Disclaimer: Not mine...


Chapter One

Adventures

New and Old

I have found adventure in flying, in world travel, in business, and even close at hand... Adventure is a state of mind - and spirit


Here I stand, foot in hand, talking to my wall

Leslie awoke with a gasp and tried to sit bolt upright, not quite managing it, she lay back down on her bed, wrapping the covers around her. Her alarm, some David Bowie song, rang out across the room, reverberating against the walls. When Bill had tried to set her alarm he'd gotten it stuck on this particular song. So every morning, without fail, David Bowie woke her up... Leslie would never forgive him. She tried to shield herself against the most wicked creature she had yet encountered: morning.

I'm not quite right at all... am

"Five more minutes," Leslie mumbled pleadingly to no one in particular. Unfortunately for her, P.T, her faithful and sometimes just plain annoying dog, held no such mercy.

Don't set me free, I'm as heavy as can be

"Honestly, Leslie!" P.T slapped at the alarm, turning it off. "This really isn't befitting of a Queen." His voice, a comical deep bass in his small body, grated on her already frail nerves.

"Leslie!" P.T added in a warning tone, "I'll turn it back on if you don't..."

"I'm not a morning person, you know that," Leslie whined, burying her head under the pillow, hoping he'd leave her in peace. "Dumb dog." Leslie finished whispering, so only she could hear.

"Every morning, Leslie. Must we go through this every morning? Now, if you-" Leslie never figured out what he would say, her mother gently poked her head through the door.

"Do you need some help getting up, sleepy head?" her mother asked softly – it was one of the most patronizing things Leslie had heard in her short life.

"Judy," Leslie fumed, head still buried under the pillows, "I'm perfectly capable of waking myself up – I just... don't choose to."

Judy sighed, this conversation had been becoming more and more frequent in the past year.

"Okay, angel, but it's 10 to 8..."

Leslie sat bolt upright, this time successfully, her eyes wide – her morning brain not fully comprehending. "...What?" Leslie managed.

Judy rolled her eyes, exasperated. "I said, it's 10 to 8 – you're going to be late, agai-"

Leslie's shriek was enough to make Bill drop his pancakes from downstairs in the kitchen.

"Why didn't you wake me, why didn't you wake me, why didn't you wake me," Leslie repeated the mantra as she got changed, her mother retreating downstairs victoriously, muttering something about bottling up emotions being unhealthy that Leslie didn't quite hear. Such was her hurry, Leslie struggled, jumping on one leg, trying to get her left sock on... losing her balance, Leslie toppled into her bookcase.

"Oh, Leslie." P.T groaned, covering his eyes with his paws; re-enacted downstairs by her parents who also heard the dull thud from the kitchen. One of the books nearly landed on her temple, only just missing, it landed neatly on her lap. Thanking whoever cared to listen, Leslie looked at the cover.

It was one of Bill's favourites: The Return of the Soldier, by Rebecca West. She hadn't gotten round to reading it yet, it wasn't a particular favourite genre of hers, but considering the book had been kind enough to spare her head, Leslie put it on her "To-Do list."

She opened the book to the first page, looking to get a head start...

"Leslie, school, now!" P.T swiped the book out of her hands with his teeth.

"You... you could have torn the book!" Leslie gasped, scandalized, thoroughly alarmed and ready to chastise her dog. Seeing P.T's murderous expression... Leslie thought better of it.

"Right, school – sorry..."

Promising to repair her bookcase latter, Leslie was a blur of hectic speed as she pulled on the rest of her "school uniform". Hauling herself out of her room, she whizzed past Bill and Judy before they could respond, picking up a pancake from the kitchen table.

Munching it hurriedly; Leslie made for the door, uh, she spat the horrid thing out. "This tastes awful!" Leslie turned, glaring at Bill.

"Yeah, well, I might have dropped it on the floor – just once, eh, I... think, sorry kid," he laughed weakly, shrugging his shoulders. In too much of a hurry to argue, Leslie simply dropped the pancake, waving at her mother and pointedly ignoring her father; heading from her house to school. Late again, it would seem.

