Sleeping

By J. D. Hendrickson

Carrie is a fun-loving, smart, little girl but, tragedy strikes, and everything changes. Carrie is thrust into a world of events that set her on a journey of wonderful power and danger. The most unfortunate; find that a door can be opened to set them free. The most amazing journey begins for so many and Carrie is the key holder with the power to guide them all home.
In a world of defined medical science, Dr. Warren struggles to make sense of these medical miracles as they defy everything he’s been taught about modern medicine.
But, when this miracle saves his son he knows the stories are true. Can he realize the truth of this savior in enough time to help Carrie awaken; before her family must terminate her care?
Carrie saved so many others, who will save her.

I hope you enjoyed reading Sleeping. I’d like to encourage you to post a review on the site you purchased it from and on www.goodreads.com. Your reviews are the best way to keep an author churning out the work. If you have any questions or thoughts about the stories. I love hearing from you...you make this process a joy for me.

Thank you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. D. Hendrickson
• Release date: Jul 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463546949

J. D. Hendrickson

I love to write fiction I hope you like reading my stories as much as i like writing them. The true gift of writing, is having someone enjoy your story. J.D. Hendrickson’s desire is to write captivating stories that entertain and perhaps cause a few sleepless nights; mixed with a passion for the movies, acting, computers, and helping others. His first novel Sleeping was written on a computer his dad built. He carries with him the values instilled at an early age and approaches each day with a sense of curiosity and humility. He lives with his lovely wife Rochelle in Washington State.

Book preview

Chapter 1

In Traffic

The dark green Ford Taurus moved slowly in traffic, bumper to bumper drudging along Atlanta Avenue. Traffic was bad in New York City. All lanes east and westbound on Atlanta Avenue were backed up from Flatbush Avenue passed Bedford Avenue. The heat from the summer day beat down pounding the streets, horns honking, and people yelling at each other.

Becky Teal was frustrated from the congestion and could hear the rants from the nerve-racked drivers all around her through the open car window. Becky rolled up the window to shut out the heat and turmoil—the cool air from the air conditioning circulated through the car, comforting Becky and her daughter.

Becky reached over to help Carrie with her Happy Meal hamburger wrapper and wiped the crumbs off her red T-shirt and blue jeans.

Here you go hon. We ran into some bad traffic it looks like, but soon we should be going again so we can get to nanas for lunch.

I know Mommy, this probably won’t be the last time we get stuck in traffic.

Carrie was as happy as any lovely little child could be, with a hamburger in one hand and a small paper wrap of fries in the other.

Becky smiled. She looked at her intently remembering how fast she was growing up and getting smarter by the day.

My baby is growing up so fast, so smart, how blessed I am, and becoming eleven years old tomorrow, wow.

I can’t wait. I hope Tommy comes to the party Mommy. She said smiling.

She thought of Tommy her first real crush back in first grade and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. As any first grader would be she was too scared to mention it then. Now he is the biggest hunk in fifth grade and she made sure he knew it, at all times, in her eyes it was true love.

Her long blonde hair about shoulder length, blue eyes bright with enthusiasm, and sharp as a tack, always caught Tommy’s eye.

When they studied together, Carrie would enlighten him on the many things she had learned from reading up on dreams and sleeping, and Tommy indulged her by listening. Regardless of the subject it didn’t matter to him what she talked about as long as they were together.

Carrie loved to tell her mom and dad all about the dreams she would have. She would describe the intensity of the dreams and how they were filled with wonderful color and realism. The vividness of the dreams would take her to places she could never understand completely. The people in her dreams, always felt real, and in a way familiar, it made her feel she was a part of something special.

Becky wasn’t really sure where the fascination came from, but was intrigued, that her daughter was so intelligent and fixed on such a fascinating subject.

Becky would listen to her at the breakfast table while she told her stories sometimes for thirty minutes or more. Becky would lose track of time, and she would have to scramble to get her to school on time.

I am sure he will sweetie, he has not missed one yet. Traffic moved again, but only a few feet.

At this rate, it will take us till next month to get to the next turn off. Becky frowned, sighing in exasperation.

Every three minutes or so, the traffic would move a little more.

Dan always went all out on the birthday parties, it was the highlight of the year at Carrie’s house, and all the kids in her school loved to go.

Last year, they all went to Chucky Cheese. The three-hour assault on the restaurant by thirty excited, out of control kids nearly drove the rest of the patrons out the door in fear of being overtaken by little aliens in human suits. The kids weren’t badly behaved just loud and excited with nonstop action running around the place.

