The Other Worlds of Fently Binklecuzly

By Lorraine J Bean

A young adult adventure fantasy. Fently, a 10-year-old boy wishes on a perfect rainbow and lands in another world. Thus, begins his life as a traveller, encountering many friends and adventures on numerous worlds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483526409

Lorraine J Bean

Lorraine J Bean was born in Capreol, Ontario a Small northern Canadian town and lived there for fifty six years. Even as she deals with daily physical limitations (Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue) she likes to keep her mind active doing Sudoku puzzles, quilting, knitting socks and playing Scrabble. After recently moving to beautiful British Columbia she was inspired to write an interesting story she had visualized. Her greatest passions are her family, her dog and ocean cruising. Bio: by T L Bean.

Book preview

Introduction

There are two truths; the one that can be shared and the one that must be kept secret. The total of the two is the real truth.

From: The Travellers' Creed

This is the story of a boy with a very unusual name. Fently Binklecuzly. Of course that's understandable since he's not from this world.

But he did visit here once. I know because I was fortunate enough to become his friend.

Let me start at the beginning, at least as I heard it.

Chapter -1-

EMERALD LAKE

Fently perched atop Pinnacle Rock. It had been a long, hot, difficult climb for a ten-year-old boy. Sweating, he leaned forward and looked down at Emerald Lake. From his height, it was absolutely square. The umbrella tree shaded the whole rock but the sunshine breaking through the dense gigantic branches made the water below sparkle with brilliance. Almost painful on the eyes.

It was glorious!

Fently! His friend Listle shouted from far below. Make a wish and jump! The rainbow is exactly centred over the lake! It's now or never!

Yeah right, Listle! Fently glanced up. He couldn't tell if there really was a rainbow above the tree.

Last time you tricked me and I nearly drowned! For nothing! Besides it's just a fairy tale! No way can we disappear by jumping in Emerald Lake under a perfect rainbow!

Come on Fently Listle shouted again we can do it this time! I know! I can feel it! She splashed the water. Even from his great height Fently could see the drops gather the sun and dance over the green water.

Now or never.

He jumped.

*********

Fently quickly plunged down into the bubbly green lake.

As soon as he felt the lightness of his body again, he kicked himself upwards.

He opened his eyes just as he broke the surface.

Green water, familiar surroundings. Again. No magic, no disappearance.

Treading water with disappointment, he looked up to where he had jumped from Pinnacle Rock.

Listle! Where are you? Fently called out to his friend. Suddenly, he was swept up high on a gigantic wave! The lake seemed impossibly far down from the crest. Looking across, he saw Listle atop the same wave, but a fair distance away.

Fently! What's happening?

I don't… was all that he managed to reply before the water beneath rushed down, tossing him deep into the swirling depths. Unable to control himself, Fently was pulled back into the lake.

As quickly as it started, the motion ended. He opened his eyes as he drifted upwards to the light. Something felt strange to him. The water was different. The colour was wrong. Everything was pink! The lake was still. The air was still. Fently rubbed his eyes and looked across the unusual water. Nothing there was recognizable to him! The trees were not the same; the sky was odd. And where was Listle?

Listle Wafloonafle are you here?

He tried to keep his voice from trembling.

Listle, don't think you're scaring me! Just tell me where you are!

But Fently was scared. Very scared. He was not in Emerald Lake. He didn't see anything familiar around him. The water was pink!

And Listle was nowhere that he could see.

Fently swam to shore.

Chapter -2-

ROSE QUARTZ POND

As soon as his feet touched the warm grainy sand, Fently knew he must no longer be on his world. He always enjoyed the feel of cool vegetation around his lake. Never had he felt the gritty tiny pebbles that tickled his toes with every step.

Purple leaves on pink trees. Pale pink sky and dark pink sun?

Either he was dreaming or he really did drown this time!

Fently, sh!, be quiet whispered Listle from under one of the giant leaves. She reached out her hand to allow him to see her position.

Come over here and don't talk.

Where are we Listle? Fently whispered as soon as he was beside his friend.

Do you think we're dead?

Well if we are, there are other dead people here too answered Listle.

Look through here. We aren't alone.

They both peeked through the branches. Faintly, they heard a soft voice.

I am telling you Gran, it must have happened. I saw Rose Quartz Pond get all frothy for a few seconds before it quieted again. I am sure I saw it!

The speaker was a very pretty young girl with long flowing bright pink hair. She stepped aside to reveal her Gran.

Nonsense child! The last time we had a traveller was when I was your age! It can only happen once in a lifetime and I am still here. So it is not possible at all. When you come back to the cave, we can have tea and I will tell you all about the real other-world traveller I met so long ago!

With those words, the old woman turned down one of the paths through the woods.

Her iridescent robes fluttered gently as she slowly walked away. The last that could be seen was the soft sparkle of her silver and pale pink hair.

*********

Hello? Is someone there? The girl slowly turned in a circle, looking for signs of a stranger. I mean you no harm. Please show yourself.

Fently glanced around. He was well hidden. Listle moved back deeper into the covering leaves.

Be quiet, she hissed at Fently maybe she will leave.

My name is Neelia. I will not hurt you continued the girl in a soothing voice. I can sense that you are near. Do not be afraid.

Fently snorted! Afraid? Of a pink haired girl? And not much older than he was, by the look of it!

He stepped forward into the small clearing where Neelia stood.

My name is Fently Binklecuzly. And I'm NOT afraid of you!

Oh! The startled girl turned about, facing him.

Your hair is so different! You really must be a traveller!

Fently reached up and touched his head.

My hair is the same as always. Still a bit wet is all. We didn't travel here though---it just happened!

We? Neelia was confused.

Too late, Fently realized his mistake. No point in hiding the truth now.

My friend is with me. She's behind that clump of pink leaves. He pointed to Listle's location.

Listle stomped into the clearing.

Honestly Fently, sometimes your mouth gets too far ahead of your brain!

For a nine-year-old girl, she could be way too feisty sometimes.

Listle positioned herself beside Fently then held her hand to Neelia.

I'm Listle. I heard you say your name is Neelia. I wish I had such a pretty name. We saw your gran too. Maybe she could tell us how we got here. She must know how to help us find our way back to our lake. But first we have to look around so we can tell everyone at home about this place!

Listle always talked too much when she was excited. Neelia touched the younger girl's hand. With a smile, she gently lifted it and traced an outline with her finger.

Immediately, a picture formed on the top of Listle's hand!

It was a flower of some type. Painted in beautiful shades of purple and pink.

Wow! How did you do that? Listle was delighted!

Fently had been about to extend his hand but pulled it back.

He stepped between the two girls.

Neelia turned towards the path her gran had taken.

I think we should go see my gran.

She can explain everything and possibly help you find your way back home.

*********

They followed her. Neelia led the way along the twisted, overgrown trail. Listle had no problem keeping her within sight. The short gown she wore was of the same shimmery material as the old woman's.

Fently kept his eyes on Listle's back. He was relieved she was dressed in her bright yellow bathing outfit. Very easy to follow in the purply pink forest! The young explorers trudged along uphill for a few minutes.

A

Reviews for The Other Worlds of Fently Binklecuzly

[CarmenGabrielle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great!! Good read for young adults and adults alike. Very engaging, and the story is well crafted. The character's names are very unique, which is important in a fantasy story. Would definitely recommend this book for fantasy literature lovers. I will be keeping my eyes open for future writings from Lorraine J. Bean!