Still, it was unlikely she would learn anything even remotely useful. Another boring day of school dominated by her pragmatic teachers and their tyranny. Honestly, what good would Maths do in helping her save the world? No, she was expected to figure that out for herself. Never mind the fact that she always felt tired, so tired. It was tough being a Queen, even tougher fighting monsters; particularly with no practical experience. She felt like she was being pulled every which way... about to break.

Feeling wretchedly sorry for herself, Leslie closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead, trying to soothe her perennial headache; blonde hair swaying in the wind.

"Honestly, Leslie. Imagine if the Dark Master could see you now." P.T ran to her side, having gone out the back door to avoid her parents.

"You could have woken me up earlier, but I see you prefer to torment me." She couldn't spot Jess anywhere, so she would just have to make do with P.T... again.

"I did, and I did every morning, Jess doesn't have this problem; fighting you with monsters", P.T bite back. Leslie frowned, picking up something wrong.

"I did, and I do every morning, Jess doesn't have this problem; fighting monsters with you," P.T bite back, again. "You really should consider gaining further assistance, Jess and you – it isn't enough."

It always had been before.

Bored with the conversation, Leslie's stomach growled pitifully. "I'm hungry."

"Leslie, don't change the con-" But she tried to block him out until they reached school.


"Hello, Old Barker," Leslie blazed brazenly past the poor old man before he could look up. This old coot held a special place in Leslie's heart, considering he was the one Jess had bought P.T from. Leslie had grown quite fond of him over the years, he was friendly, even for an old coot – his numerous stories and adventures also fascinated Leslie to no end. They were spellbinding; journeys of distant lands, of indomitable heroes and tenacious villains.

She'd dragged Jess and P.T along to his stall quite a few times over the years, wanting desperately to be transported to the past through his soft baritone voice... next stop everywhere. She looked back at his stall... his stall.

Leslie rushed back to Old Barker, thoughts of school forgotten in her alarm.

"What's going on?"

"Oh, this - just packing up. Time to move on – don't worry about it, Leslie... I'm fine. Don't start." He stretched as he spoke, he was obviously sore from lifting his numerous old trinkets. They were neatly stacked in front of him, waiting to be packed in neighbouring cardboard boxes – Old Barker's back gave a satisfying crack. He wiped the perspiration from his brow, waiting for Leslie's inevitable barrage. He'd been hoping to leave as inconspicuously as possible, but Old Barker should have remembered the unique variable: Leslie Burke.

"Moving on? What – how, why?" Leslie was appalled at the notion. "You can't. Jess said you've been here before even his Dad was born, and he's well... old. It's - are you in trouble? I can help you. Is it criminals, are you a criminal, oh, I know, is it because-"

"Wow, easy there now, young girl." He put a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. "I thank you for your willingness to help – not that I'm surprised - but, it's already been decided."

"By who?" Leslie demanded with slight petulance.

"By who?" Old Barker repeated, smiling grimly. "It's just life, my dear. Everyone has their time, no place in the world left for a humble business like mine. There isn't much left in Lark Creek any more, everyone's moving to the major cities – reminds me of something. Ock, well, no point in sitting here when you are'nie wanted, eh."

"But... I want you."

"Oh, Leslie, Leslie Burke. It means a lot to hear it from you, it really does." He patted her head fondly, winking wolfishly at her in an attempt to raise her spirits.

"Which reminds me, where is that blasted dog – P.T?"

P.T woofed playfully, tail wagging, although Leslie could sense the dog's eyes were still staring daggers through her back. Old Baker was staring at the dog intensely, with a little unease, he relinquished his stare, eyes avoiding the truth.

A thought struck her. "But, what will happen to the other dogs... are you taking them with you?"

Old Barker's shoulders finally slumped and he looked genuinely sombre. "Nothing I can do. I can't afford to keep them. No one wants the poor things, they'll have to go to the doghouse and they don't have much space – so you can imagine what'll happen..."

