The first bad thing was that the Italian neighbors* upstairs in the hotel shouted at Mariah. "Via con rumore!" "Away with noise!" Mariah grabbed earplugs--useful for walking down the street on a sunny, clear day with her sister--out of her travel bag and inserted them into her ears. Then she remembered the day of checking into the hotel, and shivers ran down her back.
The clerk, a well-dressed man in a black suit, handed them the keys. "You're that famous movie star, aren't you," he said nonchalantly as they prepared to go up to their floor.
"We aren't the only movie star family," Mariah's mom had said. "Be more specific." In her younger days, she'd been a high school English teacher, and to this day was consistently correcting peoples' speech.
"You know, with Laurel Reeth..."
"No," said Mariah's mom, insulted. With that, she took the family's baggage and stomped toward the elevator.
"Wait, sorry..." The clerk was really trying to regain his reputation. In a final attempt, he called out,"You're on the top floor!"
The top floor. Mariah took in these words with fear. That meant...there was no one upstairs.
Mariah ran. But not before they caught her.
"Hello, Mariah," said a small but athletic girl with sleek black hair that looked surprisingly like Mikael. "Welcome to Room 304."**
*I do not speak fluent Italian. It is the result of a lucky birthday gift that I can present this story to you in multiple languages. For those of you who do speak fluent Italian, or at least passable Italian, I apologize for any incorrect grammar the phrase may contain.
**For the public, Mariah's hotel was divided into three large parts. It was an amazingly tall and thick building, and so there was sufficient room space for this. For you who happen to know the significance of Room 304, I encourage you to visit this part of my blog: Click here to view it.
Nov 7, 2010
Nov 4, 2010
Mikael's Umbrella: Chapter 7
In the late evening sun, two figures were illuminated, so that only the silhouettes were visible. There was a shorter one, probably a girl, with long hair down to her waist. The other was tall, muscular, and much thicker, most likely a man. The two were surrounded by leaves on three of the sides, as if the figures were in a picture and the leaves were the border.
"Come on, hurry," said the smaller of the two to the larger without looking at him.
That was apparently the wrong thing to say. The larger grabbed the smaller by the shoulders and shook her. "We don't have to hurry!" he said, or rather, growled. There was a static noise here, blocking out some of his next phrase, and then... "... don't have to hurry!"
"Oh, well," said the smaller, and turned to what seemed to be dust, that blew away in the wind.
"Come on, hurry," said the smaller of the two to the larger without looking at him.
That was apparently the wrong thing to say. The larger grabbed the smaller by the shoulders and shook her. "We don't have to hurry!" he said, or rather, growled. There was a static noise here, blocking out some of his next phrase, and then... "... don't have to hurry!"
"Oh, well," said the smaller, and turned to what seemed to be dust, that blew away in the wind.
* * *
The hologram shattered like glass.
Mikael had been watching this. It had projected from the disk, and it all seemed very strange. But even so, Mikael realized three things.
One: The place pictured in the hologram was Kittero Park.
Two: The sky was orange in the hologram, which meant...what?
Three: The people in the hologram looked a whole lot like Mr. Leiber and Kallia.
But just as he thought that, he ran out of air.
But just as he thought that, he ran out of air.
* * *
El Paros was right next door to the hotel. Mariah knew she had to go there, she just knew it.
"Mom, let's go to El Paros for dinner," Mariah suggested.
"Okay, but you go alone, and it's up to you to get the reservation," Mariah's mom said.
Mariah was still sopping wet. She took her potion and tucked into her coat. Then she headed to her fancy bathroom to take a shower. She was off with a hotel bunch of towels tied neatly in a pink ribbon when a strange thing happened.
A slat opened in the ceiling above, and out dropped a disk. It was a clunky flat disk, clunky in the way of an old laptop. As Mariah threw on some clothes, she accidentally touched the disk, and then bad things started to happen to her.
A slat opened in the ceiling above, and out dropped a disk. It was a clunky flat disk, clunky in the way of an old laptop. As Mariah threw on some clothes, she accidentally touched the disk, and then bad things started to happen to her.
Oct 3, 2010
Mikael's Umbrella: Chapter 6--Mishmash Chapter!!!!!!!!!!
It was time.
The pool had opened, and Mikael saw something at the bottom. The bell dinged and the swimmers at the deep end, poised to dive, dived. Mikael was one of them. Luckily he'd brought his goggles. He dived down, down, until the water went dark and he should have been out of air. But his excitement at the prospect of the new object drew fresh oxygen into his lungs. The goggles, diving goggles (Mikael scuba dived on vacation), had a light feature. Mikael flicked it on.
There it was. It was a clunky flat disk, clunky in the way of an old laptop. Mikael picked it up, and red and blue lights started flashing along the edge.
