Spider Web Scramble

By Amanda M. Thrasher

Every third year, on the fifth full moon, the Mushroom Patch holds a magical Spider Web Scramble. Excitement buzzes through the forest as the fairies prepare to scramble the magical webs in order to complete the course. As a special treat, the elders disclose that the stars will be coming down to join in and play. A wish will be granted for the fairies who are pure of heart and manage to beat the clock, locating the star that has their name etched on it. With the no-fly rule in place, teamwork is the only way Pearle can complete the course. But little do they know that possible danger is in their midst. Will the magical spider web scramble be postponed? Will the stars grant Lilly, Boris, and Jack their wishes? Find out in this delightful magical adventure. This is the third installment in The Mischief Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, LLC
• Release date: Feb 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781944277468

Amanda M. Thrasher

Amanda M. Thrasher was born in England, moved to Texas, and resides there still. She's the award-winning author of YA, General Fiction, MG, Early Reader Chapter, and Picture books. Amanda is a multiple Gold Recipient of The Mom's Choice Awards® (MCA), earning the award in multiple categories including YA, General Fiction, and Early Reader Chapter Books. She is a two-time Gold Medal winner of the Readers' Favorite International Book awards, a New Apple Literary Award winner, and an NTBF award winner. Amanda continues to write, speak, and conducts workshops for all ages. As the Chief Executive Officer at Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, in addition to her regular duties, she assists authors with their work and shares her writing and publishing experience with others through school visits, trade conferences, and writing workshops. Amanda was contracted to write a graphic novel for the Driving on the Right Side of the Road Program. The publication is part of the Driving on the Right Side of the Road (DRSR) program, developed by the Law-Related Education Department of the State Bar of Texas Law Focused Education, Inc., and the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center with funding from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Department of Transportation. The purpose of the program is to offer a preventive educational program to encourage responsible decision-making when it comes to obeying traffic laws and to following safe practices. The graphic novel titled “What If ? A Story of Shattered Lives” was adapted into a reader's theater for as few as five speakers or as many as twenty-six and remains part of the DRSR program. CAPTAIN FIN was based on a screenplay. Amanda was contracted to adapt the screenplay into a novel for director, actor, and producer Kevin James O'Neill.

Book preview

Spider Web Scramble

Also by Amanda M. Thrasher

Mischief in the Mushroom Patch

A Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch

The Greenlee Project – Gold Recipient of The Mom’s Choice Awards®

The Ghost of Whispering Willow

There’s A Gator Under My Bed!

Sadie’s Fairy Tea Party

What If A Story of Shattered Lives

Spider Web Scramble

A Mischief Book

Amanda M. Thrasher

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

Text Copyright © 2016 Amanda M. Thrasher

All rights reserved.

Published 2016 by Rising Phoenix Press, LLC.

www.progressiverisingphoenix.com

ISBN: 978-1-944277-46-8

Printed in the U.S.A.

Print and Ebook Design by Kalpart

Visit www.kalpart.com

Edited by Anne Dunigan

Edited by Jody Amato

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Irene Yvonne Mulroy. She had the gift to inspire others, dared to dream, and loved the idea of the fairies. Her belief in my work started it all. I know she would have adored the addition of little Pearle.

Acknowledgements

I’d like to thank everyone that waited patiently for this book; time was not on my side. The Greenlee Project, and all that came along with that, has been my primary focus, and unfortunately I had to write this book in spurts. For any writer, especially fantasy, that isn’t always ideal. My family that never complained, I appreciate your patience and constant support: Mike my husband, my children Zack, Krista, and Lauren. My daughter in-law Alicia, and of course our grandkids Tyler, McKayla, and Madison. Martin Mulroy, my dad, and my sister JoAnn.

I would like to thank my business partner, Jannifer Powelson. We’ve accomplished so much over the years, and I appreciate you always. Anne Dunigan, mentor, content editor, and friend. You have taught me so much over the years and I continue to learn. Jody Amato, copy line editor, you’re amazing. Lisa Robinson, what a treasure, I’m so glad we met. And to KJ, who has been with us since the beginning and works tirelessly on our behalf, thank you! – Amanda M. Thrasher

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Special Announcement

Chapter 2 – Explanation

Chapter 3 – Preparation

Chapter 4 – Practice Makes Perfect

Chapter 5 – Buzz around the Colony

Chapter 6 – Broderick Helps Out

Chapter 7 – All Fairies Come Gather

Chapter 8 – First Group Practice

Chapter 9 – Jack’s Worn Out

Chapter 10 – Whisperings

Chapter 11 – Into the Shadows

Chapter 12 – Bring in the Fairling

Chapter 13 – Act Normal

Chapter 14 – Practice Scramble

Chapter 15 – A Secret Meeting

Chapter 16 – Almost Time

Chapter 17 – It Is Time

Chapter 18 – Reach for Your Star

Chapter 19 – You’re Perfect

Chapter 1 – Special Announcement

The mushroom patch, located deep in the forest, buzzed with excitement. Mademoiselle Francesca tried to gather the fairies that danced around her, but it wasn't easy. After all, they'd been preparing for one of their favorite games for weeks: spider web jumping. Mademoiselle placed a finger on her lips and shushed the fairlings.