"That's, no, that's just awful. I – can't let that happen. I'll, I'll ask Judy, she'll know what to do. They're lovely dogs, there's gotta be something, someone." P.T barked in agreement.

"I know how stubborn you are by first hand - I -"

"Do you love them?" Leslie interrupted, eyes stern and unyielding.

"Yes." Old Barker answered with conviction, nothing more needed to be said.

Leslie had made her decision, "That's all I needed to know."

"I won't try and stop you, just... don't get your hopes up... Now off with you, got school, I imagine."

Leslie nodded, only half - listening. Her mind was already swimming through possible scenarios to save the dogs. "How are you transporting all this stuff?"

"Oh, this... A friend of mine, a fortune teller by trade, is helping me."

Leslie's face erupted with glee. "Wow, I've always wanted to have my fortune taken. Is she a women? I imagine she's pretty old, you have to be, likes to wear a veil, perhaps. Wait, Oldie, she isn't your... girlfriend? Oh, that would be fantastic."

Old Barker blushed a bright red. He would never get used to how Leslie doggedly managed to turn a conversation on its head so suddenly and without warning.

"I'm gonna ignore that... She's coming here round about 4, I'll introduce her to you, if you want. School finishes around then, doesn't it?"

"Oh, school." Leslie felt her stomach lurch at the reminder, she had to be really late now.

Leslie sighed, "I'd love to meet her, I'll see you after school... and Old Barker," Leslie turned to face Old Barker as she started moving. " I will save the dogs, I promise." Old Barker merely tipped his hat at Leslie, there was something in his eyes she couldn't read.

"Come on, P.T." A little flustered, P.T had degraded himself to playing with the puppies. He had stated many times to Leslie that he considered himself too sophisticated for such frivolity. Leslie smiled knowingly at him as he tried to gather himself, reluctantly leaving the energetic puppies as they tried to scamper after him.


"Late again, Leslie. Tisk, tisk, I might have to report you one of these days." Wonda Kay was as snotty as ever it seemed. Leslie was currently in the narrow school corridor, on the way to class.

Leslie stared back at Wonda curiously. "What are you doing? Shouldn't you be in class, as well?"

Wonda was leaning on the wall, arms folded, eyes closed lazily. She seemed to be trying to emit an image of "coolness", she was trying too hard, at least to Leslie. She suspected the girl was compensating for something.

"Well, that is just none of your business... but being the number one pupil as I am, I will difulge." In English, it basically meant Wanda Kay could never resist an opportunity to brag.

"Divulge"

"Sorry?"

"You mean divulge"

"I know what I mean!" Wanda Kay snapped, a little too loudly for even her own comfort. When the echo died, Wonda held her head primly once more. "Being class representative is both a blessing and a curse. Of course, no one else in our class is capable, especially you." She spat the last word with distaste, as if it was rotten. Leslie smiled pleasantly, she had only gotten that position by default, no one else had been willing to suck up to Myers.

"Apparently, the principle is preparing an announcement – something about not enough funding for a new school" Wonda revelled in her self-importance, Leslie blinked, naive to it all... or at least looking like it. Wonda huffed dramatically, enjoying the attention.

Leslie scratched her head. "Really, I thought that was set in stone. Do you know why?" Leslie could imagine Jess' reaction.

"Not yet." Wonda spoke with contempt and a smudge of annoyance, no doubt at being left out of the loop. "The class representatives, that's me, Burke, were in a meeting. I think they're planning an assembly."

"Shouldn't you be going back to class then... we can go together."

Wonda looked a little flustered. "That's none of your business, Burke. I do what I like."

"Ah, an honourable code no doubt. Just remember, idle hands are the devils tools, especially for fuddy duddies like you." Leslie moved her arms to punctuate her words.

"...fuddy duddies?" Wonda repeated, eyes wide, not comprehending.

