A Girl Named Blue: The Adventures of Blue Faust, #1

By Cecilia Randell

An ordinary girl, thrown into extraordinary - and deadly - new worlds...

 

Seventeen-year-old Blue Faust is no stranger to starting over. Her family tends to uproot her quite often. This time, Blue vows to make the move count, vying to make friends and change her life as she knows it

 

But when an earthquake hits, Blue's life is shaken up more than she could ever imagine.

 

Accidentally traveling through time and space, ordinary Blue and her new friends find themselves in an extraordinary world full of adventure, surprises, and danger they never realized existed.  Suddenly, Blue doesn't know who she can trust.  After all, earthlings are being killed by an enemy with an unknown agenda.   And little by little, as emotions heighten, she realizes some of her friends are not who she thought they were.  As her heart gets pulled in different directions, can Blue battle her way home, or is she fated to stay in this new world--whether she wants to or not?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Wren Publishing
• Release date: Jul 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9780999872857

Book preview

Preface

Many believe Earth is the only world with life. Others believe life is out there, but it is so far away and so alien to us we will never understand it. Both are wrong.

Somewhere amidst the universe is a world called Karran. This world has a unique trait. It has what the natives call thin spaces where time and space between it and other worlds become disrupted, allowing travel through naturally generated portals.

One such connected world is Earth.

It is unknown whether human life began on Karran and traveled to Earth, or sprang from Earth and migrated to Karran, though many suspect Karran to be the origin point.

There are other worlds as well. These worlds contain areas where the energy corresponds to those thin spaces on Karran. They also contain humanoid life, supporting the Karran first theory. Some have advanced civilizations, have even developed space travel and open trade with other worlds. They formed an alliance to advance and support the welfare of these worlds. Other worlds are considered primitive, and thought to be too dangerous to deal with openly.

Earth falls among the latter.

While those on Karran have developed methods to control the thin spaces and portals between the worlds, these methods are not perfect and portals can still sometimes activate on their own, transporting accidental travelers. One such thin space is near Austin, Texas, and one such traveler is Blue Faust. This is the start of her adventures through the universe.

Prologue

D addy, tell me another story, Blue pleaded. It was time for bed, but the five-year-old wasn’t ready for sleep.

David Faust laughed. Blue-bell, your mommy will kill me, murder me in my sleep, if you don’t get to sleep.

Blue giggled. Her daddy was so funny. Her mommy wouldn’t hurt him. They loved each other too much. Tell me, tell me, she insisted, bouncing in her bed.

He let out a dramatic sigh. Fine, but if you tell your mother, we’re both in big trouble.

Blue gave him an eager nod, agreeing as long as she got to hear about another adventure.

How about a Little Piper Boy story?

Yes, yes! Blue clapped her hands. The Piper Boy was her favorite. I’m going to do this when I grow up, she told her dad, now serious as a five-year-old could be.

Go on adventures like the Piper Boy, or tell stories?

Both!

David laughed and hugged her. My little adventuring Blue-bell. Yes, I see it now. Then he settled beside her on the too small bed, and told her, once again, the misadventures of the Piper Boy.

Chapter One

BLUE

And life moves on .

The old saying wove through Blue’s mind as she perched on the edge of her bed.

Well, Dad. We did it. Mom and I made the move on our own. Her father smiled at her from behind a frame of macaroni shells and glitter set on her nightstand. I’m starting my Plan today, she told him.

Thinking of The Plan set off nervous flutters in her stomach, even as her throat tightened. When her mother announced her new job, and the move to Austin, Blue knew she’d have to start over at yet another new school.

That had been the moment the Plan started to form, born from an article she’d read on breaking out of comfort zones. As she’d read, she could hear her dad’s voice, telling her to get on with it—to go live her life; that she’d stagnated, and it was time to find her next adventure.

As usual, her dad was right.

He’d always told her wonderful stories of faraway lands and strange people. She’d wanted to see those places, meet those people, be able to tell the tales of her own adventures. At one point, she’d lost sight of everything except the stories themselves, content to experience them only in her mind.

