Thomas Templeton and the Year of the Vivificus

By Diana Wurfbain Spinola

Nine-year old Thomas Templeton cannot believe his luck when he is selected from thousands of children and offered a full scholarship to the secretive and ancient Animalia Magnus Academy, the only animal language school in the world, where he will learn to communicate with all living creatures in their own languages.
During a yearlong journey across the Pacific Ocean, Thomas encounters, not only unexpected dangers, uncharted islands and amazing creatures unknown to the rest of the world, but also a terrifying secret and a shocking truth about his own family that will change his life forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diana Wurfbain Spinola
• Release date: May 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9780990452508

Diana Wurfbain Spinola

I grew up in Venezuela. As a child I lived in Australia, the Canary Islands and Venezuela. I studied architecture in Germany.When I was 5 years old, my family sailed the Pacific Ocean from Australia, stopping in Tahiti, crossing the Panama Canal and arriving in Venezuela. The memories of that trip continue to captivate my imagination. As a child, I discovered my imagination could take me anywhere. I began creating stories in my mind but never wrote them down. I always wanted to be an illustrator instead.Thomas Templeton and the Year of the Vivificus is my first book. With this series I hope to inspire children to learn about the wonders of the natural world and to explore the outdoors.I live in Florida with my family and my two cats, Thomas and Fernando.

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THOMAS TEMPLETON

AND THE YEAR OF THE VIVIFICUS

Book 1

A Novel

By

Diana Wurfbain Spinola

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2013 Diana Wurfbain Spinola

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission of the author.

Cover design and art by Diana Wurfbain Spinola

Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

THOMAS TEMPLETON and all characters and elements are TM of and © Diana Wurfbain Spinola.

ISBN-13: 978-0-9904525-0-8

ISBN-10: 0990452506

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author's imagination, or the author has used them fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persona, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To all the children of the world, may you all find the courage to follow your dreams and stay true to yourselves.

Contents

One: Mr. Pickley's Visit

Two: The Scary Admission Test

Three: The Welcoming Banquet

Four: The Contego Tree

Five: The Escape of the Iguanocentipedes

Six: Charlie

Seven: The Seventh Team

Eight: The Map

Nine: The Island of Bona Fortuna

Ten: The Secret Laboratory

Eleven: The Warning

Twelve: Mr. Goodman Finds a Winged Tiger

Thirteen: Ophedius' Lab

Fourteen: The Christmas Play

Fifteen: The Lady in the Cave

Sixteen: The Hidden Treasure of Maligne Island

Seventeen: Calamity Atoll

Eighteen: The Arrival of the Vivificus

Nineteen: The Letter

Twenty: The End of the Journey

Chapter One

Mr. Pickley's Visit

Thomas Templeton skidded to a halt—he'd arrived just in time. His heart pounding and his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath, he peeked around the corner of the house and gasped in horror. All morning long he'd been looking for the brothers. He knew they were up to no good—and he was right.

There, in the back yard of Miss Barley's abandoned old house, stood an emaciated huge white pit-bull. The dog's body was covered in bloody wounds, his right eye closed shut and bleeding, his legs tied up so that he couldn't move, his muzzle stuffed with firecrackers and bound shut with a thick rope as he gazed terrified at two big and fat boys: the evil Moscarello brothers.

The boys were kicking the dog repeatedly and laughing loudly. Then one of them took out a match from his pocket and lit it. This is gonna be fun! he said, grinning stupidly at his brother.

Thomas looked around feverishly, searching for something to stop them. Then he found it. He dashed toward a garden hose that was lying on the dried grass, turned on the water full force and pressing hard on the trigger of the nozzle, he bolted toward the dog yelling at the top of his lungs—

GET AWAY FROM HIM—LEAVE HIM ALONE!

Then, frantically, he began spraying the dog's muzzle with a heavy stream of water right at the very moment Joe Moscarello started lighting the fuses.

Hey! What the—, growled the startled brothers in unison as they wheeled around and glared at him, their eyes popping with fury. Thomas pointed the powerful jet toward their faces, making them jump backward.

W-what do you think you are d-doing—you stupid loser! Joe Moscarello blared at him, his arms flinging furiously, trying to grab the hose as the stream of water whipped his face.

DON'T TOUCH HIM! Thomas yelled again, his eyes lit up with a fiery glow. He now stood in front of the dog, desperately trying to shield him from the brothers, who were a foot taller and built like tanks. With unflinching defiance, Thomas aimed at their eyes until they backed off, stumbled and fell on the muddy ground.