"I know, don't you just love idioms. Goodbye, Wonda Kay, until next time." Leslie waved theatrically at Wonda, before continuing on her pilgrimage to class through the narrow school corridors.

"Completely bonkers. She must of knocked her brains out in that accident, as well." Wonda glowered at Leslie, trying to build her self esteem back up again. She couldn't shake the nagging question, however, what the hell was an idiom?


Leslie was late, of course. Half the class tried to slyly stare at her, the other half not so slyly. Myers stopped in mid-sentence, closed the book she was reading from; opened her mouth to condemn the interruption... She noticed it was Leslie, however, and kept quiet. Leslie's shoulders slumped as she closed the door dejectedly, she didn't like to think she was being treated differently to anyone else. Although to be fair, being a Queen, well, it went with the territory.

To call Mrs Myers room a "classroom" sincerely, you would certainly need a liberal definition of the word classroom. It resembled a dungeon more than anything else. Being stuck in a basement for a half a day with no windows would be a test of wills for even the staunchest hermit.

The walls were a sickening yellow, which contrasted terrible with the otherwise darkened room. The lights occasionally flickered in and out of existence, which grew incredible irritating as the hours crept by. Drawings and other artistic works had been stapled onto the walls to give, what Myers liked to call, "a more pleasant working environment for minds to expand."

Leslie wasn't sure about the pleasant working environment, but mind expanding sounded painful. She grimaced as she walked past what seemed to a picture of an... elephant? Whoever had drawn that was certainly no, Jess Aarons.

When thirty one pupils were seated it became very difficult to manoeuvre around the class. Leslie struggled to get in between tables to make it to her seat at the back of the class, she had been moved there last year. Leslie gave Rodney a nod as she manoeuvred round his desk, it was like a labyrinth in here! Leslie waved to Jess as she passed him, but he was too absorbed by his next masterpiece to notice. Typical Jess, she rolled her eyes, smiling begrudgingly.

Mrs Myers sat down at her desk, looking ominous as usually with her arms folded. She gave Leslie a slight smile filled with a number of emotions that Leslie was too tired to understand. Leslie was the only one Myers ever spared a smile to, much to the rest of the classes' chagrin.

As Myers began talking again, Leslie grew bored and fast. It wasn't that she didn't want to pay attention, but the walls of the classroom seemed to be draining energy from her. She tried to keep alert and at least look like she was paying attention – she failed.

Her eyelids felt so heavy, maybe if she just... Myers was lecturing them on... well, Leslie couldn't catch it as she rested her head on her desk. She tried to suppress a moan; her head felt like it was being trampled on by that sorry excuse of an elephant from the picture. She was sure she spotted Jess twitching... but he didn't turn around. If she titled her head slightly to the left and leaned on her books, yes, just there; Leslie fell into an uneasy slumber.

"Leslie, Leslie."

She awoke from her slumber at the gentle coaxing of Jess, he seemed reluctant to actually physically touch her, at least that was what Leslie perceived from his hesitation.

"Hhhmm?" Leslie began flexing her neck which had become incredibly stiff. It was unusually for Jess to talk during class, Myers certainly held no love for him.

"It's lunch," Jess said, pointing to his paper bag - his lunch box had meet a grizzly fate at the hands of Brenda a few months ago.

Leslie perked up at the news, looking around, sure enough, everyone else was digging into their lunch and chatting happily. Leslie smiled, greedily taking out her own lunch.

"... You were late again, Leslie."

She looked up at his solemn tone, her own mouth stuffed to the brink with her sandwich, Jess seemed to be staring right through her. Noticing her concerned expression, Jess added grinning, "Gosh, what do you do in the morning, wash P.T, polish your wheels?"

Leslie poked her tongue out at Jess playfully, before taking another bite into her tuna and sweetcorn sandwich. She was pleased to note that it tasted infinitely better that Bill's pancakes – not that it was particularly difficult!

"Hey, Leslie..." Jess tried unsteadily

"Mmmmmm?" Her mouth was a little busy with her sandwich.