A word please, she said softly. That's right dears, gather around. She pointed toward the ceiling. All the fairies looked up and laughed.

Jack, please come down from the rafters. Now, if you don't mind. We're all waiting.

Normally she would have scowled at him, but the excitement that rippled through the hall had touched everyone, including the elders. No place for scolding today, not even for Jack. Jack circled twice and slowly lowered himself to the ground. Nudging Boris, he pointed up toward the rafters. Boris glanced up and noticed a bright red handkerchief wrapped around the highest one. Jack's face was beaming, knowing that Boris would have to retrieve it. Nice one, thought Boris. It would be far more difficult to retrieve the handkerchief than it had been for Jack to place it there in the first place. Jack flew perfectly, but no matter how hard Boris tried, he still struggled with flight and heights. But Boris accepted the challenge and gave Jack a thumbs-up to seal the deal. The sound of Mademoiselle’s voice reminded them to pay attention.

I have a very special announcement, Mademoiselle Francesca said as she walked among the fairies and gently touched the tops of their heads.

Madame Louise and Monsieur Pierre suddenly appeared at her side. She bowed her head in order to greet them and smiled. If Boris wasn’t mistaken, Madame Louise looked incredibly happy today, as did Monsieur for that matter. Madame’s cheeks were quite flushed and Monsieur’s were a delightful shade of purple!

Mademoiselle Francesca continued. The fairy games are fast approaching, specifically the spider web scramble. But in addition to scrambling in the spider webs, we have a surprise. She waited for the whispering to settle down. This time the scrambles are special. You will not only scramble the webs, but you will play with the stars. Each of you will have a chance to race with and touch your very own star.

Every fairy gasped.

Touch our what, our star? Boris asked.

Touch the stars, why that’s impossible! Jack scoffed.

Madame Louise giggled. When she could hold it no longer, she covered her mouth with her delicate little hand and burst out laughing. She remembered the first time she’d heard the news herself.

That’s right! Monsieur Pierre stated. Your time has arrived to touch your star or, at the very least, to give it a go.

They’d never heard of such a thing before; touch the stars! How and why?

Lilly grabbed Pearle’s tiny hand and squeezed it gently in hers. This is so exciting, isn’t it Pearle? I can hardly stand it.

How on earth will we do that? Pearle whispered. Surely they don’t really mean touch the stars. Do they?

I don’t know, Lilly shrugged. But I wonder what a star feels like. Do you suppose stars are squishy?

Pearle shook her head. I don’t know, Lilly. But I wonder if the stars will talk to us?

Lilly didn’t know. She’d never thought about having a conversation with the stars.

I’ve never thought about trying to reach the stars before, have you? Pearle asked.

Lilly’s big blue eyes sparkled and her golden curls bounced back and forth as she shook her head no. Her hands smoothed out the creases in her pink dress as specks of fairy dust fell out from between the ruffles. Pearle, still sitting in her chariot, couldn’t help but laugh at Lilly still messing with her dress. When she was certain she’d straighten out every wrinkle, Lilly placed her hands on Pearle’s chariot and pushed her closer to Mademoiselle so they wouldn’t miss a single thing she said.

Jack was trying get Boris’ attention, but Boris hadn’t noticed. A swift kick to the ankle should do it, thought Jack. That was a mistake. Boris screeched, bringing all eyes upon him.

Ow!

Monsieur Pierre’s head spun around and within a split second he appeared in front of Boris, who was hopping on one foot. Hanging his head in order to avoid eye contact with Monsieur, Jack hoped he’d avoided being spotted. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

Jack!

Sir, he replied.

Last warning, young fairling; mark my words, the last one. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.

Yes, sir, Jack responded, wondering how Monsieur had known it was him that kicked Boris’ ankle in the first place. It could have been someone else. It wasn’t, but it could’ve been.

Got my eye on you, Jack.

Jack mouthed the word sorry to Boris, stuck his hands in his pocket, and sat down, sulking, in the corner. Monsieur reappeared next to Mademoiselle Francesca and addressed everyone.

Web jumping is not only fun, it’s a privilege. For this reason, we must always remember to thank our friends, the spiders. It is customary to leave them a special gift. We’ve been gifting them on your behalf during your practices. But you have a couple of practices left and when you practice on your own, you must gift your host.

They had no idea what to gift the spiders. After all, what could a spider possibly need? Monsieur answered their question.

We shall honor our hosts with fairy dust. It is always the perfect gift!

Lilly, why would a spider need fairy dust? asked Boris.

To make giant spider webs, Jack interjected. Webs so big that the largest fly in the forest would stick to it and the spiders’ food storage bins would be stocked for two full moons!

Maybe it’s to help them build webs twice, no, three times faster than usual, suggested Pearle. That’s possible too, is it not?

Oh, that’s a good one, agreed Ivy.

Mademoiselle Francesca raised her arms and interrupted the whisperings.

Little fairlings, she said, "I happen to know