Well here it is, chapter 1! YEA! I hope that I will have you hooked on this story by the end of the chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 1

The Wardrobe

Luke walked around downtown, not even aware of where his feet were taking him. When he looked up he found himself in an unfamiliar part of town. He looked around, trying to find a familiar landmark that would lead him back to the office. When he couldn't, he decided to ask directions. Just down the block he saw a coffee shop. He headed that way, but as he got closer, something caught his eye. Across the street was a tiny shop. The sign above it said The Wardrobe. Something about the place seemed to draw Luke toward it. He crossed the street and walked toward the door. A phrase was painted on it. It said The Magic Never Ends. Luke's curiosity got the better of him.

I'll ask for directions here. Then I can see what this place is all about, Luke said to himself.

As he opened the door, the small bell above it rang cheerily. He looked around the place. All around the outer edges of the room were bookcases, filled to overflowing with books. In the center of the room, there were displays mounted on tables. As Luke got closer to the first display, he saw that the scene it showed was of a girl talking to a man who appeared to be half-man and half-goat.

Well, that's strange Luke thought as he turned to the next display. It showed the same girl with three other children, one girl and three boys, (must be a family) eating what appeared to be lunch with a couple of beavers.

This just keeps getting weirder…before Luke could finish that thought he stopped and stared opened mouth at the last display. It showed the two girls playing around with a large lion.

What kind of psychopath would write stories like these? Luke wondered

"Is there something I can help you with?" a kind voice asked.

Luke nearly jumped out of his skin. Standing beside him was an elderly man. He was of average height, slightly balding, with grayish-white hair and blue eyes that sparkled when he smiled.

"Um, I was wondering if you could give me directions to The Harbor Tide

newspaper office." Luke stammered.

" Of course. I'll write it down for you."

" Thank you," Luke replied.

As the man walked to the counter on the far side of the room, Luke decided to see if he could find out more about this queer shop with the crazy displays.

" What is this place?" Luke asked the man.

" Didn't you see the sign when you came in?" the man replied.

"Yes, but what exactly do you sell?"

"I only sell books that are written by or about C.S. Lewis," he replied.

"What about those displays?" Luke asked.

"Oh, those are scenes from The Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis' most popular books. They were written especially for children."

I wonder if he's actually read those crazy stories

"What book are they from?"

"The first book that Lewis wrote for the series, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, hence the name of this store," the old man said.

"Did Lewis only write books for children?"

"Oh my, no. Lewis wrote countless books on the Christian faith."

When Luke rolled his eyes the man said, "I take it you don't share his beliefs?"

"Actually, I do. It's just that I know so many writers that only write about the Christian faith, and nothing else. Most of them didn't even get married."

"Well, you may find that C.S. Lewis has many things about him that you don't know about."

"Yeah, right."

The old man looked at Luke for a long moment. Then, he turned and went to the far corner of the room. He pulled a book off of a shelf and reached over to the little table beside it and picked up something else. He walked back over to were Luke was standing and handed them to him.

"Here, take these."

Luke looked at what the man handed him. It was a book and a video. The book was titled A Journey Through the Shadowlands: The story of C.S. Lewis and Joy Gresham. The video was titled Shadowlands. Luke looked at the man.

"What's this?"

"It's one of the many things you don't know about C.S. Lewis. I want to read that book and watch the video."

"Why should I?"

"You might find that his life is not that of the many Christian writers, who as you say don't write about anything else and don't get married."

Luke smiled at the old man's attempt at sarcasm.

"All right, I'll do it for you."

"No, you do it for you."

"How much?"

"Nothing, no charge. Just bring them back when you finish them. Oh, by the way here are your directions."

"Thanks," Luke headed for the door, then stopped and looked back at the man

" What did you say your name was?"

"Jack."

"Well, thanks, Jack."

Luke walked out of the shop and headed back to his office.

Well, have I hooked you you yet? Tell me what you think. Reviews are very helpful! Chapter 2 coming soon!