Earth Boy: Orphan of the Stars

By JC Mansell

When Swedish orphan Elliot Stormsson notices a dark and terrible stranger stalking him through the wintery streets of his home town, his world literally changes under his feet.

Following a mysterious letter from his new-found Uncle Karl, Elliot escapes the oppressive orphanage and travels to the coldest end of Sweden – and to the stars beyond. But Elliot is hunted by something equally cold and sinister, something that wants him dead and all that he represents forever forgotten.

Following clues left behind by his enigmatic uncle, Elliot is hurtled out and beyond the solar system and into the galactic melting pot of strange aliens, unearthly wonders, ancient mysteries and intricate conspiracies.

Star Empires - A.I. - War Robots - Galactic Ringroutes - Perilous Asteroid Fields - Ancient Legacies - Aurora Borealis - Space Combat - Hidden Fates - Memo Hair Gel

It’s all here!

• Language: English
• Publisher: JC Mansell
• Release date: Dec 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781999360818

JC Mansell

James Mansell was born in northern England, but has lived in Sweden most of his life.His passions in life are is his family, exploring the world and sharing his rampaging fantasy with others, through writing and roleplaying games. Storytelling, either verbally, through games or in written form has always been a big part of his life.Fantasy and science-fiction have been his steadfast companions and mental escape throughout his life. Works of scientific and historical facts as well as works of fiction are consumed eagerly to feed more ideas and stories. Unfortunately, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time to pen all crazy stories down.

Book preview

THANKS

Thank you Caroline, my lovely wife, muse and companion in life for all the hours of listening to my ideas and for reading the manuscript so many times.

Thank you my two beautiful, strong children for filling in the gaps in my storytelling and by just being born, inspiring me to write this story for you.

Thank you mom and dad for reading, correcting and encouraging my work.

Thank you all my friends, and friends of my friends, for proofreading and giving me all that good advice and constructive criticism throughout this journey. You know who you are!

Last, but not least, a big thanks to the gifted crew at Spiffing Covers for the excellent artwork, editing, typesetting and publishing. Without your expertise this book wouldn’t look so spiffing!

CHAPTERS

People and Places

Beginnings

Chapter 1 – A Gift from Uncle Karl

Chapter 2 – A Cold Journey North

Chapter 3 – Uncle Karl’s Cottage

Chapter 4 – To the Stars and Beyond

Chapter 5 – Foreign Lands and Foreign People

Chapter 6 – Faded Glamour and Stout Old Hearts

Chapter 7 – Dark Hunters and Eternal Enemies

Chapter 8 – The Retired Humans

Chapter 9 – The Sleepy Kingdom

Chapter 10 – On the Borders of the Empire

Chapter 11 – Shipwrecks and Confessions

PEOPLE AND PLACES

Most stories contain a handful of important people to keep track of, such as the heroes and the villains, but also the sidekicks and clue droppers. Furthermore, most stories also contain strange names of strange places, such as Golden Gwundurr, Mysterious Ma Fatarr or Sunny Stockholm. This story is no better than most and to make life a little easier, a list of people and places has been constructed for your reference. The names of the important peoples and places are placed in the chronological order they appear in the story, so don’t be too hasty to read through and memorise them all – it might ruin the story.

PEOPLE (including races and self-conscious ‘things’)

Molnír ‘Molly’ Asir – A young star princess and the heroine of this story.

Elliot Stormsson – A young orphan from Sweden and the hero of this story.

Gottfrid Samuelsson – An old, nasty orphanage manager.

Agnes Fagerlund – the friendly cook of the Höder Orphanage.

Uncle Karl – A burly and nice explorer and the closest thing Elliot has to a relative. Also known as Karrillus Ursus.

Niilas – A friendly Sami from Lapland who helps Elliot.

Aili – The friendly Sami wife of Niilas.

The Nojd – A wise, old shaman of the Sami.

Big Brother – A Stage Twelve Artificial Intelligence currently housed in the starship the Ursa Major.

Little Brother – The ‘smaller’ sibling of Big Brother (only a Stage Ten A.I.) and currently in the shape of a black briefcase.

Kaitrinn Ursus – Uncle Karl’s sister and co-explorer.

Vurites – Aka ‘Whites’. Kind, high-tech, pacifistic aliens with white skin and hair. Highly intelligent when symbiotically paired with the sentient Porian parasite, otherwise remarkably ignorant of technology.

