Michael Sanders and the Destiny of the Qori

By Donald Squire

Michael has never left his 1960 Indiana home town, so landing in an ancient village surrounded by spear-wielding warriors is a bit of a shock. All he wants to do is get through the school year. At least he has his new friend Gavin with him for encouragement. Now all they need to do is save the princess, retrieve the lost medallions, and stop their classmate from destroying the neighborhood. Michael doesn't want to be a hero, but if he can't learn to control his new powers and accept his destiny the past and future of the whole world will be threatened.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donald Squire
• Release date: Apr 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463746837

Donald Squire

Born in northeast Ohio, Donald Squire has loved reading and writing since middle school. Squire has a degree in English from BYU in Utah and currently works as the Marketing Manager for a small manufacturing company. His first full length novel took years to write and was mostly completed during lunch breaks when he would go to the local library. Squire’s goal as a novelist is to create clean, fun adventures that anyone can read and trust the content is safe for any age.

Book preview

Prologue

Three men stood together at the entrance of the small house. Stay dry. It looks like another storm is about to start any minute, said Mr. Reed, as he waited in the doorway, his tall stature accentuated by the step down onto the porch where the other men were preparing to depart, the wind blowing his blond hair around on his head.

It's so dark already, I wouldn't be surprised, said the chief of police, a tall, round man in a long overcoat and flat cap.

And thanks again. I really appreciate it, said Mr. Reed. I've never had a picture of myself this big before.

We're sad to see you go, and we wish you the best in all your future endeavors, said the mayor as he shook Mr. Reed’s hand. The mayor was much shorter than the chief of police. He also wore a long coat and fedora-style hat. Get that leg better and let us know if there is anything we can do for you. Good night, Bill.

Good night, said Mr. Reed.

A bolt of lightning flashed, and the thunder shook the ground as the companies parted. Mr. Reed limped back into his home. As he walked, he looked over the framed photograph. In it the mayor and the chief of police were presenting him with his award for bravery in the line of duty. He walked into the study and placed the photo on his desk next to the award plaque that read, For Extraordinary Bravery Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.

Six weeks earlier Mr. Reed had been the youngest detective on the police force, at 25. He’d tracked a burglary suspect he had been investigating to an old apartment building. While waiting for backup he noticed the suspect fighting with a woman in the hallway outside his apartment. Mr. Reed, who had been waiting in the stairwell, intervened. He’d stopped the fight but was shot in the leg in the process. On the way to the hospital, he’d made up his mind that he would not be a cop anymore, though he had no idea what he was going to do instead.

He had just started limping towards the kitchen when another flash of lightning shook the house. A flash of movement caught his eye, and he turned unsteadily back to the study. He was surprised to see a boy standing in the room. Mr. Reed’s hand went to his waist instinctively, but he wasn't wearing his gun. The boy, a teenager, tall and lean with messy blond hair, looked scared and confused. Tilting his head, he looked at Mr. Reed and asked shakily, Grandpa?

Now Mr. Reed was confused too.

The 1960’s

The day had finally arrived. Michael Sanders was away from home for the first time, spending his sophomore year at a boarding school. His mother had driven him to the school and helped him check in, find his room and even start to unpack his things. She made sure he had proper bedding, which was supplied by the school dorms. She brought extras just in case.

Who knows how cold this room might get in the winter, she said.

She also made sure that he had a hamper and knew where the laundry room was in the dorm basement.

They hugged and before he knew it, his mother was gone. The afternoon had flown by so quickly. Now Michael surveyed his dorm. He had been alone before, but never quite like this. This felt so much bigger.

The room was large and felt very empty. There was one window and a large radiator for heat. The walls were wood paneling, painted a yellowed-white color. There were three other beds. Each bed had a desk next to it with a lamp, shelves and drawers. A few suitcases lay at the foot of one of the beds, another bed was bare, blankets folded and stacked neatly on one end, as his own had been when he arrived. The third bed had been slept in and was unmade. The closet had clothes hanging and the desk was unorganized, with open books and papers lying about. Michael started unpacking his clothes into the built-in dresser and closet.

