Chapter 1: Here Come the Hendersons
Two and a half weeks.
That's how much time had passed since the Hendersons left Nowhere. They had arrived in San Francisco as planned and stayed there for quite some time. They went to see all the sights and tourist attractions the wonderful city had to offer. They even traveled to an enormous cemetery where several famous people were buried. Of course, none of the Hendersons wanted to set foot into the cemetery, given their previous experience with dead people, but, after much coaxing and begging from Vivian and Mike, they entered. The Hendersons were also extremely relieved to leave the cemetery, and Vivian and Mike couldn't understand why.
Anyway, they all had a glorious time in San Francisco, but, the time had finally come for the Hendersons to leave California and head home. After two and a half weeks, the Hendersons packed up their luggage, including gifts given to them from Mike and Vivian, and got into the car.
A lot of "We had a good time"s and "Hope to see you soon"s were said between Carl's siblings and the Hendersons. Finally, the station wagon drove down the road. No sooner did the Hendersons arrive on the interstate, than Kevin and Katie began asking their parents if they could go back to the farmhouse on the outskirts of Nowhere. Carl and Diane were very skeptical at first. They were afraid something similar to what happened last time would occur again. But Kevin and Katie kept begging until Katie began to cry. Finally, Kevin said, "Mom, Dad, which would you prefer? Spending cash at some motel or staying unlimited nights at a quaint, little farmhouse for free?"
Carl and Diane couldn't argue with that logic. But Carl said, "If things get too scary, we go straight home, understood?"
Kevin and Katie agreed. Kevin actually wished something freaky would happen again. Ever since the Event, as he called it, Kevin felt as if he could stand up to anything. Or maybe his hormones had finally kicked in. Whichever reason it was, Kevin was eager to return to Nowhere.
"Hey!" said Kevin. "Why don't we call and tell them we're coming?"
"Only if you have their number, son," said Diane.
Kevin reached in his pocket and pulled out his new cell phone that Uncle Mike gave him. At the same time, Kevin reached for his laptop and turned it on. He opened a file that revealed Courage's phone number. Kevin then began dialing the number. As he did, he looked back into the trunk. He saw Sandy staring at him with a great big smile on her face.
In the little house on the outskirts of Nowhere, the telephone rang. Courage, who was chewing a sock on the floor nearby, jerked his head up. He had received no word from the Hendersons since Kevin sent an e-mail telling him they had arrived in San Fran...and that was over two weeks ago! Courage watched Eustace get up to answer the phone. Courage crossed his fingers and hoped with all his might that it was the Hendersons.
"Hello," said Eustace. He listened to the voice on the other end. "Nrrgh," griped Eustace then he put the phone down and sat in front of the TV. "It's for you, Muriel!" he called out.
Muriel came out of the kitchen and headed towards the phone. Courage began shaking with excitement!
Muriel picked up the phone. "Hello?" she asked. Then her face displayed a joyous expression. "Well, hello there, Kevin!"
"YAY!" exclaimed Courage. It was the Hendersons!
"What's that?" Muriel continued. "You're heading back home now?" There was a pause. "Well, of course you can stay here again! We were sort of hoping you would."
Courage jumped up into the air, laughing with happiness. At last! He was finally going to be reunited with the Hendersons and his beloved Sandy!
"Here we go again," mumbled Eustace. (He'd never admit it, but he was also glad the Hendersons were returning.)
"Well, we'll be waiting. OK, bye," Muriel said, and hung up the phone. "Oh my! We'd better clean up this place before they get here tomorrow!"
Eustace lazily got to his feet as Courage zoomed up to Muriel ready to do whatever she told him to do.
Kevin hung up the phone. He was going to say something when he stopped. As Carl and Diane started talking about how exciting it would be returning to Nowhere, Kevin's attention was focused on his little sister, Katie. All her attention was directed towards Mr. Furry, the teddy bear sitting in her lap. What Kevin thought was strange was the look on Katie's face. It looked rather inquisitive and VERY serious. Sandy, who looked over the back seat from behind, noticed it too.
"Katie. Are you all right?" asked Kevin.
Katie quickly jerked her head towards Kevin. "Yeah. I'm fine," she mumbled. Then she turned around and looked out her window, ending the conversation.
Kevin and Sandy both looked at each other uneasily.
******
Somewhere in Nashville, Tennessee, a giant RV was zooming westward down the interstate. Inside were four people wearing bright Hawaiian shirts and shorts. They appeared to look like average tourists. Unlike tourists, however, these people were on a mission of national security traveling in a government-funded vehicle.
Agent Barsby was at the wheel. Next to him sat Agent Gammon. Agent Darkest Moon was asleep, while Agent R was fixing himself a snack.
The radio suddenly crackled to life. "Come in agents. Announce location."
Gammon grabbed the receiver. "We're just leaving Nashville. We should be arriving in Nowhere by noon tomorrow."
"Excellent. Don't forget now. Information and photos must remain classified. Understand?"
Gammon and Barsby agreed.
"Very well. Good luck, agents." The signal stopped. (A.N. That was the shadowy figure man; their boss.)
"Hey, Gammon," said Barsby. "Did you look inside your portfolio about the history of Nowhere? It's pretty violent, ain't it?"
"Yeah. It's too bad those two founders of Nowhere never resolved that conflict between them." (Ironic, isn't it?)
Barsby nodded his head. "And what about all the rumours and urban legends?"
"Those aren't legends, my friend," said Jonathan R behind them. "UFOs, Bigfoot, vortexes. They've all been sighted in this town. In fact, an unknown phenomenon occurred there almost three weeks ago. A sand vortex and 'demonic figures' or something. Anyway, looks like this assignment is right up our alley."
Agents Gammon and Barsby looked at each other, wondering how in the world he knew something like that.
Agent R continued. "I'd be more worried about that rookie over there." All eyes turned to Agent D.M., asleep on a bunk. "She's had practically no experience in this field."
"She's only supposed to be taking photos. Seems simple enough," interrupted Barsby.
"I know," said Agent R. "It's what she's going to be taking pictures of that worries me."
Barsby was just about to ask what, when Gammon suddenly yelled, "Keep your eyes on the road!!!" The vehicle was starting to drift into another lane. Barsby swerved the RV into the correct lane.
Agent R went back to the rear of the vehicle. Agents Gammon and Barsby remained up front. Both of them knew that Agent R knew more than he was admitting.
(Hmmm...Can Courage contain his excitement about the Henderson's arrival? Will the odd band of agents stick together on this assignment? And why is Katie acting so strange? Chap. 2 is next...duh.)