Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 30

Out Of The Forest illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 29

October 08, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 29

THE STORM BREAKS

As Phoebe and Jeremy stood in the back of the church they listened to the talk of people moving down the aisle. “I can’t believe this is happening,” an old man said. “It’s this strange new weather. There was nothing like it in the old days.”

Another voice added, “Did you see that thing in the sky? That weird dark thing…”

An angry man exclaimed, “It’s revenge for what they did to Sammy and the Hoods!”

“Where’s the police?” asked someone else. “Either they arrest her, or we’ll do something ourselves. We’ve got a right to protect this town, just like they did in the old days.”

“That’s crazy talk!” responded another man. “No one knows who’s doing anything!”

“Yeah? Think a bit,” said the angry man. “The dead end house!”

At the front of the church Reverend Tuck rose up and raised his open hands. “People of Middletown!” he exclaimed. The talk died down. “I am offering this church for a town meeting, in an effort to come together as a community. There are many problems that none of us can solve alone…”

“If you get punched, you punch back!” yelled a voice.

“I’ll ask you not to speak unless called upon,” returned Tuck. A number of hands shot up. “Officer Harley!”

The policeman, well known and respected, stood up and said, “Reverend Tuck, it seems to me that people are getting carried away over nothing, calling the clouds a witch and the storm a magic spell. I think everyone should calm down and go home.”

“We can’t go home,” yelled a man. “We’re trapped here!”

Another man stood up and said, “It’s revenge, I tell you! The police arrest Sammy and the Hoods, and what happens? This freak storm comes of the forest, all the traffic freezes, and something flies over the town laughing at us!”

“Yeah,” screamed another voice as many stood up to see. “And we know who she is, and where she is!”

“What are we waiting for?”

“Back on the dirt road. The dead end house!”

“Please, please, everyone,” yelled Tuck. “You’re not thinking straight. Listen to me.”

But many people were already standing, and some were moving toward the aisles.

Reverend Tuck was shouting, but a throng of people stormed from the church. As others saw they followed to check out the action. Phoebe realized that her moment to join Abby at the haunted house had come.

“Jeremy!” she said. “Get Tuck and follow to the haunted house as fast as you can.”

“This is it,” he nodded.

Phoebe limped out into the dim and strangely quiet street. The crowd was already half a block down Bridge Avenue. The cars and trucks were dark and still, as if the street were a parking lot. Frightened and angry people were hanging around hoping that this bizarre dream would soon come to an end. Thunder rumbled in the distance. Thick clouds raced across the sky.

Phoebe loped along with all the speed she could manage on her injured knee. Soon she crossed the bridge, gaining on the group ahead. Their numbers kept diminishing, as stragglers came walking back toward town. Phoebe moved up close, desperately looking for a way to arrive at the door of the haunted house before the crowd. The wind was rising, and made a roaring noise like a train in the distance.

Suddenly the open lawn and the house loomed up before them in the darkness. Phoebe slipped through to the right along the fringe of trees, and grabbed part of a branch along the way.

“We’ve gotta have some light for this work,” yelled a voice. “You weren’t here last night so you don’t know.” They began piling up the branches and sticks that covered the lawn. Soon the flames leaped up, swirling in a gust of wind. The thunder cracked again, very close by. Finally the lead man approached the broken porch with a burning branch like a torch.

“Where is Reverend Tuck,” thought Phoebe in a panic.

The wind whipped the bonfire into a frenzy. The flames danced and roared.

“We can’t wait all night,” howled the lead man. “Come out if you know what’s good for you! Last chance!”

Phoebe stepped out onto the broken porch, and stood there silently, ready to defend the half opened door. Abby’s urgent whisper hissed in the darkness behind her. “Phoebe! Come back through the door!”

But the man was already close by, with others behind him. “Aha!” he yelled.

Suddenly Reverend Tuck ran into the space between the crowd and the porch. He raised his hand and roared, “Go back, or you’ll regret it the rest of your lives!”

A bolt of lightening flashed, and the long-awaited rain poured down in sheets. The crowd turned and fled. Thunder shook the earth.

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

The Storm Breaks illustration

by Lawrence Tate

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 28

October 07, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 28

ABBY’S PLAN MOVES FORWARD

Phoebe and Geraldine scanned the crowd on Bridge Avenue in amazement. Geraldine leaned over and spoke softly in Phoebe’s ear: “Maybe this is something you understand better than me.”

“Maybe it is…” replied Phoebe. “But I don’t know what to do.” She spotted Jeremy on the street looking frantically through the groups of people. He saw her and came up close to be heard without yelling.

“Any idea what’s going on?” he asked. They looked at each other. Phoebe couldn’t speak. “A car backed up into a bus on Main Street and blocked the intersection,” said Jeremy. “And that truck up there stops traffic the other way. But there’s something else… People are starting to panic. They think the cars are somehow stopped by the storm. I heard one man claim the traffic is frozen by magic.”

“Magic…?” murmured Phoebe.

Geraldine looked carefully at them, from one to the other. The lightening flashed again, and Geraldine looked up, startled. “Now what was that?” she exclaimed, pointing toward the gathering storm. They stared out toward the cliffs, but could see nothing against the bank of clouds marching over the valley.

The lightening flashed again, and for a moment Phoebe saw a dark wavering form, like an unbelievably huge crow. Others had seen it too, and were pointing. The thunder crashed, and out of the storm clouds Phoebe saw a dark figure riding a sort of pole arrive low in the air. This apparition flew a quick, jagged course, and there was an uneven, high-pitched sound of screeching. It might have been laughter. Phoebe glimpsed a pale face, and knew it was Abby. Thunder rumbled again, and Phoebe lost the vision in the enveloping darkness.

Silence prevailed for a few moments. Someone screamed – and then everyone seemed to be talking a once. The crowd grew, and wild rumors spread. Scutter appeared on the sidewalk, asking for news. The tall, thin form of Milton Morphy soon joined him, stooping low to whisper in his ear. Scutter listened, and then remarked in a loud voice, “I knew something like this would happen! I knew it!”

“What should I do now?” thought Phoebe. “Run for Tuck? Or the haunted house? Not yet. It’s not a rescue yet.”

Geraldine turned to Phoebe and Jeremy and said, “This group needs to calm down or they’ll start doing harm.”

“Where’s Reverend Tuck?” asked Jeremy. “Isn’t this something…”

“That’s it!” interrupted Geraldine with great urgency. “We’ve got to get this group into the church. Come on!” And she began telling groups of people, passers-by, anyone she encountered, that there would soon be a meeting in the church. The word spread like wildfire. Within minutes the crowd – like an enormous swarm of bees – began to move toward the wide church door.

Phoebe and Jeremy were swept into the swarm and through the door into the large, dim cavern, lit only by faint chandeliers high above them. Once inside Phoebe gripped Jeremy by the hand and took refuge against the back wall near the door.

He looked at her questioningly. “Got a plan?” he whispered into her ear.

“I do,” she said. “You’ll see.”

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

Abby’s Plan Moves Forward illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

FOllow John Kixmiller on Good Reads

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 27

October 06, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 27

CHAOS ON BRIDGE AVENUE

There was silence on the sidewalk as people surveyed the scene. The police were gone, but so were Patti, Peter, and Sammy. The sky darkened as a few clouds caught the sun low on the horizon. “What should we do now?” wondered Phoebe. “Should I be afraid for Mom and Dad?”

The crowd was not dispersing. Officer Harley came walking down the sidewalk. “All right, show’s over. Let’s go home.” But his presence attracted more people.

“What’s going on, Harley?” a man asked. “Is this even legal?”

Phoebe noticed a group of men moving up the sidewalk across the street, joining the crowd already forming on the benches in front of the Middletown Standard office. People were standing around reading what was probably a new edition of the newspaper. “You’d better walk over to the church and have a word with Tuck,” suggested Tom Winkle. “I’ll wait and drive you home.”