You get away from that filthy dog—we found it—and we are gonna finish it! Louie bellowed as he stood up and lunged toward the hose, yanking it from Thomas' hands and throwing it away.

Louie and Joe Moscarello were now standing a few feet from him and the dog; they had picked up rocks and were ready to throw them.

You have two seconds to get out of the way! Joe shouted, taking a few steps forward and raising a big rock over his head, ready to strike.

Thomas' steely grey eyes narrowed to a squint as he glared at them, his nostrils flaring and his lips pressed tight into a thin line.

Yeah. If you don't move away right now, we're gonna stone you too! spat Joe, smirking nastily in a cold vicious voice.

You asked for it! murmured Thomas, reaching lightning fast for the right back pocket of his jeans and taking out a shiny, finely polished oak slingshot he had carved himself.

Before the Moscarello brothers could realize what he was doing, Thomas took out a large cork stopper from his left pocket and placed it in the rubber band, his hand shaking a little with repressed fury. He pulled it all the way back and aimed it with perfect precision at Joe's knee...or at least he thought he did.

AAGGHH! —YOU SHOT MY EYE OUT! You idiot, I'm gonna tell Daddy—he's gonna kill you—you wait! Joe roared, tears running down his fat cheeks. Louie hurtled a stone at him but Thomas quickly dogged it.

Joe covered his left eye with his hand but not before Thomas noticed that he had only a small red bump below the eye. The brothers frantically started seizing more stones from the ground, their chubby red faces contorted with rage. They were now ready to start a massive attack.

Thomas knew he couldn't run away; he had to protect the dog, which was whimpering quietly. Covering the dog with his skinny body, he shut his eyes and hugged the dog's head, bracing for the avalanche of rocks to hit his back.

And right at that very moment, a screeching call pierced the silence followed by some furious stomping. Something big was stirring in a nearby hydrangea bush.

All eyes swiveled toward the direction of the noise. A gigantic skunk, sporting a magnificent black and white fur coat, came strutting out of the bush and strode calmly toward them.

It walked between Thomas and the brothers, and then it stopped dead in its tracks. It lifted its head and sniffed the air, staring curiously at Thomas and the wounded dog with the mouth full of firecrackers. Then it turned and gazed intently at the brothers, who stood agape and paralyzed with their arms up high, clutching rocks tightly in their fists. A second later the skunk made up its mind. It swiftly turned its back toward the Moscarello boys, lifted its big bushy tail and before the horrified boys could react, sprayed a most potent jet of fetid liquid on them from head to toe.

EEEKKK! screamed the brothers, staggering backward onto the mud. I c-can't see! —That stuff got in my eyes—it's burning! howled Louie. I c-can't breathe! cried Joe.

Thomas chuckled, pinching his nose as he watched the brothers moaning and growling loudly, frantically trying to rub the smelly liquid off their faces and clothes.

This is all your fault! You're a weirdo—y-you made him do it! spat Louie crying. Just then, he noticed the skunk shaking its butt a little, readying himself for another attack.

You'll pay for this! the older brother Joe groaned. My daddy'll kill you!"

On all fours, Louie and Joe scrambled away from the skunk and ran home as fast as they could.

Thomas could swear the skunk had a little smirk on its face as it swaggered quietly away. As he watched the brothers blundering up the trail covered in mud and skunk spray, he pondered all the previous times an animal had mysteriously appeared out of nowhere to protect him.

You're safe now. You don't have to worry anymore.... Thomas spoke softly to the dog as he took out his pocketknife and quickly cut the ropes from around his muzzle, removed the firecrackers from his mouth and cleaned his bleeding eye with his sleeve. The dog began to lick Thomas' face and wag his tail happily.

It's ok, doggy—I'll bring you home and I'll take care of that eye—yes, I'll feed you a big steak. And I'll call you...Boomerang! Yes, that's a good name; you'll always come back to me. If I can just get home before Mr. Moscarello calls Dad...maybe then he'll allow me to keep you, Thomas thought hopefully, while patting Boomerang gently on the head.

Thomas lived in Banff; a town nestled in a valley of dense evergreen trees and traversed by the swift roaring waters of the Bow River, fed by glacial meltwater. The valley was dotted by brilliant aquamarine lakes and surrounded by a crown of massive forested peaks, eternally capped in white. Black, yellow and red bears were always found roaming the nearby woods. Moose were always on the loose, wandering through town early in the morning and sticking their long furry muzzles in the windows looking for chocolates—their favorite snack. Ravens were always chatting loudly perched on the rooftops. It was the perfect town, and Thomas though it was the best place to live and grow up—until the evil brothers arrived and everything changed.

