Jennet Preston's Shadow Relics

By J.S. Andersen

Through out history magical relics were scattered across the globe, each pertaining to some event of their time. Forgotten, these relics faded from most peoples memories, until four recently orphaned teens are brought to the knowledge of them by their young and attractive foster mother. With the hope of bringing their parents back and putting their lives in order Mitch, his sister Mindi, Samantha, and her brother Ryan set out alone to retrieve these magical items. Their travels will lead them into a dark world of myth, and it begins at the top of the legendary Empire State Building...

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.S. Andersen
• Release date: Apr 29, 2014

J.S. Andersen

J.S Andersen was born in Idaho and grew up on the Snake River plains. He is married and has two children. J.S. Andersen said, “ I write every day and love it. I enjoy the outdoors and having adventures with my family.” When he was young he would entertain his friends with making up adventures that they would go on. At sleepovers he would thrill them with stories that he came up with in his head. Andersen would make them each key characters in the stories. As he grew older his stories became more complicated and developed. In high school he tried tried his hand at poetry and began writing novels. J.S. also full in love with art. Starting college he continued writing mainly as a hobby. When he began schooling he was a Landscape Architect major. However after a few semesters he realized it wasn’t creative enough of a field for him. So he switched to an art major emphasizing in illustration. Now looking back J.S. Andersen realizes what drew him to that field was the story telling aspect of illustrating. As time went on he felt that a career in art was not what he was supposed to do. That’s when he became more serious about writing.

Book preview

Chapter one

The parker house

Thunder rumbled across the cloudy night sky. The clunk of the dead bolt echoed through the dark house as Mindi locked the door behind her. Pulling her windblown blond hair out of her face she flipped the light switch up and down. There was a silent clicking behind the panel, but no light. The power was out at her house as well. Outside, a car coasted by on the streets its head lights shown through the partially draped windows, reflecting off the pictures on the wall. The shadows in the house chased one another around the room startling the young teen. Mindi’s heart raced as the house grew dark again. She pulled her light jacket around her. Keeping her tennis shoes on, Mindi crept towards the steps. The slick, old hard wood floor creaked with each step.

Mitch…, her voice quaked. Her heart thumped in hers ears, making her wish she hadn’t been over at her friend’s watching a scary movie.

M…i…t…c…h…? The banister groaned as she mounted the stairs, her fingers running along the smoothly painted rail. Outside the thunder groaned and rumbled, more drawn out like a beast’s growl.

Lightening streaked across the sky, flashing through the window like a camera flash- lighting the house for a split second. A tremendous boom followed, shattering the tranquil silence of the house. Mindi shrieked, but quickly covering her mouth with her hands. Her chest heaved as she breathed rapidly, like a runner out of shape, her hands trembling as she mounted the last step. A blue glow emanated from under her brother’s door.

Mitch, She squeaked. Mitchell…, she whispered, reaching for the round knob.

Arroar!

Mindi yelped involuntarily, her arms flailing. Her knees smacked together as she stumbled away. Her heart jumped into her throat causing shortness of breath. Gasping, she tried to compose herself as she realized who had come up from behind.

Mitch laughed pulling at his tight polo shirt, his dark, stiff hair barely moving. You should have seen your face!

Not funny, you big jerk, she huffed, slugging his solid gut.

Umph! he grunted I know. I’m sorry; I just couldn’t help it.

Pushing past her, his broad shoulders brushed his partially open door, swinging it wider as he entered into his room. The blue glow emanated from his laptop screen, dimly illuminating the room. Mitch picked up his unplugged electric guitar, his defined muscles flexing as he strummed a few dull cords.

What have you been doing? Mindi asked.

Just some home work, Mitch replied as the power flickered back on.

Well, I’m hungry. What did you eat? She said beginning to relax. She leaned against a chair in his room, a cold, clammy substance clung to her arm.

Yuck! She recoiled, wiping her arm along her jeans. Gross! Why is your wrestling uniform so icky?

Cause I’m a guy. He grabbed it tossing into his hamper. There’s cold pizza in the fridge.