Idagons – Aka ‘Idiots’. Monkey-like aliens with six arms and six eyes who love gambling and pranks.

Grunans – Aka ‘Grunts’. Thin, cowardly, fragile humanoid aliens with animated, red living hair who often faint.

Furanians – Aka ‘Furries’. Peaceful furry rabbit-like aliens who detest violence and predators.

Radorians – Aka ‘Radars’. Stick-insect-like aliens who produce extremely poisonous vapours and must travel in containment boxes.

S’margs – Aka ‘Smellies’. Snake-like, one-eyed smelly aliens with multi-branched tentacles at the tip of their tails. Information sellers and black-marketers dealing also in bio-technology creatures.

Skar’ley – Aka ‘Scalies’. Regal and important lizard-like aliens of the mighty Skarl’ey Empire.

Sha Kiff – Aka ‘Shifters’. Plant-like alien shape changers who are experts at mimicking other races.

Snakirra – Aka ‘Sneakers’. Secretive greyish-green aliens with large slanted black eyes and long, thin fingers.

Vo’Orrn – Aka ‘Worms’. Gargantuan aquatic worms living in dark waters under extreme pressure.

Ateans – The humans of the Spiral Arm. Once known as Atlanteans.

Kiv – Long extinct alien race. Sometimes referred to as the Children of the Founders.

Colossus – A very, very old Atean war robot.

Cro’lichks – Aka ‘Cruelies’. Ugly, aggressive, war-loving aliens.

Major Constantine Vurelius IV – A grumpy elderly Atean consul at The Knot.

Captain Hefaistos – Another grumpy elderly consulate member at The Knot.

Hunter robots – Scary robot killers resembling a cluster of metal tentacles which can mimic humanoid shapes if needed.

The Great Mind – A Stage Eighteen Artificial Intelligence and the most brilliant mind on Centus Prime.

Quetzalcoatl ‘Quetzy’ – The suntanned and wrinkled old

Royal Advisor of the Atean King and Queen, Lord of Ceremony and Master of the Seven Doors.

King Lukas IV – Reigning sleepy old King of the Atean Star-Kingdom.

Queen Sibylla II – Reigning sharp old Queen of the Atean Star-Kingdom.

The Founders – Ancient, mysterious, extinct and mythological aliens known to be the first known space-faring civilisation in the Spiral Arm.

King Loke the Desolator – Infamous despot, instigator of the terrible Five Species War and father of Princess Molly.

Queen Kali of Vishaya – Hated stepmother of Princess Molly and infamous spouse of King Loke the Desolater, known for her Daughters of Doom, who were military generals, and for the cryopod exile of Princess Molly.

Mr Edda – Fat and plump famous Atean royal historian.

Atlanteans – The first tribe from Atlantis, Earth, to enter an alliance with the Skar’ley Empire and forebears of all Ateans.

Johanna Ursus – Older cousin of Kaitrinn and Uncle Karl.

Ambassador Horus – Friendly and (fairly) young Atean ambassador to the Skar’ley Empire.

Puad’kesh – Skar’ley Empire ambassador to Centus Prime.

Mauad’sash – An elected wise elder – Dwa’rr Oluum – of the Skar’ley who sits on the Emperor’s Council.

Priesthood of the Eternal Sun – The ancient and only Skar’ley priesthood.

Skauda’tesh – Skar’ley High-Priest of the Eternal Sun.

Captain Julah Asetos – Atean starship captain of the Warhammer, equipped with enormous sideburns and a big moustache.

PLACES and EVENTS

Höder Orphanage – A sad, gloomy place run by a greedy manager.

Kiruna – One of the northernmost cities of Sweden.

Narvik – One of the northernmost seaports of Norway.

Ice Hotel – World famous and luxurious hotel in Kiruna built entirely out of ice.

Lapland Express – A luxurious train running to Kiruna.

The Ursa Major – Uncle Karl’s starship. A Mark IV Vuron Class Explorer.

The Spiral Arm – Our part of the galaxy. One of the spiral arms full of stars.

Atean Star-Kingdom – A kingdom of several worlds ruled by the Atean humans.

Centus Prime – Primary planet and heart of the Atean Star-Kingdom situated in the binary (twin star) Canosis system.