Professor Moscarello, a world-renowned biologist and explorer, and his two sons had arrived in Banff just a year ago. Their arrival was the most exciting thing that had happened to the tiny town since it was founded in 1883. All the residents were thrilled and honored to have such an illustrious man among them.

Welcome! Welcome to your new home; we are so honored! said the mayor, shaking the professor's hand effusively. I'm sure you'll make great discoveries that will bring prosperity and fame to our town, the mayor said, a flicker of hope flashing in his eyes as the townspeople clapped furiously.

Last year we spent a month in Nepal where Daddy found a Bigfoot and single-handedly captured it, said Louie casually, a smug smile dancing on his plump lips.

And we also visited Machu-Picchu—where Father discovered the burial site of an Inca Emperor, and it was loaded with gold and emeralds, added Joe, removing a speck of dust from his merino wool sweater with a flick of a finger.

The town's children listened, enthralled by their stories, following them like zombies. Every kid in town wanted to be friends with them—every kid, that is, except Thomas. He had not the least interest in being part of the brothers' clique. He couldn't care less about playing rough sports, bullying students, spending hours playing video games or starting fights with other kids, and he certainly did not want to terrorize or kill animals as a sport.

Who's that guy? Louie asked one day, pointing at a skinny kid with black scraggy hair, carrying in his arms a huge raven with an injured wing.

Oh—that's Thomas—the crazy baker's son, jeered one of the town's kids. He's a weirdo—always talking to animals and taking home all kinds of disgusting critters.... There he goes again—he just found another filthy animal.

So the brothers didn't pay any attention to him. Nobody really did. Until, that is, Thomas started ruining their fun that summer....

*****

I'm sure Dad will allow me to keep the poor dog, Thomas thought hopefully as he carefully cleaned the dog's wounds. In the past, his father had always, although reluctantly, permitted him to keep all the abandoned and lost creatures he brought home. He knew Thomas' dream very well— to buy many acres and build a big shelter where all the wounded and abandoned animals from all over the world would live happily ever after.

Mr. Templeton! —Can I have a word with you? A man's deep voice coming from behind jerked him out of his daydream. My name is Peter Pickley—I've been watching you carefully for a few years now—

Thomas' eyes snapped open. Uh-oh, he thought, now I'm in real trouble!

This was for sure about the time he freed the poor lonely and bored tarantula at the Extremely Dangerous Insects exhibition at the local zoo—Thomas had stuck his arm into the glass container and let the fat hairy spider climb up his sleeve. Then in the midst of fainting mothers and screaming kids, he had just walked outside and placed it gently on a branch where it quickly disappeared into the upper branches of the tree. Or maybe this was related to the time he climbed down into the Siberian panther pit to play with the cute cubs....

—And I must say I am really impressed with your commitment to help the animals, added Mr. Pickley, smiling broadly.

Huh? ...I'm not going to jail? Thomas uttered puzzled, sighing with relief.

He whirled around to look at the man. A tall, gangly, bespectacled man with freckled pale skin and red curly hair piled like a bun on one side of his head, stood in front of him smiling cheerfully. He wore an old-fashioned three-piece dark green tweed suit. In one hand he carried a clipboard with many pages of scribbled notes and in the other, an old leather briefcase.

I work as a scout for the Society for the Advancement of Animal and Human Communication. My job, among other things, is to find kids who show a special connection with animals, said Mr. Pickley, gazing at Boomerang.

I see your friend here needs some medical attention— Taking out a piece of gauze and a tube of antibiotic ointment from his briefcase, he knelt next to the dog and applied the cream to his wounds with great care. Boomerang started wagging its tail excitedly and licking his hands.

What's he talking about? Thomas thought, staring at him suspiciously.

I have noticed—after some years of observation—you do have a special gift.... Animals seem to connect with you—you do have excellent rapport with them. He patted the dog's back gently, I'd like to talk to your parents about a unique opportunity for you to become one of our students—if you're really interested in learning how to talk to the animals— Mr. Pickley said, opening his briefcase and handing him a colorful brochure.

Learn how to talk to animals? —That sounds great! Thomas thought, staring at a photo of a kid grinning widely, sitting atop a ferocious looking tiger.

Er—Sir—I was just on my way home—you can follow me—it's just a couple of blocks down this way—on Grinning-Grizzly-Street, he said eagerly, helping the dog to stand up. And the three of them set off toward Thomas' house.