Oh, okay, she sighed. Hey, how about we watch a movie and pop popcorn? We could watch something funny. I need something funny after watching that scary movie at Tiff’s.

I can’t, Mindi, I have a final to study for.

Come on, please. She pleaded.

No, I really need to study.

Rain began tapping against his window, lightly at first, but the drops grew rapidly. Lightning flashed outside, illuminating the dancing trees. Thunder rumbled, the roof shaking the house. Mitch glanced over at his little sister who was starring wide-eyed at the ceiling, her lips trembling just a little.

I can’t believe you’re still scared of a little storm, Mitch chuckled.

I am not! Mindi retorted.

That’s not what I see. Mitch jingled.

Mindi put her hands on her small hips glaring at her brother her eyes squinting almost shut.

Mitch laughed, You look almost like mom when you do that.

Are we going to watch a movie or what?

Oh, alright. You go pick one out. I’ll pop the popcorn.

Yes! Mindi rushed down the stairs.

Mindi thumbed through the movies, their flashy cases softly slapping together as she shuffled through them. She pulled one out looking at the thin case. In the background popcorn popped, rattling around in the machine. The scent of melting butter and salt tickled at her nose. She slid the movie back into its slot and moved on to the next one.

Hey, Mitch, what time did Mom and Dad say they would be home?

They didn’t say, he called back from the kitchen.

This should be short enough, she said under her breath, sliding the flat disc into the dvd player’s tray.

Music began to play as the first preview flashed across the large flat screen. The surround sound rumbled around the room. Mindi dropped into the soft cushion, sinking as it swallowed her.

What are we watching? Mitch asked through a mouthful of popcorn.

Mindi held up the black case with the explosive image on front.

I know it’s one of your favorites.

Action comedy you can’t get much better.

Mindi laughed, grabbing a few kernels and pushing the play button. The theme music began as the letters to the title crashed on screen. Tires screeched an image of a burn out fading in through the wheel’s smoke. A hot sports car rocketed down the streets of an LA neighborhood.

The sound of racing cars drowned out the rumble of the storm that angrily shook outside. The blazing guns, rattled over powering the tapping of rain against the window panes. From the kitchen the two could hear the phone ringing. Mindi turned to Mitch, starring at him with her big green eyes.

It’s probably just Mrs. Heralds calling to see if our power came back on. Hers seems to have more problems than ours, he commented. The phone stopped ringing.

She probably needs some help, Mitch. She’s old and alone; maybe she’s just scared.

Mitch dropped his shoulders as his younger sister laid the guilt on. Okay, if she calls again we’ll go… The ringing phone cut him off.

Mindi gave him a playful smirk as he pushed himself off the couch, heading for the kitchen. Grabbing the shiny black phone, Mitch strolled back into the living room pushing the flashing green button.

Parker residence, this is Mitch.

Hello… Mitch this is Officer Blinsky with the Pennsylvania State Police…

Mitch’s face paled his empty hand limp at his side. The boy’s gaze dropped to the floor, the sound of the movie becoming distant and muffled in his ears as it was replaced by the roar of the storm in his mind.

Mitch, what’s wrong? Who’s on the phone? Mindi said, pausing the movie.

The windblown trees scratched at the window panes. The teen couldn’t raise his eyes to meet his sister’s concerned stare

Chapter Two

The Lundell house

It’s my turn, Sam! Ryan shouted at the back of his emo sister’s spikey black hair.

Her long sweeping bangs flipped across her face, flashing the pink highlights as she swiveled in the office chair. She gave her younger brother a piercing gaze with her blue eyes, frustration and annoyance apparent across her face.

Why, so you can play your stupid game?

It’s not stupid! Talking to your friends online is stupid.

At least I have friends. She turned back to the screen, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

Ryan let out a loud growl. I’m going to tell mom and dad. You’re not supposed to be on this long.

Ry…Ry…don’t you cry… she taunted.

Ryan’s face reddened his head pounding. Outside the thunder vibrated their loose screen door as hail pelted the windows. He rushed to the couch, grabbing a stained throw pillow, and lifted it above his head.