It didn't take long to finish arranging his clothes and books. Michael sat down to study the map of the campus and figure out which route he would take to the cafeteria and his classrooms. Mostly, it seemed, Michael would be on the northern half of the campus.

Before he had finished comparing his class schedule to the map, a boy entered the room. He came in so fast that Michael jumped a little. He turned from his desk to face a very tall and excited young man, probably older than Michael, with light blond hair.

You the new guy? I'm Gavin. What's your name?

Michael.

Michael, nice to meet you. He stepped forward and extended his hand. Michael took it and was greeted with a very vigorous handshake.

Are you getting settled in ok? Any questions? Gavin asked.

I'm good, just trying to get to know my way around. Gavin? I've never heard that name before.

Yeah, it's Australian or something. The energy of his face seemed to leave for an instant and he looked at the floor. Change of subject; what brings you to Salisbury?

Michael explained how his father was working in Spain and his mother was taking care of his grandmother.

Yeah, I know how that is. My dad works out of town a lot. He's always off in some foreign country or another. That's kind of how I ended up here. I've been here for almost two weeks. My uncle can't keep up with me, and I don't really have anyplace else to go. It'll be nice having some company now. Have you eaten?

I haven't. What time is the cafeteria open? Michael asked.

It's mostly always open. They just started serving dinner, but you can hang out there anytime, said Gavin.

Hang out? inquired Michael. He wasn't familiar with the phrase.

Sure, be there to study or play cards or whatever, answered Gavin.

Oh. Neat. So, where are you from?

Ohio. You? asked Gavin.

A small-town south of here about two hours. You've probably never heard of it.

Before they could continue their conversation, a younger boy entered the room. Gavin introduced him. This is Raymond. Ray, this is Michael.

The two boys shook hands. Raymond was small and seemed nervous. Gavin said, Ray's been here since this morning. His parents expect him to be at the top of his class.

How old are you? asked Michael.

I'm twelve, answered Raymond. And it's not that I have to be at the top of my class. I just have to do really well if I want to take over my father's business someday.

What is your father's business? Michael asked.

He owns a manufacturing company. They make parts for people who make parts for lots of different things, from automobiles to television sets.

So, you're going to learn the family business when you get older? What exactly are you studying so hard? asked Michael.

Everything. My father says that to be a good businessman, you must be well rounded and learn to adapt. Eventually I'll go to college and get a degree in engineering. After that I'll start working in the drafting department, then I'll move around to get to know the company better. When my father thinks I'm ready I'll become vice president, and in time, he'll retire, and I'll take over the company.

It must be nice to have a plan like that. I'm thirteen and I have no idea what I'm going to do when I grow up, said Michael. How old are you Gavin?

Fifteen. I'm just trying to get through school. Maybe I'll figure something out when I'm in college.

I think it's strange that they mix us up so much, by age, I mean. I wonder who else we'll end up with? said Michael.

Raymond insisted that he had more studying to catch up on before classes started, so Gavin and Michael made their way to the cafeteria. As they walked, Gavin explained some of the ins and outs of the school that he had learned in his time alone on campus.

There are a few other kids who have been here through part or all of the summer; you'll likely meet more of them sooner or later. Over there is the gymnasium building. Lots of basketball hoops and baseball bats and stuff. Over there is the Smith building, the McKay building, the auditorium, the Knight building and the Lee building. That one over there is the library, and up ahead is the cafeteria.

Gavin had pointed to the buildings so quickly that Michael wasn't sure he'd be able to pick them out again without the help of his map. All the buildings looked pretty much the same--tan brick with small windows and fancy stonework around the top and corners. Some had carvings while others had simple decorations and patterns. All the buildings were close enough together that getting from class to class wouldn't be as much trouble as Michael first expected.

