TerraFlame (The New Journey Book 1) Read online

  Table of Contents

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Writing this book was a hard, especially when I was trying to do the settings, characters and most importantly the plot, but as part of my hobby I did enjoy taking my time making each chapter and feeling like I was the actual character which was a very good experience. However, I will not forget the effort of someone special who helped me from the start of the first chapter to last and I want to thank everyone with all my heart. I will start by thanking my family, to my beloved aunt who helped me on the process of finding someone who can digitalize most part of the book and told me every steps of publishing books, because this is my first book to have published. Thank you so much and for trusting me.

  To David who put so much effort on editing and ghost writing the book, also I want to give special thanks to Rose who edited most of my book as well and for recommending David to be also part of the editing, I really appreciate it and hope you all keep following your dreams as editors. To everyone who gave me feedbacks on how the story went so far throughout these years, especially someone who gave me some ideas to make this book adventurous and a little comedic too which was very exciting to get these experiences to the story.

  Thank you all for everything and I wish you all good health. I could not have come this far without you.

  CHAPTER 1

  AN UNEXPECTED BEGINNING

  It all started one morning in Bellwood at exactly 7:30 a.m. in Linex’s house.

  Linex’s mom Jennica called to her son from the kitchen. He woke up with a start and glanced at the timer, it was almost 7:40 a.m.

  He realized that he ought to have caught the bus at 7:15 a.m. hastily wearing his clothes; he bolted down the stairs towards the kitchen.

  “Mom, I can’t believe you allowed me sleep in so late, didn’t you check the clock?” Linex asked disappointed as he made his way through the kitchen, still tugging on his shirt.

  “I’m sorry honey, I was busy making the breakfast, I got distracted” Jennica apologized. The smell of frying eggs wafted into the air.

  “Not to worry mom, it's okay. I’ll still get the bus anyway" he replied.

  He ate quickly; stuffing down toast and scrambled eggs before washing it down with a glass of orange juice.

  “Finished…! Bye mom, I love you” Linex announced heading towards the door, his bag slung awkwardly over his shoulder.

  “Bye sweetie, be careful” his mother called after him. He hardly heard those words.

  He opened the door recklessly and ran towards the bus stop.

  “Dang…! I hope I get there in time” Linex muttered under his breath.

  He was soon close to the bus-stop; the school bus was just about pulling out of the driveway.

  “You are not leaving me behind!” Linex shouted racing after the bus, dragging his bag all the way.

  He tried doubling up his pace to reach it, but the bus driver couldn’t hear Linex because there was a lot of noise. Most of the students were talking, screaming and blasting off a party rock jam by KYLE MERYTON at the back of the bus.

  Linex somehow managed to increase his speed and was soon at the right side of the bus running as fast as he could. Some of the students noticed him and made fun of him.

  “Tell the bus driver to stop please!” Linex pleaded panting heavily. Beads of sweat had matted his hair to his head.

  “Nah, get lost” a fat boy named Boris Simpson replied sticking out his tongue at Linex. “See you in class, sucker!”

  The school bus disappeared around the next intersection which led to his school and Linex slowed down glaring at it angrily.

  “I’ll get them and make them pay!” He blurted out angrily, still panting.

  Tottering along slowly, he made his way down the pedestrian lane, there was no saving the fact that he was bound to get to school late.

  Within minutes, he was soon at the gate of Edward Wilking’s High School. The assembly line had long dispersed and the hallways and lockers were devoid of students. Most probably already in class, he thought balefully.

  He stood outside the door which led to class and turned it open, most of his classmates around bursted into fits of laughter.

  “How was the exercise?” Boris Simpson asked grinning wickedly. The whole class erupted into another fit of laughter. Everyone knew that Boris could be a riot.

  Linex was mad, there was the urge to grab Boris and give him some good clobbering, but he restrained himself. He had promised his mom that he would somehow learn to control his anger.

  Professor Sydney walked in carrying his books and the whole class settled down; things were pretty much back to normal. By 11:20 a.m. it was time for the usual break. Linex walked around the school thinking about a lot of stuff to do; like practice for basketball, probably some after-school study and maybe a bit of boxing down at the gym.

  He was totally unaware of a girl named Lysie, who was headed right towards his direction, with a cellphone in hand and a bunch of assignments in the other.

  They bumped into each other and most of the papers spilled out on the floor, instinctively he crouched down and picked the papers without remorse.

  “What the heck have you done? Now I have to organize all my assignments again!” Lysie screamed angrily.

  “I’m sorry for real, I’m…” Linex started and paused looking at her almost lost in some kind of daze.

  “Uhmm... are you alright?” Lysie asked rather confused.

  “Yeah, I’m okay. Don’t worry... just having a bad day” Linex replied jolted back to reality.

  “Really? Well, that’s okay we all go through the same. You’ll get over it” Lysie said with a hint of sarcasm.