“No, please don’t wait,” Phoebe replied. “Jeremy’s coming for me.” She limped slowly up the sidewalk. Suddenly she could hear the voices from across the street.

“Looks like she had a little accident,” she heard someone sneer. “Too bad about that.” They laughed openly at her. The mockery stung her, and she began to limp toward them. They became silent, waiting to see what she would do.

“Can I have a paper?” she asked. “I just wanted to see how fair your coverage is, Mr. Peabody. And you probably own this newspaper, Mr. Morphy. We young kids are all counting on you to make this world a better place.”

Morphy stepped up to Phoebe and looked down on her with fierce disapproval. She struggled to meet his cold gaze. “You have no idea what this is all about, do you?” he asked, staring deep into her eyes. She could not keep a faint quiver of a smile off her lips, or the spark of understanding from her eyes. “Maybe you do!” he said in surprise. “So! Maybe you do!”

She tore herself away and limped toward the church. “He won that round,” she thought. “Now he knows that I know about dreamstone. It’s an advantage for him, and scary for me.”

Phoebe met Tuck and Geraldine in the churchyard. They were discussing the slander in the latest issue of the Middletown Standard. “I’m glad you’re here,” said Tuck. “We thought you might need some help.”

“I do need help! Very badly! In fact, this very night. They’re going to trap Abby in the forest.”

Suddenly they heard a crash from out on the street, and the sound of people yelling. Phoebe and Geraldine turned to look. “Wait!” exclaimed Tuck. “When do you need us? How will we know?”

“I’ll send for you,” she answered, shouting over the honking of car horns and noise from the crowd. Phoebe and Geraldine stepped out on the sidewalk. The sight was so peculiar that they continued on down Bridge Avenue in amazement, staring through the darkening air. An 18-wheeler had tried to make the tight turn from Hobart Avenue onto Bridge Avenue, and crashed into a double-parked car in front of Miracle’s Gift Shop. Both lanes and the entrance to Old Stone Road were blocked. And the traffic ahead was not moving either. The cars and trucks were just sitting there, and pedestrians walked everywhere. Motorists had abandoned their cars and stood in groups. Twilight had set in sooner than expected. A long bank of blue-black clouds was rolling forward from the Half Moon Cliffs, blocking the setting sun. The wind picked up. A siren wailed from down on Main street. Clearly something had happened to block that intersection too.

Loud voices rose and fell around Phoebe and Geraldine. “Look at that mob!” said Geraldine in amazement. A bolt of lightening flashed out over the forest, and thunder rolled.

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

The Mob On Bridge Avenue illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 26

October 05, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 26

SAMMY AND PHOEBE’S PARENTS ARE ARRESTED

His hands cuffed behind his back, Sammy turned to the officers and said, “You must love this job, protecting the public from a monster like me.”

Captain Bloward approached Patti and said, “Patricia Hood? You’ll be coming with us.” Peter stepped into the group and the Captain said, “Peter Hood? You too.”

“I’ve never seen you in my life,” Peter declared. “How do you know me? Been looking at photos of us? What, are we known criminals?”

“Just go quietly, and we won’t bother to cuff you or your wife.”

“What are the charges? Am I under arrest?”

“Do you want to be?”

Freddy Baez stepped forward and displayed his press identification. “Am I to understand that you’re going to hold these people without charges? Where will they be held?”

“We’re just going to have a friendly chat down at the barracks. Don’t give us a hard time, Freddy. Why are you nosing around in this business? I’m trying to be nice to these folks. You should try my job someday.”

George stepped in front of Captain Bloward and took five or six photos in a matter of seconds.

“Get out of here!” growled the Captain, and George slipped back among the crowd.

“Hey Austin,” said the Captain. “Grab some of that stuff they’re selling. A few toys would be good.”

Austin walked up to Tom Winkle’s area and looked around, and then continued on to Peter’s crates in front of the toy store gate. There were no toys to be seen.

“Nothing here,” he yelled.

“Grab a few vegetables.”

Austin looked around and returned empty handed.

Patti stepped over to her flower display and scooped up a few remaining blossoms. She presented the captain with a bouquet. “Will this do?” she asked.

The Captain stared at her, refusing to take the offering.

A finger bean suddenly flew out of the crowd and slapped into Captain Bloward’s cheek. “God in heaven,” he muttered, and stood at high alert, staring into the crowd. Another bean flew from a different direction. “Someone’s going to pay…” he yelled, as another bean bounced off his head from behind. The sound of laughter broke out and spread through the crowd. The Captain grabbed Patti and Peter by the elbow and pulled them toward the car. Austin took Sammy and hustled along behind. The boys on skateboards, the girls and their friends, even the adults, all followed at a distance.

Once his prisoners had been pushed into the back seat with Austin in the front, Captain Bloward ran back toward the crowd, looking for a victim to punish. But the boys had foreseen this maneuver, and were already scattering at a safe distance, and the Captain was unwilling to arrest a girl or an adult.

Meanwhile Freddy Baez talked with Sammy through the window, and George madly snapped pictures of the action. The Captain saw his mistake and ran back, pushing people out of the way like a football player.

He jumped into the driver’s seat and gunned the motor. The red lights flashed. The siren wailed. Captain Bloward screeched the car into a u-turn and roared down Main Street.

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

Sammy And Phoebe’s Parents Are Arrested illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 25

October 01, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 25

THE TRIALS OF SAMMY

The new day dawned clear and hot, promising to be yet another scorcher. Phoebe woke to a bad headache. It was hard to stand up. The swelling in her right knee was as bad as anything since the operation. On arriving home the night before, Dr. Bear had bandaged her cuts, but both her eyes were swollen and her cheek and forehead bruised. She glanced at herself in the mirror and went back to sleep.

The sound of voices floated through the open window and woke Phoebe from a doze. Penny and Jeremy were talking on the front steps.

“She’s sleeping,” said Penny. “Banged up pretty bad. And the party for Sammy we’d planned for the toy store courtyard won’t happen. The toy store’s been closed too.”

“What?” cried Jeremy. “What for?”

“Chester called me a couple of hours ago,” Penny replied. “He says the papers from the Health Department are on the courtyard gate and Sammy’s door. It was a bad ending last night. Sammy dragged himself home without a word. He already knew he’d be closed down for overcrowding, even though we kept the audience below the limit.”

“I’m sorry,” said Jeremy. “That hurts.”

“Yes, it does. And all my cakes will go to waste.”

“I’m awake!” called Phoebe through the window. “I heard all that!”

Penny and Jeremy were upstairs in a moment, talking to Phoebe. They decided to head to town and have the party on the sidewalk if necessary. Penny and Phoebe’s parents were due in town soon, and others would be showing up.

In half an hour a group had formed on the sidewalk in front of the toy store and coffee shop. Peter Hood was giving away his carved figures of the Good Fairy and Santa Claus. Patricia Hood gave bunches of flowers to passers-by. Tom Winkle gave finger beans and lemon cukes, and Penny handed out pieces of cake. A crowd formed, and discussed the events of the night before. Phoebe joined her father behind his display of figures laid out on wooden crates.

“I actually wanted to give these away,” Peter told her. “As I made them I imagined giving one to every person in town.” He turned and looked her in the eye. “Phoebe, I’m so proud of you. I want you to know.”

She was speechless.

“I just want you to know,” her father said.

Later on Phoebe limped to the small frame house where Sammy lived alone. She rapped on the door again and again. “Look, Sammy!” she yelled. “I’m not going away until you talk to me. We need your help.”

“You don’t fool me,” came Sammy’s voice from an upper window. “You’re trying to trick me into feeling good. I don’t feel good, and I’m not going to.”

“I don’t feel good either! You should see my face. But we’ve got things to do. We’re running a free store in front of the coffee shop.”

In a moment Sammy appeared at the front door. “All right, let’s go. This free store idea, I like that. I can’t miss it.”