It’s my turn! he screamed, his voice cracking.

The pillow flew through the air, spiraling toward its target. Sam caught a glimpse of the hurdling object and pushed away from the cluttered desk. The wheels of the awkward office chair rolled off the clear plastic mat, catching the old shaggy carpet, dumping Samantha to the floor. The computer screen jerked sideways as the pillow collided with it, tossing pens and papers across the living room.

I’m going to kill you! Sam yelled, scrambling to her feet.

Ryan darted for the stairs, Sam right behind. She swerved around the couch tripping through a pile of clean unfolded laundry. Their feet pounded against the stairs as they rushed to the top floor. Sam reached out grasping at Ry’s foot as he mounted the top step, tripping him to the worn brown carpet. She pounced on top of him, pinching the fatty tissue beneath his arm pits. He cried out in pain as she twisted and pulled.

You idiot! You could have broken the computer.

Ryan grabbed her pink hair, yanking it like a cord to a large church bell.

Aww! She cried angrily.

Ryan kicked her off, pushing himself from the ground. He staggered to his feet while holding his wounded side, dashed into the bathroom. He slammed the broken door behind him and yanked open a drawer to block it. Samantha shoved the door into the drawer, the miscellaneous contents bounced around inside. The knob jingled the locking mechanism’s parts around inside the worn out sphere.

You big baby! She growled.

I’m not a baby; you are! He wiped some tears from his hazel colored eyes.

Then why are you crying? She turned skipping down the hall. Ry… Ry… Don’t you cry. Your diapers wet, and I know why.

Ryan ripped open the door. Shut…u…p…!

Samantha turned, running at the open door. Ryan quickly jumped, back slamming it shut once again. Sam gave it a swift kick, bouncing it partially open, and then huffed away. Ryan could hear her footsteps stomping through the hall then down the steps. He leaned back from the door, figuring it safer to stay put until his parents returned. He lifted up his baggy black t-shirt that depicted the evolution of man. Whimpering as he touched the purple bruised markings. The storm outside whistled through the ceiling vent.

After awhile, the door creaked as it cracked slowly open. The reflective surface of a butter knife flickered as it appeared from behind the door, digging into the marred surface of the drawer. Wood scraping on wood sounded from beneath the counter as it slowly shut. Ry quickly grabbed it, yanking back on it, his sister’s knife dug deeper into the drawer.

Leave me alone! He yelled.

I’m going to give you a swirly, nerd! She spouted through clenched teeth.

I’m not a nerd… you are!

Ha, look at you! The tight high water jeans, the cheap tennis shoes, t-shirts with goofy sayings and images, and the hair combed to the side. You sit on your fat butt all day playing video games.

Mom told you not to call me fat!

Mom also said to tell the truth, fatty!

I hate you! Ryan shouted, kicking the door. Your angry because no one likes you.

Ha, ha….I have more friends on facebook than you do… or wait, you canceled your facebook because you couldn’t get any friends.

At least I get along with mom and dad.

Ya, and you are going to be the fat kid that never moves out and never gets a girlfriend, loser!

I hate you…

What was that?

I… Hate…You!

The phone suddenly rang from down stairs.

You better get that. It’s one of your friends. Sam said.

You said I have no friends.

The phone rang again and then again. Sam was right about Ry not really having any friends, and they both knew it. If the phone was for either of them it would be for her. Ry felt the tension on the drawer loosen. The phone continued to ring. Finally Sam threw down the butter knife and ran down the hall. Ry heard her feet pounding against the steps, landing hard against the bottom floor as if she’d jumped the last two steps.

Hello… He heard her say loudly.

Moments later the cracking sound of the phone hitting the floor echoed from the kitchen. The sound of the battery skidding across the linoleum made him curious. Ry bolted from the bathroom, hoping to catch his sister red-handed with the broken phone. He dropped off the last step, freezing in the entry way of the kitchen. Samantha sat on the floor, her face buried in her knees. The broken phone lay