked me then went upstairs to his room. He didn’t even slam the door!
***
I was doing my homework when Jack Arnold came in and sat down in my desk chair.
“Look, Martha, I’m real sorry about what I did.” He said staring down at his flip-flops. I wanted to not forgive him but in the end I said, “Its ok, J. A.” he looked up at me when I said that. He held out his hand and I took it. We shook on the spot.
***
WEDNESDAY
4:56 pm
I ran toward the tennis ball and swung my racket. Twang! The ball hit my racket and bounced off. I wiped my brow and got ready for the next ball.
“3 more minutes! 3 minutes! 3 minutes left!” Coach Lenard called from the side lines. I breathed heavily. Then I saw Joseph Hax and Robbie talking in the belchers. That cost me a point.
“Martha K., watch that ball!” Coach Lenard yelled.
“Good job, Betty!” The other coach, Susan Obon cried. I could feel my face burning up. I felt like I was going to lose to a team that was in the 5th grade. Two grades below me! (Should be three grades below.)
It was now 7-4. We were still in the lead by three points.
We ended with 15-6.
“Nice job out there, M!” Joseph called from the belchers as I passed.
“Thanks, Joseph!” I called back up. Robbie smiled and waved. I waved back.
“Nice, mars.” James said as I got into the car.
“Yeah, sis,” Jack Arnold said smiling broadly. “You were sweet.”
“You were totality awesome!”
“No, she was wicked!”
The nice thing about having a total of 6 siblings is that you get a lot of complements.
***
Robbie invited me over to his house Friday afternoon right after school.
“I’ll have to ask.” I said.
“Ok. I’ll be right here waiting for your answer.” Robbie said pulling out his phone. It was a shiny new black blackberry pearl flip phone. “I’m going to text my Mom.” I was green with envy as I entered my school again. . Mom said that I had to be able to pay the monthly bill to have a phone.
I called Mom on the school’s black Verizon pay phone outside the cafeteria. At first she thought we were going to try to break in somewhere but then she paused.
“You may go.” She said. “Be back for supper. I’m making your favorite, lasagna.”
“Ok, mom. Love you, bye.” I hung up.
I pulled open the heavy front door and found Robbie turning off his cell phone.
“Hey,” he said. “Perfect timing. I was just talking to my Cousins Homer and Teeter.”
“My Mom said I could come, I just have to be home for supper.” I said as Robbie and I made our way down the front steps.
“That’s perfectly fine with me.” Robbie said smiling. I smiled back. “By the way,” he added as we walked through the parking lot. “You did really well on Wednesday.”
“Thanks.” I said. I might have been slightly blushing. I hope I wasn’t. “You’re a great keeper.”
“Just practice.” Robbie said modestly.
“You know, I just might try joining that Quiditch team of yours.” I said. “Pretending to fly around on broomsticks sounds fun.”
“It’s not that easy.” Robbie said chuckling. “You have to be able to hold a ball or bat in one hand and hold onto a broom with the other. It’s rough sometimes.”
“I know. I mean, I’d still have fun pretending to be someone from Harry Potter.” I said.
“True.” Robbie said looking at me, his eyes twinkling. A kind of mischievous twinkle. I knew right then that I would remember this day forever. And I have.
***
We talked the whole way to Robbie’s house, except when we were laughing.
“Hello there.” Said Robbie’s Dad as he opened the door. He, Robbie’s Dad, was a tall jolly looking man with emerald eyes, just like Robbie.
“Dad,” Robbie leading me through the door, as if I didn’t know how to. “This is Martha.”
“Nice to meet you, Martha.” Mr. Hellman said taking my hand and shaking vigorously. “Robbie’s told me a lot about you.”
“Dad.” Robbie complained. But I could see a smile trying to get to Robbie’s lips. He tried to push it away but finely Robbie smiled. We all laughed.
“What’s going on in there, Giggle Bugs?” Called a voice from the kitchen. Robbie quickly cleared his throat and called back, “Nothing, Mom!”
“Really?”