As they turned the corner onto Bridge Avenue Sammy stared at the enormous crowd collected in front of his store. Officer Harley and many others were standing in front of Peter’s carvings. Phoebe and Sammy joined the group.

Peter was saying, “But we’re not selling anything! We haven’t taken a dime. If the stores have to close, we thought we’d give a last gift. Join us, Harley! Or you could arrest us, we understand. But first take a couple of these toys for your grandkids.”

“Well said!” cried Sammy.

“Hey Sammy’s here!” people yelled. The crowd gathered round and began to clap.

“Arrest us both,” Sammy told Harley. “You’d be doing me a favor. I don’t know what to do with my life.”

“Oh leave me alone, you two,” Harley replied. “I’ll be damned if I’ll arrest you. But watch out for those gray hats off the highway.”

And at that moment they saw a state police car double parked down the block. Two officers with wide brimmed hats walked up the sidewalk. Phoebe recognized Captain Bloward from the night before. Sammy stepped into the path of the police.

“Good to see you gentlemen,” said Sammy. “I was hoping we’d meet again.”

“It’s too much, old man,” said the captain. “This time you’re going in.”

“I know I’m a menace to public safety,” returned Sammy. “I really shouldn’t be out on the street. You know, it’s great to have a job where you can really do good and help people. It’s a rare thing these days.”

“Cuff him, Austin, I’m tired of his mouth,” the captain said.

The policeman stepped in, and with a quick move cuffed Sammy’s hands behind his back.

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

THE TRIALS OF SAMMY illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

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follow John Kixmiller on Good Reads

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Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 24

September 30, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 24

ACROSS THE FOREST BY NIGHT

Abby led the way along a stone wall – really just a pile of stones that went on and on in the strange silvery world of the forest night under the stars. As they walked downhill through a glade of maple trees the wall ended, and by the sudden coolness and smell in the air Phoebe knew the river was ahead. Suddenly she saw a smooth glimmering surface through the trees. Near the end of the downhill slope Phoebe’s foot slipped on the leaves and her knee gave way with a stabbing pain. Down she went, sliding into a giant old tree on the riverbank. The thick roots bruised and scraped her forehead, but it was her knee that worried her.

“Are you okay?” Abby cried. “Please say you’re okay!”

“I think I’m all right,” answered Phoebe, but she knew it wasn’t true. Her knee wobbled like a loose table leg. Abby threw her arms around her. Phoebe smiled. “I’m really okay,” she said. “Let’s go.”

Abby led the way along the riverbank to an enormous old fallen tree, and pulled a very small boat, an old wooden dinghy, out from under the space made by the thick roots elevating the trunk of the tree. She slid it into the water.

“Go ahead, jump in,” she said. Phoebe limped carefully into the boat and sat in the bow. Abby handed her a flat piece of wood. “Paddle!” she hissed. “Paddle!” The boat picked up speed, heading toward the opposite bank at an angle. The water shimmered in the starlight. The twinkling sky opened up above them.

“Grab that branch,” came Abby’s urgent whisper, and the boat twisted in the current and slid sideways onto the bank.

After pulling the boat up the bank they sat and gazed at the water. The view before them seemed so spectacular, with the stars above and the stars reflected in the water. It seemed just like life, with the immensity outside and the immensity inside. There was something hypnotic and caressing about the dark and silvery water gleaming by, something so nourishing about the strange light, as if it were a kind of food with vitamins essential to life that you could rarely find. And so when you did find it you had to take out the time to fill up on it.

“I still don’t get it about tomorrow,” Phoebe said. “You’re taking too many risks.”

“Without some risk there’s no emergency.”

“Well, ‘fess up! How are you going to create this emergency?”

“Wendy’s helping me,” Abby answered.

“To do what?”

“I’m going to fly.”

“Whaat!?”

They were silent for a long moment. The sweat dripped off their bodies.

“I shouldn’t have told you.”

“How are you going to do that?”

“Okay. Wendy has a broom like a pole with a spirit in it. She flies. I’m going to try it.”

“But why don’t other people do that?”

“Wendy is special,” Abby told her. “You should see the things that she can do.”

“I can’t believe it,” cried Phoebe in frustration.

“So don’t believe it… But you know, Wendy thinks dreamstone has been around for thousands of years. That explains a lot if you think about it.”

“But flying will be horrible. No one will ever let you alone after that. They’ll bring in police and scientists and reporters and God knows what…”

“Don’t you see,” Abby calmly replied, “Even if they did, there’d be nothing to find. It’s called soul-travelling. And it will be late dusk. They won’t get a clear view of me, and few will believe it.”

“But how can you be so sure?”

“It’s all happened before. I tell you, the world is full of bizarre things. They even have photos of them, but nobody believes it. Wendy’s been doing it for years. It’s happened since there were people on earth, usually in dreams. In fact, Wendy told me that you looked into dreamstone. Did you fly?”

Phoebe was shocked to hear that Abby knew. “But that was a dream,” Phoebe replied.

“Are you sure? Did it feel real? Wasn’t I there?”

“Yes,” whispered Phoebe.

“So can we go ahead and do this together? Please?” Abby was begging.

“I’m definitely absolutely for certain coming with you, no matter what,” Phoebe told her fiercely. “Nothing will stop me.”

Abby put her face in her hands. Her body shook with sobs.

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

Across The Forest By Night illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 23

September 29, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 23

THE HAUNTED HOUSE

As the lightning flashed Phoebe and Abby saw the bent metal gate and the wild lawn ahead of them. And there above on a small rise, the haunted house flaunted its broken windows and mysterious darkness.

“Come!” cried Abby urgently, leading the way through the hole in the fence up to the broken porch. There she picked her way over the crumbling boards and pushed open the door. The smell of damp mold wafted over them. To Phoebe’s surprise Abby held her around the waist and stood before the open door. The car motor reved up, and the scraping, screeching sound of the car breaking the rusted gate echoed through the air. Phoebe was itching to flee.

“Not yet,” Abby muttered. “Not yet…” They heard the snapping of crushed branches. A shadow approached them over the lawn. Suddenly the noise of car doors opening struck panic into their hearts, and another flash of lightning illuminated the scene. At least four men stood beside the old green sedan, staring at Abby and Phoebe up on the porch. They stared back, and the eyes of the men and the women locked in fear and fascination and defiance… and the light was gone.

Abby pulled Phoebe into the darkness of the house, down stairs to a basement, and then quietly over dirt to a place in darkness so complete that Phoebe felt blind, functioning by touch and hearing alone. Abby led her, crawling, through some kind of opening in the dirt and masonry. They stopped, and Abby adjusted a heavy object behind them. Phoebe heard the sound of crickets, and realized that they were close to the forest.

“Better come out, girls! We just want to talk!” the muffled voices above them shouted over and over. Suddenly someone shrieked, “The house is burning!! Run!!” Loud footsteps sounded overhead, and faded in the distance. Phoebe tensed up, ready to move, but Abby held her arm steady.

Then Phoebe heard the snap of a breaking stick very close at hand.

“It’s creepy out here,” came the voice of a young man, probably a teenager. “Look, what are we doing out here? I just don’t get it.”

An older man replied, “I keep telling you! Mitch and Bentley and the higher ups want that girl found this time! You don’t know the pressure. You’re just soft on her.”

“Let’s just pretend I don’t know her. Do I want to be involved in a kidnapping?”

“Don’t talk like that! You do know her, that’s the whole point! We just want to talk to her.”

“About what?”

“It’s true, what Mitch says. They’ve got evil power. They probably disappeared! They can fly! They can cure or poison people! Think what could be done with all that.”

The younger man responded in anger, “It doesn’t make sense. If they’re evil and have to be stopped, why do we want their evil powers?”

“You know,” came the frustrated older voice, “It’s a pain to talk to you, Marcus.”

Suddenly a howl broke out, and the yapping of dogs came closer and closer.

“We’re gettin' out a here,” cried the older voice. “Just do what I do. This place is spookin' me out.”