There are a few rules too, of course, like any school. I probably haven't learned them all, but I'll tell you what I can. Gavin had so much to say, Michael hoped they would be friends. He liked listening more than talking. The groundskeeper doesn't like it when you cut across the grass, Gavin continued. The cafeteria mom won’t let you take food out of the cafeteria, so you have to be sneaky. The. . .

Cafeteria mom? asked Michael.

Yeah, that's what they call her anyway. The dorms have moms too. She is away a lot, but her main job is to monitor curfew, Gavin explained. You'll get your school ID in there. He pointed to the administration office attached to the cafeteria building. You'll need that to check out books and stuff.

It turned out that Michael also needed the school ID to get his meal. After sorting out the details with the administration office and the cafeteria mom, Michael had a temporary ID that he could use to access the cafeteria, check out books from the library and to enter the testing center when the time came.

Why do I need an ID to take my tests? Michael asked Gavin. They were in a short line for food. The cafeteria was pretty much what Michael had expected, dark walls and lots of tables. There was a small area with couches and a small black and white television. The windows were larger than they seemed to be from outside, so the room was lighter than their dormitory.

I'm not sure actually, answered Gavin. I've noticed one of the buildings is a Testing Center, but I've never been inside.

Oh, said Michael, followed by, I'll have the green beans please, to the lady behind the food counter. Their dinner didn't look particularly appetizing. The main course was fried chicken with mashed potatoes and a choice of side--green beans or something orange that Michael couldn't identify. It was about this point that he realized how much he would be missing his mother's cooking.

Hey guys, said Gavin to a group of other boys as they were looking for a place to sit. This is Michael.

Michael returned the greetings and was happy to be so warmly welcomed. The group was full of kids that had been at the school for days or weeks or even all summer as one boy had been. Michael returned their hellos, tried to remember everyone's names, and had a very good time as they all talked about summer activities and their anticipation for the coming school year.

Did you hear that Joe broke his arm? said one boy with dark hair in a light blue shirt.

He did? I’ll bet he cried like a baby, said a blond boy.

Which Joe? asked a boy with brown teeth. Curly haired or the guy with the lisp?

The guy with the lisp, said the boy in the blue shirt.

Yeah, I could see him crying over something like that, said the boy with brown teeth.

Did you hear about Larry? asked a red-haired boy.

"What about him? asked the blond boy.

He was with Francis and Todd when Larry got in a fight with Zachariah, I heard Zach cleaned his clock and Todd just ran away," remarked the red-haired boy.

Hearing everyone talking together was like a miniature whirlwind. The conversations jumped around and names flew back and forth so fast it was impossible for an outsider like Michael to keep up. Still, he was determined to make a good impression. He smiled and laughed at the jokes he thought were funny. He even threw out a few jokes of his own when the opportunity arose.

Most of the time, Gavin stole the show. I'll bet you your chocolate milk I can poke my head through this hole, he said and held up his hand as if to say OK.

No way, said the red-haired boy.

Sure, said the dark-haired boy with whom Gavin was placing the bet.

Everybody ready? All the boys watched as Gavin waved his hands around to make the moment more spectacular. Then he held his OK hand above his eyes and poked the index finger of his other hand through, tapping the tip against his forehead.

Man, I can't believe you've never seen that one before. My grandpa used to do that all the time, he said. Let me have my chocolate milk.

The boy who lost the bet objected once before giving up his chocolate milk carton. Michael tried to remember his name-- Terry maybe?

It seemed that this would be a pretty good year for Michael, given the new surroundings and opportunities for new friends. At one point he looked around. The cafeteria had started to fill with students. Some looked lost, others seemed right at home. Most of the students, he was told, had been attending this school for a long time. Michael knew from some earlier reading that students could start here as early as fifth grade.

Three boys came to the table and filled seats that others had left opened when they finished their meals.

Hey Gav, who's your friend? asked the oldest looking boy.

Hey guys. This is Michael. He's new. Today is his first day, answered Gavin. The boys all introduced themselves; Tony, Jim and Greg. Tony was fun and talkative while Greg and Jim whispered back and forth, laughing occasionally.

Michael, good to meet you, said Tony. Anyone ever tell you that you look like The Beaver?

No. I've never heard that one, said Michael.

Who? Gavin asked.

The Beaver, said Greg. Leave it to Beaver?

Oh, right. Yeah, I kind of see it, said Gavin.

Hey Michael, asked Jim. What did one cannibal say to the other?

I don't know, answered Michael.

Does this taste funny to you? Oh shoot. Wait. They were eating a clown. Get it? Shoot. Jim folded his arms and stared into his plate while the others laughed at his failure. Yeah, all right. I'll get it next time, he said.

In the midst of the laughter, someone let a fart escape. Against the hard chairs, the sound reverberated very loudly. The boys all started laughing again.

What did you say? asked Tony.

Greg and Jim started laughing even harder now. It was contagious. Michael and Gavin were also laughing now. It felt good to let loose and relax a little. Michael felt confident that his time at this new school was going to be a good thing.

Through the uproar Greg said to Tony, You were talking to a fart, followed by more laughter.

A tear rolled down Jim's face, he was laughing so hard. Hey Tony, can you translate this? said Jim as he let another fart escape. All the boys laughed again.

The laughter carried on so long that Michael's face started to hurt. Just when things started to calm down, someone would make another fart noise, whether real or not, he couldn't always tell. Eventually, he and Gavin dismissed themselves. Tony, Greg and Jim carried on as Michael and Gavin left the cafeteria.

Chapter 2

After dinner Michael and Gavin returned to their room. Unpacking at the last bed was a pudgy round boy. He turned, startled somewhat, as the boys entered.

Oh great, he said to himself. He seemed very disappointed. I was hoping to share a room with Marshal. Maybe I'll be able to make the change later. Who are you?

His bluntness didn't deter Gavin one bit. He thrust his hand forward and introduced himself and then Michael.

My name is Timothy T. Thomas. You may call me Timothy. What sort of a name is Gavin? Timothy asked. I've never heard it before. It's kind of stupid.

And your nose is too big for your face. My name is Australian, Gavin Christensen, answered Gavin, not in the least bit put down by Timothy's rudeness. Mind if I call you Tim?

Absolutely not. Call me Timothy or don't call me at all, he said, raising his nose.

Suits me just fine, said Gavin.

Michael had moved to his bed while Gavin and Timothy talked to each other. He watched the new boy and worried that he would be a major downside to the room arrangements. As Timothy unpacked, pushing some of his stuff into Raymond's floor space, Michael observed that he was larger by far but shorter than either himself or Gavin. Raymond was reading quietly and didn’t seem to notice the intrusion. Michael settled into his bed to continue reviewing his class schedule and comparing it with the map. He noticed that Timothy was a little bit clumsy and was having difficulty deciding how to organize his articles around the desk and in the closet. He muttered to himself constantly. It was very distracting. Michael decided that the dorm room would not be the best place to get work done.

Several times Timothy dropped books or pens. He even dropped a box of candy bars, which were not allowed in the dorm room. He looked around when this happened and seemed satisfied that nobody noticed his contraband.

The rest of the evening Timothy kept asking questions about their families and history.

Are either of you from rich families? he inquired.

No, snorted Gavin, almost choking at the question.

Hardly, answered Michael. Though he'd never given it much thought. He knew his family wasn't rich, but they also were not poor. He guessed that no one at this school was poor.

What about you, pee-wee? Timothy asked of Raymond. Do you come from good stock or are you more in line with the common?

I don't know. I'm here, right? That must count for something, said Raymond in a quiet voice.

I don't think so, said Timothy. I'll have to find Marshal if I'm to have any quality to spend time with. Oh, I know. . . Do any of you know where I can find a job on campus? Father insists that I have a job to learn lessons from this year. Can you believe that?

I saw a job board down by the cafeteria, said Gavin. You can check there.

Very good. I hope to find a job that isn't beneath me, you know. Then again, what hope is that?

Eager to change the subject and take the focus off Timothy, Michael asked Gavin