As Thomas' father opened the door, three cats, two ducks, a potbelly pig, two raccoons, a possum and Lucas the garden snake, came bustling out to greet Thomas—meowing, quacking, snorting, whimpering, purring and hissing with great excitement.

Mr. Templeton—a pleasure to meet you! My name is Mr. Pickley, he said, shaking his hand effusively. I just spoke with your son Thomas. May I have fifteen minutes of your time? I would like to talk to you about a great opportunity for his future.

Mr. Templeton stared back with a surprised look in his kind blue eyes. Then a warm smile erupted on his pudgy, red-cheeked face, which was framed by a white fluffy beard.

Oh, of course! Please come inside, Mr. Pickley, said Mr. Templeton cheerfully, thinking Mr. Pickley was a coach of some sports team in town.

Mr. Templeton was short and round. He was wearing a blue apron with small yellow cats printed on it, and was holding a wooden spoon covered with chocolate frosting.

And what's this? —Another animal...Thomas! You promised me— moaned Mr. Templeton staring with dismay at Boomerang.

Dad—I can explain—he's hurt—I must take care of him—the Moscarello brothers wanted to kill him. Can I keep him? I mean, only until he is well—yes? Thomas begged, hugging the dog tightly.

Well, well... he does need help, poor thing, said Mr. Templeton reluctantly, unable to resist Boomerang's pleading gaze. Oh! I just remembered—Mr. Moscarello just called, he said, but Thomas interrupted him quickly.

Dad—Please—Mr. Pickley has something very important to tell you, Thomas said, turning to Mr. Pickley with a big smile on his face. My dad would love to know why you're here—

Yes—yes of course! ...Mr. Templeton, er, the reason I am here is —, Mr. Pickley said, clearing his throat. I would like to offer your son, Thomas, a full scholarship to the Animalia Magnus Academy. Your son will be instructed in the ancient arts of animal communication and power transfer, he said excitedly.

Then he continued, without noticing the sudden wrinkling of Mr. Templeton's brow.

Our students become world renowned zoologists, biologists, and animal communicators, announced Mr. Pickley proudly as he handed Mr. Templeton, who now had a stunned look on his face, a stack of brochures and application forms.

Every year our school selects a few underprivileged kids that have shown special skills communicating with animals and grants them full scholarships. It's a great and unique opportunity for a child's future.

Thomas stared agape at Mr. Pickley, listening to his words spellbound.

Er—Thank you Mr. Pickley, Mr. Templeton interrupted abruptly, his expression becoming somber. But Thomas is not interested in attending your school. We don't need your scholarship and your financial help. My son is going to help run the family bakery when he grows up.... Besides, he's still too young. He has lots of time to decide what he wants to do, said Mr. Templeton sharply.

"B-but—but Daaad! I'm nine years old. I do know what I want. I want to learn to talk to the animals! That's the only thing I really want to do—pleeease Dad, I really want to go to that school!" Thomas begged, looking at his father with imploring eyes.

Mr. Templeton shot his son an impatient look and continued. Listen, Mr. Pickley, I know all about this society of yours. I don't want my son to have any association with it. My late wife used to work as a cook at the society's satellite center in Orcas Island. I've heard many strange stories. I think you are all a bunch of freaks. No! My son is definitely not going to become one of your so-called animal communicators, said Mr. Templeton, his voice rising with anger and agitation.

But—I assure you, Mr. Templeton, what you have heard—are all just unfounded rumors—er—there is nothing to worry about, Mr. Pickley said in a low calm voice.

The society has been helping children become animal communicators for centuries. Only children have the ability to learn the animal languages—that's why it's imperative that your son starts school now. If he waits...it'll be too late, he shook his head and gazed at Thomas with a sad look on his face. I assure you, Mr. Templeton, Thomas will be offered the best education, and the unique opportunity to travel around the world getting to know some of the rarest creatures on earth—

Daaaaaad—please—I want to go—pleeease! Thomas pleaded, staring at him expectantly.

I'm sorry, Thomas—it's for your own good. I can't let you go; it's too dangerous for a little child! interrupted Mr. Templeton, looking at Thomas with a worried expression. And now if you'll excuse me, Mr. Pickley, I must finish baking three wedding cakes. Just got a big order this morning, he said, hastily handing the brochures back to him. Then he turned around and shuffled back to the kitchen, leaving Mr. Pickley with a puzzled look on his face.