The pool had opened, and Mikael saw something at the bottom. The bell dinged and the swimmers at the deep end, poised to dive, dived. Mikael was one of them. Luckily he'd brought his goggles. He dived down, down, until the water went dark and he should have been out of air. But his excitement at the prospect of the new object drew fresh oxygen into his lungs. The goggles, diving goggles (Mikael scuba dived on vacation), had a light feature. Mikael flicked it on.
There it was. It was a clunky flat disk, clunky in the way of an old laptop. Mikael picked it up, and red and blue lights started flashing along the edge.
* * *
She landed. She had little time.
She dug into the roots of the Mother Tree. There it was. She held it up and pressed a button.
A gash opened on the Mother Tree, as if an incredibly sharp ax had cut into it. The gash grew until it was a hole wide enough to fit an adult. As the late afternoon light touched it, she saw a familiar passageway beyond. A shape was coming up the passageway.
An automatized voice said, "Agent 013-949-409 is now leaving."
"Hello, Mr. Leiber," said Kallia.
* * *
A bottle appeared. Mariah took it. "Thanks," she said.
The man snapped his fingers and he and the bones disappeared. Then a voice came from the ceiling: "DO NOT INSULT BELLATAE THE GREAT."
* * *Mikael's father was at work. He had quite a high-level position. He decided to take a bathroom break. As he wiped his hands on a hotel bunch of towels tied neatly in a pink ribbon when a voice said, "WHAT IS THE CODE?"
I ask you, readers, WHAT IS THE CODE???????????
I ask you, readers, WHAT IS THE CODE???????????
Sep 17, 2010
Mikael's Umbrella: Chapter 5
Chapter 3 changed. Read it before you read this.
The strange man put the bones on the table.
"Come here," he intoned. His voice was low and husky.
Mariah surfaced. She'd been doing the breast stroke at the deep end. The man, she noticed, was looking warily at the water and had taken a table near the shallow end. Maybe he is aqua phobic, she decided, and dismissed the thought.
"Come here," the man said again.
Mariah did the butterfly over to the shallow end and got out, dripping wet. The man hustled away from her.
"Careful, careful," he warned, but it was too late. Mariah dripped water on one of the bones. It sizzled and disintegrated into dust.
"Then we'll only work with fifteen," the man said, but Mariah detected a faint smile in his thin lips. Her mom liked to call her the "Human Lie Detector," and she was right. Most times, Mariah could accurately detect a lie, and this man was definitely smiling.
The man crossed his hands and said, "Let us do this the simple way." He paused and snapped his fingers. The bones moved into a strange formation. Five bones made a square with a vertical one in the center, another 5 made the same but with the middle bone being horizontal, and the last 5's middle bone was from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.
"Take away six but leave ten," the man said.
Mariah thought. It seemed impossible. But what if...
"Ohhhh, I get it," she said, and dried her hands off on a hotel bunch of towels tied neatly with a pink ribbon. She took some bones away. First were the bottom three of the first five. Next, the one to the far right. Finally, the ones on the top and bottom. Mariah threw the unused bones on the hotel towels.
The remaining bones spelled out "TEN."
The strange man put the bones on the table.
"Come here," he intoned. His voice was low and husky.
Mariah surfaced. She'd been doing the breast stroke at the deep end. The man, she noticed, was looking warily at the water and had taken a table near the shallow end. Maybe he is aqua phobic, she decided, and dismissed the thought.
"Come here," the man said again.
Mariah did the butterfly over to the shallow end and got out, dripping wet. The man hustled away from her.
"Careful, careful," he warned, but it was too late. Mariah dripped water on one of the bones. It sizzled and disintegrated into dust.
"Then we'll only work with fifteen," the man said, but Mariah detected a faint smile in his thin lips. Her mom liked to call her the "Human Lie Detector," and she was right. Most times, Mariah could accurately detect a lie, and this man was definitely smiling.
The man crossed his hands and said, "Let us do this the simple way." He paused and snapped his fingers. The bones moved into a strange formation. Five bones made a square with a vertical one in the center, another 5 made the same but with the middle bone being horizontal, and the last 5's middle bone was from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.
"Take away six but leave ten," the man said.
Mariah thought. It seemed impossible. But what if...
"Ohhhh, I get it," she said, and dried her hands off on a hotel bunch of towels tied neatly with a pink ribbon. She took some bones away. First were the bottom three of the first five. Next, the one to the far right. Finally, the ones on the top and bottom. Mariah threw the unused bones on the hotel towels.
The remaining bones spelled out "TEN."
Sep 8, 2010
Mikael's Umbrella: Chapter 4
"Hello!" called Mikael, waving to the school coach.
"Hello!" Mr. Leiber responded. He'd been the coach for over 20 years. He was a good-natured, humorous man. Mikael was on a vacation to London, but the vacation seemed to be lasting longer than expected. They'd really settled in over the many months they'd been there. His parents had gotten jobs, well-paying enough to buy a small apartment, and he and his sister, Kallia, had joined the school swim team. They'd liked Mr. Leiber from the start. He joked around with the team members and even regular students could expect a silly pun thrown their way if they passed him in the halls. Only the older grades got sports during the school day, and Mikael was lucky enough to be one of them.
