The Ultimate Decision: Saving Karnithica - Book One

By Saumya Sharman

Why did five girls cross the road? Did you say `to get to the other side'? I am afraid that is not the answer. The answer is: `to escape from monsters and demented human beings'.

This is a story of a magical and dangerous adventure of five daring friends on a big mission --to save an enchanted world and its people, and at the same time, retrieve an important family heirloom.

With very little foresight, no adult supervision, and danger at every corner, how far can they go? Will they eventually end up giving up? Is it even worth trying? Read The Ultimate Decision to find out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 24, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468539189

Saumya Sharman

At the time of publishing this book, Saumya was fourteen years old and a student at Radford High School in Radford, Virginia. She wrote this sequel during the summer and many of the scenes are based on real life happenings. Being an avid reader and artist, she spends most of her time reading books, painting, and making crafts when she’s not writing, She lives with her parents, two sisters, and her dog Champ.

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© 2012 by Saumya Sharman. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 2/10/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-3916-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-3917-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-3918-9 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012900104

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1

Escape From Monster Ria

Chapter 2

Friends and Foes

Chapter 3

Another Surprise

Chapter 4

Starting Our First Mission

Chapter 5

Mr. Twomore

Chapter 6

Ms. Kidsgoon

Chapter 7

Choosing

To

My grandparents Ganga Devi Sharman, Chandra Bhanu Sharman

and Savita Sethi,

for their endless love and countless blessings;

My parents Sanjay and Jyotsna Sharman,

for pushing me towards success and

providing me with a steady supply of tacos;

My elder sister Kavya,

for encouraging me and editing my book … a few million times;

My younger sister Ojasvini,

for inspiring me with her silly little ways;

My teacher Mrs. Nannette Lewis,

for supporting me and giving me hugs when I needed them.

Chapter 1

Escape From Monster Ria

T HE SHIP IS just like the Titanic, except for one thing, it’s much more modern, I thought as I looked at the waves. The ship had TVs, radios, swimming pools, and theaters. A lot of shops, too.

Captain, we need to go south,

Alright-y! I answered back. I steered the ship, but the mess-up was unexpected. The ship lurched and skipped over the water, drenching me each time. So I did the only thing that made sense to me, in my world at least… scream. AAHHHHHH!! THE SHIP!!"

It was then that I woke up. I was breathing heavily and noticed (when I came back to my senses), that I was on a bus and the bus had lurched me awake. It was all a dream. I was dry. What I also couldn’t help noticing was that everyone was staring at me. I at least managed to stutter some dumb words: A… ahoy… mateys?

Let me go ahead and answer your question: Who am I? My name is Samantha Roxanne Macbeth, (but everyone calls me Samm) and I am twelve years old, and I have brown hair and dark eyes. I also have a BIG sense of sarcasm, from what my parents tell me, at least.

I live in Orlando, Florida, in a pretty nice house. My father, Michael, is a big industry owner. He owns the industry company: Macbeth and Co. My mother, Julie, is an eye doctor, an ophthalmologist.

I feel bad that I don’t get to see my dad as much as other children do. More than in person, I see him on TV. To me, I think that it’s unfair that strangers can come and see my dad, when I can’t! It’s TOTALLY unfair!

Besides my mom, I have spent a lot of my time with Elizabeth Parker, my friend, who loves being called Lizzie. She is a funny, clever, brunette with eyes as dark as mine. We both have a light brown natural tans, courtesy of time spent on the beach together—a long-lasting pastime for the two of us.

Back to my horrendous bus ride… I looked up and, to my relief, no one was looking at me anymore, except for Lizzie. I took a deep breath and looked around. We were in the country. Tall swaying grass, really green trees, and farms were everywhere. I turned to Lizzie and asked, Umm, Lizzie, where exactly are we?

She gave me a questioning look and replied, What do you mean? We left the junior high around 8:30 this morning to go on a field trip to Mons Terria Ranch. Remember? Obviously, dear child, I didn’t.

But I said, Ohh, I remember.

I frowned. That name just didn’t sound right to me. It sounded very much like Monster Ria—a monster known simply as the feared AID monster—named for its attacking style of Attacking in Disguise. Yeah, I know, real clever. It could either change into a cowgirl with a horse tail (which is quite odd) or a pig that looked like a person. It was, for some odd reason, always pink with blue polka-dots. I once had a close encounter with it, but that’s another story. I mean, I’ve heard about monsters from time to time. They were in the newspapers, but I never actually paid attention to those. I looked at Lizzie and said thoughtfully, Doesn’t that sound awfully similar to the Monster Ria? You do know what I’m talking about, right?

Lizzie hesitated and then, she started nodding slowly. Yes, Samm. I know Monster Ria. I’ve talked… she trailed off, deep in thought. Never mind. I don’t… I don’t want to talk about it… and you don’t really need to know this. It concerns my… just never mind. she turned towards the window.

Like never, ever mind? I murmured, pretty sure that I should’ve known what was going on.

