Morris Sky Bound

1. Auflage 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9838844-1-5
Verlag: Red Plate Entertainment
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 445 Seiten

The Earth is split into three kingdoms: One that resides in the sky, one that lies beneath the waves, and one that remains on the surface. Life on the surface is less than spectacular; in fact, it's quite the opposite. For fifteen year-old Sam Cutter, that's enough reason to risk everything and head for the Sky Nation. Sam has determined that nothing will stop him. The severe punishment for being caught leaving the surface has deterred all attempts at escape. If Sam can successfully flee the surface, he'll be the first to make it in ten years. Heading into the unknown with little more than a bag filled with a few possessions slung on his back and pure determination, Sam turns and waves goodbye to his mom before sneaking onto a cargo ship bound for the Sky Nation. Sam's goal of getting to the Sky Nation won't be easy. His journey takes him on an adventure filled with unexpected turns as Sam is abruptly thrown into the middle of a war, forced to choose a side, and stay alive. Sam learns to trust his instincts, adapt to new situations, and that he may be more important in this struggle than he could have ever known.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Morris, James

Leseproben

Prologue It started, as always, with war. A war for land, a war for greed, a war, for power. Mankind tore itself apart for many years in constant struggle. Nearly one hundred years of fighting passed, and hope emerged. A single man stepped forward and led his army through all the globe. Many describe this man as a savior, many as a merciless tyrant, and others as a lucky bumbling fool. This man conquered all the earth. After making the world leaders sign an agreement, he prevented many further struggles by spreading the earth into three nations. One remains on the Earth’s surface as it always has been, another amongst the clouds, the third dwells beneath the waves. For many years, the earth was ruled by the man; until the time of his three sons. The man loved his sons greatly, and wished each of them to rule one of his kingdoms. As they were all brothers, the man assumed the three nations would continue to coexist in harmony. Among the mans fears was that his sons would be more enemy than friend. When his sons were a young age, the man assumed they would be each other’s greatest allies, but as the years passed, the man learned he had been mistaken. The three sons became bitter rivals, each competing to rule the earth, none wanting to change from what they knew. When the eldest of the boys turned nineteen years old, the man fell ill. A disease he thought had been expunged from his body at a young age returned to claim what fell from its grasp. In fear of his imminent demise, the man called his sons together to decide who would take each nation. The man then deemed each son a ruler and each with reason. The sky he gave to his youngest, for his free spirit and his yearning to do more than ever thought possible. The sea he gave to his middle child, for he usually preferred solitude and to see the world in his own way. Last, the man deemed the surface for his eldest son. The man never gave a reason for why the eldest received the surface. The man felt no ease of heart though, as he knew that none of his sons were yet ready to rule. The king knew how power hungry his sons could be at times. All three were grateful for the honors that had been bestowed upon them, and willingly accepted their roles as rulers. Years passed as the king waited for death, all along training his sons to rule, and letting their ideas flourish for what would be their respective nations. When a decade had passed and the king saw that his sons were ready. He told them to go and gain the trust of those who would be their subjects and return to him. Over the next five years the man’s sons did as they were told, making constant trips to see their father, and making many improvements to their original designs. When the five years had ended the three sons returned and told their father of what they had done. Each in their own way had gained the trust of their subjects to be. Either with friendship, respect, or through fear, each son had done as they were told. The king told them then, that if they felt ready, each could take their thrones. In time, the three brothers accepted their responsibilities to rule. The king held onto a portion of each nation under his rule, just for emergencies. While the two elder brothers set off to rule on their own, the youngest asked his father for aid and to share his knowledge. Soon, the third brother too took his role as a ruler. Shortly after, a cure of sorts for the king’s illness was developed. It would extend his life to give him more time. The king’s three sons agreed to take this “cure” with him, extending all their lives. With the thought of his life being extended, the king couldn’t help but reminisce of what he’s accomplished during his natural life, and wonder what he will do in the unnatural. He kept returning