So, the Plan was born, and she’d started the List. It contained all the things she wanted to try but hadn’t; she called it The Year of New Things, and these new things would get done, no matter how nervous they made her. She’d make new friends, close friends, and keep them. She’d explore and discover things, exactly as she’d once promised her dad. In this, The Year of New Things, she’d become a Cheerful Bulldozer. Nothing would stand in her way. Of course, she currently felt more like a Slightly Anxious Tractor, but she was getting there.

Oh, and Mom finally gave in to my pleading and let me dye my hair. She twirled a lock of blue streaked blond hair in front of her, admiring the contrast of colors. I think you’d enjoy it. Pressure built behind her eyes and she blinked the almost-tears away.

She didn’t know what happened after someone died. Maybe they lingered as a ghost; maybe the only thing that remained was dust buried in the ground or ashes thrown off a cliff. Or maybe there was a heaven to welcome the souls of those lost. Maybe their energy was reabsorbed into the vastness of the universe.

It had been a year since she’d heard his voice. She missed it.

She missed him.

The car accident had happened the year before, and the pain should have faded during those long months. But sometimes, like today, it seemed as though they lost him only a few days ago.

Come on, Blue, you’re going to be late! Mom called from downstairs.

And Life moves on.

Blue stood and straightened her dark blue skirt, checking to be sure her blouse remained tucked in. Not her usual outfit, she was more a jeans-and-t-shirt girl, but this was part of the Plan—a first step to trying new things, to go outside her comfort zone.

Blue!

Coming! First day at a new school in a new city. You’ve done this before, plenty of times. This is nothing. She grabbed her backpack and the light blue cardigan she’d prepared for when the extremes of Texas air conditioning tried to freeze everyone into popsicles. On her way out the door she paused for one last assessment in front of the mirror, making sure she gave the correct impression.

Blue. That was all she saw. Blue skirt, sweater, hair, eyes. Too much blue. The first of her Somethings-New, and she’d already messed it up.

Her phone blared an alarm from her backpack, the one she set to tell her she had a minute to leave or be late. Crap, no time to change now.

She hefted the backpack and headed downstairs. The rich scent of pancakes and maple syrup greeted her as she passed through the kitchen doorway. Two plates sat on the table, piled high with burnt bacon and pancakes with blackened edges.

Blue froze. Her mom had made The Breakfast. Chocolate chip and banana pancakes. The same breakfast Dad had always prepared for her first day at any new school. Her eyes stung with the threat of the tears she’d fought off moments ago, and her lips twitched.

After a moment, Blue tore her gaze from the table and studied her mom, unsure of what she felt. Some resentment—this was the ritual she shared with Dad. This was something that belonged to her and Dad, and Mom had taken it. Blanketing everything was the familiar grief.

Under everything else, though, was gratitude. Mom had made the effort, and Mom didn’t cook.

Mom, Blue began, her voice rough. She cleared her throat.

Mom tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear and gave a nervous smile.

Blue leapt to close the distance between them and wrapped her arms around her mom’s middle, squeezing tight. Thank you, she whispered.

Her mom slumped and returned the embrace, rocking Blue a little. They stayed like that, just taking comfort in each other.

I miss him, Mom said after a minute, her voice low and soft. I just… I needed to do this. It’s your senior year, the last pancake breakfast, and I didn’t want it to not happen. He should have been here, but he’s not. She took a deep breath, then stepped back, keeping her hands on Blue’s shoulders. I know I’ve not been what you needed this last year, buried as I was in my work. I should have been here more. I should have—

Mom, stop, Blue cut the apology short.

It was true. Mom took refuge in her work this last year, sometimes returning home only to sleep before disappearing before Blue woke the next morning. Staying busy was just how her mom processed. The same thing had happened when her grandparents died. At the time, Blue had been too young and hadn’t understood why she never saw her mom anymore. Dad had explained it as well as an eight-year-old could have understood.