The Knot – Gigantic multi-species space station and meeting point.

The Vurite Exchange Hub – A trading central or market on The Knot run by the alien Vurites.

Matalla – The ancient Atean name for lost Earth meaning ‘Land Under Sun’.

Atean Consulate – The habitat section of The Knot, once known as the Grand Atean Embassy.

Valdanna – The old capital world of the Atean Star-Kingdom.

The Humble Palace – A Galactic Class Pleasure Cruiser used by Ateans.

Vurite Comfort Inn – A nice and luxurious hotel in the Vurite habitat of The Knot.

Azuria – Capital city of the Atean Star-Kingdom located on Centus Prime.

Three Moon Palace – The royal palace in Azuria on Centus Prime, named after the three shining moons its building material was taken from.

Atlantis – Original home of the Atlanteans from Earth, the first Atean tribes to ally with the Skar’ley Empire.

Massikita Wars – The terrible and mythical war against the Mosquito People which crippled the Spiral Arm, and the reason for introducing Atean human warriors as counter-measures.

Annihilation Wars – The thousand-year-long war between Atean humans and Cro’lichks (Cruelies) ending with an unsteady enforced truce.

Five Species War – The unnecessary war between the Atean humans and their neighbours ending with the destruction of Valdanna, the Atean capital world.

The Plum Cake Incident – The most exciting period in modern Atean history before the coming of Elliot and Molly.

Sku’raan – Throne world of the Skar’ley Empire.

The Warhammer – An old Atean warship.

Dead Worlds Cluster – Several dense star systems of worlds formerly known as the Maze Worlds, which were totally destroyed during the Annihilation Wars.

Beginnings

Once upon a time there was a girl and a boy. One exceptional, but still ordinary. The other ordinary, yet still exceptional.

Although these children were both ordinary in their own individual ways, they had an exceptional and exciting adventure. Now, you might think that ordinary boys and girls don’t have exceptional and exciting adventures, but that’s not true. Not in this case anyway, because these children had a great adventure, as you’re about to see.

The exceptionally ordinary girl

One beginning to this adventure lies in the Grand Reception Hall of Valhall. There was absolutely nothing ordinary about this lavish and divine hall. On the contrary, it was exceptional. The ceiling was majestically high and pointed with grand Goldwood beams covered in runes and dragon-head motifs. Towering spear-shaped pillars were covered in glistening gold and copper mosaics representing fierce warriors in heavy armour carrying impressive weapons. Amazingly, the heroes of these mosaics sometimes moved and rearranged themselves in new glistening poses. Roughly hewn tables laden with exotic foods hovered without legs over a red and white marble floor covered in coiling dragon motifs. Lights drifted lazily among the ceiling beams as if blown by a calm breeze, casting a roving warm yellow light on the people seated around the tables.

Amongst the beautiful and exceptionally clad people a tall woman in an exquisite red and gold dress stood out. She dragged an angry young girl dressed in a gold-trimmed white tunic away from the splendid hall.

Fight as much as you want, you spoilt brat! the lady hissed. We won’t tolerate any more of your insults tonight. Her jet-black eyes framed by her curly black hair blazed with fury.

"You don’t tell me what to do! You’re not my mother!" the blonde girl exclaimed loudly and pulled at the arm dragging her out of the hall. All around them the distinguished guests tried to politely ignore the loud scene, which clearly embarrassed the tall lady further.

"I am your mother now! And you’re being a nuisance to both me and your father. Stop fighting! You brought this on yourself!"

The lady dragged the girl out through big golden doors encrusted with gems and silver spirals and into the corridor beyond. Guards with shiny armour and long glowing firelances awaited them there.

Let me go! the girl cried again and this time managed to rip her arm free of the tall dark lady. My father won’t accept this! You’ll be sorry!

The lady’s eyes flashed with anger and she raised her hand to slap the girl. But before she had the chance, a towering guard with long braided brown hair stepped up to them: Mistress, may I be of assistance? Our lord, Loke, has commanded me to take care of the matter… discreetly.

The tall lady eyed the man with irritation, as if annoyed that she didn’t get the opportunity to slap the young girl. She then turned back to the girl who was smoothing her white tunic while glaring with pure malice in her clear blue eyes. Her tussled and tangled blonde hair moved in irritation in the air by itself and slowly re-braided itself. Symbols glowed and moved along her forearm.