to his quest to reunite the world. One part specifically. One person. One night. As the king and his sons took the concoction to extend their lives, the king realized the truth that had been evading him. He had a fourth child. Who this child is, and what they will become, the king knows not. “Sam, are you still awake?” “No mommy,” I say, hiding so that I look like nothing more than sheets. I think she will go for it. “Are you sure?” Asks my mother. I don’t respond, hoping it will help her think I was sleeping. “I think that you just might still be awake.” My mother starts smothering me as she finishes speaking and gives me a big hug. “How’d you know?” I ask as the sheets slide off my head. “Just a hunch,” replies my mother, smiling, “You do know it’s time to go to bed mister.” “Aw, but mom—“ “No ‘buts’ Sam.” I look at my mom with my best puppy dog eyes. She always says yes when I make these eyes and quiver my lip. “Oh alright, you can stay up a bit longer, but only a few minutes.” She make a point to tell me only a few minutes, but I still won. I got my few extra minutes. With my mom sitting on my bed joining me, I opened up my holobook and it read to me with moving pictures. The king looked until he could bear it no longer. As the king was begging for his death, his fourth child found him. He finally met his eldest daughter, which gave him the extra strength and hope he needed to keep living his life. The king’s daughter appeared much older than she really was compared to his siblings. The king begged his daughter to take the potion that would extend her life, and stay with the king. The king begged for an opportunity to know his daughter. When the daughter agreed, the king cried tears of joy. “Mamma?” “Yes?” “Why was the king crying?” “Because he was happy. He found his child.” When she saw some understanding, she thought I got what she said. “I think its time you go to bed.” “But mom, what about the adventure part of the story?” I already used puppy dog eyes, but I still have winning. “Well,” uh oh, my strategy isn’t working, “we will just have to read that another night. Just because you’re a big bad five year old doesn’t mean you can stay up as late as you want.” I knew it. I always know I’ve lost when she starts with ‘well.’ “Alright mommy.” “Goodnight Sam,” she gives me my goodnight kiss. “Night night mommy.” I throw the sheets back over me and turn my light off. I listen for my mom to leave the room. As soon as I hear my door close, I grab my holobook again and hide under the covers. And so the daughter, being no ruler, did as her father dreamed. She explored the far reaches of the globe with her father and beyond. Still today, it is said that they are traveling to any place they can, working on better ways to see even more, possibly beyond earth. *** When I wake up the next day, I go downstairs and saw my mom crying. “Mommy, what’s wrong?” she looks up at me; startled to see I’m awake. “I’m proud and scared of that stupid idiot.” “That’s mean!” I say. My mother laughs. “I’m glad I taught you well. Why don’t you go talk to your stupid father and see if you can talk some sense into him.” She points out the window, wiping her eyes. I see my dad walking away with a bag over his shoulder. “Daddy!” I start running after my dad, yelling for him all the way to get his attention. He turns around when he hears me. “Hey kiddo.” He says, perfectly happy. “Daddy, where are you going?” “I’m going to get us a better life,” When I look confused he continues, “I’m going to get onto one of the transports up to the Sky Nation. Nathanael is supposed to be much kinder than; The King” He said ‘The King” with as much venom as I knew he could muster. “I’m trying to start a new life for us. As soon as your safety is guaranteed, I’m going to come back and get you guys.” “But what are you going to do daddy?” “I’m going to make things better for us, all of us. Listen, bud, I need you to promise me something alright?” “Alright daddy.” I have no idea what he is talking about. “Promise me that you will take care of your mother while I’m gone.” Still not knowing entirely what he means, I agree. “I promise.” I hold out my pinky for him to shake. My dad laughs for a moment, and then shakes my pinky with his. “Can I watch you go daddy?” I ask. He seems genuinely shocked by my request. “Uh, ask your mother.” Why does he always say that? I run back inside and ask my mom if I can. She says she would have to come and that there would be many rules. Apparently on a transport is against the rules. My dad left for the transport’s loading station where it trades supplies with us here on the surface much earlier than my mom and I. We wait until it is dark out. My mom parks the car far away from the loading docks, and we go to hide somewhere where we can see. When it is time to go, my dad comes by and kisses my mom and me, saying that he will see us soon. I watch my dad sling his bag over his shoulder. He manages to sneak his way onto the transport before something happens. “Hey, what are you doing?” I heard one of the guards yell when they find my dad. He tries to fight them off, but there are to many and one soon hits my...