The Storm Shadow Chronicles: The Lost World

By Thomas Delana

A world between worlds...

Without warning, a hole is torn in the fabric between two worlds by powerful magic and young Madeline finds herself hurtling through the void into a dark world filled with chaos and enslavement. Tasked by a mysterious goddess of the new world to save others like herself, the young girl does not have a clue about how she will save them.

But there is an inkling of hope.

Madeline is given the key to her salvation and the others; a magical object of tremendous power. There's only one problem. Madeline does not know how to use it.

With a powerful sorcerer hell bent on destroying worlds wanting her dead, Madeline must find a way to save her people and close the rift before it's too late! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Delana
• Release date: Dec 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781497768352

Book preview

Chapter 1

(Present day, England, Lightcliffe Academy)

Madeline ran down the corridors of the school halls, her long, brown hair flying like a banner behind her. She was late for class. If her mum found out, she would probably get a spanking. That didn't bother her, because little ten-year old Maddie was a tough girl. She was more concerned with what her teacher, Mrs. Thorn, would say. Or do.

Maddie was running so fast, that she wasn't watching where she was going. She ran smack straight into the old janitor, Mr. Rowley, who was furiously sweeping the hallways. Mr. Rowley was a frightening old man. He scared all the school's children with his grizzly, rough looks. The children often used Mr. Rowley as a bogeyman to scare the other children. Mr. Rowley is gonna get you, they would tell each other when they wanted someone to be scared. Mr. Rowley was always dressed like a beggar and was dirty and smelly.

Watch where you're going, you little bugger, Mr. Rowley growled menacingly.

I'm....I'm sorry, Maddie stuttered.

You had better be, Mr. Rowley warned her. He went back to sweeping the halls, while humming some dark tune that was probably about eating little children.

Maddie shuddered and continued, quickly on to class, happy to get away from the scary man. She stopped when she reached her classroom door - room number nine. Taking a deep breath, she smoothed her brown corduroy coat over  her school uniform, and opened the door as slowly as she could, hoping that it would make no sound, so she could slip into the class unnoticed.

The door's hinges let out a long, loud creak.

Drat, Maddie thought. Just my rotten luck.

All heads in the classroom swiveled in Maddie's direction, including Mrs. Thorn's. Maddie's face turned red with embarrassment, as she walked quietly to her seat.

What do you think you're doing? Mrs. Thorn asked Maddie angrily, her hands crossed across her chest.

I am taking my seat, ma'am, Maddie replied respectfully.

You know that's not the rules, Mrs. Thorn snarled. You are supposed to come in front of the class and tell your classmates why you are tardy, and give them an apology for holding up the entire class on account of your selfishness.

Maddie reluctantly trudged up to the front of the classroom, being sure to give Mrs. Thorn a wide berth. That did her no good, however, as Mrs. Thorn approached her in a most intimidating manner. Mrs. Thorn was a large woman. She was as tall as the men folk and wider too. She towered over poor little Maddie, making Maddie feel as small as a mouse. She wore her dark hair in a severe bun, every day. It only served to make her look more fearsome.

Mrs. Thorn placed a stern hand on Maddie's shoulder, bearing down on her with a force that made Maddie wince.

Tell the class why you are late, Miss Stowe, Mrs. Thorn commanded.

It was hard to speak clearly with Mrs. Thorn's hand pinching her shoulder.

I...I was stopped by a nun on my way to school, Maddie managed to say. She said she had something important to tell me.

Like stop talking, you're going to be late for school?, Elizabeth asked, interrupting Maddie.

The classroom giggled a little.

Elizabeth Middleton was Maddie's nemesis. They did not get along. Elizabeth was mean spirited and considered a bully. Maddie didn't like bullies. Elizabeth came from a well to do family, and let everyone know it. With her nice clothes and pretty blonde hair, she got whatever she wanted most of the time.

And what did this nun tell you, pray tell? Mrs. Thorn asked skeptically, ignoring Elizabeth's interruption.

She told me that I was special and that something strange was going to happen to me soon, Maddie said earnestly. She gave me this special coin and told me that I would need it in the future, and it will bring me good luck. Maddie produced the shiny, golden coin out of her coat pocket and showed the class.

Elizabeth let out a mocking whistle.

The classroom giggled again. Some of the students, though, bent forward to peer at Maddie's coin more closely, intrigued.

What hogwash, Mrs. Thorn said in annoyance, You stop lying and tell the truth, young lady.

But I am telling the truth, Mrs. Thorn, Maddie pleaded.  She told me the coin was magical and it would protect me from monsters and evil people like you.

Maddie clasped a hand over her mouth in horror, when she realized what she said.

The class went silent. The children looked fearful at the look of anger that suddenly appeared on Mrs. Thorn's face. Poor Maddie thought her shoulder would break from the force of Mrs. Thorn's grip, which had grown increasingly tighter.

Mister Hemley, Mrs. Thorn called quietly, through clenched teeth, come to the front of the class, now.

Thomas Hemley was a jovial, rotund boy with a surly mop of curly, blond hair. He got picked on a lot by school bullies, as did Maddie. That's why they were good friends. He did not look happy to be involved in this situation, however.

Thomas slowly made his way to the front of the classroom, looking afraid all the while.

Thomas, Mrs. Thorn said in a dangerous tone, I want you to escort Miss Stowe to the Headmaster's office and tell her that she has been a very naughty girl. Make sure she gets there, as we wouldn't want her to try to escape her punishment, knowing the little heathen that she is.