Traffic pushed the Taurus to slowly move once again but only one white dashed line at a time. This seemed like only three miles per hour for about one hundred feet before stopping again.

Carrie was focused on her Game Boy, reluctantly taking the napkin from Becky while never taking her eyes off the screen watching her triumphant character combating evil. While racing to get to the next level, she quickly wiped her own mouth all in one motion, hoping her mother would be pleased and that she complied with the unspoken rule––never get food on the seat. Although, it would have been perfectly tolerable for Carrie to leave the intruding small spot of food there––long enough to get through with the most important level of heroism.

Woohoo, Mommy, I made it. She announced, after some intense finger action on the small controls and a few minutes later, bingo, the little jingle went off and the smiles came.

You did? Made the next level?

Yep, sure did.

Becky always knew when the next level was achieved. Carrie wasn’t shy about telling anyone standing by when the next triumph was acquired. Becky continued to stay well versed on the important strategies involved in gaming, whether she liked it or not.

Becky didn’t mind Carrie playing her Game Boy. She never neglected her school studies and was always the first one to say she needed to go study after dinner.

Becky always felt good that her daughter treated school as the most important part of the day, that, and telling her mother she loved her no matter where they happen to be. It wasn’t uncommon for her to jump in Becky’s arms in the middle of the cereal aisle, at Safeway, without any warning. Although Becky had suspicions it may have been for the Apple Jacks thrown in the cart, but would rather believe it was for her.

The love between them made them inseparable. At times it felt like every fiber of their being was in tune with each other.

One autumn day, Becky became overwhelmed with fear in the middle of washing the dishes. She felt as if she was hit with a silent, invisible wave of pain and urgency. She bolted out her back door and through the backyard into Mr. Wellington’s half-acre tall grass field. She opened his gate frantically as an urgency flooded her senses more deeply with alarm. She stopped, unsure what direction she should go, she yelled.

Carrie! Carrie!

She heard a small whimper coming from her right and bolted in that direction.

She found Carrie lying on her side, barely moving.

Carrie! Honey! What’s wrong?

Becky shivered with panic and shock seeing her daughter lying in the grass. Cautiously she scooped Carrie up, crying with trepidation. Becky dashed back to the house ready to call 911.

Before she entered the back door to the kitchen, Carrie spoke.

Mommy?

Yes, Chipmunk?

Becky always loved to call Carrie her Chipmunk––her pet name since birth. Since, the first day in the hospital when naming her, she wanted to call her Chipmunk, but Dan thought it would be inappropriate, so they went with Carrie, following the original plan.

She has always been as cute as a chipmunk and small enough to be one, always smiling and chattering a mile a minute since the day she spoke her first words.

Becky laid her on the couch and wiped her angel-blonde hair from her eyes. She ran to the kitchen and grabbed a towel, warming it with water and blotted her small face and neck.

You okay honey?

What happened Mommy?

I don’t know sweetheart, I found you in Mr. Wellington’s field lying in the grass. Can you tell me what you were doing out there?

All I remember is, I was following a squirrel out in the field and feeding him bread when I think I fell asleep. I had another dream Mommy.

Becky was more concerned with checking to make sure she didn’t have any unexpected injuries. Finding nothing but grass and dirt on her jeans and blouse she sighed in relief and smiled.

Many other times Carrie had encounters similar to this, mostly harmless, but never wrong when something was in need of her attention. They were bound together in a partnership, untouchable by anyone or anything.

The memory was cut-off by a horn from behind. As the traffic moved forward again Becky was able to see a way out. Becky took that moment to get an edge on the backup that was approaching Bedford Avenue. She turned right onto Bedford, where traffic was much lighter and she was able to do the speed limit—thirty miles an hour. She came up on Herkimer Street, there was no cross-traffic so she continued on.

Passing Brevoort on her left, she worked her way to Fulton West to Flatbush Avenue and turned right getting back on course. Waiting for the light to change at Fulton avenue she thought she heard sirens in the distance. She looked around and saw no bright flashing lights, no whistling loud tire screeching, no one trying to get over to the side in any of the other sections, just a faint distant police siren.

You still haven’t told me what we are doing for the party Mommy, what have you got up your sleeve this time?

Carrie reached over and took Becky’s hand, pulling it over the console in between them. She lifted up the end of her sleeve, giggling and peering in. Knowing full well if anything was in there, it would be too surprising to mention.

Becky giggled back, reached out and ruffled up her hair.

Mommy! No messing with the hair. Should I start my next level? How long before we get to nana’s Mommy?