  “Hpmh, yeah, I hope so” Linex grunted nodding his head emphatically.

  “Thanks for collecting my works even if they are messed up, got to go, bye” And with that, she was soon moving away from him, back towards the library.

  “Um… A’ight” Linex called after her.

  She only just turned back and smiled at him and soon disappeared into the library.

  It was already noon and closing time was drawing rather near. Linex was lost in thought; there was something about that girl he had bumped into back at the hallway. Her smile had sent a thrill down his spine and he hoped he could get to see her again.

  Of course, he didn't hear Professor Michelle calling to him, he was feeling things for her, lost in his silent reverie.

  A brief bang on his table startled him and looked up to find Professor Michelle glaring down at him. “What do you want again?” he asked.

  “I’ve already told you; tell me the answer to that problem?” Professor Michelle furthered pointing at the equation scribbled on the board.

  “Oh, umm, is it 29?”

  Everyone laughed at that.

  “No Linex, I guess your journey in your mind is pretty entertaining, right?” The professor noted thoughtfull
y.

  Linex only looked on disappointed.

  The school alarm sounded for the close of school hours and everyone was scrambling out of their seats.

  “Alright, time's up students. I hope to see you tomorrow” Professor Michelle announced. Most of the students weren't listening to him anyway, preoccupied with getting out of the class, engaged in wild chatters and cheap gossip. However, Linex stayed behind; still lost in deep thought.

  “Linex are you alright? Is there something I can help with?” Professor Michelle asked with concern.

  “I’m alright professor, just having a really bad day” Linex replied.

  “Everyone have bad moments; and for that you just have to be strong. I’m sorry I was a bit rough to you, but you can be a bit cocky sometimes and not pay attention to class, but still I know you're a wonderful boy” Michelle packed up his works. “I’m going home now, I hope that can help you cheer up, take care Linex” the professor waved at him and made her way out of the class.

  “thank you... Goodbye Professor" Linex said watching the man go. After some time, he slipped out of the classroom and was soon headed back home because his mother couldn't always pick him from school.

  Suddenly, he could make out Lysie, she was being bullied by three guys: Johnson, Alison and Butch, probably the meanest kids in Edward Wilking's High.

  Linex couldn’t stand just looking on and hurried towards them.

  “Are you alright?” Linex asked frantically, he approached them slowly.

  “I’m fine; I don’t need your help" Lysie replied sharply.

  “I’ll help, do not worry” Linex said. He was now between Lysie and the bullies, who were checking him out in a menacing manner.

  “Alright, fine, but be careful” Lysie warned. "Can't have you getting injured on my own account"

  “Never mind about me…”

  They began to work together, but then the bullies didn’t want to mess with Lysie but instead with Linex. With his boxing skills he could manage to take them, but they soon surrounded him and proceeded to pound him. They pushed Lysie away from Linex, and she crashed into the sidewalk.

  Lysie started up again but the bullies pushed her away once more trying to get to Linex.

  “What’s wrong weak boy?” Butch asked.

  “Can’t fight us?” Alison added grinning. “Too bad she’s not able to help you”

  “I don’t need help; I can take you all!” Linex shouted angrily.

  A fight ensued and the bullies circled around him. Even though he managed to throw a few punches at them, he was grabbed from behind by Butch and pummeled severely in the stomach and face, leading to several bruises.

  “Don’t mess with us next time, hero” Butch said. "We'll pound you harder, if you do"

  Lysie who couldn't keep it under control anymore lost her cool and punched Alison. “Get out of here!!” she croaked angrily; streaks of tears cascaded her cheeks.

  Johnson grabbed her and would have punched her in the face. But something happened; it was so sudden and rather unanticipated.

  Linex appeared from behind and grabbed his arm quickly; the bullies were scared because Linex's eyes had changed considerably. They were like bright firebrands, ignited with anger and revenge.

  Linex charged a super punch; his hand was engulfed in some sort of red light in the form of an aura. “LEAVE HER ALONE!!” he screamed and slammed a punch into the floor causing a minor tremor, which sent all the garbage cans flying.

  Johnson proceeded to put down Lysie and ran.

  “Let’s get out of here” Butch wailed, he had actually seen the red light and was still trying to convince himself that it was real.

  “He’s no ordinary kid!” Alison declared as they ran off leaving Linex and Lysie.

  “Hey what was that you just did?” Lysie asked rather astonished. She had seen it too in TV, but it had seemed impossible.

  “I don’t know, just felt mad and then I got this little bright thing in my hand” he replied equally as confused as her.

  “That was really impressive; I’m Lysie nice to meet you umm?”

  “My name is Linex… Linex Urgan Taylor and you are?”

  “The names Lysie” smiled.

  “Nice name” Linex replied “Also why were they after you?”

  “I was all alone now because I was talking to my father and then they suddenly appeared, but thanks for the help I guess I needed that” Lysie replied.