"Are you okay?"

"Mmmm, hhmmmm, Jhhmmm." Leslie nodded her head vigorously. She coughed, almost choking on the sandwich.

Jess raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, dumb question."

The rest of lunch passed by excruciatingly slowly, something that seemed synonymous with Lark Creek Elementary in general. Sure, lunch was satisfying enough, but after the actually food was digested, it became tedious. Leslie looked up at the door to leave the class longingly. Wait, who was that at the door? She'd never seen her before.

Leslie leaned forward to whisper to Jess. "Jess, psst, earth to Jess!"

He slurped loudly on his milk, nearly choking. "Wh- at?" he said through fits of coughing, much like Leslie earlier.

"Do you know who that girl is, over by the door. Look you'll miss her!"

Jess turned reluctantly around, his face falling as he shrugged, avoiding Leslie's eyes. "Dunno, can I eat my lunch now? Not everyone eats like a fish." He looked pointedly in her direction.

Leslie rolled her eyes but acquiesced, deciding her time would be better spent figuring out the best way to deal with the Dark Master and his Kingdom... once and for all. Oh, and not forgetting Old Barker's puppies. Life was never easy for the Queen of Terabithia. The girl left soon after, and Leslie let herself forget about it for the time being.


The principle had declared a surprise assembly shortly after lunch, mirroring Wonda's prediction. Myers was muttering again, this time about "lack of respect for elders"; they reached the adjoining P.E hall. 1st to 7th years were forced to sit on the floor, still segregated in their classes, 8th years were allowed the privilege of sitting each side of the 1st to 7th years on benches. Not feeling well, Leslie excused herself to go to the bathroom.

The halls were especially crowded, it seemed the whole school, staff included, were making their way to the hall. She kept her head down, trying to smother her nausea, walking gingerly – trying not to fall. She'd been called clumsy in the past by her classmates, while it didn't really bother her, she still didn't want to reinforce the sentiment unnecessarily.

A boy dropped his school bag in front of her. Leslie noticed something on his face, she reached over to help him but he pushed her hands away snappishly.

"Get away from me, I don't need-" But the rest of his tirade was lost in the hubbub of the pupils making their way to the hall, he had obviously ran in the opposite direction.

"Manners don't cost anything." Leslie mumbled under her breath, hands in her pockets, thoroughly offended. Leslie made it to the toilets without any further hiccups. She washed her face vigorously, hoping it would drown her headache.

Nursing her head in her hands, Leslie looked at her reflection in the mirror above: she looked like hell. Closing her eyes, Leslie revelled in the silence of the toilets, about the only quiet you were liable to find in Lark Creek Elementary.

With Myers' class residing in the basement, they would often hear the ceiling protest with the constant thumping of footsteps from above. Leslie and Jess had become talented in working out what person belonged to each different set of footsteps.

The Janitor's were always hurriedly, he was obviously a busy man. The Principle had a bad habit of pacing in his office, which was directly above the class, if Leslie's angles were correct. It was fun to follow someone's journey around the school... if she wasn't already asleep, of course.

Feeling slightly rejuvenated, Leslie searched the adjoining bag for paper towels, it was empty, surprise surprise.

"Bloody school!" Leslie cursed before pausing in embarrassment... she'd been spending too much time around Jesse' father!

Wiping her hands surreptitiously on her top, Leslie heard a muffled squeak from a nearby cubicle. For a horrible second, Leslie had mistaken it for a mouse but no, it was definitely human. Deja vu ran through Leslie, it couldn't be...

"Janice?" Leslie tried, walking slowly towards the cubicle. The crying stopped suddenly, it had sounded like Janice, well, without the cussing and infrequent threats of bodily harm at least.

Having dealt with this situation before, Leslie tapped on the door, non threateningly.

"Janice, is th-" Leslie was interrupted by the bathroom door swinging open, nearly toppling her over.