Think we got passed all that bad traffic it won’t be long now.

I hope so. I want to try out my new game if it comes in the mail today.

Don’t worry sweetie, we will be home before the UPS man shows up.

It was cheaper to buy Game Boy games on the Internet, so the excitement was over-bearing the time waiting for that UPS man to show. She always got a kick out of the all brown man knocking on the door. He was noticeably fond of Carrie’s delightful welcome-to-see-him smiling response he got each visit.

We have plenty of time, sweetie, he doesn’t come till after five and we will be home by then.

I know, I just can’t wait, and what about the party Mommy?

Nope, not going to find out till the morning, you’ll just have to wait silly.

Carrie frowned. Well I guess, but no fair Clare.

Clare? Whose Clare?

You are.

Oh yeah?

Yeah. Carrie giggled again. Clare is a friend at school that always tells us, she knows a secret but won’t tell anyone. Rarely is it anything of importance. I think she likes to have the attention is all.

Becky smiled in just that way only moms can do. She raised an eyebrow at her daughter’s perceptive statement.

So?

So, what?

What are we going to do?

Not telling.

No fair. No fair.

Is dad still in Florida selling that big house Mommy? Will he come home for my birthday?

Not telling. Becky grinned glancing over in her direction, knowing her smarty-pants daughter could see right through her deception.

Yeah, okay Mommy. They both giggled and fell silent.

Becky said in a tender voice. I love you so much Chipmunk, nothing will ever keep us apart. Remember, the love of the heart never keeps friends apart.

Yippers, Carrie beamed in agreement and turned her Game Boy back on.

Becky gazed out the windshield lost in thought of the next day’s events. Dan had arranged one of the best birthdays ever for Carrie this year. In the morning, Carrie will go to school as usual. That afternoon, Becky will drive to her school and surprise her in class. The class will sing happy birthday to her, then the teacher will announce the field trip to beautiful Paley’s Park to join her dad.

The Park was located within Midtown's cultural district and surrounded by high-rises and a welcomed sight to the community. The park was developed by William Paley, former Chairman of CBS. Mr. Paley was involved in all aspects of planning the park from its conception to the selection of just the right hot dog––and always served at a reasonable price.

The kids will love the wonderful authentic hot dogs for lunch.

Dan, Carrie’s father, had also arranged for a plane to fly over spelling out Happy Birthday Carrie in the sky, in puffy colored smoke.

Mrs. Miles, their teacher, agreed to this field trip over a month ago. She sent out permission slips to the parents in secret, not even the other students knew about this trip. So when announced everyone was jumping for joy to go. It was allowed to be as long as two periods of class. They would learn about the many artists and restaurants in the park, then all the students will be escorted back to school, in time for their last class.

Even Becky was excited thinking about it, this was going to be a wipe-out of all excellent birthdays in the family history. All the presents would be given out at the house, and a few kids had been invited over for a slumber party night. Yep, this is going to be a doozy of a birthday for Chipmunk.

Chapter 2

The Robbery

Lenny, what are you doing? Hurry up will ya? We’re going to get nailed in here! Charley whispered, loudly.

Lenny replied with an equal whisper. Hold on, I have to get this ring, it has to be worth a mint.

Ah, come on, you always have to have one more thing. You’re going to get us busted. I just know it.

Haven’t yet, have we? So, shut up Charley! You’re always complaining, clam up so I can concentrate will ya?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Charley replied.

Charley seemed to be quite irritated with Lenny on a regular basis. The two of them are best friends but they’re always arguing about something.

Both men are slim, actually slimmer than slim and neither is as smart as they think they are.

Charley has thick black hair and when he tries to grow a beard it always turns out to be too thin and grows in patches it’s a bit comical to look at. He’s about five seven with brown eyes and when buying clothes, he spares no expense at the thrift store.

Lenny has long brown hair kept straight that he never combs. He’s a bit smarter and more patient than Charley. He stands five feet seven and sports a tan. Lenny would never be caught in anything but Levis and T-shirts.

Even through the ramblings of Charley’s urgent warning, Lenny took his time in getting the safe open in Bernie’s jewelry store.

This particular store wasn’t your average jewelry store, more of a novelty store. It sat in a row among other stores. But for some reason they both thought it was a great deal more than a store that the average teenage girl would come to, buying inexpensive glittering jewelry, perfect for showing off at school.

The security in the store wasn’t much to be desired but perfect for these two goofballs.

One of Lenny’s friends mentioned he had observed the clerk putting a set of rings in the safe yesterday. He told Lenny it would be an easy hit, big bucks, and a perfect in and out deal. So here they are doing the very thing all mothers would say not to do.