"Get into your bathing suits," Mr. Leiber now called, tossing towels toward Mikael and Kallia. They already had towels. Mikael dodged them, but Kallia got hit headfirst with a hotel bunch of towels tied neatly with a pink ribbon. She sank to the ground, giggling.
Mikael used the distraction to walk quickly to the changing rooms. Inside, he changed into his wetsuit from Mr. Leiber's recommended brand and started out of the room when he saw his phone (he'd set it in his locker, which he left open) flash. He ignored it until MISSED CALL blinked on the screen. Too bad. But before the message faded away, he saw the number.
It was Mariah's.
"Hello!" Mr. Leiber responded. He'd been the coach for over 20 years. He was a good-natured, humorous man. Mikael was on a vacation to London, but the vacation seemed to be lasting longer than expected. They'd really settled in over the many months they'd been there. His parents had gotten jobs, well-paying enough to buy a small apartment, and he and his sister, Kallia, had joined the school swim team. They'd liked Mr. Leiber from the start. He joked around with the team members and even regular students could expect a silly pun thrown their way if they passed him in the halls. Only the older grades got sports during the school day, and Mikael was lucky enough to be one of them.
"Get into your bathing suits," Mr. Leiber now called, tossing towels toward Mikael and Kallia. They already had towels. Mikael dodged them, but Kallia got hit headfirst with a hotel bunch of towels tied neatly with a pink ribbon. She sank to the ground, giggling.
Mikael used the distraction to walk quickly to the changing rooms. Inside, he changed into his wetsuit from Mr. Leiber's recommended brand and started out of the room when he saw his phone (he'd set it in his locker, which he left open) flash. He ignored it until MISSED CALL blinked on the screen. Too bad. But before the message faded away, he saw the number.
It was Mariah's.
* * *
Mariah, luckily, had thought to look up Mikael's phone number and write it on her hand so she could call him later. Floating on her back in fear, she remembered. It was there, a bit blurry, but still legible. She grabbed her waterproof cased IPhone 4 and tried to call. But no answer came.
It was her last hope. Mariah dived.
Aug 28, 2010
Chapter 3
At dinner, Mikael and his sister were alone. His parents were often late from work, so that was not an unusual situation. He'd ordered pizza from Liam's Pizzeria with the money his parents had left on the table as usual. Suddenly he looked out the window and saw Mariah standing outside with an umbrella held over her head. For a moment, they locked eyes, and Mariah made a gesture that clearly meant "good-bye." Mikael returned the gesture. Then Mariah hurried away.
"Why did you do that?" his sister asked.
"Because," said Mikael. Strangely enough, he didn't want anyone to know about Mariah.
"Why did you do that?" his sister asked.
"Because," said Mikael. Strangely enough, he didn't want anyone to know about Mariah.
* * *
Mariah wished, for what seemed like the billionth time, that she could go to the hotel pool.
It was supposed to be a cold day, but stuck inside her heated hotel room, Mariah was sweltering.
She stuck her head into the living room, where her mother and her older sister were doing a read-through of the script for the latest movie, The Angel Files. "Can I go to the pool?" she asked, forgetting all of her mother's grammar lessons.
Her mother sighed and, surprisingly, threw up her hands in defeat. "Okay, Mariah, you may go to the pool," she said, sounding tired, and, well, defeated. "Remember to be back by 7:00 for dinner."
Her mother sighed and, surprisingly, threw up her hands in defeat. "Okay, Mariah, you may go to the pool," she said, sounding tired, and, well, defeated. "Remember to be back by 7:00 for dinner."
"I will," promised Mariah, relieved.
She threw on her bathing suit, grabbed a random towel off the rack, and headed down in the elevator, which was completely transparent and light up. She watched the hotel floor swoosh closer and closer, faster and faster, thinking she was going to crash, but it stopped just in time, and Mariah stepped out on the cool glass floor and headed toward the pool.
Mariah felt safe in the pool. Her swimming strokes were clean and practiced, and even her butterfly had a sense of dignity to it. Today there was no one else in the pool. Mariah dove in the cool water, thinking if that if she was a child of Poseidon, she wouldn't be surprised.
When she finally came up for air, a sight made her screech and fall backwards into the water.
There was a man cloaked in purple sitting under one of the showers. In his hands were sixteen human bones.
She threw on her bathing suit, grabbed a random towel off the rack, and headed down in the elevator, which was completely transparent and light up. She watched the hotel floor swoosh closer and closer, faster and faster, thinking she was going to crash, but it stopped just in time, and Mariah stepped out on the cool glass floor and headed toward the pool.
Mariah felt safe in the pool. Her swimming strokes were clean and practiced, and even her butterfly had a sense of dignity to it. Today there was no one else in the pool. Mariah dove in the cool water, thinking if that if she was a child of Poseidon, she wouldn't be surprised.