Thomas bit his lower lip, feeling his cheeks burning as he held back his tears. He didn't want Mr. Pickley to see him crying. He knew his father would never understand how he really felt about the animals. For him they were not just animals; they were his friends.

The ship will depart from Seattle in two weeks, whispered Mr. Pickley, handing him an envelope with his name hand-written in gold ink. Just in case your father has a change of heart...I wish you good luck, he said, smiling warmly at Thomas as he opened the door to leave.

Later that night as Boomerang snored blissfully at his feet, Thomas sat on his bed and ripped open the envelope. To his great surprise, he found a train ticket to Seattle along with the application form, and a letter of invitation from the headmaster of the school—Ambrosious Celestino Bonifacio Benevolo.

Congratulations! You have been awarded a full seven-year scholarship to Animalia Magnus Academy aboard the Defender of the Seas. You have been selected from thousands of children around the world to be part of an amazing journey of discovery and learning across the oceans.

Wooow! Thomas' jaw dropped in amazement as he continued reading.

Only those who have shown extraordinary kindness, compassion and courage protecting and defending our friends, the animals, are chosen. Soon you will embark on a journey that will change your life forever. You will discover creatures you never imagined existed and explore uncharted islands. In time, you will learn to communicate with all creatures and access their powers, but only if you deserve it. Welcome aboard and get ready for a year full of adventures and discoveries. I hope you become one of our star students by studying hard and showing your commitment to becoming an animal communicator.

Ambrosious Benevolo

Headmaster.

Thomas plopped his head on the pillow and read the invitation many times over, not believing his luck. It all sounded too good to be true, he thought drifting into a daydream.... Then he remembered he wasn't going anywhere. He was never going to leave the small town of Banff. He was doomed to bake bread and cakes for the rest of his miserable life until one day his old body would be found underneath a pile of stale bread. With a heavy heart, he folded the letter slowly and put it back into the envelope. He lay awake for hours staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep....

Every summer since he was five years old, Thomas had worked in his father's bakery. He would wake up before sunrise and join his dad in the kitchen to help make the bread dough and shape it into small buns. After breakfast he would help make the frosting for dozens of cupcakes and the occasional wedding cake. In the afternoons, he would make deliveries across town on his bicycle pulling a cart full of paper bags filled with baked goods, which was not an easy task since the bullies were always on the prowl ready to attack him. While Thomas spent his summers sweating in the kitchen, his twin teenage sisters, Ginger and Daisy, spent their days shopping, going to parties and yakking endlessly over the phone with their friends.

They're lazy and they refuse to work at the bakery! I can't do anything about it—they won't listen to me. Your late mother—bless her soul—wasn't tough enough with them, Mr. Templeton grumbled, almost in tears. I don't know what I would do without you, Thomas....

Thomas felt so bad for him that he never complained; he knew his dad always let him keep his wounded critters, and that was the most important thing.

A few days after Mr. Pickley's visit, Thomas began to feel terrible. To make matters worse, he started hearing strange voices. One morning, as he bicycled down the street to deliver five-dozen butter croissants to a nearby restaurant, three large glossy black crows landed majestically at his feet, forcing him to stop abruptly. They stared at him and then began to caw loudly. A second later, their callings sounded just like words. Thomas heard them clearly: Go, Thomas you must go! Go, go, go! Scared, Thomas pedaled away as fast as he could.

Then one afternoon, a wandering moose crossed his path. It stood quietly in front of him, its dark huge body looming over Thomas. It slowly turned its huge head toward him, fixed its gaze on him and gave out a long drawn-out bawling moan. But all Thomas could hear was: It's time! You must go! Go, go, go!

Even the marmot whistles, echoing across the valley, sounded like they were urging him to go. Soon, Thomas was hearing these pleas from just about every creature he encountered. He began to think he was losing his mind.

Every time he tried to forget about the scholarship, he was quickly reminded by some animal call that seemed to be saying the same thing: Go Thomas! It's time to leave!

Every night he would dream about the ship leaving port full of happy kids waving good-bye as he was left behind, standing alone at the dock. He wished he could talk to someone, but he didn't really have any friends. Most kids thought he was strange and avoided him. Only the animals seemed to understand his feelings and know what he was going through.

I wish Mom were alive; she would've allowed me to go, Thomas thought, sighing heavily. He couldn't remember much about her because she had died when he was just four years old.

He became so desperate that he talked to his sixteen-year old twin sisters, hoping against hope that they would agree with him and help him convince his dad to let him go.

Whaaaat? Are you crazy? Why would you want to leave home to travel around the world to chase after, like, all kinds of disgusting and dangerous creatures? Daisy said, staring at him like he had lost his mind while simultaneously furiously texting on her phone.