Yes Mrs. Thorn, Thomas said meekly.

Mrs. Thorn let go of Maddie's shoulder and roughly pushed her along. Maddie rubbed her sore shoulder, which throbbed with pain, and vowed not to cry in front of the children, as Thomas led her out of the classroom.

You've went and done it now, Maddie, Thomas whined, when they were outside the classroom.  Now I'm probably in trouble too.

Bollocks, Maddie scolded Thomas, rubbing at her aching shoulder. You did nothing wrong. You have nothing to worry about, Tommy.

I'm afraid I'll be branded guilty by association, and the headmaster will ration my lunch meals, Thomas complained, rubbing his large belly.

Nonsense, Maddie waved her hands, you are acting as if you are the one who offended Mrs. Thorn.

Why did you say such a thing, anyway?, Thomas asked curiously, momentarily forgetting his next meal and impending doom, you know it's not true, except for the part about Mrs. Thorn being evil, of course.

It is true, Tommy, Maddie insisted. I don't care if you believe me or not.

They were walking towards the Headmaster's office in the empty hallways of Lightcliffe. Lightcliffe was an old boarding school that had been in operation for hundreds of years. Most of the students that went to the school lived there, as they were from far off England. Maddie was an exception. She lived close by with her mum and was lucky to only have to attend, but not live, at Lightcliffe. She did not envy the students of Lightcliffe one bit. The instructors and teachers were amongst the strictest human beings on the planet.

That's easy for you to say, Thomas shot back, you don't have to live in this miserable place and get to run home safely to mum.

I'll tell the Headmaster that you are innocent, Maddie assured Thomas. That you are only doing Mrs. Thorn's bidding. Besides, you were in class on time, everyone witnessed that.

That's not how things work around here, and you know it, Thomas sniffed. Everyone knows that we are friends. As soon as you go home, I'll be punished.

It'll be okay, Thomas, Maddie soothed, I promise.

Thomas looked unconvinced, but fell silent at Maddie's persuasiveness. Maddie had to wonder if it would really be alright for Thomas. Children were often disciplined on account of their friends' misdeeds, just because the teachers wanted the children to be miserable, even if they did nothing to warrant their punishment. It would only make Maddie feel worse if Thomas got punished on her behalf. Maddie was determined not to see that happen.

They had almost reached the Headmaster's office, when out jumped Mr. Rowley. Thomas let out a startled shriek, setting Maddie's heart to pounding.

Where is it, you wretched brat? Mr. Rowley roared at Maddie, grabbing at her coat frantically. His face was scrunched in a grotesque look of desperation, mouth wide open as he snarled and snapped, his front teeth missing, making him look even more frightening. The smell of him so close, a very stinky smell, almost made Maddie gag in disgust.

Where is what? Maddie yelled back, frightened, as she slapped Mr. Rowley's groping hands away.

The charm that meddlesome witch gave you, you half-wit, Mr. Rowley snapped angrily at Maddie, as he continued to try to reach into her coat's pockets.

What charm? Maddie was confused, as she fought valiantly to keep Rowley's hands away, I don't know what you're on about. She knew of no witch.

Don't lie to me, you filthy thief! Mr. Rowley shouted.

L-L-Leave her alone! Thomas stammered, as he trembled in fright, trying his best to look tough.

Mr. Rowley turned his wild eyed gaze to the scared Thomas. Did she give it to you, you greasy butterball? Give it to me, and I'll make sure your fat stomach stays full for many months.

Mr. Rowley grabbed the frightened Thomas, and began searching his pockets frantically. Thomas began wailing, loudly, terrified by Rowley's behavior.

Quiet, you fat slug, Mr. Rowley said, covering Thomas's mouth with his filthy hands, you're going to bring the Headmaster down upon our heads.

Maddie felt a surge of anger at seeing Thomas, her friend, so scared.

Leave him alone, you dirty man! Maddie yelled.  She kicked Rowley, using all the strength she could muster, in the leg.

Mr. Rowley let out a sharp howl of pain, and let go of Thomas, clutching at his leg.

Maddie grabbed Thomas forcefully by the hand, and took off towards the Headmaster's office, running as fast as she could, with Thomas huffing and puffing alongside of her.

The run to the Headmaster's office was short. Maddie snatched opened the door quickly, motioning Thomas inside with a rush.

You'll pay for that you miscreants, Rowley yelled behind them. I'm coming for you, you rotten—

Maddie slammed the Headmaster's door with all her might and locked it. For a moment, there was just silence, and the only sound that could be heard was Thomas's labored breathing. The room was very dark. Maddie couldn't see a thing. Maddie almost wanted to run back out into the hallways were there was light.

Maddie, Thomas quivered, Why is it so dark in here? I'm scared.

There was an ominous chuckle from somewhere inside the room.

Well, came the Headmaster's amused, croaky voice, through the darkness, I suppose your parents never taught you how to knock.

Maddie heard a small click, as the Headmaster turned on a lamp, illuminating a small portion of the room, while leaving most the room bathed in shadows.

Spooky.

Headmaster Hess was a frightening woman. She was heavy, with a misshapen shaped body. Her torso twisted like a winding staircase, yet somehow remained stout. Her hands were gnarled and disfigured. She had various warts on her face. There was a large one on her chin that had several long whiskers growing out of it. Headmaster Hess always wore black