When she finally came up for air, a sight made her screech and fall backwards into the water.
There was a man cloaked in purple sitting under one of the showers. In his hands were sixteen human bones.
Aug 22, 2010
Mikael's Umbrella: Chapter 2: Bellatae is first introduced to the public!
The first out was a glamorous girl. She wore a sleeveless blood-red dress that sparkled with her every move."Way too inappropriate for the weather," he heard someone mutter. She was also wearing jeweled pink sunglasses and sported a head of blond curls. In short, she took Mikael's breath away.
Following the girl were two adults with expressions of pride on their faces. The girl's parents, Mikael supposed. Then there came an angry-faced girl with mousey brown hair. She was the only one in the group who was wearing regular clothes. Everyone went inside the glittering studio except this girl.
As the people drifted away, Mikael fingered the old, well-worn key in his pocket. The wizard Bellatae had given it to him in exchange for a sample of pizza, Mikael's favorite food. Bellatae had promised that the key would one day grow enough to fit the lock in the basement of Mikael's apartment. The basement, according to Bellatae, was a tunnel to a secret underground world.
"Hi."
The once-angry girl was in front of him. Surprised, Mikael took a step back.
"I'm Mariah," she said. "My sister's a movie star, and our parents drag us all over to make exotic movies." Unlike many of the people he'd met in London, Mariah didn't have a British accent.
"I'm Mikael," Mikael said. "I play baseball." It seemed like a worthless piece of information compared to Mariah's. "Well, bye."
"Where are you going?" demanded Mariah, but Mikael was already off, size 8 feet pounding on the soaked ground.
Following the girl were two adults with expressions of pride on their faces. The girl's parents, Mikael supposed. Then there came an angry-faced girl with mousey brown hair. She was the only one in the group who was wearing regular clothes. Everyone went inside the glittering studio except this girl.
As the people drifted away, Mikael fingered the old, well-worn key in his pocket. The wizard Bellatae had given it to him in exchange for a sample of pizza, Mikael's favorite food. Bellatae had promised that the key would one day grow enough to fit the lock in the basement of Mikael's apartment. The basement, according to Bellatae, was a tunnel to a secret underground world.
"Hi."
The once-angry girl was in front of him. Surprised, Mikael took a step back.
"I'm Mariah," she said. "My sister's a movie star, and our parents drag us all over to make exotic movies." Unlike many of the people he'd met in London, Mariah didn't have a British accent.
"I'm Mikael," Mikael said. "I play baseball." It seemed like a worthless piece of information compared to Mariah's. "Well, bye."
"Where are you going?" demanded Mariah, but Mikael was already off, size 8 feet pounding on the soaked ground.
Jul 17, 2010
Contest Results
Winning Title by Owen and Melissa
2nd Place: John Packel
I would like to thank everyone who entered the contest! The entries were all very interesting and creative, and I enjoyed reading them.
Jul 9, 2010
Mikael's Umbrella: Chapter 1
The rain was pouring on the dark London street. People with umbrellas hoisted over their heads splashed around, eager to get to their next location. Cars had their blinding headlights on. Mikael stared dismally out from under his own umbrella and wrapped his light sweater around his shivering body. He peered around the rainy city square. No one else seemed to be having the same temperature problem. But then again, no one else had worn only a light sweater, T-shirt, and shorts.
Mikael passed by Amete Filming Studio. He usually liked to sneak a look in the window, to see what movie was currently being filmed.Today was different. It was as cold as being stuck in the freezer, Mikael thought, taking a quick look in the restaurant next door.
The noise of pop music magnified 100 times awakened him to his senses. A sleek panther-black limousine was cruising by, stop-sign-sized speakers pumping out rhythms. It stopped right in front of Amete Filming Studio. Curious, Mikael joined the queue of people crowding around the sparkling doors. "Back, back," he heard someone say, and then the doors opened.
Mikael passed by Amete Filming Studio. He usually liked to sneak a look in the window, to see what movie was currently being filmed.Today was different. It was as cold as being stuck in the freezer, Mikael thought, taking a quick look in the restaurant next door.
The noise of pop music magnified 100 times awakened him to his senses. A sleek panther-black limousine was cruising by, stop-sign-sized speakers pumping out rhythms. It stopped right in front of Amete Filming Studio. Curious, Mikael joined the queue of people crowding around the sparkling doors. "Back, back," he heard someone say, and then the doors opened.
Jul 8, 2010
The Life of Corinne P.: Chapter 15
The rock loomed up in front of Lisa, Kenna, Mira, and Corinne, giving it the appearance and shadow of a large creature. Corinne let out a breath that she didn't know she'd been holding. Everyone else did the same.
Lisa took out a flashlight and flipped it on. "Look, there's an inscription on this rock," she said.
Everyone leaned closer, too curious to ask what an inscription was.
The inscription said:
Lisa took out a flashlight and flipped it on. "Look, there's an inscription on this rock," she said.