This is the last time you embarrass us in front of our guests, the tall lady said in a threatening voice. A red glow spread from her black eyes to light up her dark face. The Skar’ley envoys don’t take intrusion of their privacy lightly. Your irritating pranks are causing us embarrassment.

Then you shouldn’t have arranged this boring party in the first place, the young girl answered defiantly. Father promised me to go hunting. Now he’s spending the days eating and sucking up to these… these… outlanders. They should be serving us and not the other way around. They deserve everything I gave them!

Enough of this! hissed the tall lady. "You’re not going to attend any more of this Victory Memorial Feast. We will not tolerate your presence anymore."

Good! I hate you and I hate them all. I don’t want to be here anyway!

After a short pause the tall lady smiled cruelly and lifted her finger. That’s because you won’t be here or anywhere else causing mischief. You’ll sleep through the rest of this weekend.

Sleep!? No! I don’t want to! said the young girl, now with an angry, yet scared expression.

Captain Tyr, you have your orders. Take this brat away and see to it that I don’t have to see her again. Under her breath the tall lady added to herself, Ever again.

The Captain nodded and carefully placed his prosthetic hand on the young girl’s shoulder. The silver palm of the artificial hand and the individual finger bones were all separated and seemingly held together only by air.

Come with me, m’lady, the Captain said with a comforting voice.

The girl looked up at him pleadingly and then with hatred, turned to the tall lady.

"My father will not allow this! You don’t tell me what to do. You’re not my mother!"

I know and I never wanted to be, the tall dark lady answered coldly and looked down at the blonde girl. If I’m lucky I will never have to be, she added icily.

With a quick but disturbed look at the tall lady, Captain Tyr began leading the young girl away.

It’s for the best, m’lady. These are boring events anyway and your father is very busy with all these guests. Come with me. His broad and strong face was comforting, but his eyes were sad.

I hate the cold sleep! the young girl mumbled while fingering the glowing symbols moving up and down her forearm.

As the towering but gentle captain led the girl down the corridor, her shoulders slumped and she looked up at him again.

Will you be there when I awaken, Captain Tyr?

Of course I will, m’lady. Of course I will.

The ordinarily exceptional boy

The other beginning to this adventure lies in a sleepy little town in Sweden. Sweden is a quite ordinary country far to the north, but is not – contrary to what people believe – a cold, snowy place filled with reindeer herders and polar bears that lurk around every street corner. At least, not all of Sweden is like this, although some places undoubtedly are. On the contrary, Sweden is mainly filled with beautiful lakes, great rivers, wondrous archipelagos, soft-rounded mountains, open plains and deep timeless forests. Its summers are actually very hot and pleasant – although not as hot as in the Sahara Desert – while its winters can be both dry and cold or wet and mild. All in all, Sweden is a good, ordinary place to live, just like most other places around the world.

This sleepy little Swedish town had one cinema, one shopping mall, one town hall, one pub, one restaurant, one policeman, one school and one orphanage. It actually had one of everything – especially the old ‘Höder’ Orphanage. Even the people here seemed to have one of everything. They had one wife or one husband, one daughter, one son, one car, one job, one newspaper and one set of their best clothes. Yes, one of everything – except shoes, as these always came in pairs.

None of these places or people were exceptional. They were actually all very ordinary.

One might wonder why there was an orphanage in such a small ordinary town, when all the ordinary people there already had one child and most importantly, all the children already had one mother and one father. But the truth was that many other towns were not so lucky. In some of these towns there were children who had lost their parents or parents who couldn’t take care of their children. So that these children would not live lives without love and happiness, it had been decided that they would be placed in an orphanage until such a day that a family could be found for them. Then, whenever a child was adopted from the orphanage, it was a time for celebration and happiness.

Unfortunately, some children grew up too fast and nobody came to adopt them. The reason for this was that parents without children tended to adopt only young, cute, pimple-free children, which they could raise as their own from scratch. A bit like growing your own carrots from seeds or raising your own dog from when it’s a puppy. Despite the fact that most children of an orphanage are very sweet and kind, grown-ups still make these strange decisions.

Elliot was one of the boys who lived in the Höder Orphanage. He was a very ordinary boy, just like any other boy. He ate, he slept, he played, he laughed, he drew pictures and he struggled with maths – just like any other ordinary boy.

However, Elliot did not have a mother or a father, he was an orphan. I guess that doesn’t make him a very ordinary boy in your sense, but he really was. He was an ordinary boy, leading an ordinary life in an ordinary town. Unfortunately, Elliot was too young to be a grown-up himself, but seemingly too old for adoption. He had come to the orphanage at the age of five, after his parents had died in a tragic car accident, and had now just celebrated his twelfth birthday. Elliot was tall for his age with curly sandy-brown hair and green eyes. He could burp on command, make farting noises with his armpit and had a tongue which he could stick all the way up into his nostril. These tricks were highly appreciated by the other children at the orphanage.

Elliot had very little memory of his parents. He remembered his father being big and strong and his mother kind and beautiful. Whether these memories were real or just something that had grown in his mind was uncertain. What was certain though was that Elliot was kind to everybody around him, especially if they were kind to him. He was known for his politeness and kindness – but also for his pranks and tricks that could send the entire orphanage into a laughing frenzy. Elliot loved to be the clown and to amuse people. His inquisitiveness and endless number of questions about everything he encountered made him popular in school but sometimes a nuisance to others.

Gottfrid Samuelsson, the manager of the old orphanage was, however, not amused by Elliot’s humorous and inquisitive nature. He took it upon himself to keep the troublesome young boy in order and often berated him for what he believed to be disturbing behaviour. Because of this Elliot found it very hard to be kind and polite to Gottfrid, which of course upset the old man even more.

Gottfrid was a dull and grey man with no humour whatsoever. Always grumpy, he saw no reason why anybody else should be happy. Gottfrid ruled the orphanage with an iron fist and tolerated no unnecessary activities outside of house chores and school work. In reality, Gottfrid was a cruel old man who didn’t like children.

Now, one might ask why Gottfrid was the manager of an orphanage. The orphans certainly did. The answer was simple. The food, the pension and the salary were good, as the towns paid handsomely to ease their conscience and to take care of these poor children. Gottfrid had also installed the Sleipner High Speed Internet and the MaxRest armchair with a built-in fridge, telephone and back massager in his private quarters. By knowing the right people – mainly the fat old mayor of the sleepy town – Gottfrid had turned the Höder Orphanage into a perfect home for himself (if it hadn’t been for the noisy and smelly children).

The only love or affection Gottfrid showed towards anything else in the world was for his two nasty dogs Hugin and Munin. The big black watchdogs, which officially guarded the orphanage grounds, actually prevented the children from running away or causing mischief. The children could swear that Gottfrid somehow saw and heard everything that happened through his two bad-tempered dogs. When the dogs were let out into the yard after dark, nobody dared to leave the main building. Everybody had heard the story of poor Jessica who had tried to slip out at night. The dogs had hurt her badly before Gottfrid had been able to call them off. This had of course happened long before any of the children now residing in the orphanage were born, but the story kept circulating, maybe intentionally to scare them.

The two nurses Mrs Eskilsson and Mrs Jansson were also old and grumpy. Although they treated the children reasonably well, they were old-fashioned in their methods of child rearing. This meant that they were annoyed with any child which was heard or seen except when spoken to. Bedtimes were strict and washing duties heavily enforced and surrounded by inexplicable traditions. Both of the old ladies stood to attention whenever Gottfrid was about and never dared to question any decisions he made. That both of them smelled like mothballs didn’t help make them any more popular with the children either.

But not everything was bad at the Höder Orphanage. As mentioned before, the food was good. As a matter of fact, it was better than good – it was excellent. The reason for this was Agnes Fagerlund. Agnes was the cook of the orphanage and probably the kindest person in the world. She loved all the children as her own and cared for them like a mother. The food she cooked was better than that which was served at the town’s restaurant, or gods forbid, the town’s pub. She would serve the finest crispy oven-cooked potatoes with meatballs and creamy gravy, or sausages with sweet mustard and mashed potatoes, or golden fish fingers with tartar sauce and peas, or oven pancake with lingonberries. After each meal the children would also get a dessert, such as strawberries with ice cream, crumble pie with vanilla sauce or rhubarb cream. As Gottfrid tried to save as much money as he could from the orphanage for himself, he had countless times reduced the budget of the orphanage’s kitchen. Yet, somehow Agnes always managed to produce the most exquisite meals for her beloved orphans.

The children of the orphanage were another thing which, according to Elliot, was more than good. As they had no other families, the entire orphanage became full of brothers and sisters. They all helped each other with the chores, such as the washing and cleaning that Gottfrid didn’t want to pay professionals to do. In school they stood up for each other and in the evenings they helped each other with homework. In their valuable spare time, the children laughed and played together and sought out the hidden but forbidden places in the great house which Gottfrid didn’t know about.

Since Elliot’s arrival at the orphanage, many grown-ups had come to see him but none had adopted him. At first he had wished and prayed to the gods every night that someone would choose him. Then, as the years went by, Elliot simply chose not to think about it. Now he was the oldest orphan at the orphanage. None of his original orphan brothers and sisters remained. They had all been adopted and moved away. Although he had many nice classmates in the public school he attended, none of them were his real friends. He was never allowed to meet them or go to their houses after school, as Gottfrid demanded that all orphanage children went straight home from school every day in order to stay away from mischief. Neither did anyone dare to visit him at the orphanage because of the scary black watchdogs.

Chapter 1

A Gift from Uncle Karl

As mentioned before, one beginning to this great adventure lies in the sleepy ordinary little town in the dreary old orphanage. It is this beginning that it makes most sense to start with.

So how did the great adventure begin? Well, it began with a parcel.

Not a colourful and neatly wrapped gift parcel or an official post parcel or, gods forbid, a windowed billing letter. No, it began with a big, lumpy, badly wrapped brown paper parcel tied together with coarse brown string. The top of the parcel was covered with so many colourful stamps that the parcel easily could have circled the world at least ten times. Squeezed into a small space between all the stamps were a single name and a short address, written in shaky runes:

"Elliot – Höder Orphanage – Sweden"

How this strange parcel with this short address could have found its way through the maze of the postal services to the correct recipient was truly a miracle.

So, despite the odds, it finally arrived at the orphanage through the rusty old letter box with a groaning creak and dropped onto the wooden floor with a loud bang.

As the creak and the bang of the arriving parcel resonated through the old orphanage, Elliot stirred from his daydream. It was Saturday and he had been standing in front of the large window of the main hall, staring out into the winter streets. Snow had begun to whisk past the window in the chill wind and the grey clouds were gathering over the town. It was cold outside, and nearly as cold inside, as Gottfrid didn’t find it necessary to turn the radiators on in rooms other than his own. With a sigh, Elliot looked down at the worn old broom in his hands. It was Cleaning Day – and he didn’t like it at all. The orphans always spent half of every Saturday cleaning the large house or washing the paved yards. In this cold weather he was glad that it was his turn to clean indoors.

With slow, trudging steps, Elliot made his way down the stairs to the main door. He had been sad and absent-minded lately, feeling truly alone and abandoned at the orphanage. Dragging the broom behind him down the stairs, Elliot knew that the postal delivery most certainly was important official post for Gottfrid, as none of the children ever received any post for themselves. As he reached the landing, Elliot suddenly remembered that the post usually wasn’t delivered on Saturdays. Only very important or urgent letters would arrive with a postal courier on a Saturday.

Then he saw it. Lying in front of the large oak doors was a big, lumpy, brown parcel bound with coarse string. Amazed at the amount of colourful stamps on the parcel Elliot drew closer.

What was that? shouted a dry, irritated voice from the first floor. Gottfrid had heard the loud arrival of the parcel, which probably had awoken him far too early from his afternoon snooze.

It’s only the post, answered Elliot, while tilting his head sideways to read the name and address on the parcel.

The post? On a Saturday? shouted Gottfrid back in annoyance.

But Elliot couldn’t hear Gottfrid anymore, nor did he bother to tell him that he’d also found it strange. Instead he had seen the runes forming his very own name on the parcel.

Elliot – Höder Orphanage – Sweden, Elliot spelled to himself. With only a whisper he added, It’s for me!

Some of the other children cleaning the immense chandeliers, clearing up the sparse toys of the leisure room, polishing the dining table and scrubbing the kitchen stepped through the doors into the hallway to see what it was that had disturbed their routines.

But Elliot didn’t notice the other children. He stared in disbelief at the parcel and read the name again.