Samm you know— Lizzie started to turn around and speak to me in a pained voice but stopped and looked around, as if afraid someone or something would hear.

Lizzie! I need to know! You know, I’ve actually had an encounter with it, too! I might be able to help you! I learned a trick or two about what they would like and how to escape from them! Just because it concerns your parents, doesn’t mean that you have to defeat it yourself. Don’t make it some sort of pride thing! I paused to see how my words would affect her. She just looked down sadly and, immediately, I felt bad for what I said. I mean, she lives with her Aunt Alexandria, because her mom and dad were scientists studying about an old country. One day, they said that they would be going to that country and studying it for a few months and that Aunt Alexandria would be staying with her until they came back home… It had been two years and there was no sign of them. I still had mine to guide me through everything—and she had no one. Except Aunt Alexandria. I… I’m so… I’m so sorry, Lizzie. I… I didn’t—

Samm, just listen to me… her voice was quiet. Ever since… they—my parents—left me, I’ve been miserable. I know Aunt Alexandria loves me very much, but she has never understood the impact my parents had on me. And that’s not even the worst part… Her voice got dangerously soft. They aren’t lost. They’ve been taken.

I gasped. Why had all this been kept from me? I had thought we were closer than that. Not wanting to interrupt her story though, I simply gestured for her to go on.

About a year ago I got a letter from them. It wasn’t a friendly letter, but more of a frantic one. The writing was scribbled but I could tell it was Mom’s. Pulling out a wrinkled piece of paper, she said, Read this.

My dearest Lizzie,

We are in a rush today and won’t be home for another few months, so Aunt Alexandria will be there to take care of you while we are not home. Things are starting to become a bit complicated… We were attacked by Monster Ria a few days ago but managed to throw it off for a while, but who knows how long it will last. Do know that we love you and hope to see you soon. I know your aunt may sometimes not understand you, but remember, she means well. Take care!

Love,

Mom and Dad

When Aunt Alexandria arrived at my house, she found me crying in my room. She knocked on my door and I opened it up. I showed her the letter and with a gasp, she fell to the floor. As she read the letter, her face began to mirror my own… tears and all.

Lizzie paused for a moment and then continued. Ever since then, I’ve kept the letter with me… wherever I go. My friend’s eyes were filled with tears. Never had I seen her so upset and hopeless. I wanted to say something to comfort her, but didn’t know where to start.

Lizzie… I started.

No! I won’t let this monster get away with this. Suddenly, her eyes burned with a fierce determination. I won’t! she repeated. Then her eyes got soft again. Softly, she said, I can’t.

I let her gather herself before I said, What are you going to do now?

Well, since we’re headed in that direction now, let’s kick that monster where it hurts!

Ummm… the eye! No! In the leg? Wait, I got it! I got it!

Samm! Be serious! Lizzie said with a small smile.

Sheepishly, I looked at her. Right.

All of a sudden, her eyes widened! "I have the letter that Aunt Alexan-

dria gave me a few years ago in a sealed envelope. I think it might be able to help me, but I’m not sure."

I asked her what she meant by that and she told me.

It has something about my parents in here. I put that letter in with this one. Lizzie was always filled with surprises. She turned the sheet protector with the letter inside around. "This was from Aunt Alexandria:

Elizabeth,

Your parents aren’t regular scientists. They are studying Karnithica, a whole new planet that mortals don’t know about. It is being threatened by evil forces. If something isn’t done soon, it will be destroyed. Your parents are there fighting now. The best thing for you to do, at this point, is to attend a school in Denver, Colorado that will prepare and train you to follow in your parents’ footsteps. I didn’t tell you earlier because I didn’t think that you would have needed the information yet. I had thought that the delegates from the school would’ve gotten you from home by now. But they didn’t, and you continued with regular school… It is my hope that you will graduate with honors and go on to save your parents Karnithica.

With all my love,

Aunt Alexandria

Lizzie heaved a sigh of exasperation. Aunt Alexandria said that some delegates from the school would come and get me after the school field trip. I can’t wait to go and train. Then, I’ll be able to find and help my parents.

Quickly, I said something before she could start again. Are you trying to say… that you knew about what happened to your mom and dad and… you didn’t tell me? Shocked, I stared at my best friend. I mean, what kind of friend would keep such a thing a secret! I am, after all, her only friend. Everyone else thought her to be… different.

Suddenly, the bus jerked to a stop. We had been so wrapped up in our conversation that we completely lost track of time and didn’t realize that we had reached the ranch.

The moment I saw the ranch, my eyes became as wide as saucers. Oh… my… gosh… I thought.

At first glance, the ranch looked normal; a house with a barn and lots of land. It was, well, pretty big, to tell you the truth. The house—painted pink with small blue polka dots. Even the other kids on the bus thought it weird.

As everyone got off the bus, the teacher, Mr. Henry, put everyone in groups. But as soon as Lizzie and I got off the bus, Mr. Henry herded us away from everyone else. Then he went back to the other students and let everyone get into