Everyone leaned closer, too curious to ask what an inscription was.
The inscription said:
You have made it this far.
Push this rock aside to enter.
Enter what?
You should know.
The problem was that the rock was very big and heavy for one person to push.
"I'll do it," each person offered, and failed. Finally, an idea popped into Corinne's head. It was so ridiculously simple that she was surprised that no one had thought of it yet.
"Let's push together," she said.
It worked! The enormous rock tipped over and landed with a mighty crash. Exhausted from the effort, the four of them almost collapsed. But at last, they worked up the strength to take a few steps into the new world.
Notice-- The Corinne P. Series will temporarily be put on hold, and another series will start up. Then there will be a series incorperating both of the previous series.
Notice-- The Corinne P. Series will temporarily be put on hold, and another series will start up. Then there will be a series incorperating both of the previous series.
Apr 10, 2010
The Life of Corinne P. :Chapter 14
Kenna was falling.
Corinne knew what was happening. The paper had fallen with much too loud a clunk. The floorboards of the cabin had split, revealing a gaping hole beneath.
Kenna had fallen in.
Mira and Corinne looked at each other. Mira had a very confused look on her face. Corinne imagined that her own face was the same.
Lisa was the first to speak. She too had a look of confusion and worry. "We should go down," she said. "All of us, together."
Mira nodded, and then Corinne. Mira prepared to jump. At the last moment, she grabbed her camp bag and clutched it tightly in her right hand. "You too, " she instructed Lisa and Corinne. Then she jumped.
Corinne grabbed her own camp bag. "I hope this turns out well," she said to herself. She jumped.
It was a long way down.Surprisingly, though, Corinne landed gently. She saw Mira sitting cross-legged beside her and Kenna a short distance away. Soon, Lisa joined them. She was carrying two camp bags. One had Kenna's name on it. The other was quite obviously hers.
"I thought we might stay here for a while," she explained.
None of them were prepared to see a giant shadow rising in front of them.
Corinne knew what was happening. The paper had fallen with much too loud a clunk. The floorboards of the cabin had split, revealing a gaping hole beneath.
Kenna had fallen in.
Mira and Corinne looked at each other. Mira had a very confused look on her face. Corinne imagined that her own face was the same.
Lisa was the first to speak. She too had a look of confusion and worry. "We should go down," she said. "All of us, together."
Mira nodded, and then Corinne. Mira prepared to jump. At the last moment, she grabbed her camp bag and clutched it tightly in her right hand. "You too, " she instructed Lisa and Corinne. Then she jumped.
Corinne grabbed her own camp bag. "I hope this turns out well," she said to herself. She jumped.
It was a long way down.Surprisingly, though, Corinne landed gently. She saw Mira sitting cross-legged beside her and Kenna a short distance away. Soon, Lisa joined them. She was carrying two camp bags. One had Kenna's name on it. The other was quite obviously hers.
"I thought we might stay here for a while," she explained.
None of them were prepared to see a giant shadow rising in front of them.
Apr 3, 2010
The Life of Corinne P. : Chapter 13
The next day, Corinne received a letter from her friend, Abigail:
Dear Corinne,
I'm having fun! I went to Rose's party. Rose was mean. She wouldn't let ANYONE touch her presents. But I still like her.
From, Abigail
Corinne sighed. She disliked Rose, Abigail's best friend--other than herself. Abigail refused to see the meanness and the cruelty in Rose.
Kenna leaned over. She scanned the note. "Oh, it's a quicknote," she said. In Kenna's school, quicknotes were a kind of fashion. "Let me write one back."
"No, me!" Corinne grabbed her paper before Kenna could reach it.
But Kenna was strong. She grabbed the paper...
And doubled up with laughter.
Corinne laughed too. Soon Mira joined in, and then Lisa.
It was Kenna who started IIIIIITTTTTT.
Dear Corinne,
I'm having fun! I went to Rose's party. Rose was mean. She wouldn't let ANYONE touch her presents. But I still like her.
From, Abigail
Corinne sighed. She disliked Rose, Abigail's best friend--other than herself. Abigail refused to see the meanness and the cruelty in Rose.
Kenna leaned over. She scanned the note. "Oh, it's a quicknote," she said. In Kenna's school, quicknotes were a kind of fashion. "Let me write one back."
"No, me!" Corinne grabbed her paper before Kenna could reach it.
But Kenna was strong. She grabbed the paper...
And doubled up with laughter.
Corinne laughed too. Soon Mira joined in, and then Lisa.
It was Kenna who started IIIIIITTTTTT.
The Life of Corinne P. : Chapter 12
Next after breakfast was swimming. It was mostly a test. The lake was another good thing about the camp: it was deep enough for a nice challenge and had water slides. Corinne excelled at swimming, so naturally she passed the test and spent the main part of the morning on the water slides with other kids. The slides were of varying height and twistyness. Corinne sampled all of them and chose a tall green one that went almost straight down as her favorite. Eventually she was cleared to go. Lisa told everyone in the cabin that they passed, which they knew, of course.They had each swam considerably well.