Charley’s impatience increased the longer they were in the store. He paced up and down the aisles, looking at the small showcases of costume jewelry, racks of hanging clothing, and other things he couldn’t figure out how or what they were used for.

Charley whispered loudly, Okay, now can we go?

No I said, give me a minute will ya? Lenny mumbled trying to concentrate.

Wait, you can’t pick locks.

What makes you so sure?

Because… and why is this place closed anyway?

It’s Sunday, lug nut.

Ah, Okay… This place is weird looking you know? All this weird stuff, who on earth would buy this junk?

It’s a novelty store, I think, for teens, rich teens from the hill.

Ah, yeah, makes sense, I think. I still can’t figure why teens or un-teens would buy this stuff.

Un-teens?

Yeah. Teens that are not teens yet or just over being a teen.

Charley?

Yes?

Remember when you told me to tell you when you’re not making any sense or being stupid?

Yeah?

You’re not making any sense and you’re being stupid, and I can’t pick this lock if you keep talking to me!

Oh, Okay.

Thank you.

You’re welcome.

Lenny shook his head grinning and went back to the dial on the safe as Charley went back to pacing, and nervously, picking through stuff in baskets and on the counter shelves. A few more moments later Lenny spoke.

Charley?

Ye…e…s? Lenny replied.

Quiet… I swear you are as dumb as a box of bolts in a candy store, I can’t pick this lock if you continue to walk about, making noise and fiddling with things, so please stop! DON’T MOVE! AND STAND STILL!

Okay! Jeez, don’t have a fit.

Charley stopped in his tracks, glancing at Lenny with a nervous—let’s get this over with, kind of look––but it wasn’t long before he was pacing again and riffling through items on the shelves as if nothing was said.

Click.

Ha! And you thought I couldn’t pick locks.

Okay, okay can we go now?

Lenny peered over at Charley and chuckled.

You think it might be a good idea to get the stuff out of the safe before we go since I took all this time to open it?

Um, yeah, good idea Lenny.

As soon as I get what we came for Charley and get out of here, I am going to get Dory to chase you around the house and make you wish you never met me. shaking his head Lenny snickered.

You wouldn’t… man, she could kill ya faster than a claymore mine, just by sitting on ya.

They both laughed.

Okay! Where’s something I can throw at ya? I am going to kick your ass, I swear.

You and whose platoon?

That’s, you and whose army… Lug nut.

Yeah, what you said.

Lenny laughed.

Now I know I am losing it, we just managed to have the most stupid insult war I have ever heard. We could go on funniest home videos and win I bet.

Hey! That would be cool, huh! Go on TV. WOW!

Charley walked over to the big front window of the store in agreement.

Charley froze in place losing all the color in his face and nearly collapsed on the spot. Oh, my God! He yelled so loud Lenny jumped hitting his head on the shelf above him and dropped his knapsack and the contents on the floor.

What are you yelling about you, moron?

Lenny looked up to see Charley running past at mock speed, heading for the back door, nearly knocking him over in the process.

Ten steps before Charley made it to the door, it flew open and two police specials were pointed in his direction. He came to a screeching halt and screamed so loud that the two police officers backed out of the way. They crouched in a shooters stance on each side of the door waiting for him to rush out.

Instead of running out the door, Charley backpedaled and turned to run back into the store where Lenny was.

Lenny knew immediately what was happening. He ran for the front of the store following close behind as they both zigzagged through the aisles trying not to knock anything over—surprisingly enough nothing was damaged.

They stopped just short of the front glass door and hesitated. Charley picked up a nearby chair and flung it at the big front window. The window shattered with an explosion, alarming everyone passing by, including the cops outside.

Two women walking by the window threw up their arms, covering their faces and trying to run from any glass hurling in their direction. Those in the area stopped to see what made the loud crashing glass sound.

The two officers out in front of the store were shocked and they dropped for cover, guns ready. Ducking behind their cars, with their elbows on the hoods they extended their arms ready for what was coming out of the store.

Lenny surveyed the area with a glance. The car was parked right in front of the broken window, about ten feet away.

Lenny flew through the store window and hit the pavement with both feet, bounced through the front car door window head first—that luckily was rolled down as Charley watched this in surprise. He neatly landed in the front seat behind the wheel. If he had been in the circus it would have been a feat to clap for.

Charley imitated Lenny’s move—excluding the circus feat he bounded through the store window—almost tripping on his own feet aiming for the front seat. He wondered why Lenny didn’t just open the door for him.