Your mom still loves you, Blue, he’d assured her. But she needs to do this right now. It’s how she deals with things when she’s sad or upset. It makes her feel better, like she can still control what’s going on around her. Does that make sense?

It hadn’t, not then, and Blue told her dad so.

Let’s see, he said. How to explain? Remember when Pats died?

Pats had been their cat. Blue nodded.

Remember how you were really sad? What did you do to feel better?

We built Pats a play area in the back, near where we buried him, so he would have somewhere to play. It had been fun, but she still missed her kitty.

Right. You knew he wouldn’t be able to use the play area how he normally would, but it made you feel better to be able to do this thing for him and to help you remember him.

Yeah, I liked that.

Well, when Mom is feeling sad, she works at what she knows best. It makes her feel the same way you felt when we built the play area for Pats. Everyone is different, Blue. Building the play area wouldn’t have done the trick for your mom, but it did for you. And working may not help you when you’re sad, but it helps Mom.

What do you do, Daddy?

Me? Well, I always feel better when I help my girls. If I can get a laugh or a smile or a hug, then that means I’ve helped. So if I don’t seem really sad about your grandma, it’s not that I don’t miss her, it just makes me feel better to be silly and get a smile.

Blue smiled.

Just like that! Dad had exclaimed, then given her a big hug.

She’d never forgotten her father’s words.

Now, she’d use them to reassure her mother.

Mom, stop, Blue repeated. She kept her voice soft this time. Releasing her hold on Mom’s waist, she gathered her hands in her own. She had to get this under control. Otherwise, both of them would end up crying. It’s okay. I get it, I do. Dad— Blue’s voice shook, and she took a breath. Get it together, Blue. Dad explained it after Grandma died. It’s your way of coping. You work. And it’s okay because I understand. I really do. She forced out a tight smile. Now, let’s eat!

Mom gave a shaky laugh. Well, you can try to eat them, but you don’t have to. We both know I can’t cook.

I don’t care. I’m going to choke down at least one pancake, Blue teased back.

For your dad.

That’s right, for Dad.

They sat and dug in. After a few bites they stopped, looked at each other, and laughed. This time the sound was light, natural.

There’s yogurt in the fridge, was all Mom said.

Blue grabbed her bag, along with yogurt and a spoon. She gave her mom another hug. Thank you, again. I needed that, she said.

I’m glad. A sheen formed over Mom’s green eyes, and she blinked the moisture away. We’ll talk more tonight, maybe make dinner together. She reached up to stroke Blue’s hair, a faraway look on her face. I do like these streaks. Good call, baby girl.

Blue, you kick butt today!

She turned back and smiled, more of those pesky emotions leaking out of her eyes.

You kick butt today. Words her dad always told her on the first day of any new school. Another tradition.

Always! she called back, completing the ritual.

Blue headed out to her car, an old VW hatchback parked at the curb. She felt better, lighter. Though she hadn’t realized it before, it bothered her that the usual little rituals, the traditions that she and her dad had made up, wouldn’t happen this year, her last year in high school. Despite her determination to start fresh, traditions were important to her. It couldn’t be the same with Dad gone, but Mom had done her best.

The day was gorgeous, the sky clear and sun bright. The humidity remained low, and a light breeze dissipated some of the heat. She played with the radio until she found an unfamiliar station. Rolling down the windows, she headed out.

And life moves on.

Maybe it did move on. Maybe people left, maybe you lost them. Maybe you changed, or others did.

But that didn’t mean you had to forget.

Chapter Two

BLUE

Until the year before, Blue was content with her life.

Her mother’s consulting work, mainly with different manufacturing companies seeking to reduce waste or increase sustainability, kept them on the move. Dad could always run his security business from home. Blue had her hobbies, most of them solitary. She loved writing—had notebooks filled with thoughts and bits of stories. She and Dad went hiking whenever they found a pleasant spot, their own personal mini-adventures, they liked to call it.

It never mattered that she didn’t have many close friends her own age.