They had free time next. Mira and Corinne grabbed the first ball they saw and played a mini game of soccer. Kenna was the judge. She was fair and impartial. But then she called the game to a halt. "Stop, stop!" Kenna waved her arms in the air until Mira and Corinne obeyed. Then she pulled them to the side of the grassy field. "Who's that strange person?" she asked, pointing towards Cabin 3. But no one was there.
It was kind of creepy. Lisa knew how they felt, but not why. She and Nory joined in the game. There was no judge. It got kind of strange, but at least it helped everyone take their mind off the strange person.
It worked until that night. In bed, Corinne wondered: Who could it be?
Notice: The new backround is where Corinne's camp is located. Yes, it is windy.
They had free time next. Mira and Corinne grabbed the first ball they saw and played a mini game of soccer. Kenna was the judge. She was fair and impartial. But then she called the game to a halt. "Stop, stop!" Kenna waved her arms in the air until Mira and Corinne obeyed. Then she pulled them to the side of the grassy field. "Who's that strange person?" she asked, pointing towards Cabin 3. But no one was there.
It was kind of creepy. Lisa knew how they felt, but not why. She and Nory joined in the game. There was no judge. It got kind of strange, but at least it helped everyone take their mind off the strange person.
It worked until that night. In bed, Corinne wondered: Who could it be?
Notice: The new backround is where Corinne's camp is located. Yes, it is windy.
Feb 25, 2010
The Life of Corinne P. : Chapter 11
Corinne awoke to golden sunlight streaming in through the window. She sounded the morning bell in her mind: "Bring-a-ling-ling!" Ever since Nory had told the story of the history of the morning bell in Babyland, she'd imagined the bell here, in the U.S.
A loud thump came from the floor near the door. Mira had scampered out of bed and was doing cartwheels on the creaky wooden floor of the cabin. She launched herself into the air, did a flip, and landed. "Am I bothering anyone?" she asked innocently.
"Yes," Kenna grumbled. She rolled out of bed and onto the floor. Mira and Corinne laughed. A few seconds later, Kenna joined in.
Kenna's hair was straight, since it hardly ever got messy. Mira's sleek black hair was as straight as ever. Only Corinne's hair was as tangled as if each of the hairs was a snake and she was Medusa. She grabbed a brush out of her camp bag, which was under her bed, and began combing her hair. She got dressed along with Kenna and Mira.
Lisa entered through the wooden door. "It looks like you've settled in," she said, walking around the cabin. Mira had sorted her things into neat piles. Kenna had rarely taken anything out of her jammed suitcase. Corinne had made her one large pile as neat as possible, but it wasn't easy.
"Breakfast time," Lisa said. "I'm supposed to get you into a straight line, but I don't like straight lines. I'd prefer if you were in a group."
The entirety of Cabin 14* crowded, as best as they could with such a small group, against the door. Lisa, who was naturally the tallest of the four, leaned over, and with a long-fingered hand, opened the door. Everyone burst out into the open area and breathed in the morning's fresh air. Then they set off into the woods, towards the dining hall.
It was a noisy place, warm because of the constant moving. Lisa directed the group towards a wooden table that was so smooth that there was no thought of getting splinters from it. The food was bagels and toast, which Corinne enjoyed every minute of.
But something unexpected was happening while Corinne--and most other people--were eating. The mysterious camper** concentrated, and then teleported herself in such a way that when she reappeared, she was close enough to the table where the people of Bunk 14 sat to hear what they were saying, but far enough so no matter what, no one knew what she was doing. "Yes, we have them here," she hissed into her phone. "They're ready for convincing."
*Why is it Bunk 14? Corinne P. : Chapter 5
**Hear more about the mysterious camper: Corinne P. : Chapter 9
A loud thump came from the floor near the door. Mira had scampered out of bed and was doing cartwheels on the creaky wooden floor of the cabin. She launched herself into the air, did a flip, and landed. "Am I bothering anyone?" she asked innocently.
"Yes," Kenna grumbled. She rolled out of bed and onto the floor. Mira and Corinne laughed. A few seconds later, Kenna joined in.
Kenna's hair was straight, since it hardly ever got messy. Mira's sleek black hair was as straight as ever. Only Corinne's hair was as tangled as if each of the hairs was a snake and she was Medusa. She grabbed a brush out of her camp bag, which was under her bed, and began combing her hair. She got dressed along with Kenna and Mira.
Lisa entered through the wooden door. "It looks like you've settled in," she said, walking around the cabin. Mira had sorted her things into neat piles. Kenna had rarely taken anything out of her jammed suitcase. Corinne had made her one large pile as neat as possible, but it wasn't easy.
"Breakfast time," Lisa said. "I'm supposed to get you into a straight line, but I don't like straight lines. I'd prefer if you were in a group."