Abby pulled Phoebe’s hand toward the smell of fresh air. The mournful call of a bird came from nearby. “Not a sound,” whispered Abby. On all fours Phoebe followed her through a hole in the boards of the back porch, over some vines and debris, and then they broke into a run into the deep shadows of the forest.

“We did it!” Abby exulted in a whisper. “We’re free! That was so great.”

“I love it,” said Phoebe. “But the thing is, what comes next? I’m confused.”

“We’re taking the forest route to your house. It’s all set up for tomorrow.”

“But then what?”

"It’ll be sort of like today,” replied Abby. “You and Reverend Tuck will help rescue me, and bring me to the church for safety.”

Phoebe waited for more. “Abby,” she said. “You’ve got to do better than that!”

“People will hunt for me again at the house. Your job is to bring Tuck.”

“Let’s go to the church now,” begged Phoebe.

“I wish we could,” returned Abby. “But Tuck is going to need something pretty powerful to move me into that cottage in the churchyard. Think about it. I’ve got a bad reputation. Me and my family have been treated like lepers for generations. You don’t know the half of it.”

Phoebe took a deep breath and sighed. “So come on, spill it. Just what is that ‘something powerful'?”

“This isn’t a place to talk. Let's get away from here. Come on.”

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

THE HAUNTED HOUSE illustration
by Gideon Chase

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

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Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 22

September 28, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 22

ABBY’S MYSTERIOUS PLAN

As the song came to a close the crowd began to chant, “Living! Living! Living! Living!” Phoebe wished she were inside with her friends, but a different reality bore down upon her. The police were moving in. Soon they stood near the back steps of the coffee shop, and behind them other men lurked. As the crowd began to exit people noticed the police and alerted their friends. Someone screamed.

“Don’t be afraid,” said the central officer. “You are free to go. We’re here on an investigation.”

Phoebe darted inside. Ellie was screaming, “I can’t believe they did this!”

“Ellie,” Abby said calmly, “they’re not after you. I’m much more of a runaway than you are.” Ellie stared in disbelief.

The voices at the back door grew loud and angry. Sammy was blocking the doorway, and the captain was threatening to arrest him. Abby looked at Phoebe. “Here we go,” she said. “It’s time.” In a few quick steps the girls were at the back door. “Coming through!” yelled Abby. Phoebe saw the police exchanging glances. “We’re looking for a runaway girl,” said the captain. "Can I have your name?"

“I’m Abby Chapman.”

“And your name,” he said, looking at Phoebe.

“Phoebe Hood.”

Stephanie appeared behind Sammy and announced, “I’d like to introduce my uncle, Freddy Baez, the managing editor of the ‘Evansville Record’. He’d like to interview you all for a story.”

The police looked at each other. “Sorry Freddy,” said the captain. “We were just leaving. I think we’ve finished our investigation.”

Meanwhile Phoebe followed Abby down into the shadows away from the spotlight. In a moment they were at the back door of the toy store, and stepped inside into complete darkness. They felt their way to the tiny chairs in the children’s corner and sat in silence. Phoebe nudged Abby’s knee. “How long?” she whispered.

“Long enough for the crowd and our friends and the police to leave,” replied Abby.

“But the watchers will stay,” Phoebe pointed out.

“Of course they will,” returned Abby.

“Why give them what they want?”

“I want to trap them,” Abby went on. “And they’re so greedy they’ll fall right into it.”

“I just don’t see how you’re going to manage it,” Phoebe complained.

They sat in silence for what seemed to Phoebe like forever, when Abby picked up her head. “All right, it’s time. They’ll all be gone. We’re out the front door and down the sidewalk toward the river.” The street was deserted except for a few men lounging on the benches in front of the Middletown Standard office.

“Oh yes!” exulted Abby in a whisper. Her eyes gleamed. “That’s Bob Bentley standing there! We’ll just stroll along.”

On they walked. The Half Moon Bridge and the dim trees lining the river seemed to be a dividing line between the town and the wilderness. Beyond the river, the lights were few and then none at all. The stars shone with a vivid, colorful brightness that shocked Phoebe. But above the cliffs those stars were smothered in a thick black curtain, punctuated only by the lightning that lit up the landscape for brief moments. “They’re behind us,” came Abby’s low voice. “Don’t turn around. Don’t ever turn around. Just let them follow as if we don’t know. They’ve got their lights off.”

Phoebe was already aware of the noise following them. She’d heard it before. The fan belt or something made a click, audible in the deep quiet. A dog barked in the distance. Something howled far, far away.

Suddenly a bolt of lightning cracked close at hand, lighting up the landscape with a vivid power she had never seen before…

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

ABBY’S MYSTERIOUS PLAN illustration
by Gideon Chase

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 21

September 27, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 21

LIVING

The punch to her cheekbone had opened a cut on Phoebe’s face that dripped blood, and the bruise began to swell. Stephanie and Abby walked her to a chair near the band and washed the cut. Sammy appeared with the house first aide kit, applied ointment and a bandage, and advised her to go to the hospital for stitches. Phoebe refused. Sammy threatened to call 911, but Police Chief Santiago said he was already on the scene and would drive Phoebe to the hospital once he took her statement. Phoebe told the band to get started ASAP, and asked if she could speak to Chief Santiago outside.

They moved a couple of folding chairs out onto the soccer field and sat down for a talk. The music was loud enough to cover their voices, but distant enough to make conversation possible. “There’s an awful lot to say,” began Phoebe.

Nico and Geo suddenly appeared next to them as if they had sprouted from the grass. In the shadowy darkness they resembled elves more than 12 year old boys.

“Ready to report,” said Nico, and saluted.

The Chief started. “What the…?”

“Maybe she’s busy,” whispered Geo.

“Not too busy for what we got,” retorted Nico.

“Nico and Geo,” said Phoebe, “meet Daniel Santiago, Middletown’s chief of police.”

“Hi Chief,” replied Nico. “We met before, but no need to go into that. “ He turned to Phoebe. “We got business. Should we report here?”

“Yes, give us all the details.” Phoebe turned to the Chief and said as an aside, “Scouts. The best.”

Nico saw that his audience was ready, and began: “Well, we were watching the watchers, keeping track of all of them, when we noticed the new watcher move over to the white van, and look through the fence.”

“The watchers?” asked the Chief.

“Men watching the coffee shop,” explained Nico. “They been there since it was light. Five of them, now six. They moved back across the street when you came out.”

“I see. Very interesting. Continue.”

“We kept an eye on the tall thin one that gave the kid the bag. After the kid punched you the tall guy started cursing, and then knocked on the window of the van.” Nico tossed his head to indicate the nearby van past the hole in the fence. “A guy in uniform stepped out and they started talking.”

“What kind of uniform?” asked the Chief.

“Like brownish gray with stiff hats like Parks Police, but light colored.”

“I see,” said the Chief. “Go on.”

“The tall guy wanted them to stop the concert, empty the place, and search for something.” Nico began to imitate the tall guy’s voice, loud and angry. “I told the governor I want action! Do you hear me! Action! And what are you doing? Nothing! I’ll have a word with the governor…”

Geo laughed. The Chief and Phoebe looked at each other, and they both mouthed the word, ‘Morphy’.

“So the other guy says, ‘I have my orders. We’ll close in as people leave, and search the place afterward. You’ll find the girl…’”

“You boys deserve a medal!” exclaimed the Chief. “But that will have to wait. Now go watch the concert, we won’t forget you.”

The Chief walked back inside to talk to the lawyers, and Phoebe took a moment to lean against the back wall of the coffee shop and let the time go by. Her head swam. The wound had begun to throb… but it didn’t matter. She knew that whatever Abby had planned, she would accompany her. It was her fate, Phoebe thought. She was on the way, come what may. There was no stopping it now. Everything was at stake, and she would have her chance to be someone, and make a difference.