Blue wouldn’t call herself a loner. She’d made friends at every school she’d attended, and enjoyed spending time with others, going to a movie or just hanging out. But her friendships never moved much past those of friendly acquaintances; keeping in touch after every move proved too difficult, and she never got to the point of developing those close friendships, the kind where you told each other everything. Her parents had always been that for her, especially Dad.

With the accident that took her dad’s life, she’d lost a piece of herself, lost that one person she could count on, no matter what.

It had been… tough.

She wished they’d kept some of his ashes, but his will had been clear. He wanted to be tossed over the side of a mountain in Colorado, the same place he’d taken Mom on their first official date. Eventually, she and mom had complied with his wish on the way from California to Texas. A road trip through the scenic routes, a slight detour, and a short hike. After waiting a few minutes to be sure they were alone at the overlook, Mom slipped the Tupperware full of ashes from the pack, popped open the lid and flipped the container, sending out a smokey plume of ash.

Quick and bittersweet, the equivalent of ripping the duct tape off in one clean yank.

They’d stood at the overlook, silent, until their tears dried.

It had been a beautiful day, much like today. For just a moment, as the chill of the air conditioning hit her cheeks before dissipating and escaping out the windows, Blue could imagine those mountain breezes.

Traffic wasn’t as congested as she feared, and Blue arrived at the school early. Even with that, the senior lot was filling up, students choosing and claiming their spots for the year.

Her mom had timed the move so Blue could start at her new school at the start of the academic year instead of mid-semester, as sometimes happened. They’d picked up her schedule the week before and toured the property, so she’d been able to locate her classes and her locker ahead of time.

She parked in a spot toward the back of the lot and gathered her bag. Pausing by the open car door, she took a moment to survey the other students.

They were the usual types, though Blue wasn’t sure what she expected. Possibly a few more cowboy boots, or a section for horses in the parking lot. A group of students near the front door looked like her usual crowd—casual clothes, a little sloppy, quiet, maybe a smidge timid. The kind to get lost in words and ideas.

Think of the plan.

She was doing new things this year, making different kinds of friends, going out of her comfort zone. She’d dressed today to fit in more with the preps. Tomorrow she planned to wear something grungier. And after that… who knew, just change it up for a while until she ran out of new things in the wardrobe and had to return to wearing her usual jeans and a tank or t-shirt.

Or she could go shopping for even more new things. But that wasn’t something to think about now.

Blue continued her survey of the students. Off to the right, under an old oak tree, stood a group of girls dressed in skirts and nice blouses, similar to what she was wearing today. She should go up, introduce herself.

Her empty stomach roiled as she watched those girls smile and talk with each other, or peek at each other’s phones. In consideration of her stomach’s health, she decided to wait on self-introductions. Work up to it. Get through a few classes first, or even her first day. After all, some new was good.

Too much new was… too much. Decided, she headed toward the entry to the school, steering clear of those laughing and chattering girls.

As she hit the front walk, a large, loud black truck pulled into the parking lot near her and headed to a spot near the front, followed by a muscle car with a growly engine and bright red paint. She stopped, distracted, and a bit fascinated.

Pretty. Maybe that’s the kind of car I need. Of course, it probably has a standard transmission, and then I’d need to learn to drive one of those. Blue made a note to add that last to her List.

A gorgeous girl climbed out of the passenger seat of the muscle car. Her dark hair, makeup, and dress reminded Blue of one of those old-fashioned pin-up girls. A boy got out of the driver’s side, looking as though he could be on the cast for Grease, complete with styled dark hair and leather jacket. He was just as flawless as the girl, a masculine version of her beauty.

They headed toward her, or rather, toward the school’s entrance. Two more boys climbed out of the truck and joined the dark beauties, one a dark blond and the other with light ginger hair. They were dressed in similar dark jeans and tight white t-shirts. All they needed were cigarettes hanging from the corners of their mouths.

She continued to stare, thoroughly distracted from her earlier nerves. They were just so pretty. She was practically looking at a work of art.

The foursome swaggered up the walk and the other students shifted around them, making room. These students were known, respected. Feared, even.