“Yes. Real-” Robbie burst out laughing right in the middle of a word. Then I heard Mrs. Hellman laughing as well. Soon the whole house was ringing with the sound of loud laughing. Robbie and I were still laughing strongly as we slowly climbed up all three staircases. We both took turns saying that we couldn’t breathe until we reached the attic because we were out of laughs.
“So,” I said after we’d dumped our books near the square door and we were perched on Robbie's bed. “What did you want to talk about exactly?”
“Well,” Robbie started as he moved his pillow against the wall to lean against. “You remember when you thought my Dad might have a dark side?”
I nodded so Robbie continued by saying, “He does have a dark side.” My eyes went wide.
“But-but not a bad side.” Robbie said when he saw my face. I sighed with relief as Robbie went on. “Mom already knew, of course, so last night he was telling her that he had to leave on Saturday. They didn’t know that I could hear them talking. I was behind our counter cleaning up some milk I’d spilled. He said a whole bunch of things like, “They wanted me to go today but I said I couldn’t” and “They’re counting on me, Lea, you know they are” so it didn’t take long before I knew that he was spy. A real spy. I sure of it.”
I just sat there on Robbie’s bed, my mind spinning with thoughts and ideas and secrets.
“Have you told him that you know he’s a spy?” I inquired.
“No way!" Robbie cried.
“Why not? He is your Dad, you know.” I said.
“I know, I know.” Robbie grumbled. Then it was like a sheet of silence was draped over us. I started to think some more. Then it hit me, just like the day I was in third grade and trying out for tennis when the ball knocked one of my front teeth out.
“Did he mention anything about a lady named Angelina Diaz?” I asked excitedly.
“Yeah, I think so. Why?” Robbie asked puzzled.
“Remember that night we were in the police building and we were listening to Sheriff Chriswall?” I said quickly. Robbie nodded very slowly.
“And he said that they wanted to-”
“Find out more about what happened to her!” Robbie finished.
“Exactly.” I said.
Then, all of a sudden, something beeped. We both jumped.
“Sorry,” Robbie said looking at his wrist watch. “I set it to beep at the hour.”
“You haven’t got expelled yet?” I asked.
“You mean in school?” Robbie asked.
“Ah, yeah, it’s kind of obvious.” I said looking at him skeptically.
“Nope and I hope to keep it like that.” Robbie answered.
“So, about your Dad...” I said.
“I’m going to go with him tomorrow.” Robbie said. “Would you like to come with me?”
“Sure, I’ll go.” I said without thinking.
I could see that mischievous twinkle in Robbie’s eyes again as he told me how we were going to get on his Dad's plane undetected.
















































Chapter 4
The two stowaways

“Thank you for choosing US Air; I’m Seth Comet, your pilot.” Robbie and I could hear the voice even down in the large cargo compartment at the bottom of the airplane as the plane’s engines buzzed in our ears.
When we rose our ears popped.
Robbie and I crawled out of the extra large duffle bags we’d crammed into.
“Next time,” Robbie said pulling out a huge lantern from the duffle bag he’d been concealed in. “We should empty the bag before we get in.”
“But your Dad needs that excitement.” I pointed out as Robbie closed his duffle bag then helped me with mine.
“Yeah, I know.” Robbie said sitting down on a suitcase and turning on the lantern. Around us were suitcases of every size and color from maroon to lavender. We were glad to be on the top instead of on the bottom.
We were still taking turns guessing why we weren’t sensed when we went through the metal detector when we heard Seth Comet’s voice over the loud speaker again. “Please buckle up. We’ll be landing in a few short minutes.” With that Robbie and I crawled back into the duffle bags and waited.
Let me tell you, when you’re sitting in a nice comfy chair in the airplane it’s a smooth landing. Smooth as peanut butter. Is it as smooth when you’re in the cargo compartment? No. Sadly, no.
THWAMP! I know when we’ve landed.