Her eyes had been looking at nothing for some time. The music had stopped. Suddenly she noticed a movement in the shadows. There were men in uniform moving forward to the edge of the backyard. The music began again, and she recognized the tune. It was Jeremy’s song, the one they used to close the concert. The chords and the cowbell started out clean and simple, one strum to a line. The audience reacted with scattered whoops and cheers. The guitar ripped into the melody, and Jeremy’s high, thin voice rang out…

Something’s happening I can see

Didn’t used to feel like this to be me

I’m living, living

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

Living illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Living Music By The Protectors of The Wood Band

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

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Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 20

September 26, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 20

THE TENSION HEATS UP

In just ten minutes, the tickets to the concert were gone, except for a couple Phoebe kept in reserve. The backyard returned to normal, except now it was all about food and socializing, with soccer playing at a minimum. Only a few young children kicked a ball around. Eating and chatting people surrounded the tables.

Nico and Geo appeared, waiting for Phoebe’s instructions. “Where have you been?” she asked.

“Just wandering around,” replied Nico. “It’s different tonight.”

“What kind of different? People doing things they shouldn’t be doing? Things I wouldn’t want them to do?”

“I don’t know.” Nico had a serious look. “Maybe.”

“What’s maybe?” Phoebe asked. She could tell they had spotted something.

“Grown men standing by themselves with nothing to do,” Nico said. “Just watching.”

“Where?”

“Over there beyond the fence.”

“Okay,” Phoebe told them, “your job is to watch them from a distance without attracting attention. Tell me immediately if they do anything. Don’t approach them.”

The evening haze settled over the town. At a certain point Abby took Phoebe aside and said, “They’re here. But don’t do anything. I just want you to know.”

“Who’s here?

“Don’t look until I go back inside. Mitch Connelly’s brother and half-brother and some others. Even Bob Bentley’s out there. He’s got some nerve, that criminal. They’ll just watch until it’s time to leave. I’m going to need your help.”

“What about the police?

“That’s just a ruse, a way to smoke me out. They don’t want me talking to the police. They don’t want anyone knowing what this is all about, not even their own people.”

“So I just wait?” asked Phoebe.

“Exactly,” returned Abby. “And help Sammy. That’s where the police could do harm.”

The haze was turning to dark. The party went on. The watchers stayed at a distance. Nico and Geo appeared at Phoebe’s side. “Reporting for duty,” Nico said crisply with a salute. His brother laughed.

“What’s up?” asked Phoebe anxiously. This waiting game was getting on her nerves.

Nico came closer and spoke softly. “A kid appeared and talked to one of the grown men doing nothing. The man gave him a bag and said, ‘Scatter these around under tables. Don’t get caught. The money’s in there.'"

“What’s he look like?”

“Taller than me with a baseball cap and a strange coat, too big for him.”

“Fantastic work. I owe you. I’ll see you both get free food. Now go off duty and see the concert.”

“We like this better,” replied Nico. “We’ll find out more stuff.”

“I don’t know…” Phoebe was nervous. “You’re great at it, but it’s getting dangerous.”

Suddenly a few chords sounded from an electric guitar, and the conga drum laid out a rhythm. The crowd grew restless and swarmed over the area near the steps. Phoebe struggled to hold her post. In the excitement people became rude as she checked their tickets and admitted them. Nico pulled on her shirt and she looked down at him. “Here comes the kid,” he said. “Remember what I said?”

Phoebe looked up and saw someone approach from off the line and try to slip by her. She threw out her arm and caught him around the waist. In the jarring collision she heard the muffled clink of glass. ‘Bottles,’ she thought.

“Hey, get in line! Where’s your ticket?”

“I just want to see my friend. If I don’t I’ll get in trouble.”

“Sorry, can’t let you.”

The boy lowered his head and took a step away. In a second he turned and darted back under Phoebe’s arm, but she grabbed his jacket as he went by. They both fell, and as they stood up a small bottle of vodka fell onto the steps.

“I’d like to know who gave you that,” she said.

In a panic he looked wildly at the crowd around him and swung at Phoebe, hitting her hard, knuckles on the cheekbone, and flew off like a streak into the darkness. Stunned for a moment, Phoebe staggered. The crowd swarmed around her.

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

The Tension Heats Up illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Subscribe to Protectors of the wood podcast

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 19

September 25, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 19

THE FLORES BROTHERS DISCOVER AN ADVENTURE

On the afternoon before the concert Phoebe was working the counter at the toy store when a group of boys from her new U-14 soccer team arrived. The Flores brothers, who often acted as leaders for the rest, stepped forward.

“We have a problem…” said Nico, giving a dramatic sigh. “We’re bored.” He wore soccer shorts and a blue and yellow jersey. His long unruly hair covered part of his face. He was skinny, but very quick, and probably the best soccer player in the group.

“There’s nothing to do…” put in Geo.

“So…” continued Nico, “We thought maybe you would open the backyard and run a few games.”

“You know I cancelled soccer today because of the concert?”

“Just a few games,” pleaded Nico. He had a charming face and was hard to resist.

“I’m going to run a few games out back,” Phoebe called to Gilligan. He had hoped to avoid soccer on this complicated day, but nodded helplessly. She escaped with the boys out the back door. On going outside Phoebe felt her mood change radically. Immediately she felt the thrill of action, of events. The waiting part of this adventure was over.

As she ran the games Phoebe noticed the crowd on the sidelines expand. The teenagers were definitely coming early. She became obsessed with picking the right moment to end the games, enter the coffee shop, and empty the crowd into the backyard to receive tickets for the show. If she waited too long and more people arrived than the number of tickets, the situation would become ripe for quarrels, anger, and frustration. She was not sure how many were in the coffee shop, and sent Nico inside for help. He returned with Abby.

Phoebe was still amazed by Abby’s new look. She seemed to walk differently. Her whole manner appeared more confident.

“I’ve got problems, said Phoebe. “How many people would you say are in the coffee shop right now?”

“Oh… less than forty.”

“Okay, I’m going to close these games soon. Tell Sammy and Stephanie to announce that tickets for tonight’s show will be given out at the back door in fifteen minutes.”

Abby replied in a low voice: “I’ve got a problem too. The police will arrive tonight and look for overcrowding and… runaway girls. I have a plan.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Just have confidence that I know what I’m doing. And do things when I ask you.”

“I was hoping for some advance warning,” replied Phoebe.

“You’ll know soon enough,” returned Abby, and walked quickly back into the coffee shop.

In a few minutes Shannon and Jasmin ran up to Phoebe in great excitement. “Have you handed out the tickets?” asked Jasmin breathlessly. “Everyone’s trying to get outside!”

“Just set up two lines,” Phoebe told them. “Go well forward of the steps so you don’t block the door. Take a table and tell people we’ll give out the tickets right there.” Phoebe blew three bursts on her whistle and yelled, “That’s it for today.”

Terrence appeared, definitely the tallest person in the crowd, and spotted Phoebe right away. “Okay, ready to go. What’s my job?” he asked.

“Guard this door,” replied Phoebe “No one goes in without a ticket.”

Phoebe noticed Nico and Geo still kicking a soccer ball around. The goals and cones and vests had not been put away. “Do you want to see the concert?” she asked.

“Of course,” replied Nico. “But I can’t stand those lines… but we’ll get in anyway.”

“I don’t know,” said Phoebe. “We’ve got tight security tonight. I’ve got a better idea.”

“All right. Tell us.” The boys came closer.

“I’m giving each of you a ticket.” She handed them the papers from her pouch with a flourish. “You two will go into the toy store and tell Gilligan that Luis must go to the front door of the coffee shop right now – right now – and that you will be putting the soccer equipment away. Then you’ll return to me and do other errands.”

“What good are these tickets if we’re working for you?” Nico wanted to know.

“Don’t worry. You’ll see plenty of the concert, plus you’ll find even more interesting things than you would just sitting there.”

“Yes!” cried Geo. He was small and stocky with fat cheeks, and smiled easily. His shot on the soccer field was deadly.

