“Good. Keep it in a safe place. You never know when it may come in handy.”
“I will,” Charlie replied.
“OK then, see ya around, boys.” Frank picked up the watch box up off the counter and gave the boys a subtle, thumbs up.
“Right, c’mon, Michael,” Charlie replied. “Mom, Dad, we’re ready.”
Charlie and his family headed for the door. As they exited, the chosen outsider turned to give his friend one last wave goodbye.
Frank returned the wave, as he stood near the back of the store.
Just as Charlie was about to let go of the door he had kindly held open for the others, a familiar face came walking in. The boy could not help but stare—certain he knew who it was.
The stunning young lady stopped and turned, locking eyes with the boy. “Hello, Charlie.”
Her voice seemed familiar. “Valerie? You helped us locate the second Kingdom Crystal, right?”
“That’s right,” the young lady replied with a smile. She turned and continued to walk further into the store.
“Thanks again for your help,” the boy replied, still standing in the doorway.
Valerie, stopped and turned once again. “My pleasure, she said with a smile,” then turned and continued on.
“Maybe we’ll see each other again.”
The young lady gave the boy one last look, and grinned. “Oh, I’m sure we will,” she said, then waved goodbye.
Excited to have made a new friend, Charlie let go of the door and sprinted to catch up with his family.
“What a silly little boy,” the young lady mumbled to herself, as she searched the store for more important things.
Season of Shadows
A sneak peek at chapter one of the sequel to The Watchmaker’s Gift...
In the not so distant past…
It was like any other ordinary day in the most magical place on earth. Beautiful sites, sounds, smells and memories to last a lifetime were everywhere to be found. A gentle, breeze danced through the autumn air as a little girl, no more than five, and her mother and father made their way down Main Street U.S.A. towards the hub. The buildings and store fronts were decorated in spectacular fall fashion with colorful foliage, bunting, and jolly jack-o-lanterns. And hanging on every lamppost was a Mickey pumpkin wreath.
“Mommy, when do we get to ride the horses?”
“Not too much longer, dear. The Prince Charming Regal Carrousel is just ahead, beyond the castle.”
“Ooh, is that where Cinderella lives?”
“Yes, Samantha.”
“I can’t wait, Mommy. I can’t wait to see…” The little girl stopped in her tracks. Her mouth agape. It was her first time seeing the castle.
“What is it Sam?” her father asked.
“I’ve never seen a real castle before.”
Her father chuckled. “Would you like to walk through it? The carrousel is just on the other side.”
“Yes, daddy, please, please, pretty please. Can we, pleeeeease?”
“Sure sweetie. Anything for my little girl.”
While passing through the castle, Samantha’s eyes sparkled in awe, taking in the dazzling mosaics on the left wall, which told the enchanted tale of Cinderella.
As they reached the end of the castle walkway and entered the courtyard, Samantha and her parents were welcomed into Fantasyland with warm rays of sunshine, which highlighted the young girl’s heartfelt destination. Centered perfectly in the distance, between a series of buildings, was the colorful carrousel. The majestic white horses danced round and round to the carnival-like music—their golden posts glistening in the bright sun as the carrousel continued to move in spectacular fashion, spreading happiness to all who could see and hear the wonderful attraction.
“There it is, Mommy. The horses, I see them, I see them.”
“Quick, let’s get in line, then you can pick the horse you want to ride,” her mother replied.
Samantha’s eyes lit up with joy as they made their way into line.
“That one Daddy,” she said while pointing. “The horse with the purple flowers on its neck. I want to ride that one.”
The carrousel came to a stop, guests unmounted their horses and exited. The cast member gave the all clear, then opened the gate for those next in line to enter.
Samantha anxiously pulled her father along, making her way to the horse with purple flowers.
“Don’t worry about me, I’m right behind you,” the mother called out, scurrying to catch up.
Within seconds the little girl reached the magnificent horse and her father safely lifted Samantha up onto the saddle.
Now, hold onto the pole with both hands, sweetie. I’ll be standing right next to you to make sure you don’t fall.”
Samantha did not reply to her father. Her mind was filled with too much excitement, as she anxiously bounced up and down on the saddle, waiting for the ride to begin.
All was clear, the horses slowly began to move, the carrousel started to rotate, and the music began to play.
Samantha’s parents were cherishing the moment, taking in every precious second of happiness beaming from their daughter’s face.