The entirety of Cabin 14* crowded, as best as they could with such a small group, against the door. Lisa, who was naturally the tallest of the four, leaned over, and with a long-fingered hand, opened the door. Everyone burst out into the open area and breathed in the morning's fresh air. Then they set off into the woods, towards the dining hall.
It was a noisy place, warm because of the constant moving. Lisa directed the group towards a wooden table that was so smooth that there was no thought of getting splinters from it. The food was bagels and toast, which Corinne enjoyed every minute of.
But something unexpected was happening while Corinne--and most other people--were eating. The mysterious camper** concentrated, and then teleported herself in such a way that when she reappeared, she was close enough to the table where the people of Bunk 14 sat to hear what they were saying, but far enough so no matter what, no one knew what she was doing. "Yes, we have them here," she hissed into her phone. "They're ready for convincing."
*Why is it Bunk 14? Corinne P. : Chapter 5
**Hear more about the mysterious camper: Corinne P. : Chapter 9
Feb 1, 2010
The Life of Corinne P. : Chapter 10
It was slightly after dinner. The food had been macaroni and cheese, one of Kenna's favorites. Speaking of Kenna, Kenna's counselor had agreed to a switch, which meant that Kenna was now in Corinne's cabin!
Kenna was sitting on her new bed. "I'm so glad I can be with you!" she was saying. "I didn't know anyone in my cabin! They had all been to camp before and had friends and..."
"Now you know how I felt when I first came to America," Mira said, interrupting Kenna. It was the first time she'd spoken this evening.
Corinne stroked Kenna's baby doll, who was named after a character in a good book. This baby doll was wearing a pink dress with parallel/perpendicular fuchsia lines running through it, and it had been the subject of many earlier fights. She considered how lucky she was to have stolen it from Kenna without notice.
Lisa came into the cabin. "I see you're all settled in," she said. "It's nearly time for bed."
Something made Kenna look over at Corinne. "What are you doing with Bianca?" she demanded. Bianca was, of course, the baby doll.
Corinne sighed. She handed Bianca back to Kenna, and until bedtime, the four of them played.
Later, as Corinne was brushing her teeth, she considered the day. It had been a good day. Everyone seemed happy as they got into bed--even Corinne.
Kenna was sitting on her new bed. "I'm so glad I can be with you!" she was saying. "I didn't know anyone in my cabin! They had all been to camp before and had friends and..."
"Now you know how I felt when I first came to America," Mira said, interrupting Kenna. It was the first time she'd spoken this evening.
Corinne stroked Kenna's baby doll, who was named after a character in a good book. This baby doll was wearing a pink dress with parallel/perpendicular fuchsia lines running through it, and it had been the subject of many earlier fights. She considered how lucky she was to have stolen it from Kenna without notice.
Lisa came into the cabin. "I see you're all settled in," she said. "It's nearly time for bed."
Something made Kenna look over at Corinne. "What are you doing with Bianca?" she demanded. Bianca was, of course, the baby doll.
Corinne sighed. She handed Bianca back to Kenna, and until bedtime, the four of them played.
Later, as Corinne was brushing her teeth, she considered the day. It had been a good day. Everyone seemed happy as they got into bed--even Corinne.
The Life of Corinne P. : Chapter 9
Corinne gasped. "I don't want to be alone in a cabin with Mira!" she explained. "No offense to Mira, of course," she added. Mira hung her head.
Suddenly, Kenna's eyes lit up. "Can I transfer to your cabin?" she asked Lisa.
Lisa sighed. "I'll talk to your counselor. Meanwhile, it's time for dinner. Mira, show Corinne the way to the dining hall."
Mira took Corinne's hand. Kenna clutched Corinne's other hand, and the two of them were pulled along by Mira, into the forest. Kenna shouted, and Corinne grinned. "It's like going on a roller coaster," she told Mira.
The group, however small, was pulled along. A watching camper grinned. She typed something in on her miniature laptop computer, then, hidden by the abundance of trees, followed them.
It was not long before Corinne caught sight of the dining hall. It was a large brown building, seemingly made from strips of dark wood. A narrow stream of campers were going into the building. Corinne, Mira, and Kenna followed them, trying to blend in.
But not their follower. She ducked around the corner of the building and answered her ringing phone.
"Yes," the girl said. "They're here. I'm ready."
Suddenly, Kenna's eyes lit up. "Can I transfer to your cabin?" she asked Lisa.
Lisa sighed. "I'll talk to your counselor. Meanwhile, it's time for dinner. Mira, show Corinne the way to the dining hall."
Mira took Corinne's hand. Kenna clutched Corinne's other hand, and the two of them were pulled along by Mira, into the forest. Kenna shouted, and Corinne grinned. "It's like going on a roller coaster," she told Mira.
The group, however small, was pulled along. A watching camper grinned. She typed something in on her miniature laptop computer, then, hidden by the abundance of trees, followed them.