Shouts from the officers startled him—almost making him miss the car window. Banging his knees on the door as he vaulted through the small hole he yelled from the pain.

The Dodge Charger sprang to life the instant he was in. Upside down in his seat, Charley tried to recover from his acrobatic feat. Lenny accelerated, swerving the car to the left, throwing Charley into the passenger door and bouncing his head around on the floorboard.

The tires spun in place heating up, leaving smoke in its wake as it shot off down the street at light speed.

It happened so fast the officers still on foot didn’t have a chance to respond. They raced to their cars. It didn’t take long before three cop cars were on the Charger’s tail.

Charley’s feet kicked the roof as he tried to get in the front. His legs flopped over the back of the seat and he pulled with his legs while pushing off the dashboard with both hands—crunching his chin into the glove compartment.

He rolled over on his stomach just as Lenny threw the car into a right sharp turn, throwing Charley into the back seat and against the driver’s side door with a grunt.

Jeez! he yelled. I am going to try to get back in the front seat, you think you can stop throwing me around back here long enough to let me up there?

Oh, excuse me, your Highness! Maybe those wonderful gentlemen in the cars, with the Christmas tree lights on their roofs, will let us pull over, so you can hop out and get back in at your leisure. Better yet, maybe we can invite them to lunch, a little dining at the Olive Garden? I bet they would even invite us to stay at one of those wonderful maximum-security vacation spots they have? Gee, you think that’s possible? My stupid backseat driving friend.

Charley dove over the seat before Lenny took another one of those throw-you-around-in-the-seat turns.

Lenny drove the car disregarding all traffic laws—those laws that keep everyone going smooth and safe on the street, well, supposedly anyway. Speed safety, road hazards, ones that say no flying over curbs, it’s not a good idea to drive on sidewalks, stopping at red lights, watch out for pedestrians in crosswalks, oh, and always stop for cars with Christmas tree lights flashing on top.

At this point Lenny invented a few more maneuvers and broke a few more laws, like doing donuts in the middle of the road and then heading back the way they just came, turning down a one-way street on the right.

Okay, you’re not going the right way here, pal.

No kidding Sherlock.

Charley was wide-eyed and lost what color he had left in his face as Lenny masterfully navigated the car through traffic. He grabbed a hold of the strap above the passenger window hanging on for dear life.

Lenny looked in the rearview mirror to see cars scattered all over the street, horns honking and people stopped, getting out screaming.

Just before the next streetlight Lenny shot to the right, down an ally, and out onto another one-way street, this time heading west.

Coming to the next intersection, he ran the light, breaking yet another law—do not proceed, it’s time to stop there should be a lot of cars in cross-traffic, so it is not a good thing to drive out in front of them.

Somehow he managed to miss all the cars.

He turned left pitching the car’s rear-end across both lanes, the tires spun to get traction, leaving blue-smoke behind before he straightened it out. They bolted once again down the road, picking up more speed and marking the landscape with rubber, becoming a slight blur.

Hey! Man, you get me killed and I swear I will come back and haunt you till the day you die.

You are already haunting me Charley.

Yeah, well bite me. We’re probably going to end up walking around all-messed-up looking like dead zombies or something, no skin, or whatever skin we have will be all falling off and stinking. Wandering around trying to freak people out––if we could ever figure out how to scare anyone. I don’t think that’s going to set well with my mom you know.

Your mom doesn’t even know you are still alive.

True, but if she ever found out, she would freak. I don’t think I could handle living eternity with you all dead looking and all. You can bet if I die and you don’t, I will make sure you hear me singing jingle bells or something every night, keeping you from sleeping for the next thirty years.

Hey! Did you get the rings? Charley changed the subject instantly.

Yeah, they’re in the bag on the floor.

Charley reached down and snatched the knapsack off the floor and opened it. He pulled out a small hand full of rings and other glittering assorted necklaces and earrings, three small black fuzzy boxes lay at the bottom of the bag. He pulled one out and opened it.

Um, Lenny?

Yeah? What?

I don’t think this is what we were after, is it?

What?

Charley held up a plastic ring with a big red ball of gum in the center.

You have got to be kidding me! Lenny screamed with a glowering pissed off look on his face.

Charley grabbed another box and opened it, raising an eyebrow at the same thing inside.

What the hell is this?

I don’t know Lenny, what did that guy tell you?

He said expensive rings were put in there yesterday, never said anything about candy rings for kids.

Well, that’s what we got now!

Okay, so now what?

"Well you