On their second pass by the castle, right as the young girl was at the hight of happiness, a wave of shadow passed through the carrousel.
Suddenly, everything on and around the rotating attraction was void of color, including her parents and other guests. Only the young girl and her purple flower horse remained unaffected and still in color. Everyone she could see became transparent and faded away into a blanket of darkness, which crept in over the castle, slowly filling the grounds of Fantasyland. Buildings, and everything in and around them, were transformed into frightfully unfamiliar places and things.
As the carrousel continued to move round and round, the music changed to a chilling tune. The brilliant white horses morphed into black and gray steeds with laser red eyes.
On the next turn around, Samantha glared to her right towards Rapunzel’s Tower. Slowly appearing out of a thick rolling fog, between the Peter Pan and Small World attractions, and headed directly for the carrousel, were five dark, ghost-like figures on large black horses. Leading them was a sixth rider—a female wearing a gold, jeweled crown. Her transparent figure was cloaked in white, and her facial features masked by long, flowing white hair. She sat upon a golden saddle—strapped to the back of a small, white, horse-like creature with a dragon’s head and claws. A gold harness decorated in jewels, hung down from the sides of the beast’s snout, its radiant purple eyes staring straight ahead. Chartreuse flames shot out from between the dragon creatures jagged, tooth-lined jaws with each exhale, as it dug its rear claws into the ground—waiting with great anticipation to charge forward.
The lady in white called out to the others. The six riders began to advance, working their way from a slow trot into a steady gallop. Smoke shot out from the horse’s nostrils, and flames from the dragon creature’s, as they galloped madly towards the young girl. The cloaked riders rose off their saddles, picking up more momentum, as they continued to charge the carrousel. Left in their wake was a twisted, twirling trail of smokey grey, unfriendly-like creatures.
The carrousel continued to turn, Samantha was now at a disadvantage, scared, and unable to see the rapidly approaching riders. As she came back around, the horses and beast leapt high into the air towards the carrousel—their riders poised to attack.
Just as they began their aggressive descent upon the attraction, a shockwave of color exploded outward from the carrousel’s hub, driving the riders backwards—erasing them from existence.
Everything returned to its normal state, as the carrousel slowly came to a stop.
Samantha’s father helped her off the horse. He sensed something was wrong. “You’re quiet. What’s wrong princess?”
Samantha did not reply. Her mind was stuck on the ghostly riders.
“Honey, did you hear your father?”
“Yes…Mommy,” the girl repli
ed. She stared in bewilderment towards Rapunzel’s Tower—unable to find the courage or words to describe what she, and she alone, had just experienced.
About the Author
Raised along the sandy shores of southwestern Michigan, Charles was always one sunset away from his dreams. A child of the 70s, his passion for Disney began in the summer of 1973 when he visited Disneyland for the first time with his mother, grandmother, and aunt.
Charles holds a B.A. in graphic design from Western Michigan University, and currently works as a brand Manager/art director for Round 2 Corporation in South Bend, Indiana.
More Books from Theme Park Press
Theme Park Press publishes dozens of books each year for Disney fans and for general and academic audiences. Here are just a few of our titles. For the complete catalog, including book descriptions and excerpts, please visit:
ThemeParkPress.com
Disney in Danger. The Zastawits kids are looking forward to their first vacation at Walt Disney World. Mom and Dad have planned a week's worth of fun. But then a mystical Imagineer decides that young Charlie and his brother Michael ought to experience some real magic—that might cost them their lives.
Mayhem in the Magic Kingdom. In 1938, Walt Disney smuggled Aladdin’s magic lamp out of Europe and away from the Nazis. Much later, Roy Disney buried the lamp in Walt Disney World and threw away the key to its hidden vault. Now the key has been found. Evil gathers in the Magic Kingdom. The world hangs in the balance!
Disney's Hidden America. For those who know what you look for, a visit to Walt Disney World can be the most fun you'll ever have learning about American history. From the Hall of Presidents to Pop Century, the story of America is writ large with pixie dust.
Extra Helping of the Magic. You've heard Jim Korkis' secret stories of Walt Disney World. Then you heard more of Jim Korkis' secret stories of Walt Disney World. And then his other secret stories. If you still have room, Jim has a special treat: extra secret stories of Walt Disney World. Gather round.
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