***
“The elevator is over there,” I heard a kind voice say. I looked into the medium sized holes Robbie and I had made, and saw a pair of legs enter the “GETAWAY TODAY HOTEL” through the revolving glass door. I kept my eye on them legs; in fact I was still watching those legs, when Mr. Hellman lifted my bag up off the ground. Robbie’s Dad grunted as he lifted his two duffle bags. I bumped into Mr. Hellman's black corduroys as leaned over to pick up the other bag. The legs walked over to the desk. I was still watching the legs as I went back and forth, side to side as Mr. Hellman walked over to the elevator. Soon I was dumped into the elevator floor, the hole to see through against the wall. I heard the doors close and the felt the jolt and ascendance of the elevator.
I groaned silently as I was thrown into a corner of the hotel room. Then I groaned out loud when something was thrown on top of me-something that also groaned.
“What the?” I heard Robbie’s Dad say.
“Great.” I thought. I was sure we were going to get caught, be sent home and be in the biggest heap of trouble ever imaginable on this earth.
I have know clue what happened next. All I know is that my eyelids felt like bricks and cement.
***
I could just barely see Mr. Hellman’s black work shoes walking toward my duffle bag through the hole in the bag. Mr. Hellman picked up the bag on top of me and put it on the bed.
“ROBBIE!?!?” Mr. Hellman yelled in rage. Suddenly my bag was opened and I was discovered.
***
My eyelids flew open. I saw Mr. Hellman’s tan pants with white stripes above and I could feel one of his gadgets below me. I could hear water running and someone humming to the tune “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore” not to far away. I looked out my hole and saw some familiar Nike sneakers not to far away. I climbed out fast.
“Hey, there!” Robbie said when he saw me. He was just finishing a golden delicious apple when I sat down beside him.
“Where is your Dad at?” I asked.
“In the bathroom,” Robbie said gesturing toward the hotel room bathroom. “He’s taking a shower. Then he’s off to his meeting.”
The water stopped running. We froze. About five minutes later we heard the doorknob turn. Instantly Robbie ducked into the closet. I ran over to the window, hid behind the long light green curtain and waited.
Just moments later I heard Mr. Hellman whistling. I parted the curtain half a centimeter and saw Mr. Hellman in his gray with white striped pants with a matching jacket, a white shirt and a plain black tie. He continued to whistle as he pulled on his socks and tied his shoes. He returned to the bathroom and came back pulling on a gold ring. Then he slipped on one of those silver watches that you can just slip on your wrist without hafting to buckle it on.
Once he’d left, Robbie and I came out of hiding.
“Do you think room service knows that it’s just my Dad staying here?” Robbie asked. “Because I want to order some Chinese food.” Robbie said.
“If we order anything it’s going to be Mexican.” I protested.”
“Whatever I starving.” Robbie said. “Let’s just call.”
“Oh, great. Your Dad isn’t here.” I moaned.
“Then let’s think of a way for room service to think that he’s here.” Robbie said. Better said then done. I started to pace as Robbie pulled out a string and started Cat’s Cradle.
“Hey!” I cried. “What if you go into the restroom when room service comes and I’ll act as your Dad’s friend?!”
“Good idea!” Robbie said. But then his face changed from excited to disappointment. “But, wait. The front desk. We have to call the front desk to order food. I can’t talk like my Dad. Not to mention they saw my Dad leave.”
“Good point.” I said. “But then how are we going to get food?”
“I don’t know.” Robbie said. We thought and we thought but as much as we tried we couldn’t get one good idea. After a while Robbie pulled out an Uno package that was about 2 inches by a little over1 ½ inches. And that was the package size! The cards were about a little less an inch by 1 ½ inches. We played seventeen rounds until we heard someone at the door whistling.
“We are doomed.” Robbie said staring glassy eyed at the door.
The door card clicked.
“You are sooo right.” I said terror in my eyes. We were going to be discovered!
The door knob turned.












































Chapter 5
The spy’s assistants

Mr. Hellman was not pleased when he found us and once we had told him how we got to be with him.
“Robbie,” he had said after our interesting little story was said. “I am utterly amazed, horrified and ashamed of you.”