  Linex blushed. Suddenly, a shadow was casted on the grass just ahead. They both blinked at it curiously, unable to continue their conversation.

  They could make out an odd-looking elderly man staring at them, from atop the school building. They couldn’t see his face because the bright sun obscured most of his features.

  When they blinked again, the mysterious old man had disappeared. They gawked at each other in confusion.

  “Perhaps we should leave” Linex suggested. "It's quite late already and creepy".

  “Yeah I guess so” Lysie agreed.

  It was 6:30 p.m. They left and walked towards home together and when they were about to separate, Lysie said. “That was cool to be honest; I hope to see you tomorrow”.

  Linex only chuckled a bit. “Yeah I guess it was pretty fun, me too”.

  “Things got really weird today the moment you arrived” Lysie noted thoughtfully.

  “It sure was, I’m really curious about the aura that just appeared and the mysterious guy too” Linex replied.

  “Right… it was awkward that person came from nowhere, we must be careful if he appears again and that stunt you pulled back there was really impressive. Anyway, I’m heading home take care Linex!” Lysie waved at him and headed towards the direction of her house.

  "A’ight, see ya” Linex called after her.

  Linex found himself thinking about her but at the same time about the mysterious things that had just happened.

  “Wow, this was unexpected” he muttered under his breath as he trudged back home.

  He sure had a lot of stories to recount to his mom.

  CHAPTER 2

  I’M SO LUCKY

  Following the events of the previous day, Linex was still in bed at 6:00 a.m.; he was fast asleep when he had a strange dream.

  It was all vague and foggy. So, he couldn't exactly make out faces and places.

  He saw an unknown person, who picked him up and said, “You’ll be the next Legendary warrior…".

  The dream was fading when Linex woke up. He wanted to sleep again to continue the dream, but sleep didn't seem to come anymore.

  “Dang it, I want to know more what he was saying! Oh well, I woke up early but it's Saturday" Linex groaned putting his face in his palm. "I can’t believe I woke up now, I should have done that yesterday for school”.

  He got out of his bed, brushed his teeth and had a fairly recollection of the aura again. “Wow, I don’t get it, does this mean I have some kind of power that I have not noticed yet?” Linex wondered thinking out loud.

  Jennica was watching Linex. She was getting worried. Linex whirled around, he had felt the presence of someone, but his mother hid away and headed out of the room.

  She headed down the stairs quickly and started to make breakfast. Linex went down to join her.

  “Good morning Mom. How you’re doing today?”

  “I’m good, thank God, and you honey?” Jennica asked.

  “I’m fine just thinking a little, I’m glad that you’re ok” Linex replied.

  His mother didn’t talk for a while. After Jennica had finished cooking, Linex got his breakfast and sat oppositely facing her. Everything was fine when he was eating but he soon realized that his mom wasn’t talking.

  “Mom why are you so quiet today?” Linex asked suddenly.

  Jennica sighed heavily; it was sort of hard telling Linex about how worried she was. However, she said: “I’ve been thinking of your father lately".r />
  “Yeah…?" Linex said sadly. "You told me he disappeared a few months after I was born”.

  “I did, but I just can’t stop thinking of the good moments we had” Jennica replied.

  They both stared at the seat where Linex’s father would be.

  “I wish he was here with us” Linex muttered, he had a distant look in his face.

  “He was a really good and weird person, sometimes he does things he shouldn’t do but he always protected me” his mother croaked. Her voice was cracked and tears in silent streamlets cascading her cheeks.

  “Like what kind of things?” Linex asked with interest.

  “Well one day he destroyed the TV while some random bad guy was shooting” his mother replied with a faint smile on her face.

  Linex moped at her in shock and guffawed loudly.

  “That’s all I have to say of our beautiful relationship” Jennica added. And they both laughed heartily at that. After some time, they retired to the living room and watched some television programs.

  At 12:00p.m. Linex went outside and got to his neighbor’s house, after a few knocks on the door, he was standing face to face with his friend's aunt: Stacy.

  “Is Joe home?” Linex asked.

  “Of course he’ll come out in a second… Joe, Linex is looking for you!” Aunt Stacy called, hollering at the top of her voice into the house.

  Joe was a colored boy with a flat top brown hair; he hurried down the stairs almost tripping and got the door. “Sup noobie, are you ok?”

  “I’m fine, what about you?” Linex asked.

  “I’m ok bro” Joe replied.

  They headed out of the house into the neighborhood. One fact was Joe had never taken off his jacket off for reasons best known to him.

  And he had never told Linex why.

  “Hey, Joe, why do you always use your jacket? It's August you know...” Linex commented.

  “I don’t like to take it off, not even once” Joe replied abruptly changing the subject.

  Linex had gotten curious about it but he doesn't make any attempt to pursue the subject further. They walked around the city and had a great time. It was 1:00 p.m. when they got back to Joe’s house.