“We’ll do it,” replied Nico. They vanished into the toy store.

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

The Flores Brothers Discover An Adventure illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 18

September 24, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 18

WORLD TREE ENTERPRISES

Phoebe walked up the driveway in the darkness. Her attention was drawn to the light of the kitchen window shining on the propane tank near the side of the house. For a moment she wondered why she was bothering to notice it. Then she realized that it was larger than before, and that it was painted red, the same shade of red as the cylinder on Jeremy’s tow truck. “There’s something odd about that,” Phoebe thought.

She walked to the back door and saw the kitchen lights on full blast and the door propped open. The aroma of baking bread was overpowering. Inside Penny was wiping the table and the breadboards, sweat glistening at her temples. The kitchen was roasting.“Hey, we’re both working late tonight,” said Phoebe, leaning down to give her sister a kiss on the cheek.

“Everyone wants bread for tomorrow,” complained Penny. “Sammy’s tripled his order. And they want me at the Greenmarket too.”

“A lot of work for the stove,” observed Phoebe. “Is that why we need a bigger tank out back?”

“Yeah, we burn a lot of gas.”

“But why is it painted red?”

“Oh, that’s a long story, and another touchy subject. But you know everything else so you might as well know this too. You see, that’s not propane in the tank. It’s biogas, made in the forest and delivered by Jim. We paint it red to identify our own tanks. We’ve got quite a few around.”

Phoebe stared, but, Penny just shrugged and said, “There’s a lot more to these forest enterprises than you’ve seen so far. Talk to Jeremy. He’ll fill you in. But now let’s get ready for tomorrow.”

“Yes, tomorrow!” exclaimed Phoebe. “I need to make ninety-five tickets to give out at the concert!”

“The concert…” moaned Penny. “It’s been making me so nervous I can hardly stand it. I know you’ve heard the rumors. I gather Sammy isn’t backing down.”

“Not a chance,” Phoebe replied. “And I’m in charge of tickets and security. I’ll use one of the World Tree stamps to make the tickets.”

“We might as well,” Penny agreed. “Remember that night at the greenhouse? You said it’s World Tree versus Geddon. It really is.”

Soon they had the kitchen table set up with paper, a box of rubber stamps, and inkpads, scissors, and a pen. Penny cut the paper and Phoebe stamped each one with the logo, and gave it a number. It was all they could do to finish. Both sisters were exhausted.

“Phoebe…” said Penny. “Be careful tomorrow. I don’t know what’s going to happen. Jim and I will be at the concert. Call us for anything. Anything.”

Penny’s eyes brimmed over, and Phoebe embraced her.

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

World Tree Enterprises illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

Listen to Protectors of the wood podcast

World Tree Enterprises illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 17

September 23, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 17

EARTH ANGELS

EARTH ANGELS

After work, Phoebe went next door for some dinner at the coffee shop. People were standing two of three deep at the counter, and all the tables looked full. She squeezed around the counter, and saw Sammy and Abby hard at work slicing ingredients and throwing sandwiches together. Sammy slid a plate onto the counter and yelled, “Turkey Special!” Stephanie appeared, the crowd parted, and she grabbed the plate and vanished.

“How’s it going, Sammy?” Phoebe yelled. The noise level was high.

“Best night in history,” he shouted back. “Order food with Stephanie or Ellie, I just make sandwiches. And by the way, Slick over there is a godsend. You know – our new employee.” He nodded his head toward Abby.

“How’d she get that name?”

“Someone yelled, ‘Hey Slick,’ leave off the dressing.’ And it stuck.”

“Amazing,” commented Phoebe. “You never know how things will go. By the way, I think I’m ready for tomorrow.”

“I’m glad someone is,” said Sammy, still working a mile a minute. Phoebe slipped over to where Abby – wearing her hat and jacket and latex gloves, was putting turkey pieces and sliced tomato on half a dozen slices of bread.

“Looks good,” Phoebe said.

Abby beamed a smile at her. “This is fun!” she said, not loud enough to be heard, but Phoebe could read her lips. She darted forward and gave Abby a kiss on the cheek.

Phoebe found a seat at a table out back with players from her soccer team, Jasmin and Shannon, and father Terrence. Phoebe explained the problems they might encounter at tomorrow’s concert, and her commitment to Sammy to hold the audience to the legal maximum of 95. They promised to come early the following evening, and gave Phoebe a ride home. On the way, Shannon asked, “So how are we going to count all the people tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” said Jasmin. “They move around, and go in and out.”

Thunderstruck, Phoebe realized that she had imagined a line of people entering a concert. But of course the coffee shop was nothing like that.

“I vote for tickets,” said Shannon. “Give the first 95 a ticket, and then they can go out back and someone will check tickets at the door.”

“Thank you, thank you!” cried Phoebe as she jumped out of the car and waved.

Standing on the grass by the darkened houses, Phoebe was struck by the stars in the moonless sky. Countless stars – dizzying swirls of stars – wrapped themselves around the place where she stood. She recalled hearing somewhere that each star was an angel, and protected someone on the long journey through life and death. “Like Guardians,” she thought. “Surely we do need them. The colossal scope of this adventure is way beyond us. Something, someone, must be helping us.”

She recalled Abby’s talk in the forest garden about angels, and her own dream of the Green Man, and her vision of the Old Woman. “Could the Green Man and the Old Woman be angels?” she asked herself. “Yet they are not far away like the stars. They seem to be with us on earth. They are earth angels.”

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

Earth Angels illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through- Episode 16

September 18, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 16

THE BEST PART OF THE DAY

The following afternoon, Phoebe noticed the boys arriving, skateboards and scooters in hand, hoping that Phoebe or Luis would set up the goals and referee some games. She gathered them together and announced that this was their opportunity to join a team, but no one would be allowed to even practice without a signed registration form. She handed out the papers. In great excitement the boys forgot the new rules and took off for home on their skateboards and scooters while still inside the store. Gilligan yelled from the back by the cash register but Phoebe didn’t have the heart to stop them. Out the door they flew, only to be caught by Luis at the gate, who told them they would each begin tonight’s games with a yellow card.

Phoebe easily convinced Gilligan to let her supervise the backyard again that evening in order to collect the forms and begin the new team. She was delighted to be outside again. Somehow on the soccer field she could forget her troubles. A faintly cool breeze – or what passed for cool on such a hot day – began to flow in from the forest. People who had been inside all day began to come out looking for some fun, and the new double-sized backyard with soccer and tables and refreshments was just the place to go. Phoebe noticed that people could arrive from Stable Lane and play or watch a game, and head into the coffee shop through the back door, wander out to Bridge Avenue and into the Green Market in the courtyard, and finally enter the toy store and out the back door into the soccer field again. Others could do the same thing from any other entrance. People were circulating through the stores and the yards like the life-blood of an organism. This was the way things were supposed to be, Phoebe thought.

By 7 o’clock there were three strong teams playing eight-minute games, with the winner staying on the field. The games were fast and hard, and Phoebe had to fully concentrate to maintain order. The time flew by. The distant rumble of thunder rolled across the forest, causing heads to turn in anxiety. Inky black clouds were building up beyond the Half-Moon Cliffs.

An evening haze settled over the town. Another team of six players joined the furious tournament, and the games went on. The tables were full, with spectators standing and sitting on the ground. Luis nudged Phoebe in the back and said, “No need to look at me, keep watching the game. But Gilligan wants to know how long we should stay open?”

“Is he still making sales?”

“I’ll say! It’s the best part of the day.”

“Let’s keep going then. Tell him I’ll go on as long as you guys will.”

“Cool!” replied Luis.

And the games went on. The boys were in an ecstasy of fun and the joy of movement. The cooler air gave everyone a delicious feeling of energy. The boys seemed to dart through the shadows like our ancestors at the dawn of time, moving in the sheer enjoyment of life. She could barely see the ball, and the speed with which they moved seemed dangerous; yet somehow they avoided collisions in the dark, screaming and laughing. It felt like being under water but still able to breath, Phoebe thought, or like being in a new element, or perhaps a very old element that remains essential for life.