“Sounds like you’re almost congratulating me.” Robbie said.
“I might be,” Mr. Hellman said. “I mean to say, I have to hand to you, planning almost everything out so carefully, hiding in my duffle bags, getting past security. You guys were great.”
“We still don’t know how we got past security but it was a miracle.” Robbie admitted.
“You guys are as smart as spies are trained to be,” Mr. Hellman said. Then he stopped. “Maybe you could be spies. My assistant’s maybe.” He said thoughtfully.
“That would be awesome Dad!” Robbie said enthusiastically.
“That would be so much fun, Mr. Hellman.” I said just as excited as Robbie was.
Mr. Hellman chuckled and said, “It’s not always fun, Martha and you can call me Beaver Bunny or just Beaver as may you, Robbie.”
“Why Beaver?” Robbie and I asked.
“I like Beaver Dam and I also like a book called “The Runaway Bunny” so that’s my spy name.” he explained in our ears.
“Oh,” Robbie said. “So if I like the author Ridley Pearson and I like the name Demetrius I’d be Demetrius Pearson?”
“Yes,” Mr. Hellman said. “Now it’s your turn Martha.”
“Um, I like the name Addison and the name Hayes, which is a last name, so I would be Addison Hayes?”
“Nice to meet you both I’m sure.” Mr. Hellman said.
“Who is Ridley Pearson?” I asked.
“He wrote a series called Kingdom Keepers. It’s really good. You should read it.”
“I will." I said.
***
The next morning Mr. Hellman said that we could come with him to the spy center. Robbie and I got dressed and followed Mr. Hellman outside to the van he was renting.
“Hop on in!” Mr. Hellman said opening the door to the borrowed van open. We climbed in and buckled up.
“This is sooo exciting.” Robbie said.
“Yeah, I know.” I said.
“This is going to be awesome, isn’t?” Mr. Hellman said.
“You bet,” Robbie said. “This is totally going to be the best day of my life.”
“You’re talking.” I said.
“Well, it probably will.” Robbie said.
“You may be right,” Mr. Hellman said. “But only time can tell.”
He was right.
When we arrived at the spy center I just stared. It looked like a normal farm on a hill, in the country with about 50 acres of land.
“This is it?” Robbie asked. “I’m confused.”
“As am I.” I added.
“Well, it has to be secret doesn’t?” Mr. Hellman said putting the car in park.
“I guess so.” Robbie said.
We climbed out of the van and started walking up the slope to the farm.
“So, what do you do?” I asked.
“I go out on missions.” Mr. Hellman said.
“To save the world!?” Robbie asked eyes wider then they should have been.
“Sometimes.” Mr. Hellman answered.
“Gosh,” Robbie said. “Grown ups don’t tell kids anything.” I couldn’t help slightly nodding in agreement. Mr. Hellman just laughed.
When we reached the farmhouse there was a man sitting on the porch swing, sipping a glass of orange juice.
“Hello, Beaver,” the man said cheerfully. “Who do you have with you today?”
“Rickner, this is my son, Robbie, and his friend, Martha.” Mr. Hellman said putting his hands on our shoulders.
“It’s nice to meet you two,” Rickner said shaking our hands and smiling politely. “I’m Joshua Rickner the seventh, head of this farm.”
“And round about.” Mr. Hellman added.
“Of course,” Rickner said. “How could I forget?”
“Rickner, could we talk-inside?” Mr. Hellman said.
“Why, yes, Beaver,” Rickner said standing up. “But why on earth do you-” Mr. Hellman pointed to Robbie and I. “Oh,” Rickner said seriously. “I understand. Let’s go inside.”
Rickner lead us inside to the parlor where we all sat down while Rickner closed the thick looking blinds. The parlor smelled like freshly made breads of all kinds mixed with cinnamon and cookies right out of the oven.
In the left corner was a fancy looking sectional sofa. Near the door was a table with an assortment of mugs and a big metal coffee thermos labeled “hot cocoa” on it.
As Rickner sat down, a lady with a red dress covered with a white apron entered with a plate of warm cookies and four glasses of milk on a tray.
