The Legend of Brandice May

By Kevin P Pearson

The Legend of Brandice May. (43,500 words)
A longer tale for kids around 10 -12 plus, telling of a young cat burglar with a difference. Fit, adventurous, 10 year old Lawrence has spent the last year faithfully searching for his lost kitten Lucy. When his admirable efforts pay off, he finds himself caught up in a mysterious plot involving ancient magic. For spoiling these crazy plans the evil Brandice May remains determined to wreak revenge on them both. Our two heroes fight a dangerous witch’s coven, rescue a sickly peasant girl, save the weird land of dream and visit strange, far off worlds. The kind, thoughtful pair make powerful friends on the way too, but how will Lawrence and the rather special Lucy stop the unnaturally old evil forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kevin P Pearson
• Release date: Aug 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301042500

Kevin P Pearson

Kevin lives in sleepy Northumberland, England, in a small modified shed specifically designed to protect the environment. Due to sheer numbers of homeless folk invited in, he often stays outside. If it rains or grows too cold, he sleeps soundly under a big black bin bag, warmed down to his tiny toes knowing he’s helped others survive an increasingly harsh world.At 5am every morning he tours the countryside on a battered old scooter, selflessly helping senior citizens with shopping and saving innocent kids from burning buildings. Reading, writing, advising multinational companies on important building projects, exercising to Olympic standards and wild bouts of fibbing fill his days.Kevin wisely spends his spare time dreaming of marrying enchanting Kristin Kreuk of TV’s ‘Smallville’ fame. Perhaps if everyone prays for him his greatest wish may finally come true!

Book preview

The Legend of Brandice May

Kevin Pearson

Text copyright 2013-2019 Kevin Pearson

All Rights Reserved. Smashwords Edition

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Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Katarzyna for her lifelike cover picture of the evil Brandice May. To get in touch with Katarzyna regarding possible art projects, please contact her directly via email.

Katarzyna Waszewska-Adamowska

Email: [e-mail]

For dreamers who yearn for wild adventure!

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 1

10 year old Lawrence perched on top Rooksbridge museum, nervously peering over the rainy deserted street far below. Only owl's cautious hoots disturbed the haunting silence. The dull moon floating above nearby woods was still only half full again, but Lawrence had a more important job tonight. The target would be sitting at the Egyptian exhibit on the third floor at exactly nine thirty.

A small polished mirror dangling on a fishing line showed the security guard was right on time. Lawrence would let him pass once more before entering the building.

Lawrence was so intent on his work he didn’t care about tiny raindrops sliding down his balaclava and clinging to his neck, nor sweat pooling in his climbing boots. The back of the guard’s uniform reflected in the mirror again. Now, he had four minutes! Slipping through the old, creaky window was so easy, he didn't see two red eyes watching from the shadowy, crumbling building opposite.

Only safe access to lower floors were small heating ducts - perfect for a sneaky boy whose knees pads kept his work silent. Very soon Lawrence dropped into dark toilets, leaping into the next vent system leading to the far end of the third floor. Less than two minutes had passed.

Below the third floor vent sat a beautiful cat whose sparkling green eyes were fixed on a scratching behind a towering sarcophagus. Dangling from long rope over the hard marble floor, Lawrence scooped the cat up into his knapsack. The surprised cat barely had time to murmur before they were both back in the vent and sliding along one upstairs.

Back near the entry point, Lawrence silently slipped down a totem pole as the guard looked at suspicious water spots dotting the dusty floor. Lawrence melted into shadows behind a giant bear whose enormous teeth glinted horribly in the eerie moonlight. Drat! If the man lingered longer a younger guard would join him. If Lawrence was caught his plans would be shattered, all hope lost.

Just then the old man's phone rang and he strolled downstairs. Lawrence bolted for the window, squeezing through, scrambling up the drainpipe onto the roof. It was raining harder now and the place began flooding. A rusty old pipe had burst - another variable he hadn’t counted on.

Lawrence slid over water and flew down the slippery fire escape. Grabbing his bike from bushes he took quiet back routes home. When Lawrence shot through his door, mum smiled. School tomorrow, don’t stay up too late!

See you soon mum, he said, rushing to his cellar lab, setting the puzzled cat on the examination table. Contented purrs filled the room as she nuzzled the soft material. Lawrence felt that terrible sinking, frustrated feeling again. It wasn’t Lucy! But he still needed clues, so performed the normal tests.

Some people didn’t know cats could change appearance and colour as they grew older, though this friendly girl may still answer some questions. If not, she'd still get a good feed. Although most cats Lawrence borrowed were healthy, some folk simply didn’t have the knowledge. Lack of responsibility dad used to call it.

Tonight had been Lawrence’s twelfth cat heist. He felt proud of the night when he managed to capture two cats at the same time. But success had also brought cuts, scrapes and rope burns, not to mention the nagging fact that he still hadn’t found young Lucy.

Lawrence had trained hard for the past year. He could hang for twenty minutes from monkey bars - very useful while waiting for an unexpected guest to leave a room. Now an expert rope climber, he could also tip toe along tiny ledges. And unlike noisy getaway cars, his mountain bike could easily slip by authorities.

Lawrence’s father had been an excellent vet whom he’d learnt much from. Lawrence checked the cat's health and placed it under ultra violet light. Aha! There it was again! A small luminous speck nestled on the tip of her tail - a rare glowing fungus growing in wet, marshland, far away from choking dust and urban grime. Lawrence's friend, Mr Davis, had confirmed the fungus species, though didn't know where the nearest source lay, which only added to the mystery. Something very strange was going on with cats round here. Sadly, they couldn't say exactly what just yet.

Lawrence fed the cat, then let her out the small window onto the back garden, where she meowed sadly. Cats often didn’t want to leave, but as much as he cared, he couldn’t allow it. For when Lucy returned, would she feel jealous that he’d replaced her so easily?

Lawrence tidied up, thinking back through small scraps of evidence found so far. It had been almost midnight last Halloween. Lawrence was just about to go to bed when he noticed Lucy’s empty basket. He