Finally, she heard Luis’s voice calling, “Okay, Phoebe, that’s it.”

She blew the whistle three times. “Thank you so much everyone! It’s been a wonderful night, the best so far. Don’t forget the concert tomorrow night at the coffee shop. Thanks for making this so much fun…”

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

The Best Part of The Day illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 15

September 17, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 15

STEPHANIE AND ABBY ARRIVE

Suddenly the door burst open and Stephanie swept into the room, carrying two bulging grocery bags. The music came to a stop. “I hope,” she declared, “you all appreciate the effort I put into this dinner.” She pushed some clothes off the couch and took a seat with a sigh. “This was one of the longest days…”

Phoebe noticed the door slowly opening, and Abby stepped inside. Her long dark hair framed her pale face. Everyone came forward to welcome her. Stephanie cleared the rest of George’s belongings off the couch and pulled Abby down next to her.

“I hope you don’t mind me barging in like this,” said Abby in a soft voice.

“You don’t barge in anywhere,” said Jeremy.

“Don’t forget, you’re one of us,” Phoebe told her.

“You’re just in time for a little food!” added Stephanie. She shared out the contents of her bags with great fanfare. They were all ravenous. The food quickly disappeared.

“I need to talk,” announced Stephanie suddenly. “I heard some strange things at the coffee shop today. It’s like I’m supposed to know something, but nobody has told me anything. I mean, do we expect the police on Friday night? Not as our friends, but as our enemies?”

The room was silent. Finally Phoebe said, “Well… I guess we do. The rumor going ‘round is that police will raid the concert to investigate complaints and try to close down the coffee shop. Sammy insists on going ahead as planned, and I’ve promised security to hold the audience below ninety-five people and make sure there’s no trouble.”

“And Sammy’s got to hire another worker by tomorrow to help me,” said Stephanie. “I was swamped today – tomorrow will be twice as busy – and Friday will be off the hook! All my friends have dates for the concert. No one’s going to want to work.”

“I’d like to work,” said Abby quietly.

“Really?” replied Stephanie. “That’s great!”

Phoebe was at a loss for words. She felt like cheering Abby’s bold move, but her thoughts were staggered by the sheer impracticality of it.

Stephanie looked closely at Abby. “You know I was receptionist for Hickory Securities over the last month. I just quit yesterday. I’ve overheard these so-called adults refer to you as if you’ve got the Holy Grail or something. They’re obsessed with finding you.”

“I know all about it,” replied Abby. “I’ve been hiding for months.”

‘But what’s going to happen now?” asked Stephanie. As she spoke she was studying Abby’s face. “There’s something about you,” she said. “I have the feeling you could look a different way. You might like a few changes, and maybe confuse these… creepy people.” She pulled Abby’s hair back away from her face, and tied it in a tight ponytail. Then she took one of Jim’s old straw hats from a hook on the wall, adjusted it on Abby’s head, and held Jeremy’s thin red jacket for Abby to put on. “Now stand up straight,” Stephanie told her. “Walk to the door and back.”

It was a revelation. Jeremy and Eddie started to clap, and George was too overwhelmed to do anything but stare. Stephanie adjusted the angle of the brim over one eye. “Now,” she asked, “will people recognize Abby if she’s waitressing at Sammy’s looking this way?”

“Could we cut a bit of her hair,” asked Jeremy. “That black hair in the back is a dead give-away.”

“Well, Abby?” asked Stephanie. “It depends on how far you want to go.”

“Let’s do it,” Abby said.

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

Stephanie And Abby Arrive illustration

by Carlos Uribe

colored by Jean-Pierre Barthelemy

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 14

September 16, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 14

EVERYWHERE I GO

Later that day, Gilligan told Phoebe that he would close the backyard to soccer unless he could obtain insurance for accidents. Phoebe sat in on a meeting between Sammy and William Wyndaman, the lawyer for the Protectors of the Wood Foundation. Wyndaman doubted that they could get insurance, but advised them to rent the property to a soccer club whose teams -- including those currently practicing behind the stores -- would be insured. He also urged them to invite respected adults to the Friday night concert, such as journalists, lawyers, and teachers, who might serve as witnesses in case of harassment.

As Phoebe’s girls’ team arrived for practice, she saw Shannon, daughter of team manager, Terrence Williams, step out of a large SUV. She yelled to Shannon to ask her father to wait. “I need help,” Phoebe told him. “Some kind of trouble?” asked Terrence. He wore a well-tailored suit and tie, and his dark skin and pale Panama hat looked very handsome. Phoebe explained the situation.

“Afraid of somebody?” asked Terrence. “Is this the Morphy business? I’m a lawyer in real estate, and I hear things. I’m happy to help.”

“Then get Mario, our club director, here by 3 tomorrow afternoon to rent the backyards for a dollar a month. And be here Friday night to watch for some sort of frame-up.”

“It’s all too believable,” Terrence muttered. “I want my daughter to play here. I want those kids to have their little concert, damn it! Why can’t people leave well enough alone? You find a decent thing and somebody wants to smash it! I’ll be here.”

As the soccer practice ended in the dark, Jeremy arrived and drove Phoebe to the gas station. “I need your help with something,” Phoebe said.

“I need yours!” Jeremy returned. “Have you heard that George is staying with me now? And the lead-up to this concert is getting unbelievably tense.”

“I understand,” said Phoebe with a sigh. “We feel like a triangle, try to clear it up, and then George moves in. And you should know I’ve promised Sammy I’ll deal with security for the concert. I’ll need a team of staff to help me.”

Jeremy pulled into the gas station and parked. They could hear the music throbbing and whining as they walked into the office. The room was a mess, with clothes and books and papers everywhere. George and Eddy were working on a song. Jeremy picked up his guitar and played a chord. “How does that go?” he asked.

“George finished it,” said Eddy. “We might play it on Friday.”

“It’s called EVERYWHERE I GO,” said George. “Capo up three frets. First two lines are C, E minor, F, F minor. Like this…” They began to play. George became very irritable. “Come on!” he yelled. “We’ve only got one more day!” He corrected Jeremy again and again. “I don’t know why I’m like this,” he moaned in frustration.

“Don’t worry about it,” returned Eddy. “If we have fun everyone else will too.”

They began again.

“Who could that song be about?” Phoebe asked herself. “Me, Abby… ? But he wants me to love him, even if we’re not together.”

“Wonderful!” exclaimed Eddy. “Let's do it that way on Friday!”

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

"Everywhere I Go" YouTube video illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 13

September 15, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 13

THE GREENMARKET MOVES TO THE COURTYARD

The following morning, Phoebe found Sammy and Chester unloading boxes from an old blue van double-parked in front of the coffee shop. White plastic tables were lined up end to end on the sidewalk, and hanging from the front edge was a long white banner with red letters announcing: THE WORLD TREE GREENMARKET. Two dozen boxes were stacked on the curb, and nearby a pile of bulging burlap bags.

A crowd had already gathered. Phoebe began organizing the tables. Sammy and Chester were weighing and bagging produce for a line of customers. The fruits, grains, and vegetables looked and smelled a little different from supermarket produce, and some were a lot different. ‘The food from Wendy’s seeds!’ thought Phoebe. ‘But now it’s grown on the farms! They’re opening up the game.’

Gilligan met Phoebe and they opened the toy store. “I want to hire that boy, Luis, who’s been helping you with the soccer,” he announced. “We need to keep order in the courtyard. No riding skateboards or scooters, soccer in the back only.”

“But that accident yesterday happened out in the street!”

“I don’t care,” Gilligan said. “We need new rules around here. And I noticed you opened up Sammy’s back yard to enlarge your field. What’s our liability?”

“I spoke to Sammy,” she replied. “A lawyer will visit today.”

“I like that,” Gilligan said with a smile. “Hold the fort here, I’m going outside.”