Hooligans popped into her head. They look like hooligans! Her dad would have loved this.

As they drew closer, the girl shot her narrow-eyed look. Just take a picture, why don’t you, she muttered.

Blue let out a snorting laugh. Okay, let me just get my phone out!

The girl stopped, the glare replaced by wide eyes, a deep chocolate shade. The others stopped with her.

Freak, she said, while the boy beside her chuckled.

Blue rummaged until she found her phone in the front pocket. No, really. You’re a work of art. I love your makeup. The words slipped out, any filter Blue had swept away by the sheer impact of this girl’s presence. A niggle of nerves hit her and she froze.

She never did these kinds of things. You’re already talking to them. And this is The Year of New Things. Blue pushed back the threatening anxiousness and decided to see where this went.

Come on Phe, let the little girl take your picture. The dark-haired boy slung his arm over the girl’s shoulder. It’ll be your good deed for the year or something,

Phe huffed, then gave Blue a very slight smirk. Fine, she said. Shoot away. Pressing her lips together in a pout, she struck a pose.

Blue’s grin returned. Delighted, she snapped a few pictures of Phe, playing up the angles and generally making a fool of herself. My first mini-adventure of the day! It was random and spontaneous and precisely what her Plan was meant to accomplish. For a moment she heard the echoes of her father’s voice beside her, encouraging her to loosen up, live a little.

Blue finished with Phe and turned to the boy. Your turn. Do… something, she said and waved her hand in a vague gesture.

What? The guy’s eyes, the same chocolate shade as Phe’s, widened now that Blue’s attention focused solely on him. Phe and the two other boys smirked at him. The blond shrugged, and Phe made a get-on-with-it gesture. The ginger-haired boy turned his attention to Blue, the smirk transforming into something less harsh but still mocking.

Yes, the small, blue-haired girl is making a spectacle of herself.

Now, the only way out was to play it through to its embarrassing end. She focused back on the first boy. Come on, pose for me. Do a pout and a hip wiggle or something, Blue teased. Remember, it’s a good deed, like charity! Her lips twitched at the ridiculousness of her situation.

The boy glared, and Blue suspected he wasn’t used to someone treating him so lightly. It was clear he wouldn’t pose for her, but he also hadn’t stormed away. She hurried to snap a few shots.

Okay, I think I’ve got what I need. Thanks.

The boy maintained his glare, not moving. The other three dropped their smiles. Silence grew. Other students looked their way, whispering behind hands or suppressing smirks.

The nerves she’d been holding back returned with force, and she backed up a couple of steps. Her hand shook as she tucked her phone back in her pack. Um, I’ll just be going now. Before any of them could say a word, she spun and sprinted up the front steps to the school and escaped.

Way to make a first impression, Blue, she muttered as she pulled out her class schedule.

By the time Blue got to her first class, the nerves threatened to take her over. Had she actually done that? This going-out-of-the-comfort-zone is not for sissies.

Other students trickled in and found seats. She watched the door, holding her breath each time it opened. When none of the hooligans from earlier had entered by the time the bell rang and the teacher called roll, she calmed.

Advanced Physics was her first class. She ended up between a large boy with dark hair and a sweet face on her left and a girl with purple hair and piercings on her right. She looked around, taking in the variety of students in the class. Her last school had definitely been more conservative. Or maybe being in Austin, with its weird slogan, was the difference. No one even blinked when he called her name during roll call. Usually, at least one person snickered. Turned out, hers wasn’t even the weirdest name. The teacher called for an Apple, an Imogene, and even an Ernst.

Blue loved this place.

After the usual first day announcements, the teacher, Mr. Cremmin, paired up everyone. Blue ended up with the boy on her left.

All right, the person you’re with now is the one you’re working with this semester. No changes. Mr. Cremmin handed stacks of papers to the front of each row. "One of your projects is going to be to build a working model of a catapult. You’re going to design it and figure out the best way to utilize your given materials for maximum distance and force. I’m handing out the assignment