You're just a little kid. You need to stay with Dad—he needs your help, Thomas...you are so good at baking cupcakes and all that stuff... Ginger added, as she applied bright blue nail polish to her toenails.

Oooops! —We've got to go to the mall now, Daisy said abruptly, gazing at her phone and jumping off the couch. Tell Dad we'll be back sometime tonight—

They sprinted across the living room and bolted out of the house giggling and chatting loudly.

Thomas stood up and looked out the window. Loud music was blaring from a car that had just pulled up to their driveway. The sisters jumped inside, and the car took off with an ear-piercing squealing. Thomas let out a big sigh. Clearly, his sisters didn't understand him. Sometimes he wondered why they were so different from him. They didn't even look like him at all. They had long straight blond hair with pale blue eyes. They were short and plump and a bit piggish looking, with pudgy rosy cheeks and round noses. They looked just like his mom. Thomas, on the other hand, was the opposite: thin and wiry, with large steel grey eyes and unruly, shoulder length, curly black hair.

You look just like your great-great-great grandfather, said his dad one day when Thomas asked him about his looks. But there were no photos of this man anywhere in the house, so Thomas had to imagine what he looked like. I bet my great-great-great-grandpa loved animals too, Thomas liked to think, just to feel better.

*****

It was late August, and the warm summer days were coming to an end. It was already snowing on the mountain peaks, and the chilly winds were starting to blow more often, announcing the beginning of the long winter. Soon, school would begin again, and Thomas' life would return to the daily succession of soporific lectures and daily harassment by the school bullies.

Then one night, as Thomas lay in bed tossing and turning, an awful thought came to him: the ship was departing tomorrow! He shot a glance at the alarm clock on his night table. If he left immediately he could catch the first train to Seattle. He bolted out of the bed, and without hesitating he tossed some clothes, his Harry Potter books and dog biscuits into a backpack, grabbed the train ticket and the letter of invitation, put on his clothes and sneakers...and then he stopped for a few seconds to gather his racing thoughts. Feeling a pang of guilt creeping down into the pit of his stomach, he sat down at his desk and wrote a note to his dad:

Dear Dad,

Please don't worry about me; I took the train to Seattle. School is about to start, and I really want to learn how to talk to the animals. I am going to join the Animalia Magnus Academy. The boat is leaving today. I know you think it is dangerous but I can take care of myself. I am taking Boomerang with me. He will protect me. Please don't be angry with me. I promise I will write you every week and tell you all about the school. I will be back in August and will help you at the bakery all summer long as always.

Love you, Thomas.

He stuffed the letter inside an envelope, scribbled the words Dad on the outside and left it on his pillow. Then, his heart pounding madly, he quietly led Boomerang out of the house and closed the door behind him without making a sound.

Chapter Two

The Scary Admission Test

Thomas stood awestruck staring at the vast ship towering into the sky, its massive body casting a dark shadow over the pier and blocking the bright midday sun. It was reminiscent of a transatlantic luxury liner from the late 19th century, but much larger: twenty five decks high, four tall funnels painted white with black tops, and more than a thousand feet long. Painted over its white gleaming body were the words Defender of the Seas in shiny red letters.

The harbor was teeming with activity. Hundreds of chortling and chattering kids were lined up at the gangway waiting to board the ship; accompanying them were a menagerie of all kinds of pets. Cool! Thomas said under his breath. I knew I could bring you with me, he thought patting Boomerang on the back.

A cacophony of sounds filled the air: barking, meowing, laughing, babbling, yelling and yelping noises everywhere. Thomas spotted dogs, cats, birds, raccoons, iguanas, lemurs, parrots, chameleons, monkeys, bats, and even a few snakes.

Several nerdy looking professors had just arrived wearing long black capes with the school's coat of arms embroidered in gold across the back—two winged tigers flanking a shield. The professors boarded the ship through a separate gangway at the aft of the ship. At the main gangway, the chief steward was checking the children's admission letters.

Oh, no! They won't let me on without Dad's signature, Thomas thought with dismay. Cautiously, he peeked out from behind a cart full of luggage trying to figure out how to sneak onto the boat. Then he saw it: big wood crates containing fruit were sitting on a long wagon parked behind him. He jumped onto the wagon and lifted the lid of one of the boxes; it contained apples and was large enough for both of them. After hoisting Boomerang into the container, Thomas climbed in and closed the lid above him. It seemed like a long time passed before