An hour later, Gilligan ran back and blurted out, “Chief Santiago just ordered Sammy to remove his tables! The crowd is angry, and the Chief is asking for you!” Phoebe had her reply all ready: “I’ve got an idea. Offer Sammy the courtyard for his tables, if he’ll keep good order out front. The customers will come in here, and the Chief won’t have to deal with a bunch of angry citizens. Everyone will thank you…”

Gilligan stared into space. “Phoebe, you’re a genius,” he said, and ran back outside.

Two of the boys from the day before arrived, carrying their skateboards. “How’s Joel?” asked Phoebe, jumping up to meet them. “He’s okay,” the older brother said, “only five stitches, he’ll be back tomorrow.” Phoebe clapped her hands and said, “How would you guys like to pick out helmets for each of you and Joel, as a gift from the store? And don’t forget to wear them!” The boys laughed and said, “Yes!”

Stephanie suddenly walked in dressed in her receptionist dress and high heels. “Phoebe!” she cried. “Isn’t this all so fabulous?”

“Absolutely! But what about you? Did you quit?"

“I just walked out two minutes ago. Sammy offered me a job.”

“I’m so happy,” exclaimed Phoebe. “And I want to thank you for the wonderful advice.” She rushed over and jumped into Stephanie’s arms. Stephanie lowered her voice and replied, “But watch out! George had a falling out with his parents and moved into the gas station with Jeremy. They grounded Ellie, and claim that the coffee shop is dangerous. Can you believe it? Bentley and his brother are telling people the same thing. Somebody’s giving them talking points. I couldn’t stand another minute.”

“We’ve got to talk,” Phoebe told her. “Soon!”

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

The Greenmarket Moves To The Court Yard illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 12

September 14, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 12

A PRIVATE CONVERSATION IN THE COFFEE SHOP

Without wasting a second, Phoebe walked the few steps to the coffee shop and pulled on the door. It was locked. The lights were on, and Sammy was cleaning the grill behind the counter. She rapped on the glass, and Ellie came into view and opened the door.

“Gotta talk to Sammy,” said Phoebe. “I’m glad you’re still here.” She walked over to the counter. “Hey Sammy, I need two minutes.”

“Shoot,” he said.

“You know, Sammy, sometimes I feel like I’m your partner, just in the way we do things, and what we’re trying to do.”

He stopped cleaning and turned to face her. “Go on, I’m listening.”

“Well, I need to talk over some things with you, but it’s a little sketchy where the information comes from.”

“I’ve got a couple of cups of coffee left,” Sammy replied. “Let’s sit down for this one.” He thanked Ellie and sent her home, and brought two mugs to a table. “I want to know,” he said, “about anything important to me, no matter where the information comes from.”

“Okay,” began Phoebe. “Here are a couple of questions. What if you knew that the police were going to inspect this place during Friday’s concert, looking for problems of all sorts. Maybe fire code violations, over-crowding, permits… whatever. How prepared would you be? Or maybe you’d like to cancel or postpone the concert to avoid a trap of some kind? What do you think?”

“Hmm…” He smiled at her. His old face looked pale and tired, but his eyes danced with interest. “Well! You’ve become a key player in a hurry. Wasn’t it just a month ago you had nothing to do? We’ve both done a few things since then…”

“I’m trying,” said Phoebe.

“All right then, let’s get down to business. It’s not as if I haven’t thought about these problems. This week alone I’ve spent hundreds of dollars on lighting and electricity. Some of that’s fire code stuff. And I know we were over capacity last week. Ninety-five people is all we’re allowed, and I’m sure we broke, oh… say a hundred and ten. Maybe we need staff on security detail for this concert. We could use your help.”

“Yes, I’m in,” replied Phoebe. “So… you aren’t interested in canceling or putting it off?”

“No, I’m not. I’m old. The only thing I fear is not doing my best these last years, and then regretting it when it’s too late. I’ve got nothing to lose except giving up. Let them defeat me, but I’m not going to crawl away without a fight. I know we could all do a much better job with this world, and there’s no other time to try than now. It’s all I’ve got.”

“Okay!” exclaimed Phoebe. “I’m in this with you. We’re partners, and right now I’ve got some suggestions. Call my Dad’s lawyer, Mr. Wyndaman. He lives over in Half Moon somewhere. Find out every little thing they could use to harass you.”

Sammy stared at her. “Now I’m getting a clearer picture. You mean some real enemies are going to try to shut us down, even to the point of framing us. Is that it?”

Phoebe looked him in the eye. “Yes,” she said.

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

A Private Conversation In The Coffee Shop illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!

Phoebe Breaks Through - Episode 11

September 13, 2017 by John Kixmiller in Young Adult Novels

Episode 11

THE FOUR GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

Phoebe headed back through the courtyard in a hurry and opened the front door.

“How’s the boy?” cried Gilligan frantically. “The Chief must be worried, talking to you like that! No store does these things – soccer in the backyard, a mob of teens with scooters and skateboards in the front. I’ll be sued for all that I’m worth.”

It took Phoebe twenty minutes and an agreement to consult a lawyer to calm Gilligan down. He left Phoebe to close up.

Jeremy arrived. Phoebe called Abby and George from their hiding place in the back room, and organized a meeting in the children’s book corner.

“Boy, you take your time!” exclaimed George. “We’ve got things to do!”

They gathered round in a small circle of chairs. All eyes turned to George.

“Listen!” he said. “I’ve been taking pictures of the Owens Mansion for an article Peabody wants. I stopped by the office to print out copies. The place was empty except for Peabody in the back on the phone.”

George explained that Milton Morphy had used some of his colossal fortune for a complete renovation, including building a sort of observation post on the roof. A security guard was posted there night and day.

George took a piece of paper from his folder and tossed it on the table. “What does that look like?” he challenged them. The image showed the shadow of a man behind glass with his right hand holding a thin, tall, dark something.

“It’s a rifle,” said Jeremy. “You can see the barrel and the beginning of the stock.”

“That’s what I thought,” said George. “I was looking at this when suddenly the door opens and a man walks right by me. He was so intent on getting to Peabody he didn’t even see me. This guy just lit into Peabody, saying things like, ‘When you work for me, I expect obedience!’ I realized the guy was Morphy, and there I was listening to their conversation with a blow-up of the gun in my hand! And I heard some really interesting stuff. Morphy was giving instructions on how to report on a police action that he expects on Friday night. He listed off a whole bunch of things, like fire code violations, runaway teenagers, cabaret and alcohol violations, even endangering the morals of a minor. ‘We’re going to break them!’ Morphy yelled. ‘Do you hear me? Break them!’ I grabbed my printouts and camera and slipped out the door...”

“That is so fantastic, George,” said Phoebe. “Whoa, so well done.”

“Someone’s got to warn Sammy before he closes,” Jeremy burst out. “And according to Jim, Morphy and his people have at least three more observation posts like the one on the Owens Mansion. I don’t think they all have rifles, but they do have telescopes and binoculars. And one thing for sure, they’re watching all of us very carefully. And Abby… we know they’re especially looking for you.”

All eyes shifted to Abby. She looked around the silent group and said, “I’ve learned how to take care of myself. They’re no match for me in the forest, or even in town. You leave together, and I’ll catch a couple of hours sleep here and slip out the back.”

“Sammy will be gone in five minutes,” Phoebe said. “I’ll talk to him. And let’s try meeting at the gas station before the concert. I really don’t know how we can escape a trap of some kind. But I’m thrilled that we’re in this together.”

They all smiled. Their eyes were shining. In two minutes they were out on the street, leaving Abby hidden in the darkness.

PHOEBE COMES HOME (Book I)
PHOEBE BREAKS THROUGH (Book II)
And The Upcoming...GHOST GIRL (Book III)

by John KixMiller

The Four Get Down To Business illustration

by Carlos Uribe

Learn More About Phoebe And The Players In Middletown!