Elliot – Höder Orphanage – Sweden, he confirmed, but louder this time. It’s for me! It’s for me! he said, raising his voice every time. It’s for me! It’s for me! he continued until he shouted it with joy. It’s for me!

He let go of the broom which fell loudly to the wooden floor and grabbed the parcel like a hungry lion grabbing a gazelle on the savannah.

It’s for me! Someone sent me a parcel! he shouted and jumped with delight. The other children immediately drew closer. Appearing from cupboards, toilets, dusty attics and moth-ridden wardrobes, they sauntered out. Wielding brooms, mops and buckets of water they gathered around Elliot. The boy’s joy shone from his proud face and spilt over to the other children who began shouting and hooting with glee.

Who’s it from? What’s in it? Open it! they laughed and shouted.

Overcome with curiosity, Elliot shook the parcel and felt something hard and small moving around inside.

What’s this ruckus all about? a stern voice interrupted. Immediately all the children withdrew from Elliot. Their laughter gone and their eyes directed to the floor, they filtered away. At the top of the stairs stood Gottfrid, still in his morning robes as he never bothered to dress on a Saturday. He glared down through his large glasses at Elliot who stood clutching the parcel to his chest. His crooked nose and his thin, pointy chin gave him that always-grumpy-and-angry look.

It’s for me, Elliot whimpered as Gottfrid descended to the main door.

A parcel? For you? demanded Gottfrid and looked doubtful. With his eyes fixed on the large parcel, he strode across the floor until he stood stooped over Elliot. As usual, Gottfrid smelled of cigars and old socks. Looking sternly over the rim of his glasses he extended his thin, long hand.

Give it to me, boy! he demanded.

B-b-b-but, it’s for me! stuttered Elliot, clutching the parcel even more tightly.

Nonsense! Since when did you begin receiving post? Are you paying for the postal services? Have you written to anyone or ordered anything?

N-n-no, answered Elliot. But it’s got my name written on…

Give it to me, repeated Gottfrid menacingly.

Slowly Elliot extended his arms and pushed the parcel away from himself. But it was hard, slow work. It was as if the parcel somehow had stuck to him.

Now let’s see what it says, said Gottfrid and snatched it from Elliot’s hands. Hmmmm? It does say Elliot, Gottfrid concluded after reading the shaky runes. How remarkably strange.

Gottfrid turned the parcel over, and on the back, in tiny little runes it said:

Sender: Karl Ursus

It’s from Uncle Karl, gasped Elliot.

Uncle Karl was a kind old man who had visited Elliot and the children of the orphanage several times. Uncle Karl was a daredevil explorer and adventurer who had travelled all over the world. Elliot had first met Uncle Karl five years ago, outside school, sitting on the worn stone steps and telling the children about his amazing adventures in foreign lands. He had been invited by the teachers to tell the children about wondrous far off lands. The crazy-haired, bearded, fat blonde man had laughed and snorted noisily at his own jokes and often imitated dangerous beasts or pirates while enchanting the children. He had loved ice cream which he would eat, five scoops at a time, getting his blonde beard all messy. Sometimes he had told strange riddles and let the children solve them. Everybody had loved him.

Then, a week later, the kind old man had appeared at the orphanage with a piece of paper stating that he was Elliot’s uncle. That day had been the best day of Elliot’s life and he had believed that Uncle Karl would take him away from the gloomy orphanage forever. But Uncle Karl was an explorer with adventures too dangerous for a young boy. Promising to take Elliot with him on his fourteenth birthday, Uncle Karl had departed again.

Every summer after that, Uncle Karl had returned to the school and to the orphanage with new amazing stories of carnivorous polar bears, battles with ice pirates, lost realms, fantastic flying machines and man-eating plants. Although many of the children at school didn’t believe all his stories and Gottfrid actually despised him, Elliot believed everything Uncle Karl said. Well, some of the times. When Uncle Karl said he had forgotten to get up and slept for four years, Elliot couldn’t deny the fact that the old man might have spiced the truth a bit. But mostly Elliot believed Uncle Karl because he wanted to. He wanted to dream of adventures and foreign places. Anything was better than the gloomy old Höder Orphanage.

But, the previous summer Uncle Karl hadn’t visited the orphanage. That autumn, Elliot had