"Ouch!"A girl came flying out the cubicle, running as fast as Leslie had ever seen anyone run in her life. Leslie blinked dumbly as the girl ran for the door sobbing, "Leave me alone!"

"What is up with everyone today?!" Leslie yelled after the retreating girl, rubbing her sore backside. And just when her headache had been getting better, as well! Leslie was even beginning to hear things in her head. Great I'm crazy, she thought, dripping with sarcasm. The noise roared again. No, what a minute, that was coming from...

Something screeched again from the cubicle, hadn't the girl just left? Leslie regained her footing and walked towards the door, hoping against hope that the noise would suddenly disappear. No such luck.

The door swung open, this time nearly off its hinges. Leslie stood face to face with an abomination. Foul breath clouded Leslie's senses, the abomination seemed to be sucking in an indefinable substance from the bathroom, growing substantially bigger.

The creature's figure was shrouded in darkness, a feat that seemed impossible considering the toilet was otherwise well light. It seemed to have its very own aura of rage, anger and pain. Something that had to be seen to be believed, an impossibility.

The only discernible part of the creature was its eyes. Leslie shivered involuntary. White. Only white. They seemed unseeing but Leslie had an unshakable fear that those eyes, those impossible eyes, could see better than any human ever could.

Leslie tried to speak, found that she could barely breath. She felt like she'd been frozen to the spot. Two dots of white in an otherwise sea of darkness that resembled nothing she'd ever seen before... or ever wanted to see. She felt the hairs stand up in the back of her neck, she felt terrible exposed staring at the creature. As if he could see her dreams, her regrets, her triumphs and weaknesses all in one.

Obviously the work of the Dark Master.

Leslie backed off slightly, hands up in a conciliatory gesture. The scene would have almost been comical, if not for it being so serious. This abomination standing in a shabby, yellowing toilet that held God knows what, love notes and love hearts of teenage girls long since gone decorated the walls.

The thought was enough to give her the necessary courage to talk, she was a Queen after all.

"Oh, yeah. This... is awkward, this is really, really awkward. I'm sorry for interrupting." Leslie motioned to close the door. The creature's aura moved forward, away from the toilet. Despite it being impossible to tell, Leslie had a feeling this abomination had no interest in her. It seemed to be looking for something else... The girl, perhaps? That gave Leslie an idea.

"'pose we can't discuss this, civilly?"

If the creature had the capacity to laugh, it would certainly have now. It screeched again, this time carrying a message – the end is near. Before the creature could gain further distance, Leslie slammed the door unexpectedly into the aura of the abomination. While Leslie felt no resistance, she could hear the shriek of irritation. Trying to slam the door again, she found that she couldn't move it. Straining with all her weight, no, it wouldn't budge. The door suddenly fell from its hinges and began to dissipate in the darkness causing Leslie to let go.

"Fine, keep it if you want!" Not waiting for its approval, Leslie ran from the toilet, never looking back. To dislodge the door, the abomination must have had to revert to its atomic state. In a weakened state, the abomination would most likely retreat back to the Dark Kingdom for reinforcements.

While she had never encountered this creature before, her past experience with the Dark Master's minions led her to this conclusion. In other words, it was an educated guess.

A more pressing question worried Leslie, what on Earth was it doing here in the first place, on its own no less! That wasn't even considering the girl, had she just been in the wrong place, no, Leslie rejected that theory. In her life there was no such thing as coincidence. So many questions. Leslie found she couldn't stop shaking, the creature... it was just wrong.

From what P.T had gathered from his past spying missions in the Dark Kingdom. The Dark Master's minions travelled in packs, always hoping to simply devour stragglers. So why had one wandered off on its own, so far from home? Leslie knew the answer, but didn't dare think it. They were getting stronger... Leslie increased her pace, trying to put as much distance between her and the toilets as possible.

Leslie eventually stopped when she couldn't go on any longer without air. Hands on her knees; Leslie bent over, her breathing laboured. No matter what. She had to find the girl – before it did.


It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves