Lucy And The Magic Factory (youngsters:adventure, 16768 words)
Author: JoeD	Added: Jun 22 2007	Views/Reads: 12983/3116	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Lucy, a lovable, perky and curious 10 year old, has a fascination for magic and all that goes with it. When her father bestows upon her a trip to a theme park, known as The Magic Factory, Lucy is enthralled. Once there, Lucy gets separated from her f

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pushed at the door to her right. At first it would not open, but then 
Lucy heard a clicking sound and the door opened slightly. She pushed 
again and made her way inside. It was pitch black. Figuring she had 
made a mistake and had entered the wrong door, Lucy turned around 
quickly to leave, but she was too late. The door clicked shut softly 
and she could not open it. She was left standing there alone, and a bit 
frightened by now, in the darkness. Lucy tried the door again. It would 
not open. She banged on it with her tiny fists but with no success. She 
then began to holler out but no one came to her aid. 8 “Oh, my!” she 
said aloud. “What am I going to do?!” Again, she banged on the door and 
shouted for help. It did no good. She then turned around. She opened 
her eyes as wide as she was able to. She could barely see two feet in 
front of her. Thinking there might be another exit elsewhere, Lucy 
began to make her way gingerly and cautiously in the opposite direction 
of the locked door. A tear began to stream down her cheek from her left 
eye. She rubbed it dry with her hand and continued walking ever so 
slowly in the darkness. She couldn't see or hear a thing. All at once, 
she fell. It was only a slight drop, but it shook her nerves. When she 
picked herself up, she realized she was no longer on the same floor she 
had been walking on. Instead, she found, she was on some sort of a belt 
like fabric. Before she could think further, she heard a low sound, 
like that of a machine being turned on, and 9 soon she realized she was 
moving! She was on a conveyer belt of some sort! The movement of the 
belt knocked her off her feet, and she was now sitting, her knees 
pulled up against her chin. “Oh, no, no!” Lucy wailed in protest. “What 
is this? Where am I going?!” The noise of the machine became louder now 
and Lucy could hear other sounds as well. She heard thump, ping, whack, 
thump, ping, whack, over and over, as she was moved along by the huge 
belt. She was shaking with fear by now, and she shut her eyes and 
curled her arms around her legs, her knees still locked tight against 
her chin. She began to cry softly. A moment later she felt something 
pressing against the top of her head. She was too afraid to look up to 
see what it was. Then, less than five seconds after that, she felt the 
same type of thing being pressed against her sides. She finally gained 
the courage to move her hands away from her legs and 10 reached 
outward. It was cardboard, she knew, upon feeling it. She was being 
covered with cardboard! But why, she wondered, as her small body 
trembled. Before she could gather another thought, she felt still more 
cardboard beneath her. It pushed and prodded its way under her bottom 
until it had encompassed her completely. She was now totally covered by 
cardboard. “I'm in a box!” Lucy wailed, now crying hysterically. “Oh, 
someone, please help me!” Lucy lashed out at the cardboard with her 
fists, but to no avail. Then, to make matters worse, she heard the 
sound of something that completely terrorized her. She was being sealed 
in. She knew that sound, though on a much smaller scale, from when her 
mom wrapped boxes for mailing, with tape. Lucy began to cry harder. 
Then she began to scream. 11 It was after her third loud scream that 
she heard voices from outside her cardboard prison. She stopped 
screaming and now began to beat again on the walls of the box with her 
fists. CHAPTER THREE A minute or so later Lucy could feel the box she 
was in being lifted off the belt. She could hear the tape being torn 
from its top. Still shaking and sobbing, Lucy at last saw light. Once 
the lid was opened, Lucy looked up and saw a tall man with a tuxedo and 
top hat on, staring down at her. “Well, my, my, my,” said the man “What 
have we here?” Before Lucy could utter a sound, another man, this one 
bald and chubby, came into her view, along with a woman with long red 
hair and the greenest eyes Lucy had ever seen. “Who's in that box? Is 
it Goldilocks?” the 12 chubby man said, smiling and waving his hands 
about. “No, no, it's not Goldilocks, you old fool,” the tall man said 
to him. “It's a little girl.” “How did you get in here, pray tell?” the 
tall man asked of Lucy. “I - I don't know,” Lucy muttered, still 
sobbing a bit, but relieved to be breathing normally again, and to see 
light and people. She then went on to tell the trio of strangers her 
frightening ordeal. “Well, let's get you out of there,” the tall man 
said. He then reached down and pulled Lucy free of the box “Thank you, 
sir,” Lucy said, wiping her eyes, and thrilled to be standing up once 
more. “Now, what's your name, little one?“ the man inquired. “Lucy, 
sir,” she told him. “Lucy Larson. I came here with my parents and 
brother to see the 13 Magic Factory.” The tall man chuckled, and so did 
the chubby man and the red haired lady. “Well, see it you shall,“ he 
informed her. “But no one has ever made their way back to this part of 
our factory. It is off limits and quite secretive, you see.“ “Oh, I'm 
sorry,” was all Lucy could think of to say in reply. “I didn't mean to 
come to this part, sir. I truly didn't.“ “Oh, I am certain you didn't, 
Lucy,“ the man said. “It surely wasn't your fault anyway. More than 
likely,” he added, looking at his two cohorts, “it was the fault of 
Donald the Dunce.” The chubby man and the red haired woman nodded in 
agreement with the tall man's comment. “Donald the Dunce is our chief 
of security here,“ he explained to Lucy. “He must have hit the wrong 
button when he started up the conveyor belt today. No doubt he hit the 
button that unlocks that 14 door you came through in that restroom at 
the precise second that you pushed on it. I shall have to speak with 
him later about that.“ “Oh, I hope I didn't get him into any trouble, 
sir,“ Lucy quipped. “No, none at all,” the man said. “Donald is always 
doing things like that. That's why we call him Donald the Dunce, you 
see?“ “I - I guess so,” Lucy sputtered. “Well, now, Lucy, since we all 
know your name, I suppose it would be only fair to tell you ours. I am 
Max. Max the Magician, actually. And this is Sadie,“ the tall man told 
Lucy, pointing in the direction of the redheaded woman. “Sadie is our 
resident sorcerer, and she is known far and wide as Sadie the Sorcerer. 
This is Mr. Rhyme,“ Max informed Lucy, indicating the bald, chubby man. 
“We call him Mr. Rhyme because he fancies himself a poet, and just 
about always rhymes everything he says.” Both Sadie and Mr. Rhyme 
smiled broadly at 15 Lucy, and that made her feel more at ease. “Are 
you sure she's not Goldilocks?” Mr. Rhyme spoke out “Look at her socks. 
They're like Goldilocks'.“ “No, she is not Goldilocks,“ Max snapped. 
“Her name is Lucy. She doesn't even have golden hair. Her hair is 
brown, as you can clearly see, Mr. Rhyme. It's as brown as a fallen 
autumn leaf.“ “This girl is thirsty, that's what I think,“ said Mr. 
Rhyme. “Why don't we get her a nice cold drink?“ “Good idea,” Sadie the 
Sorcerer chimed in. “What would you like to drink, Lucy?“ “Do you have 
any lemonade?” Lucy inquired. “I am awfully thirsty after being in that 
horrible box.” Before Sadie could reply, Mr. Rhyme cut in. “Yes, we 
have lemonade, and it's nice and cold. May I fetch you a glass, if I 
may be so bold?“ “Yes, please,” Lucy replied quickly. While Mr. Rhyme 
went off to get the 16 lemonade, Max explained to Lucy what was in all 
the boxes, like the one she had been trapped in. “We make magical 
things here,“ Max told Lucy. “Most of what we make is shipped overseas. 
But we also make stardust. Do you know what that is, Lucy?“ “I'm not 
sure,” Lucy answered. “It's a very, very special potion,” Max informed 
her. “What - what does it do?“ Lucy wanted to know. “Is it something 
you drink?” Max laughed. “Oh, no, dear girl,” he replied. “It is a 
spray type of potion, and we have been working on it a long time. We 
just recently perfected it. The stardust potion has to be sprayed from 
the air. Do you know how crops are sprayed, Lucy?“ “Yes,” she said. “A 
plane flies over them and sprays them.“ “Exactly,” Max said in 
agreement, just as 17 Mr. Rhyme returned with a tall, cold glass of 
lemonade and handed it to her. “Stardust is sprayed the same way. We 
are most fortunate to have acquired the services of Captain Mad Jack 
Jingle and his small aircraft. He does the spraying of the stardust.” 
Lucy took three rapid gulps of the lemonade to quench her thirst. Mr. 
Rhyme smiled, then turned to Max. “This girl was thirsty, I told you 
so. She's drinking that down, like a buffalo,” Mr. Rhyme said to Max, 
who paid him no mind. “Where do you spray the stardust, and what does 
it do?” Lucy probed further. “Well, so far, we have sprayed only two 
towns, both far away from here. One was Cliffdale and the other was Oak 
Springs. Are you from either of those places, Lucy?“ Max asked her. 
“No,” Lucy responded, “We live in Cedar Falls.” 18 “Cedar Falls is the 
place to be. I once was there, back in forty-three,” Mr. Rhyme piped up 
briskly. “You've never been anywhere near Cedar Falls, you old coot,” 
Max said to Mr. Rhyme, shaking his head sideways. Lucy laughed. “Oh, 
yes I have,” Mr. Rhyme retaliated. “It's got lots of rocks. In fact, 
that's where I met Goldilocks!“ Lucy laughed again. “Anyway, Lucy,” Max 
went on, “what stardust does is make people care for one another in a 
most profound and unique manner. It brings a whole new meaning to 
compassion, understanding, tolerance, patience, caring, kindness, and 
especially love. And best of all, it lasts a lifetime. It took us a 
long time to properly develop it, and it is very valuable, as I am sure 
you can understand.“ “Wow, it sounds wonderful, sir,“ Lucy exclaimed. 
“I wish it had been sprayed over Cedar 19 Falls.“ “Oh, why is that?” 
Max questioned. “Is Cedar Falls not a loving and friendly town?“ “Well, 
it's okay, I guess,“ Lucy drawled. “But sometimes the people there can 
be very rude, and some of them are not friendly at all.” Lucy wanted to 
point out that her mom and dad had not been getting along well lately, 
and that she and her brother were afraid they might soon get divorced, 
which Lucy dreaded even thinking about. But she didn't feel comfortable 
telling that to strangers, or to anyone, for that matter. “When people 
are rude, it makes me feel blue, so I go to my kitchen and eat a good 
stew,“ said Mr. Rhyme. “A stew with big carrots really tastes nice. But 
I like it much better if it has some brown rice.“ “Are you really a 
magician?” Lucy inquired of Max. “To be sure,” Max smiled down at her. 
20 Then, he reached behind her ear and pulled out a very shiny silver 
dollar. He gave the coin to Lucy, who was dazzled by the feat. “Oh - 
wow, thank you!” Lucy cried out. She tucked the silver dollar into the 
pocket of her walking shorts. “I want one, too! I need some money. I 
have no cash to take out my honey!“ Mr. Rhyme wailed. Max ignored him. 
“Sadie,” Max said to the red haired lady, “why don't you show our young 
guest around a bit?“ “I'd be pleased to,” came Sadie's reply. “Would 
you like to see some of the things we have here, dear?“ “Oh, yes!” Lucy 
answered with eagerness. “But I really shouldn't stay too long. I am 
sure my parents are very worried about me by now.” They were indeed! 
Unknown to Lucy, when her mother could not locate her in the rest room, 
she 21 and her husband wasted no time in contacting the theme park 
security officials, and they called in the local police when they were 
unable to find Lucy. “Well, we will take a quick tour then,” Sadie the 
sorcerer told her. “Come along and I will show you things you have 
never seen before.” CHAPTER FOUR Sadie took Lucy's hand in her own and 
they strolled down the vast walkway between the many machines and large 
brewing pots. Mr. Rhyme tagged along behind them, but Max the Magician 
stayed put. “I'll join up with you later,“ Max said. “I have to take 
care of a few urgent things right now.“ “This is where we make our 
stardust,” Sadie indicated, as they halted in front of a gigantic black 
iron kettle. The kettle was three times in height the size of Lucy, and 
great amounts of steam poured out from the top of it. “It smells like 
lilacs,” Lucy spoke out. 22 “Yes, it does, I suppose,” Sadie agreed. “I 
have never seen a pot so big!” Lucy proclaimed in awe. “We call it a 
kettle, Lucy,“ Sadie corrected her. “And it has to be very big because 
it takes a lot of stardust to spray an entire town.” “I had some 
stardust, but that was long ago. A doctor stole it when he cut off my 
toe,“ said Mr. Rhyme. Lucy giggled. “The only dust you ever had,” Sadie 
said with a frown, “is the dust in your room, Mr. Rhyme.” “That's what 
you think, but you don't know. That doctor now is your HMO!” came Mr. 
Rhyme's rapid rebuttal. Lucy had no idea what ‘HMO' meant but she 
decided she would ask her parents later on, rather than inquire about 
it now from Sadie. Their next stop was in front of a large machine. 23 
“What does that machine do?” Lucy asked Sadie. “It makes top hats, 
Lucy, like the one Max has on. They are very special magician hats.” 
Just then Lucy looked up and saw a hat pop out from the side of the 
silver colored machine. “Oh, wow, that's cool!” Lucy remarked. A few 
seconds later, still another hat came flying out. “This machine over 
here makes magic canes,” Sadie told her, as they stopped in front of a 
long, rectangular apparatus. “I had a cane. It was made of pine. It was 
made for me by a friend of mine. It was neatly carved, and was red and 
blue. But a lawyer stole it, back in fifty-two!” Mr. Rhyme barked. 
“Now, here is something really different, Lucy,” Sadie said, when they 
had paused in front of an oblong contraption. “This machine makes magic 
wands.” 24 Lucy peered with wide eyes as a sparking gold wand came out 
of the machine. The wand was some two feet long and was speckled with 
gold flakes and silver ornaments. Lucy was fascinated beyond words by 
the instrument. Very soon another wand appeared, even more breathtaking 
than its predecessor. “Who gets all these wonderful things that you 
make here, Miss Sadie?” Lucy asked inquisitively. “Well, most of our 
products go overseas, to intriguing places like Bulgaria, Romania, and 
Yugoslavia. But some stay right here in our country for certain very 
special people,“ Sadie informed her. “Are you in charge of everything 
here, Miss Sadie?“ Lucy asked her. “Oh, no, dear,” Sadie replied. “Max 
is in charge of everything here. It is my job though to see to it that 
all these machines keep running 25 smoothly. I also help Max with 
developing new things, such as the stardust we just recently 
perfected.” Lucy then turned her head towards Mr. Rhyme. “And how about 
you, Mr. Rhyme?” Lucy asked. “What is it you do, sir?” “What do I do? 
Is that what you say? Why, I work like a dog, each and every day! I 
take out the trash. I wax all the floors. I dust off the ceiling, and 
paint all the doors. When winter time comes, I shovel the snow. And I 
shut all the windows if a cold wind should blow. I mow all the lawns, 
and that's certainly not all. I dust the machines, and I mop every 
hall.“ “Wow, that sure sounds like a lot of work,” Lucy said. “Have you 
always worked here, Mr. Rhyme?” “I used to be the king of Spain. But 
people there were way too plain. So I took a flight to New Orleans, 
where I invented Cajun beans.” Mr. Rhyme stated boldly. 26 “Is there 
any place you haven't been or anything you haven't done, Mr. Rhyme?” 
Lucy asked him, giggling somewhat. Lucy liked Mr. Rhyme. He was silly, 
she knew, but he also quite funny and very likable. “Well, I've never 
been to Taco Bell, though I have passed it many times. But they have 
nothing on their menu that even vaguely rhymes,” he said. Lucy giggled 
even more. She looked again at his bizarre outfit. Mr. Rhyme was clad 
in an oversized T-shirt, dark blue in color, and which was completely 
decorated with pictures of all the planets in our galaxy. Across the 
front of the shirt, in bold red letters, were the words 'I'VE BEEN 
THERE'. He had on baggy orange colored trousers and red rubber shoes. 
He wore no hat over his balding scalp. He appeared to Lucy to be about 
sixty years of age. He reminded her very much of a lovable clown. She 
liked Sadie the Sorcerer's outfit a lot 27 better. Sadie wore a pointed 
black witch's hat atop her flaming red hair, and her dress, which was 
floor length, was comprised of what seemed to Lucy to be black silk or 
satin. A small yellow crescent moon was embossed across her outfit, 
just above her heart. Sadie had on several unusual rings and bracelets, 
too, Lucy noticed. Sadie showed Lucy still more astonishing and 
engrossing things throughout the brief tour, then asked Lucy if she 
wanted to see still more or would she prefer to get back to her family? 
“I would really like to stay, Miss Sadie,” Lucy said honestly, “but I 
better get back to my family. They must be going crazy with worry by 
now.“ “I understand,” Sadie replied. “Well, come with me and I will 
show you how to get back to where you were, minus the restroom of 
course.” Just then Max the Magician came towards them. 28 “Are you 
enjoying your tour, Lucy?” he asked, flashing a smile. “Oh, yes, sir,” 
she responded. “But it's time I get back to my family.” “Yes, I am sure 
it is,” Max spoke. “Sadie, why don't you show our young guest the way 
out?” “That is just what I was about to do, Max.“ “Well, young lady,“ 
Max said, “we certainly have enjoyed having you visit us. Is there 
anything I can do for you before you depart?” Lucy thought deeply for a 
moment, then answered. “Well, sir, if it wouldn't be a whole lot of 
trouble, I would truly like to ask two things of you, if I may?“ “Ah, 
two things, you say?” Max chuckled. “Well, what might they be, Lucy?” 
“I would very much like to have one of those magic wands that Miss 
Sadie showed me, sir. Would that be possible?” Lucy asked, somewhat 
sheepishly. 29 “And secondly?” Max inquired. “Uh, well, I was wondering 
if you had any plans about maybe spraying Cedar Falls with that 
wonderful stardust?“ Lucy inquired. “Would you like us to?” Max asked. 
“Oh, yes, sir!” Lucy expounded quickly. “That - that would be ever so 
nice!“ “Well, dear child,” Max began, “in answer to your first 
question, I am afraid we cannot give you one of these wands. You see, 
Lucy, all of them are being made per orders, and will soon be shipped 
out. I can, though, promise you we will get one to you as soon as 
possible, if you wish to leave us your address. Now, as for your second 
request, we do not as yet have any plans to spray stardust over your 
home town, but I will certainly take your request under consideration 
and see what we can do. How's that?“ “That would be fine. Thank you, 
sir,” Lucy replied, hoping her disappointment didn't show. She 30 then 
said good-bye to both men. Max shook Lucy's hand, as did Mr. Rhyme, and 
then she walked alongside Sadie, down a long highly polished hallway. 
She gave Miss Sadie her full name and address and Sadie wrote it down 
on a pad. “Come back and see us sometime soon. We can sing a song 
beneath the moon. And if you come, bring Goldilocks. She stole my heart 
and my old blue socks!” Lucy heard Mr. Rhyme shout from behind her. 
When they had reached a steel door, Sadie withdrew a large gold key 
from the pocket of her dress and placed it in the lock of the door. She 
turned it and the door opened. “You just head down that long hallway, 
Lucy, and turn right at the end. Then go through the door there and you 
will be in the lobby of the theater.“ Lucy nodded understandingly. 
“Good-bye, Miss Sadie,” she said sadly. Sadie gave her a hug, then 
whispered 31 good-bye to her. Lucy began walking down the hall way, 
hearing the big door shut tightly behind her. At least this hallway was 
lit up, Lucy noted, much to her relief and jubilation. She wanted to 
run down the hallway but just didn't have the energy to do so. Her legs 
were still somewhat sore from being cramped in that box earlier. Just 
as Lucy was about halfway down the hall, she heard a whirring sound, 
then a loud crackling noise, and then all the lights in the hallway 
went out! It was pitch black again and Lucy was once more surrounded by 
total darkness. CHAPTER FIVE The local police, along with the park's 
security team, were having no luck in their efforts to locate Lucy. 
Almost two hours had now elapsed since Lucy went missing, and Lucy's 
mom found herself crying again, for the fourth time, as she 32 stood 
just outside the theater entrance and waited anxiously for some, 
hopefully, positive news about her daughter. The park's public address 
system had been utilized, and Lucy's name had been announced over and 
over, but it had produced no results. There were no speakers in the 
area of the Magic Factory where Lucy was, so of course she never heard 
the many pages. Mr. Larson was doing his best to console his distraught 
wife, but he too was overcome with worry and fear, and was not much 
help in his attempt to comfort his wife. Eric had gone off on his own 
to search every possible place where he thought Lucy might be, even the 
vast parking area, but his efforts too went for naught, so he finally 
returned to the theater and re-joined his parents. And now, just 
seconds ago, due to the massive over use of the park's air conditioning 
system, the power had failed. The generators soon 33 kicked in, but not 
in the area where Lucy was. Lucy began to cry as she slumped down onto 
the floor of the hallway. She felt around and found the wall with her 
hands. Then, still crying, she curled herself up and wiped some of the 
tears from her cheeks with her hands. Then, she proceeded to cry 
herself to sleep in the darkness. CHAPTER SIX It was some thirty 
minutes later when a loud whirring sound awakened Lucy. She opened her 
eyes and saw that the lights had come back on in the hallway. She rose 
from her cramped position, stood upright, then ran as fast as she 
could, aching legs and all, down the hallway. Remembering Miss Sadie's 
instructions, she turned right at the end of the hallway, and saw the 
door. With all her strength, she pushed against it, and it opened. The 
theater itself, as well as the area around it, was almost deserted now, 
since the show 34 had been over for quite some time. Lucy spotted her 
parents and brother almost immediately. They were some eighty or ninety 
feet from her in the spacious arcade. She raced towards them. All three 
of them were standing with their backs slightly turned in the opposite 
direction of the door that Lucy emerged from, so they did not see her 
at first. “Daddy, Mom, Eric!” Lucy shouted with glee, still running. 
All three of them turned their heads in unison, and Mrs. Larson held 
her arms open wide. “Oh, Lulu, Lulu! Thank goodness!” her mother cried 
out, as Lucy crashed into her open arms. Her father knelt down and 
hugged Lucy from behind, and Eric ran his fingers through her hair. 
Just then two policemen, one young and one much older, entered the 
theater area and observed the joyful reunion. They both smiled. “I take 
it this is Lucy,” the older policeman said to Mr. Larson. 35 “Yes, it 
is, officer,” Mr. Larson replied, wiping tears from his eyes. “This is 
her, thank you.” The two policemen crouched down and looked at Lucy 
closely. “Are you all right, sweetie? Can you please tell us what 
happened to you and where you have been all this time?” the younger 
police officer asked her in a soothing voice, as his partner took out a 
note pad and pen. First off, as her mom clung to her, Lucy related to 
the police officers, and to her family, how she had chosen the wrong 
door in the rest room. Then, she went on to tell the rest of her tale, 
including her adventures with Max the Magician, Sadie the Sorcerer and 
Mr. Rhyme. She ended it with her falling asleep in the darkened 
hallway, waking up when the lights came back on and, finally, the 
return to her family, through the door that Sadie had told her to use. 
36 The policemen looked at each other in disbelief, then turned their 
attention to Lucy's parents, both of whom, along with Eric, found 
Lucy's story difficult to believe. “Sounds like your daughter had quite 
a dream while she was asleep in that hallway,” the older officer said 
to Mr. and Mrs. Larson, smiling somewhat. “Yes, I suppose she did,” 
Mrs. Larson agreed. “Lucy also has quite a grand imagination,“ she 
added. “That's true,” Mr. Larson chimed in. “She is very fascinated by 
magic, illusions and the like.“ “No, it's true!” Lucy stammered. “It 
all happened! It did!” The police officers, her parents and brother 
looked at her questionably but said nothing. “It did!” Lucy insisted. 
“Look, I'll show you! Max the Magician gave me a brand new silver 
dollar. He got it from behind my ear. Look!” 37 Lucy dug deep into the 
pocket where she had put the coin but it was not there! Then, she dug 
into the other pocket, but it wasn't in that one either. Lucy didn't 
know what to say after that. Where was that coin, Lucy wondered? It did 
really happen, didn't it? Maybe it was just a dream, like the officers 
said, Lucy pondered. If so, she thought, as she squeezed her mom's hand 
tightly, it was certainly the most realistic one she had ever had, she 
knew. “Jake,” the older officer said to his partner, “we better call 
this in and let everyone know that the Larson girl has been found and 
is safely back with her family.“ “Right, Al,” the younger man replied. 
“I'll do it while you finish up here.” He then tipped his cap and left 
the area. “Well, I am glad this had a happy ending,” the older officer 
said to Lucy's mom and dad. “Let 38 me just get your address and phone 
number, folks, and I will be on my way.” Lucy looked up as the officer 
wrote down the information and whispered to her brother. “It really did 
happen, Eric,” she said in a hushed tone. He smiled at her and nodded, 
but Lucy knew that he too did not believe her. No one felt much like 
staying at the theme park now, so they walked the long distance to the 
car, with Lucy's hands being held snuggly by her mom on one side and 
her dad on the other. “Oh, gosh,” Lucy spoke up, just as they were 
headed out of the parking lot, “I forgot to get Krista a souvenir.” 
“You can give her the program book I bought for you, if you want to, 
Lulu,” her mom said, just as the car turned south onto the highway 
towards Cedar Falls. “Yes, that's what I'll do,” Lucy replied, even 
though she wanted it for her own. “Thank you, 39 Mom.” CHAPTER SEVEN 
The ride home was uneventful. Lucy did not say much during the homeward 
drive. She knew that her family didn't believe her story about what had 
happened to her at the Magic Factory. It wasn't as though they felt she 
had lied to them. She was not a liar and they knew that. Lucy figured 
they just felt she had dreamed her adventure when she fell asleep in 
that darkened hallway. Had she? Had it all been just a dream? The more 
Lucy contemplated it, the more she began to convince herself that it 
had been merely a dream. After all, she did not have that coin that Max 
had given her, so maybe it had been just a dream after all. Once they 
arrived home, Mrs. Larson fixed a simple dinner and no more was said 
about Lucy's story. Lucy telephoned her friend Krista before 40 going 
to bed that night, and informed her that she had a souvenir program for 
her. She did not mention her experiences with Max, Sadie and Mr. Rhyme 
at all. She fell into a deep and much needed sleep, dreams of stardust 
being sprayed over Cedar Falls and visions of Max, Sadie and Mr. Rhyme 
filled her unconscious mind as she slept. The next day was Sunday, and 
after church services, Lucy's dad treated the family to breakfast at a 
local dining spot. Lucy loved pancakes, so she had them once again, 
only she was careful not to let any syrup get on her hands this time. 
That afternoon, as Lucy's parents and her brother watched a video on 
TV, Krista came over to visit Lucy, and the pair headed up to Lucy's 
room to chat. Lucy's tabby cat, Ruffles, followed them. Lucy wondered 
if she should tell Krista about her encounter at The Magic Factory. 
After some hesitation, Lucy decided to relate to her best friend what 
had happened yesterday. 41 Krista's mouth was wide open by the time by 
the time Lucy had finished her tale. “Oh, wow!” was all Krista could 
manage to “Do you believe me?” Lucy wanted to know. “Of course I do,” 
Krista blurted out. “You are my best friend. You've never lied to me. 
Besides, no one could make up a story like that, Lulu!“ “Well, I don't 
know what to do,“ Lucy “What do you think happened to that coin?“ “I 
don't know,” Lucy replied. “I wish I did though, believe me.” Both 
girls were silent for a moment as Lucy petted Ruffles. The cat began to 
purr softly. “I know what you need to do!” Krista spoke out suddenly, 
breaking the silence. “You need to go back there.“ “What?” Lucy 
inquired, somewhat puzzled. “You need to go back there, Lulu. Back to 
the Magic Factory. You need to see those people again. You need to get 
another coin from that 42 magician man, and maybe take a camera, so you 
can take pictures with them. That would prove to everybody that it all 
really happened, see?“ Lucy laughed awkwardly. “Oh, is that all?” Lucy 
said, her voice dripping with slight sarcasm. “And how am I supposed to 
do that?” “Um, that I don't know,” Krista replied. “I'm sorry,” Lucy 
told her friend. “I didn't mean to be sarcastic. You have the right 
idea, but there is no way I could get back there. That place is over a 
hundred miles from here. It's not like I could hop on my bike and pedal 
my way there, you know?“ “I know,” came Krista's response. “But if you 
could figure a way to get back there, Lulu, I'd go with you, and help 
you all I could.“ “You would?” Lucy piped up, surprised by her best 
friend's comment. “Uh-huh,” Krista confirmed. “After all, you are my 
best friend and all. I wouldn't let you go alone.” 43 Both girls just 
sat there cross legged on the floor, staring at one another for a 
moment, as the sounds of their favorite singing group filled the room 
via Lucy's CD player. Both girls were deep in thought. The silence was 
finally broken by Lucy. “Hey, maybe there is a way,” she said, just as 
Ruffles flipped himself over so that he could get his belly stroked by 
Lucy. “What do you mean? How?” Krista inquired. “Well,” Lucy said, “my 
parents are going away soon, on a sort of vacation by themselves, and 
Eric and I will be staying with my Aunt Carolyn while they are gone. 
Aunt Carolyn is pretty cool, so maybe I could get her to take me back 
to The Magic Factory. You could come along, too.“ “Wow, that would be 
perfect!“ Krista said. “When are they leaving?” “In a couple of weeks,“ 
Lucy informed her. “They will be gone a whole week, so that would give 
44 us plenty of time. Do you think your folks will let you go with me 
and my aunt?“ “Sure, I think so,“ Krista spoke. “As long as an adult 
would be there, I am sure they would let me go with you.“ “Cool,” Lucy 
remarked. “That's what we'll do then, okay?” “You got it, girlfriend,” 
Krista beamed. Then she added, “How come your parents are going away by 
themselves? Why aren't they taking you and Eric along?“ “Uh, I'm not 
sure,” Lucy said hesitantly. “I guess they just want to be alone for 
awhile.” Lucy figured her mom and dad were going away together, without 
her and her brother, to perhaps try to straighten things out with each 
other, but she did not wish to relate that information to Krista. “Oh, 
I get it,” Krista smiled. “Mushy stuff, huh?” Lucy was embarrassed and 
flushed beet red. 45 “Yeah, maybe,” she mumbled. Just then there was a 
knock on Lucy's door. “Lucy, would you and Krista like some cake and 
milk?“ came the voice of Mrs. Larson. “Sure, Mom, okay,” Lucy called 
out. “We'll be right down. Thanks, Mom.” She pushed Ruffles aside 
gently, much to his dislike, and she and Krista rose from the floor. 
The pair headed down the stairs to the kitchen, where Mrs. Larson had 
chocolate cake and milk waiting for them. After finishing their cake 
and milk, Krista departed for home. Lucy gave her The Magic Factory 
program before she left, and Krista thanked her. “See you tomorrow,” 
Krista said as she closed the door behind her. CHAPTER EIGHT Lucy's 
Aunt Carolyn lived in a small white house, on the north end of town. 
Like Lucy, Aunt 46 Carolyn was a cat lover, and had a three year old 
tabby male that was quite lovable. He and Ruffles got along well, so 
there was no problem bringing Ruffles there with her. Lucy's aunt was 
single and lived alone. She worked at home as a dress maker and also 
performed alterations. She was some six years younger than Lucy's mom, 
and she was what Lucy described as a 'free spirit.' She was quite 
pretty, with long chestnut hair and big hazel eyes, and Lucy adored 
her. It was a sunny Sunday morning when Lucy, Eric and Ruffles were 
dropped off at Aunt Carolyn's home. The adults chatted a bit, then Mr. 
and Mrs. Larson left on their trip, but only after Lucy and Eric 
promised to behave themselves while at Aunt Carolyn's. The first thing 
Lucy did was to put Ruffles outside in the back yard so that he could 
play with Aunt Carolyn's tabby, who was named Scissors. Scissors ran 
towards Ruffles upon seeing 47 him and the pair got reacquainted while 
Lucy watched from the kitchen window. "Would you like a soda or 
something, Lulu?" Aunt Carolyn inquired, as she walked into the 
kitchen. "Yes, please," Lucy replied, now turning away from the window 
and looking at her aunt. "How about something to eat?" Aunt Carolyn 
asked. "Are you hungry?" "No, just a soda, please," Lucy replied. "I 
had a big breakfast this morning, Aunt Carolyn." Just then Eric entered 
the kitchen. "Got anything to eat, Aunt Carolyn?" Eric asked, staring 
hard at the refrigerator. "Sure thing, champ," she smiled, then ruffled 
his hair with the fingers of her left hand, while opening the 
refrigerator door with her right. "Wow, Eric," Lucy stammered, "how can 
you be hungry after that huge breakfast we had this morning?" 48 "I dun 
no'. I just am," her brother shrugged, just before taking a seat at the 
kitchen table. Aunt Carolyn laughed. "Boys always eat more than girls, 
Lulu," her aunt told her. "Didn't you know that?" "Well, I know that 
Eric does, that's for sure!" Lucy snickered. Their aunt placed a cold 
soda in front of Lucy, then went about preparing a ham and cheese 
sandwich and some home made macaroni salad for Eric. She also laid out 
a bag of chips, which Lucy picked at and which Eric munched on with 
gusto. Aunt Carolyn joined them at the table, but did not partake in 
any food or beverage. "I understand you will be going off to a baseball 
camp tomorrow, Eric," Aunt Carolyn said to him. "Your dad told me will 
be gone for three days, is that right?" "Uh-huh, " Eric managed to 
mutter, in between bites of food. 49 This was the first Lucy had heard 
of Eric going off to a baseball camp for a few days. Her mind began to 
spin with ideas, and as soon as Eric departed from the table and went 
in to the living room to watch TV, she spoke out to her aunt. "Aunt 
Carolyn," Lucy asked in a soft voice, "do you think maybe we could go 
somewhere while Eric is gone?" "Mmm, I suppose so," her aunt responded. 
"I have one dress to finish for Mrs. Walker, but I am sort of free 
after that, until Saturday that is. Where would you like to go, young 
lady?" "Well ..." Lucy drawled, "I would really like to go to the Magic 
Factory. That is, if that would be okay with you, Aunt Carolyn." "Hm, 
that's kind of far away," she answered, "but I suppose we could do 
that. That is, if you are willing to lend me a hand in helping get Mrs. 
Walker's dress finished." "Oh, yes!" Lucy said quickly, her bright 50 
eyes glowing with new excitement. "I would be happy to help!" "Could my 
friend Krista come, too?" Lucy spouted out. "She is my best friend in 
the whole world, and she really wants to see the Magic Factory. Please, 
Aunt Carolyn, can she?" Her aunt laughed at Lucy's excited state. "Oh, 
I suppose we can manage that," she replied, smiling. "But she will need 
to get permission from her parents, you know?" "Oh, she will! She 
will!" Lucy shouted. Then she bounced off her chair and hugged her aunt 
tightly. "Thank you, Aunt Carolyn! Thank you so much," Lucy said 
happily. Lucy couldn't wait to telephone Krista with the good news, and 
after helping her aunt a bit in the kitchen, her aunt gave her 
permission to use the telephone so that she could make the call to 
Krista. Krista was almost as excited as Lucy about 51 the trip, and she 
vowed to get an okay from her parents just as soon as they hung up the 
phone. CHAPTER NINE Lucy spent most of the next day helping her aunt 
with Mrs. Walker's dress. She gladly held pins, and even assisted her 
aunt with some of the pattern trimming, and by two in the afternoon the 
dress was ready. “Thank you for all your help, Lulu,” Aunt Carolyn said 
to her once the job was completed. “I would have never got done so soon 
without your help.“ “You're welcome, Aunt Carolyn,” Lucy replied. “Can 
I call Krista now to see if she can go with us tomorrow?“ “Sure, 
sweetie, give her a call.” Lucy dialed Krista's number rapidly. Krista 
answered on the first ring. “Hi, girlfriend,” Lucy spoke into the 52 
receiver. “What happened? Can you go with us?“ “Yes!” came Krista's 
enthusiastic reply. “My mom says it will be okay. What time are we 
going?“ “About nine o'clock,” Lucy informed her. “My aunt wants to get 
an early start. We'll pick you up on the way, okay?“ “Okay,” Krista 
said. “See you tomorrow, Lulu, and don't forget your camera.” CHAPTER 
TEN Eric left for his baseball camp with his coach and several other 
boys in a big van at about eight a.m. the next morning. Lucy and her 
aunt were ready to leave for The Magic Factory a short time later. It 
was only a ten minute ride to Krista's house, and she came running out 
the front door when she saw Lucy's aunt's car pull up to the curb 
outside her home. Like Lucy, she was wearing walking shorts, and a 
T-shirt that bore the name of her favorite singer in bold yellow 
letters. 53 Krista's mom stepped out on the porch before they departed, 
waved at Lucy and her aunt, and shouted out a reminder to her daughter 
to be back before nightfall. Lucy's aunt had met Krista previously, so 
there was no need for introductions. The two pre-teeners chatted 
endlessly all the way to the Magic Factory, causing Lucy's aunt to 
smile in recollection of herself at that age. There wasn't much traffic 
en route to the theme park, and the trio arrived there with no 
problems. After parking the car and entering the park, Lucy's aunt told 
the two girls to wait near the door of a restroom while she freshened 
up, but not the same one that Lucy herself had been in when she had 
visited the park previously. Lucy had her small camera fastened about 
her neck with a braided strap, and she fidgeted with it nervously as 
she began talking with Krista as soon as Aunt Carolyn had disappeared 
inside the rest 54 room. “Listen, Krista,” Lucy blurted out, almost 
breathlessly, ”we have to get my aunt to take us to that same show that 
my parents were going to take me to. That is right near where that rest 
room is that I went in - the one with the door that goes to that big, 
big room where Max, Dr. Rhyme and Sadie work. That's the real magic 
factory in my opinion.“ “Okey-dokey,” Krista acknowledged. “I don't see 
any problem with that, do you?“ “I suppose not,” Lucy said, pondering 
what she would tell her aunt so that she could be sure they would head 
to that particular part of the park. When Lucy's aunt emerged from the 
restroom, Lucy wasted no time in confronting her with the request to go 
to the area where Theatre Three was located. “They have really neat 
magic shows there, Aunt Carolyn,” Lucy told her enthusiastically. “I 
know you will enjoy it. Besides, Krista really 55 wants to see that 
show. So, can we go there, please?“ “Okay,” her aunt replied. “Let's 
go, girls.” On the way to Theatre Three, Aunt Carolyn looked up at the 
sky and noticed a large mass of rather dark clouds headed their way. 
“Look at those clouds, girls,” Aunt Carolyn pointed out. “Looks like we 
may be in for a storm soon.” Both Lucy and Krista turned their little 
heads upwards towards the sky. Rain clouds were indeed headed towards 
the theme park. “Well, we'll be inside the theater,” Lucy uttered. “It 
won't rain on us.“ “I was thinking of later, Lulu,“ her aunt told her. 
”I just hope it doesn't rain too hard. I hate driving in the rain.“ 
“I'm sure it won't,“ Lucy remarked. “How do you know that?” Krista 
commented. “Are you a weather reporter?” 56 Lucy and her aunt laughed 
slightly at Krista's remark, and Lucy stuck her tongue out just a bit 
at her best friend. Then, both girls began to giggle. The trio reached 
Theatre Three a few moments later. Aunt Carolyn noted that a new show 
was about to begin in ten minutes. “Looks like we are just in time for 
the next show,” Aunt Carolyn stated as she approached the ticket window 
and withdrew money from her purse. Five minutes later the doors opened 
and they entered the theater, along with several other people. They 
chose seats in the middle section of the theater and less than a minute 
later the lights dimmed and the sound of recorded music began to play 
over the many speakers surrounding them. The curtain at the center of 
the stage parted and seconds later a man in a dazzling white suit 
appeared on the stage. He was soon joined by a very pretty woman in a 
red gown, who was pushing a small table to where 57 the man stood. Very 
soon the man was performing illusions, much to the delight of the 
audience, including Aunt Carolyn, Lucy and Krista. “He's quite good, 
isn't he, girls?” Aunt Carolyn whispered to Krista and Lucy, who were 
seated in the two seats to her right. “Uh-huh,” Lucy whispered back. 
“but I think I have to go to the bathroom, Aunt Carolyn.“ “Me, too,” 
Krista murmured, taking the hint from Lucy. She knew this was the guise 
to get her and Lucy out of there and into the restroom where Lucy had 
told her the 'secret door' was. “You two should have gone earlier,“ 
Aunt Carolyn sighed, ”but go ahead. Just hurry back, okay?“ “We will,” 
Lucy assured her. Then both girls slipped out of their seats quietly 
and headed for the exit quickly. Once outdoors again, drops of rain 
greeted the two girls as they headed towards the restroom. 58 “It's 
starting to rain,“ Krista announced. “I know,” Lucy said. “C'mon, let's 
hurry!” Just before entering the restroom, Lucy looked upwards. The sky 
was darkening now and looked almost angry. CHAPTER ELEVEN Once inside 
the restroom, Lucy pushed on the door that had opened for her on her 
previous trip. It did not open. She pushed on the door again and again, 
as her best friend stood by her side motionless. “It won't open!” Lucy 
cried out weakly in frustration and disappointment. “Are you sure 
that's the right door, Lulu?“ Krista inquired. “Yes,” Lucy mumbled, 
again pushing against the door to no avail. Just then a lady about Aunt 
Carolyn's age 59 entered the restroom. She caught sight of Lucy pushing 
on the door and smiled. “I think you have the wrong door, dear,” the 
lady said softly. “This is the door you enter for the restroom,” she 
added, opening the door that led to the actual ladies' restroom. “Oh, 
uh, thank you, ma'am,” Lucy said politely, pretending that she and 
Krista had made a mistake in their selection of doors. They now of 
course had no choice but to enter, along with the woman, and they went 
into separate stalls and closed the stall doors and waited impatiently 
until they heard the woman leave. Both girls came out of their stalls 
swiftly. “Now, what do we do?“ Kista asked. “I - I don't know,” Lucy 
replied in a disheartened voice. Krista surveyed the large restroom and 
noticed a door just beyond the last of five shiny white sinks that sat 
side by side. 60 “Look, Lulu,” Krista exclaimed. “there's a door over 
there.” Lucy looked to where Krista had indicated. “I wonder where that 
door leads to?“ Lucy said. “Maybe nowhere, if it's locked,” Krista 
replied. “C'mon, let's see if it's open.” Krista reached the door 
first. She pushed on it. It opened widely. “Wow, it's open!” Krista 
shouted. “Should we see where it leads to?“ “Okay,” Lucy replied, a 
little nervously, recalling what had happened to her the last time she 
was here. The two girls gingerly headed down a dim lit hallway that the 
door had opened to. “Maybe this is just another way to the Magic 
Factory part where Max, Sadie and Mr. Rhyme work,“ Lucy said to her 
friend, hopefully. “I - I hope so,” Krista said awkwardly, now 61 
becoming a little unsure, and just a trifle frightened. She became even 
more frightened when she and Lucy heard a loud crack of thunder roar 
from outdoors. “Let's - let's go back, Lulu,” Krista said in a 
trembling tone to Lucy, who was leading the way down the musky hallway, 
some five feet ahead of her. “I don't think this hallway leads to 
anything good.“ “Let's just go a little ways further, Krista, okay? 
Just a little further. I can see the end of the hallway now. Let's just 
see what's there at the end. Then, if it's not the big room where I was 
before, we'll go back, all right?“ “All - Alright,” Krista agreed, with 
much hesitation. She continued to follow Lucy gingerly, staying some 
five or more feet behind her. The pair reached the end of dank hallway 
a minute later. There was a smaller hallway to the left and a solid 
wall only on the right. The hallway to their left was only some ten 
feet in length and a door was at 62 its end. “I think that door is 
another entrance to the place where I was before, Krista!“ Lucy shouted 
out in delight. “Are - are you sure?” Krista asked uneasily. “Well, not 
exactly,” Lucy replied, “but there's only one way to find out. C'mon, 
follow me!” Lucy pushed on the door. It opened fast, and a gust of 
strong wind blew it wide open. It also blew the two girls outdoors! 
Then, just as quickly as the door had opened, the wind slammed it shut 
again. Both Lucy and Krista screamed as the now heavy rainfall hit 
their small bodies and drenched them immediately. They tried opening 
the door in order to get back inside, but it would not open for them. 
It took only a brief minute before they were completely saturated. 
Lightning streaked across the dark sky and both Lucy and Krista clung 
to one another as they began to cry. 63 “Oh, oh, no!” Lucy whimpered. 
“What are we going to do?” CHAPTER TWELVE The storm and their soaked 
bodies soon proved to be the least of their worries. When the next 
flash of lightning lit up the sky, Lucy and Krista saw that they were 
obviously trapped in a courtyard, which had a very high chain link 
fence all the way around it. As if that wasn't bad enough, they also 
spotted two extremely mean looking guard dogs at the opposite side of 
the courtyard. It seems they and the two Dobermans spotted each other 
at the same time. The two dogs began to race towards them. “Oh, my 
goodness, Krista!” Lucy shrieked. “Run, girl, run!” The two girls, 
crying and screaming, managed miraculously to climb up a large oak 
tree, which was 64 situated at the right edge of the courtyard, next to 
the tall fence. The two dogs were just a second behind them in reaching 
the same tree. They stood their ground and began to bark franticly at 
the base of the tree. Lucy and Krista, in their haste to escape the 
vicious guard dogs, never saw the red and white sign at the opposite 
side of the courtyard, which read in bold lettering, “KEEP OUT, 
SECURITY AREA. BEWARE: THIS AREA IS PROTECTED BY GUARD DOGS.” Krista 
and Lucy, cold and wet, cried softly as they hugged the two respective 
branches they were stationed upon. They were terrified and more 
frightened than they had ever been in their entire young lives. Hours 
passed, and day became night as the cold rain continued to pour down on 
the girls. The leaves on the huge tree offered them little protection 
from the storm. The thunder boomed its anger, and lightning flashed 
across the sky in streaks of yellow, illuminating the surrounding area 
65 for miles. Still, the two dogs at the base of the tree showed no 
signs of giving up. They stood their ground, wet and disheveled, their 
heads continuing to look upward to where Lucy and Krista were trapped 
in fear. “I think this branch is going to break soon!“ Krista shouted 
out. “Mine, too!” Lucy yelled back, as still more tears streamed down 
her saturated face. Another clap of deafening thunder rumbled above 
their heads, followed by several bright waves of lightning. The 
crackling sound of the branch that Krista was clinging to caused the 
dogs to begin to bark and growl again. The branch snapped, and Lucy 
watched in horror as her friend was dropped into the river and swept 
away. A mere five seconds later the branch that Lucy was clutching also 
crackled, then snapped, and she too was deposited into the cold water 
of the Valley View River. She screamed loudly 66 as the river's current 
began to push her downstream. She somehow miraculously managed to hang 
on to the large branch that had fallen with her, and it kept her from 
being towed under the water. As she was rapidly moved along the raging 
river by its current, she could see no sign of Krista. She could, 
however, hear the dogs growling and barking in the distance, their 
sounds growing fainter as she was pushed eastward. Her small hands 
clung to the branch as she was transported faster and faster now. The 
rain continued to blast downward, and Lucy's entire body was soaked and 
cold. She screamed again and again, but she knew that no one could hear 
her above the sounds of the storm, even if there was anyone within 
miles, which she doubted. As the current increased its speed, Lucy 
wondered if its doing so meant that there might be a waterfall coming 
soon. Just last summer, Lucy's family had visited Niagara Falls, and 
she recalled suddenly now, in her 67 state of despair, that her dad had 
pointed out how the Niagara River's current increased its tempo as it 
got closer to the Falls. Did that mean that this river had a waterfall, 
too, she wondered? A quick moment later, Lucy got her answer. A clap of 
thunder and a bolt of lightning greeted her as she went sailing over a 
small ten foot waterfall. Unlike the mighty Niagara, this was no 
one-hundred and eighty foot drop, nor did this waterfall have rocks at 
its bottom, much to Lucy's relief. Amazingly, and to Lucy's elation, 
the current had taken a rest. She was in still water now and her little 
heart began to almost beat its normal pace again. Even the rain seemed 
to be letting up, she noticed. It was still coming down in force, but 
not as ferociously. She let go of the branch now and began to swim her 
way to the shore that was closest to her. It took all of three minutes, 
and all of her 68 strength, to do so. When at last she was safely on 
ground, she laid back in the muddy river's edge and let herself catch 
her breath. As she laid there on her back, she found that the mud 
somewhat warmed her freezing body, and she was grateful that she was 
still alive. The rain was slowing down even more now and its drops did 
not any longer seem so cold or big. Now, she gave thought to Krista. 
What had happened to her best friend? Was she safe, or did the Valley 
View River claim her? Lucy shuddered at the thought that perhaps Krista 
had not been as fortunate as she had. She knew Krista was a good 
swimmer, but even a great swimmer would have had a tough time in that 
river tonight, Lucy knew. Lucy pulled herself up from the mud and began 
to shout out Krista's name over and over. There was no reply to her 
calls. Lucy began to cry again. Her best friend had perished. She just 
knew it. Again, she called out Krista's name. Again, 69 there was no 
response. CHAPTER THIRTEEN In the meantime, since Lucy's and Krista's 
disappearance many hours ago, many things had taken place. Aunt Carolyn 
had contacted both the theme park police and the local police when Lucy 
and Krista had failed to return from their trip to the restroom. A 
search of the restroom and grounds afforded no clues whatsoever to 
where the girls might be, although a lady did tell the police that she 
had most definitely seen the pair in the restroom. She even mentioned 
how the two had been trying to enter the restroom via the wrong door. 
The wicked storm did not help matters at all, placing quite a hindrance 
on the search for the two missing pre-teeners. Lucy's aunt was beside 
herself with worry and fear, and finally saw no alternative but to 
telephone Lucy's parents at their 70 vacation hotel about six o'clock 
that evening with the bad news concerning Lucy and Krista. She also 
called Krista's mother, who cried and cried upon hearing the news of 
her daughter's and Lucy's mysterious disappearance. Finally, at about 
nine p.m. that night, an Amber Alert was sent out across the state and 
even the two surrounding states. It was close to five a.m. when Lucy's 
parents arrived at the theme park, looking tired and distraught, after 
their long drive. Mrs. Clark, Krista's mother, showed up at just about 
the same time. Mrs. Clark had been unable to reach her husband, who was 
away on a business trip in Chicago, but she managed to contact him an 
hour later. He, like his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Larson, were in total 
grief and shock. It was shortly after dawn that the same two park 
police officers that had been in on the search for Lucy when she went 
missing on her last trip to 71 the theme park, came on duty. When they 
discovered that Lucy was the same girl they had searched for 
previously, they went at once to the restroom and unlocked that same 
door that Lucy had walked out of the last time she was here. There was 
of course another door at the end of that long hallway, which opened to 
the factory where Lucy had met Max, Sadie and Mr. Rhyme, but the 
officers had been told when they were hired never to try to open that 
door, and besides, they had no keys for it. Lucy of course was not in 
that hallway. However, they did find a once shiny silver dollar, now 
somewhat dust covered, in that hallway. The two officers shook their 
heads in disbelief, then went back outside to where Mr. and Mrs. 
Larson, Mrs. Clark, and Aunt Carolyn were. The older officer handed the 
coin to Mrs. Larson. “I think this belongs to your daughter, ma'am,“ 
the officer told her. Mrs. Larson took the coin, looked at it, 72 along 
with her husband, and both appeared somewhat shaken and stunned. They 
knew then and there, as did the two officers, that Lucy's tale about 
what had happened to her on her prior visit here was true. Her parents 
assumed correctly that the coin must have fallen from the pocket of her 
shorts when she fell asleep in that hallway on her prior visit here. 
CHAPTER FOURTEEN A brilliant sun rose in the eastern sky as a muddy and 
extremely wet and young girl stood alone on the highway between Center 
City and Crestville. She had no idea where she was. She only knew she 
was tired, hurt and shivering. Her parents had warned her never to 
hitch hike and never to accept rides from strangers, but she figured 
this was sort of an emergency and maybe those rules did not apply right 
now. With the courage of a lioness, she stuck out 73 the thumb of her 
small right hand and hoped with all her heart someone would stop to 
help her. She didn't have to wait long. A lady in a late model white 
sedan pulled over upon seeing the disheveled girl. “Oh, my goodness, 
young lady,” the woman said as the girl climbed into the front seat of 
her car, “what on earth happened to you?“ “Lots of stuff,” the girl 
muttered. “Thank you for stopping for me. Can you please take me home?” 
The woman looked over the girl carefully, studying her bruises and 
cuts. “I think maybe I better get you to a hospital. You're in bad 
shape, little girl.“ Then a thought swept across the woman's mind. 
“Say, honey, you're not one of those two missing girls, are you?“ the 
woman asked. “I don't know,” came the girl's answer. 74 “What's you 
name, dear?“ the woman asked. “Krista,” the girl told her, still 
shivering. “Krista Clark.“ “Oh, my!” the woman exclaimed. “You are one 
of the missing girls!” The woman then quickly retrieved her cell phone 
from the console of the car and dialed 9-1-1. “9-1-1. How can I help 
you?“ “My name is Elaine Cutler, and I am on highway 73, heading east 
towards Crestville. I have one of those missing girls in my car that I 
saw on the TV news last night. She says her name is Krista Clark, and 
she is hurt rather badly, I think.“ “Hold on, Ms. Cutler. I'll be back 
with you in a moment. Please do not hang up.“ “I won't,” Elaine Cutler 
promised. A moment later the 9-1-1 operator was back on the line. 
“Where are you exactly, Ms. Cutler, and how did you happen to come in 
contact with Krista 75 Clark?“ the operator wanted to know. “I'm about 
two miles from the Ridge Road turnoff, and I picked up Krista Clark 
just a few minutes ago. She was hitch hiking on the highway. She's 
bruised and cut, and shivering, but I think she will be okay if she 
gets some medical attention soon.“ “I have arranged to have the State 
Police meet you at the turnoff for Ridge Road, Ms. Cutler. You will see 
a State Police car there soon. What kind of vehicle are you and the 
injured Clark girl in?“ “A white sedan,” Elaine Cutler informed her. 
”My license plate number is ERT 875.“ “Thank you,” the operator 
replied. “Please do not hang up until you have reached the troopers and 
have turned over the girl to them.“ “Okay, I won't,” Elaine Clark 
consented. “Oh, I think I see the state police car now,” she exclaimed. 
“I'll be pulling over in a few seconds.“ 76 “Good,” came the operator's 
voice. Elaine Cutler pulled up directly behind the blue and gray State 
Police car. The two troopers, a man and a woman, were already outside 
of their vehicle. Elaine turned off the engine to her sedan and got out 
of the car. “That's the missing girl there,” she told the state 
troopers, pointing at the passenger side of her car. The female officer 
raced over to the sedan, opened the passenger door, and assisted the 
unkempt and shaking Krista from the vehicle. She placed a blanket 
around Krista and helped her get into the police cruiser's rear seat, 
while her male partner got the information he needed from Elaine 
Cutler. “I'm a school teacher,” Elaine Cutler informed the officer. “I 
teach elementary school at Adnil Elementary in Crestville. I am 
teaching third grade summer school currently, and was on my way 77 
there, in fact, when I spotted the missing Clark girl hitch hiking 
about twelve or so miles back. When she told me her name, I realized 
who she was, and I immediately called 9-1-1 from my cell phone.“ “Well, 
you did the right thing, Ms. Cutler, and we appreciate your help,” the 
officer said, as he handed her back her driver's license. “Dispatch is 
already trying to contact her folks, and we are going to get her to a 
hospital right away.“ “Good,” Elaine Cutler offered. “She seems badly 
shaken and somewhat hurt, too.“ “One more thing, ma'am, did she mention 
what happened to her or where she'd been? Did she say anything about 
her friend, a Lucy Larson, who is still missing, as far as we know.“ 
“No, sir, she didn't,” Elaine Cutler told him. “I was so concerned with 
calling 9-1-1 when I realized who she was, that I didn't even think to 
ask.“ “That's all right,” the trooper commented. 78 “There will be time 
to find all that out soon enough. Right now we need to get her some 
medical attention, so I had better be going. We will contact you, Ms. 
Cutler, should we need anything further, and thank you for your 
assistance.“ “You're most welcome,” Elaine Cutler replied. “I just hope 
she will be fine and that the other little girl will show up soon, 
too.“ “Yes, so do we,” the trooper remarked. Then he tipped his hat, 
got into the police cruiser and took off with a roar. Elaine Cutler 
sighed as she watched the police car speed off, its blue and red lights 
flashing and its siren wailing loudly. “I hope they find that other 
little girl soon,” Elaine said to herself, as she climbed back into her 
car and headed for another summer school day with her third graders as 
Adnil School. CHAPTER FIFTEEN 79 The police cruiser arrived at the 
Crestville Memorial Hospital at precisely 7:42 a.m. Krista was treated 
for her cuts and bruises, bathed, and placed in a hospital bed in a 
semi-private room in the children's ward on the second floor. After 
being looked at and closely attended by two doctors, she was given a 
breakfast of orange juice [her favorite juice], cold cereal and then a 
steaming cup of hot chocolate, which she devoured in three gulps. She 
then fell into a deep slumber. The state police wanted to question her 
further, but the medical staff at Crestville Memorial would not let 
them, stating that Krista needed rest, not questions, right now. In the 
meantime, the police were able to reach Mrs. Clark and advised them of 
Krista being found, and informed her that she should go to the hospital 
where Krista was as soon as possible. Mrs. Clark wept softly as she 
received the news of her 80 only daughter's safe recovery. She passed 
the news on to Mr. and Mrs. Larson, and felt badly that Lucy was still 
missing. The Larsons and Aunt Carolyn, although glad that little Krista 
was now safe and sound, were understandably disappointed and sad that 
Lucy had not been found with Krista. “I'm sure, Lucy will turn up soon, 
too,” Mrs. Clark told the couple, trying her best to console them, even 
though she was not at all certain about that. She hugged them both, 
then dashed off in her car for the trip to Crestville to be reunited 
with Krista. Now that it was daylight, and the storm had passed, 
helicopters soared above the theme park, and for miles around it, 
looking hard and long for the still missing little Lucy Larson, but 
with no luck. The pilots are crews of those choppers had no idea that 
after falling asleep in the muddy bank by the Valley View River for 
more than four hours, Lucy 81 Larson had awakened with a start when two 
hikers, a young woman and her boyfriend, had come upon her. After 
waking the muddy and messy Lucy, and hearing her tale of distress, they 
decided to take her in their pick up truck to the nearest hospital. The 
young couple, Dave Collier and Tina Stevens, had been camping out and 
hiking the past two days, and totally out of touch with civilization. 
Thus, they had no idea that Lucy was being sought by just about every 
police agency in the tri---state area. Dave and Tina did not own a cell 
phone, and Lucy, covered in mud, bruised and battered, was not much 
help to the young couple in supplying information about herself, other 
than giving them her story, name and where she lived. “Well, I am sure 
your aunt must be looking for you,” Tina told Lucy, as the pick up 
truck sped along the highway towards Crestville, where the nearest 
hospital was located. “She must be worried sick about you by now.“ 82 
“I suppose so,” Lucy muttered, as she sat between the pair in the cab 
of the pick-up. Tina had covered Lucy with an old blanket she had, and 
Dave had turned on the heat in the truck due to Lucy's shivering state. 
“I wish we could call her. She has a cell phone, but I don't remember 
the number.“ “Well, we will be at the hospital soon,” Dave chimed in, 
as he passed an old Dodge, “They will know what to do there.“ “What do 
you think happened to your friend that you told us about?“ Tina asked 
Lucy. “I think she drowned,” Lucy said woefully, then she began to cry 
loudly. Tina placed an arm around her in an attempt to console the 
grieving youngster. “Maybe not,” Tina told her softly. “Maybe not. She 
may be fine. Have faith, Lucy.“ “I'll - I'll try,” Lucy gasped, between 
sobs. Ten minutes later, Dave's pick up truck 83 pulled up to the 
emergency center of the Crestville Memorial Hospital and came to a 
screeching halt. Two attendants, hearing the noisy truck pull up, came 
outside at once. “We've got a very badly hurt little girl here,” Dave 
told the two attendants, as he exited the cab of his truck. “Can you 
please help her?” When Tina exited the other side of the truck cab with 
Lucy in tow, the two attendants recognized Lucy at once. “Oh, my God!” 
one of them shouted. “That's the little Larson girl!” The other 
attendant raced back inside for a gurney and more help. Lucy was 
scooted into the emergency room, and looked after by the same doctors 
who had treated Krista earlier. Dave and Tina, after being questioned 
at length by the police, were allowed to go on their way, but not until 
a newscaster had gained a video taped interview with them. The police 
contacted Mr. and Mrs. 84 Larson by telephone at the theme park, where 
they and Aunt Carolyn still were, and when given the good news, Mrs. 
Larson shouted out in joy and relief. The three of them raced to the 
hospital in Aunt Carolyn's car, with a state police car leading the 
way, sirens blasting and flashing lights aglow. After being treated, 
cleaned up and dressed in a hospital gown, Lucy was given the news by a 
nurse, that Krista was also here, safe and sound. Lucy howled happily! 
“You'll be seeing her soon,” the nurse added. “Doctor Menke has 
arranged to put you in with her.“ “Yipee!” Lucy shouted. “And your 
parents and aunt are on their way here, too,“ the nurse informed her. 
“I'll bet they're mad at me,“ Lucy frowned. “Im sure they will just be 
very, very happy to see you alive,” the nurse smiled. Two news 
reporters tried to talk with Lucy, 85 but the doctors would not let 
them. The lobby area of the hospital was now almost filled with 
reporters, camera crews and the like. As Lucy was wheeled past that 
area en route to the elevator that would take her upstairs to the 
children's ward, one reporter called out to her. “Lucy! Lucy Larson!” 
the man shouted out, “what happened to you? Were you kidnapped? Are you 
okay? Do you have anything to say?“ “Yes!” Lucy yelled out to him, as 
the elevator doors parted open. “I'm hungry!” CHAPTER SIXTEEN Krista 
woke up just minutes before Lucy was wheeled into the hospital room 
where she lay in the bed closest to the window. When the pair caught 
sight of one another, they screamed, yelled and hollered with joy as 
only two ten year olds can do. Krista leaped from her bed, even though 
she 86 had been told not to, and the two best friends hugged each other 
so tightly that the nurses had a difficult time separating them. Once 
both girls had been placed back in their respective side by side beds, 
Lucy was given breakfast, which she wolfed down greedily. A few minutes 
later, the police detectives were permitted to talk to both Lucy and 
Krista, and the girls told them of their ordeal at the theme park, and 
what happened after they were both flung savagely into the raging 
Valley View River. Krista, being the superb swimmer that she was, had 
somehow managed to swim to shore, then walked in pain to the highway, 
some four miles from where she had come ashore. Lucy of course 
explained about being found by the hikers while she slept on the muddy 
bank. The police seemed satisfied with both girls stories, and were 
relieved that no one had caused either girl any harm. The Amber Alert 
was cancelled and all police agencies in the tri-state area were 87 
duly notified of both girls safe recovery. Mrs. Clark, who had been 
anxiously waiting in the downstairs hospital administrator's office 
until Krista was awake, was now allowed to see her. Mr. and Mrs. 
Larson, along with Aunt Carolyn, arrived at the hospital shortly after 
Lucy and Krista finished talking with the police, and were escorted by 
the head nurse to their room. Lucy tried to hide under the covers of 
her hospital bed upon seeing her parents and her aunt. “Lucy! Lucy! 
Lucy!,” her mother cried out. “What are you doing, sweetheart?!” Lucy 
slowly pulled the covers down, just far enough so that her small head 
was visible. “I'm hiding,” Lucy said meekly. “I figure you guys are 
pretty mad at me, huh?“ “Oh, Lulu, no, no, no,” her mother told her, as 
tears swelled in her eyes. She sat down on the edge of Lucy's bed and 
swept her daughter up in her arms, hugging her 88 snuggly. Lucy hugged 
her back, and she too began to cry a bit. A minute later her father and 
aunt were hugging her, too. That was what Mrs. Clark saw as she entered 
the hospital room to be reunited with her daughter Krista. Unlike Lucy, 
Krista made no attempt to “hide” under the covers. Instead, she rose 
slightly from her resting place and opened her small arms to embrace 
her mom. “Oh, Krista honey, are you all right?” her mother said in a 
shaking voice, tears forming in Mrs. Clark's blue eyes. “Uh-huh,” 
Krista said softly. “I'm just a little sore though.” Lucy and Krista 
then told their stories of what had happened to them the previous day 
and night, and when their tale was over, Mrs. Larson presented Lucy 
with the silver dollar that the two park officers had given her a short 
time ago. Lucy gasped and her eyes shone brightly 89 upon seeing the 
coin. She took it from her mother and squeezed it tightly in her hand. 
“You must have dropped it from your pocket when you fell asleep in that 
hallway, Lulu,” her father said. Her mother nodded in agreement. Lucy 
then showed the coin to Krista and Mrs. Clark. “Is that the coin you 
got from Mr. Max?” Krsita inquired, with a note of excitement in her 
voice. “Yes,” Lucy confirmed. Then she looked at her parents. “We 
apologize, Lulu,” her dad said. “We know now that you were telling us 
the truth.“ Then he hugged her again. “You don't need to apologize, 
Daddy,” Lucy whispered. “I'm just glad you, Mom and Aunt Carolyn aren't 
mad at me.“ “And we are just glad you and Krista are safe and sound,“ 
her mom told her. 90 “Yes, we certainly are,” Mrs. Clark interjected, 
as she hugged Krista once again. The nurse then entered the room and 
told everyone politely that they must leave. “These two need some 
rest,” the nurse told the adults. “You can come back and see them later 
this afternoon.” Then she shooed them out of the room and ordered 
Krista and Lucy to get some sleep. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Lucy and Krista 
spent two more days in the Crestville Memorial Hospital before being 
released by the doctors. They were both happy to go home. Lucy's 
parents had a long talk with her, and made her promise never to try to 
go back to the Magic Factory again, or anywhere else without their full 
permission and without being accompanied by an adult relative. 91 “Can 
I still go to Krista's house and to my other friends' houses?“ Lucy 
wanted to know. “Yes, of course, Lulu,” her dad told her, “but only if 
adults are present there, and your mom or I know about it first and 
approve.“ “Okay,” Lucy uttered. Then she hugged both her parents 
tightly. Krista received almost the same lecture from her parents. Her 
father was back now from his business trip to Chicago, and he was 
elated that Krista was back home and back to her usual self again. 
However, he was not at all happy with what she had done when she ran 
off with Lucy at the theme park, and he let her know it in no uncertain 
terms. “I'm sorry, Daddy,” Krista said sincerely. “I will never do such 
a thing again. I promise.” Her father nodded, smiled, then took Krista 
in his arms and squeezed her endearingly. About a week later a dinner 
was held at the Larson home, and the young couple who had rescued 92 
Lucy, and the school teacher who had picked up Krista, were the guests 
of honor. Mr. and Mrs. Clark and Krista also attended. Gifts of thanks 
were presented to Dave Collier and Tina Stevens, and also Mrs. Cutler, 
by the Larsons and Clarks. It was a very nice evening for all who were 
there. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Lucy spent the remainder of her summer vacation 
riding her bike, visiting with Krista, and a few other friends, and 
helping her mom around the house. She learned how to bake a cake from 
her Aunt Carolyn, and made a scrapbook of all the many news articles, 
and even one magazine story, that appeared in the local tabloids about 
her's and Krista's not so good adventure at the Magic Factory Theme 
Park. Summer came to an end, and Lucy found herself back in school. She 
was now in the fifth grade and had a new teacher, Mrs. Greenwell, whom 
Lucy took a liking to right away. She still thought 93 about Max, Sadie 
and Mr. Rhyme, and occasionally wondered if she would ever see them 
again, but as time passed and autumn leaves began to fall, her thoughts 
were more about her mom and dad, who seemed not to be getting along as 
well as they used to. This made Lucy very sad and sometimes even 
affected her school work, something Mrs. Greenwell began to notice. 
Mrs. Greenwell asked Lucy to stay after school one day in late October 
to have a talk with her. “You are such a bright girl, Lucy,” Mrs. 
Greenwell spoke out, when the two were alone in her classroom, “but 
your work lately is not reflecting the true you. Is something bothering 
you?“ “No, Mrs. Greenwell,” Lucy lied, hesitant and also somewhat 
embarrassed to tell her teacher the truth. There wasn't much Mrs. 
Greenwell could do without an admission from Lucy, so she let it pass, 
hoping Lucy would get back on the ball and 94 achieve the grades she 
knew the youngster was capable of. Just after Thanksgiving, Lucy's 
little heart was crushed when her father left their home and moved to a 
small apartment on his own across town. Both her mother and father had 
a long talk with Lucy, and with Eric also, before her father departed, 
but it did nothing to console either child. Lucy and Eric loved their 
parents deeply, and were devastated by their father leaving their home. 
Even the usually happy and cheerful upcoming Christmas holiday season 
did little to comfort Lucy and her brother after their dad had left. 
They both saw him every weekend but it just wasn't the same at all 
without him living at home. The night before Christmas Eve, Lucy said a 
very special prayer. Kneeling in her pajamas, alongside her bed, with 
Ruffles at her feet, she said in a murmuring tone, “Please bring my 
daddy back home, God, please? If You will do that, I 95 promise to get 
all A's in school for the rest of the year and to clean my room every 
day, okay? Thank You, God, and Merry Christmas to You and to Your whole 
family, too!“ CHAPTER NINETEEN Lucy was awakened with a jolt an hour 
before dawn on Christmas Eve. She sat up in her bed and looked around. 
Her room was dark, but she could see some light from the sole window in 
her bedroom. She shook her head, trying to bring her brain to full 
power. She rubbed her eyes with her fists, and now could understand 
what had caused her to awaken from a sound sleep. At first, Lucy 
thought it was the sound of the wind that she heard, but now she knew 
it was not that at all. It was a steady whirring sound, like that of a 
motor, and it was coming from outside. She got out of bed quickly, 
stepped into her fuzzy 96 slippers, and headed for the window. Looking 
out into the dark sky, she could see big white snowflakes falling at a 
steady pace. They reached the ground softly, covering it like a large 
white blanket. It would be a white Christmas after all, Lucy was 
thinking as she tried to identify the whirring sound that was now 
growing louder. She tried to open her bedroom window, but it was stuck. 
The snow had already sealed it tightly. Her head went from side to 
side, trying to see something that would aid her in the identity of the 
sound. Pressing her nose to the cold glass of the window, Lucy stared 
outward and upward. It was a small airplane. That's where the noise was 
coming from, she now knew. She could see the compact craft's two white 
lights, one on each wing, as it made its way across the sky, over Cedar 
Falls, depositing what looked like a very fine powder over the town. It 
was difficult for Lucy to see the 97 powder that the aircraft was 
unloading because of the snow falling simultaneously. Now she really 
needed to open her window, she knew. She raced into her tiny bathroom, 
filled a plastic cup with hot water, and splattered the water all 
across the base of the window sill. It took two more full cups before 
Lucy could pry the window open. A blast of frigid air greeted her as 
she lifted the window up about twelve inches, just enough to get her 
head through the opening. She sniffed the air. It reeked of lilacs! In 
the distance Lucy could hear the plane's whirring sound becoming 
fainter. She inhaled the odor once again, then smiled happily. She shut 
the window and jumped back into her bed. She clasped her hands and 
looked up at the dark ceiling. “They didn't forget! They didn't 
forget!“ she whispered huskily. “Thank You, God!“ Then she pulled the 
covers up over her and tried desperately to fall back asleep, but she 
had 98 no success. She was simply too exhilarated to sleep. She tossed 
and turned, and it took almost a half hour before her eyelids drooped 
and she fell back asleep. CHAPTER TWENTY When she awoke some two hours 
later, she scampered to the window. Lifting it, she peered out and 
sniffed the air. The smell of lilacs was gone now, but she knew what 
had happened. Cedar Falls had been amply sprayed with stardust! Just as 
Lucy was putting on her robe, she heard her mother call out to her. 
“Lulu, are you up yet?” her mom cried out from the hallway. “Yes, Mom,” 
Lucy replied, loud enough so that her mother could hear from behind 
Lucy's closed door. “Okay,” Mrs. Larson said. “I am going to wake up 
your brother now. You two come downstairs 99 right away. I have some 
important news to share.“ As Lucy tied the belt to her robe, she 
wondered what the “important news” could be that her mother spoke of. 
Lucy had some important news of her own, she felt, smiling into her 
mirror as she brushed her ruffled hair slightly. Cedar Falls had just 
been sprayed with stardust, she wanted to tell her mom, and anyone else 
who might care to listen, but she felt that might not be wise just yet. 
Lucy bounded down the stairs a minute later and headed for the kitchen. 
She could smell coffee brewing and the scent of bacon being fried in a 
skillet. Her mother greeted her with a large smile. “Merry Christmas, 
Lulu,” her mom said, beaming widely as she stood before the stove. 
“Well, it's only Christmas Eve, Mom,” Lucy replied, “but Merry 
Christmas anyway. What's the important news?“ “You'll have to wait 
until your brother gets down here, then I will tell you both,“ her 
mother 100 stated. Lucy rolled her eyes. “That could take forever,“ she 
said, pouting. “Well, just be patient, young lady. He will be down 
soon, I am sure. In the meantime, why don't you get some juice out from 
the fridge', and pour me a glass, too, okay?“ “Okay, Mom,” Lucy 
responded. She retrieved the juice container from the refrigerator and 
poured two glasses full to the brim. Then she began to sip from her 
glass. A few minutes later Eric arrived and sat down at the table. 
“Good morning, sweetie,” Mrs. Larson said to her son, “and Merry 
Christmas, too.“ “Good morning, Mom,“ Eric replied, ”and Merry 
Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, too, stinker,“ he said to Lucy, as 
he playfully ran his fingers through his sister's hair. “It's going to 
be a white Christmas, Eric,” 101 Lucy told him in an excited voice. 
“Have you seen all the snow outdoors?“ “Yeah, I saw it,” Eric replied, 
“but it still won't be much of a Christmas without Dad here.” Lucy did 
not respond to Eric's remark. Her mind was busy picturing what she had 
seen from her bedroom window a few hours earlier. Maybe some of that 
stardust will fall on Daddy, she was thinking, and he will come home. 
“Well, Eric, perhaps you won't be disappointed after all,” Lucy heard 
her mom say to her brother. Lucy looked at her mother, who was now 
smiling. “What do you mean, Mom?” Eric said to her, as a puzzled 
expression crossed his face. “Well, kids,” Mrs. Larson said in a cheery 
voice, now looking back and forth at Lucy and Eric, ”I just got a phone 
call from your father a 102 short while ago, while you too were fast 
asleep. It seems your father was out on his usual early morning jog 
today, in spite of all the snow ......“ “Yeah, yeah, Mom,” Eric 
interrupted her, “we know how Dad loves to jog, but what did he say?“ 
“Well, he said while he was out jogging this morning, he suddenly 
realized that he misses being here with us, and how much he loves us, 
and well, he wants to come back home for good,“ Mrs. Larson told them, 
as tears of happiness began to roll down the cheeks of her pretty face. 
“Hooray!” Lucy squealed loudly. Lucy leaped from her chair and began 
jumping up and down. “That's great news!” Eric bellowed out. Then he 
too got out of his chair and gave his mother a huge hug. Lucy finally 
halted her jumping about and joined her older brother, and they both 
hugged their mother tightly. “When's he coming?! When?!” Lucy shouted 
103 out, once the hugging had ceased. “This afternoon,” her mother 
informed her, as she wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with 
a napkin. “So, Lucy, and you, too, Eric, I want both of you to help me 
today. We need to get the house cleaned up real good, and get the tree 
decorated, and I want you to help me bake a cake, Lulu.“ “Okay, Mom,” 
Lucy uttered happily. Lucy scampered up to her bedroom to change out of 
her pajamas. As she was changing clothing, she thought aloud in a 
hushed voice, so as to be certain that neither her mom or Eric could 
hear, “Thank you, Mr. Max. Thank you, Sadie. Thank you, Mr. Rhyme. 
Thank you, Mr. Airplane Pilot. And most of all, thank You, God, for 
bringing my Daddy back home! I just know that stardust you sprayed is 
the reason he is coming back home to us!“ Then she raced back 
downstairs to help her 104 mom bake a big chocolate welcome home cake. 
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE The reunion between Lucy's parents could not have 
been better. Lucy, with Eric's help, had hung an ample supply of 
mistletoe all over the Larson home, and Lucy could not help but glow 
with joy when she saw her father and mother kissing under each and 
every little plant of it. The Larson family Christmas Eve dinner was 
delicious and a most happy one. Lucy was extremely pleased that her 
father had a second helping of the cake she had helped to bake. On 
Christmas morning the Larson family attended church services, and Lucy 
noticed how friendly everyone seemed to be. She wondered if it was 
because they were all caught up in the Chrsitmas spirit and holiday 
mood, or was it due to the stardust that had been sprayed over the 
entire town? 105 Whatever the reasoning, Lucy was ecstatic that 
everyone seemed so happy and friendly towards one another. She could 
not help but smile widely as she got into the family car for the short 
drive home. They all enjoyed a gala breakfast and then opened their 
Christmas gifts. Later on, Lucy's parents went into the kitchen, and 
Eric headed upstairs to try out the new games he had received on his 
computer. Lucy passed by the kitchen and noticed her parents embracing. 
She smiled, then tiptoed past the open doorway, not wishing to disturb 
them, and just as she passed the front hall alcove, she heard a thud 
from outside the front door. She hesitated for a few seconds, thinking 
someone was about to ring the doorbell - perhaps her aunt or some 
neighbor - but when the bell did not ring, Lucy opened the door. She 
opened it just in time to see a small blue and white truck departing 
from the curb. It 106 had red lettering on its side that read, “THE 
MAGIC FACTORY.“ “Wait!” Lucy called out, but the small truck sped away 
in the snow. She then looked down to discover a package, wrapped in 
brown paper, with black lettering which read, 'FOR MISS LUCY LARSON'. 
Lucy gathered the package up in her small arms and carried it swiftly 
to her bedroom. Her little heart was beating wildly as she tore apart 
the brown paper and opened the package. The first thing she saw, once 
the package was opened, was a sheet of white paper. She withdrew it and 
read it aloud softly. 'Hello, Lucy, and Merry Christmas to you and your 
family. We sprayed your town with stardust recently, as perhaps you may 
know, and we hope all the people in Cedar Falls will be far more 
pleasant and friendlier from now on. In this package, Lucy, you will 
find the magic wand you wanted. There are 107 no instructions for it, 
but if you believe in magic, and if you believe in love and happiness, 
you will know how to use it in due time, so do be patient. You will 
also find a magic hat, and the same applies to it as with the magic 
wand. Magic is just a state of mind. It is what you believe in that is 
real magic. All of us here at The Magic Factory wish you a very Merry 
Christmas, Miss Lucy Larson, and a life filled with joy, love and 
happiness. Believe in yourself, believe in others, and believe in love, 
Lucy, and you will have all the magic you will ever need or want. With 
very special regards to a very special girl, Max, Sadie and Mr. Rhyme.' 
Lucy read the letter two more times, then folded it neatly and placed 
it in her drawer beneath her socks. She did the same with the magic 
wand and hat, after folding the latter so that it would fit into the 
drawer. With Ruffles on her lap, she sat on the edge of her bed and 
contemplated the letter she had received from Max, Sadie and Mr. Rhyme. 
108 “I think I know now what real magic is,“ she said to Ruffles, who 
looked at her with curious eyes and purred as she petted him. Then, 
after placing her cat on the floor, she rose from her bed. “C'mon, 
Ruffles,” she said cheerfully, ”let's go downstairs and see if there is 
anything left of that chocolate cake.“ ------------------ THE END 
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