“Here, Master Rickner,” the maid said setting the tray on the coffee table. “Fresh out of the oven.”
“Thank you, Ritty.” Rickner said taking a cookie.
“Your welcome, Sir.” Ritty said blushing a brilliant shade of ruby.
I took one of the cookies, brought it to my lips and tasted the yummiest-I repeat-yummiest cookie in my entire life, no lie. (But please just promise not to tell my Mom that)
“This is the best cookie EVER!” Robbie tried to say. (It came out like this: “Dis is de best wookie EBER!” but don’t tell him that.)
“Better then my wife’s cookies.” Mr. Hellman agreed. Robbie almost choked. “Dad! I thought you always said that Mom’s cooking was the joy of your life.” He said.
“That was before I tasted these.” Mr. Hellman said.
Robbie rolled his eyes at me. I just smiled.
Once the cookies were devoured, Mr. Hellman stood up and, brushing cookie crumbs off his suit, said, very politely, “These kids are very intelligent and think of every little detail before acting. I think that they would be a good edition to our...um, company.”
“Are you,” Rickner asked leaning forward in his chair. “Imposing that these...these children help us in our...business?”
“I am indeed.” Mr. Hellman said strongly.
“Well, I-I suppose...I should hear they’re story before I judge.” Rickner said slowly looking at me and Robbie.
“Go on,” Mr. Hellman said smiling at us. “No need to be afraid.”
“Yes, please go on, youngsters.” Rickner said intently.
“Well, you see, Mr. Rickner, sir I overheard my Dad, B-Beaver I mean, talking to my Mom about, um...” Robbie said lunching into our story.
“You...are right, Beaver,” Rickner said. “They are...talented.”
Mr. Hellman winked at us.
“Let me show you guys something,” Rickner said. “But you have to promise not to tell anyone.”
“Alright,” Robbie said standing up. “I can do that...as long as it’s cool.”
“I think you’ll be amazed.” Mr. Hellman whispered as we left the parlor.
We most defiantly were.
***
Rickner led us to the small attic where large trucks, boxes, suitcases and other things were jumbled. He took us to the back of the attic where a huge dark Maplewood wardrobe was standing. Rickner climbed in followed by Beaver. A moment later Beaver stuck his head through the door and gestured for us to follow.
“What?” Robbie muttered. “Is this a joke or are we going to Narnia?”
I was just as puzzled.
50 feet later we all felt a semi warm breeze brush against our faces. About 15 feet farther I saw Robbie’s head disappear from sight followed by a cry of alarm. I stopped. I inched forward trying to be ready for anything.
Suddenly my feet slipped.
“AHHHHH!!!!!” I went tumbling down a metal tube, my shrieks echoing off the sides.
I landed in a huge trash can filled with foam blocks-right on top of Robbie.
“Sorry.” I said getting up. Robbie grunted.
“Did you guys like your ride?” Beaver asked.
“Oh, well, considering you didn’t tell us there was a huge slide and I just got squashed and could hardly breath, yeah I’m fine.” Robbie said sarcastically as we climbed out.
“Sorry ‘bout that.” Rickner said.
“Oh, yeah.” Robbie grumbled. I couldn’t help agreeing.
“Now, don’t judge,” Rickner said. “And look around.”
We turned and stared.
“This is like that secret lair thing in Hogan’s Hero’s.” I said. Robbie nodded.
“Hey,” Robbie said suddenly pointing to a large square with a glass panel that allowed us to see five crickets the size of pigs eating out of a wooden trough. “That looks just like that thingy in Monsters vs. Aliens!”

"Kingdom Keepers"

I found this really cool series called "Kingdom Keepers" by Ridley Pearson. It's about these 5 teenagers, Finn, Maybeck, Willa, Charlene and Philby, who get a small job of becoming DHI's, Disney Host Interactive or Daylight Holographic Image. But then they find themselves on a quest to save Disney world from the Overtakers (lead by the evil Maleficent from Sleepy Beauty) before it's to late.
I'm reading the 3rd installment right now. There's a 4th one as well.