It was not long before Corinne caught sight of the dining hall. It was a large brown building, seemingly made from strips of dark wood. A narrow stream of campers were going into the building. Corinne, Mira, and Kenna followed them, trying to blend in.
But not their follower. She ducked around the corner of the building and answered her ringing phone.
"Yes," the girl said. "They're here. I'm ready."
Jan 1, 2010
The Life of Corinne P. : Chapter 8
Corinne Packel cautiously opened the cabin door. She and Mira timidly peeked outside.
Kenna was the one who had made the crash. She was near the cabin's doorstep, impossibly tangled in a mess of ribbon and string and more. "Hi," she said. "This place is too messy!" Then she spotted Corinne. "You mean...you're not tangled?" she asked incredulously.
Corinne shrugged. "It's easy not to," she replied.
Kenna grimaced. "Can someone please untie me?" she begged.
Mira leaned over. "Do not worry," she said. "I will do it."
In an impossibly short time, Kenna was untied. "Thanks," she said. "By the way, remind me again why Nory calls me Henna Penna."
The afternoon seemed to pass quickly as Mira and Corinne played with Kenna. They ventured into the forest, and Kenna demonstrated "the climbing of the average tree." Mira brought out her photo album and told stories of what it was like in China. Corinne showed them how to make a leaf berylanditandie out of regular leaves.
Soon, Lisa came back. "I'm afraid that you girls will have to sleep in Cabin 14 alone. By the way, it's time for dinner."
Kenna was the one who had made the crash. She was near the cabin's doorstep, impossibly tangled in a mess of ribbon and string and more. "Hi," she said. "This place is too messy!" Then she spotted Corinne. "You mean...you're not tangled?" she asked incredulously.
Corinne shrugged. "It's easy not to," she replied.
Kenna grimaced. "Can someone please untie me?" she begged.
Mira leaned over. "Do not worry," she said. "I will do it."
In an impossibly short time, Kenna was untied. "Thanks," she said. "By the way, remind me again why Nory calls me Henna Penna."
The afternoon seemed to pass quickly as Mira and Corinne played with Kenna. They ventured into the forest, and Kenna demonstrated "the climbing of the average tree." Mira brought out her photo album and told stories of what it was like in China. Corinne showed them how to make a leaf berylanditandie out of regular leaves.
Soon, Lisa came back. "I'm afraid that you girls will have to sleep in Cabin 14 alone. By the way, it's time for dinner."
The Life of Corinne P. : Chapter 7
As Corinne Packel looked at her new cabin, she looked back on her life. A year ago, or even a couple days ago, she would never have imagined herself at summer camp, staring at a cabin. It was amazing.
The cabin was seemingly wooden. It had windows and one electric light hanging from the ceiling. There were three bunk beds.
A girl with luscious black hair with a barrette in it smiled at Corinne. "Hello," the pretty girl said to Corinne. "I am Mira."
Corinne managed to say, "Hi. I'm Corinne." She regarded the bunk beds. "Which bunk do I get?"
Mira shrugged. "I will take this one," she said, motioning to the top bunk of the third bed.
Corinne nodded. She selected the bottom bunk of the first bed and set her stuff down on it. Lisa went out of the cabin, probably to collect the other girls.
Mira began making her bed. "I have gone here, to this camp, since my family first came to America, when I was five. My brother and I were scared. But everyone was so nice. I like it a lot." She spread the sheets out on the bed. "Aren't you going to make your bed?"
Corinne nodded. She took the sheets out of her camp bag and began making her bed. "So you have a brother?" she asked.
Mira nodded. "He's my twin. He's very funny and good at sports. But he is annoying, too, sometimes. He kicks a ball at me. I play sports, too, but then I am caught unawares."
Mira opened her mouth to continue, but she stopped when a large crash came from outside.
The cabin was seemingly wooden. It had windows and one electric light hanging from the ceiling. There were three bunk beds.
A girl with luscious black hair with a barrette in it smiled at Corinne. "Hello," the pretty girl said to Corinne. "I am Mira."
Corinne managed to say, "Hi. I'm Corinne." She regarded the bunk beds. "Which bunk do I get?"
Mira shrugged. "I will take this one," she said, motioning to the top bunk of the third bed.
Corinne nodded. She selected the bottom bunk of the first bed and set her stuff down on it. Lisa went out of the cabin, probably to collect the other girls.
Mira began making her bed. "I have gone here, to this camp, since my family first came to America, when I was five. My brother and I were scared. But everyone was so nice. I like it a lot." She spread the sheets out on the bed. "Aren't you going to make your bed?"
Corinne nodded. She took the sheets out of her camp bag and began making her bed. "So you have a brother?" she asked.
Mira nodded. "He's my twin. He's very funny and good at sports. But he is annoying, too, sometimes. He kicks a ball at me. I play sports, too, but then I am caught unawares."
Mira opened her mouth to continue, but she stopped when a large crash came from outside.
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