The Magic in the Half Torn Map

By Alisa Bargeski

At the end of the 9th grade, Katie Terosie learns that her family is moving to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. She is devastated about the move and leaving her friends in Minnesota. That is, until she meets her new neighbors, Seth and his sister, Lauren. While snorkeling, Katie finds a map in a bottle at the bottom of the Caribbean Sea. Katie, her younger sister Anna, Seth, and Lauren decide to follow the map. They discover that they can magically breathe underwater and, in a short time, find themselves in a tricky position. They are in a world of mermaids, mermen, and all kinds of dangers. The only way to get home is to find the King of this magical world and ask for his help. Will he choose to help or will they be forced to stay like all the other humans – as prisoners?This story consists of adventure, friendship, and romance. Though they have good times and bad times in the underwater world, their only mission is to somehow find their way home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ATBOSH Media Ltd.
• Release date: Oct 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781626131149

Alisa Bargeski

Alisa Bargeski is currently attending Ithaca College with a major in film production. She began writing The Magic in the Half Torn Map when she was in middle school and is in the midst of writing her second novel.

Book preview

The Magic in the Half Torn Map

Alisa Bargeski

Copyright © 2013 by Alisa Bargeski

All rights reserved.

Published by ATBOSH Media ltd.

Cleveland, Ohio, USA

www.atbosh.com

For Dia and Donald

Chapter One

AND THE MOUNTAIN LIONS HAVE WON IT! The announcer yelled into the microphone. The crowd was cheering and the cheerleaders were throwing each other left and right; heads followed a blue uniformed cheerleader as she flew through the air and then was caught in a cradle by her bases.

THE MINNESOTA MOUNTAIN LIONS HAVE WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME! The horns from the band blew out the song We are the Champions and the drums went off like fireworks, capturing everyone's attention. A boy wearing a green uniform with the number 88 on the back, the captain of the team, was lifted and carried around the field in celebration. A huge party broke out on the football field. Unbelievably loud music blasted from the giant speakers throughout the stands and people danced and went crazy because of their victory. The other team stood there, wide-eyed, still trying to contemplate what had just happened.

I know that football season is in the fall, but for our school district everything is all messed up. It's almost summertime.

Did you see that last touchdown? That was amazing! I said as Erin and I walked up to the school parking lot.

Yeah! I think that was also the best first year of high school! I just can't wait to be a sophomore, Erin squealed like a little girl. Whenever she was excited about something she would squeal. Nobody ever understood why exactly.

Because we won't be freshmen anymore? I asked raising my eyebrows at her. I knew the answer already. We were both excited to move on from looking up at the other classes to down on the new incoming freshmen.

Exactly, Erin smiled and spun around once, almost tripping over her feet.

We both started laughing and I grabbed Erin's arm to pull her down to the grass because I couldn't stop. We looked like idiots, sitting on the ground laughing our heads off for no apparent reason at all. People were walking by staring, but we didn't care. We were best friends and if we wanted to look like dorks, we would. Anything and everything that happened with Erin was funny. I looked up to find Stacy leaning over us.

Get up. You guys look like losers. Stacy is a senior who has been friends with Erin and me since elementary school when she was our crossing guard for the intersection in which no cars passed anyway. People are staring at you. Get up! I don't want you guys getting a bad reputation for next year.

We won't, don't worry. We're already semi-popular. Erin rocked her hand side to side to show that we were in the middle of popular and normal. Really, we were nowhere near being popular and were happy just where we were in the social status of a high school. I mean, why does it matter? As long as you have friends you should be happy, right? Did it really matter who had the new Prada bag or new clothes from whatever store was in these days? I mean who cares if you are fought over by a bunch of cute guys? It's not like you're going to marry any of them, right? Does being popular really matter all that much anyway?

Why do you care? You're not going to be here, you're going to college, Erin said, as she grabbed Stacy's French manicured hand and stood up.

Yeah, seriously, you're not even going to be here next year, so we can't really embarrass you or anything, I said.

No, but you can embarrass yourself. And I don't want you guys to get hurt because sophomore year is different. You'll see. Then Stacy walked over to about ten other people and started socializing, making jokes and smiling. Erin and I were left standing all alone in the middle of the field – that is, aside from the partying people scattered throughout.

What do you think she means by 'sophomore year is different'? Erin asked.

I don't know, but you know what, I really don't care because as long as we're together, everything is the same and nothing can change that, I said and smiled at my best friend. She chuckled.

What? I asked demandingly.

That was really cheesy, she laughed. I pushed her and started to laugh myself. We continued to walk up the hill to the parking lot full of cars.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

What. Is. That? My mouth fell open as my dad drove up to us.

Wow, nice ride Mr. Terosie! Erin said and then chuckled to herself trying to hold in her laughter. My dad was sitting in a yellow jeep, and he was wearing a flowered blue shirt that looked like it was made in Hawaii.

Umm Dad, why do you have a jeep? We are in Minnesota. It's cold here, remember? I spoke to him like I was talking to a two year old. The car was small and looked like something you would drive on the beach -- not something you would drive here.

Girls, just get in the car, he said with absolutely no expression.

I looked at Erin, shrugged and said, Why not? So we both hopped into the jeep without even opening the door and started to drive away. I ducked my head as if I were looking for something at the bottom of the car until we were out of the school parking lot. If someone saw me in a jeep, they would surely think I was crazy!

Wait Dad, you never answered my question. Why do you have a jeep? I asked once we were on the main road.

Umm well......it's for my job, we have this thing......this p-project, he stammered.

Yeah right, I whispered to Erin so my dad couldn't hear me.

Dad, you only stutter when you're hiding something so spit it out!

Who wants music? my dad asked, changing the subject. Then he turned on the radio as loud as it could go so we couldn't ask him any more questions. I rolled my eyes and leaned back in the leather seat.

We kept driving, the music still blasting and the cold air blowing in our faces. Because there was no roof on this car, it didn't fit in with the rest of the traffic. All the other cars were either minivans or trucks or something else, but at least they had a roof. You looked out the window and saw all these black, white and blue cars driving down the road and then there was our yellow jeep that stuck out. We drove past our old elementary school and then past the park where we used to play when we were small. They always brought back memories when Erin was in the car, which was most of the time.

Dad, do you mind turning the music down a little? I asked nicely.

WHAT? he shouted.

TURN THE MUSIC DOWN! I shouted back, trying to get my voice louder than the blasting noise coming from the stereo.

OH! Then he pushed a button and everything went silent.

Ow ow ow! Erin yelled. My head hurts now. You can't just turn it off. You have to lower the volume first! Then we turned into our street and both of us got out of the car.

Bye Katie! Erin said loudly as she walked across the street to her house.

Katie, go help your mom with dinner please, my dad requested as he tossed the car keys on the hall table.

Okay, whatever, I said, and walked into the kitchen. My mom was putting a pot of water on the stove when I entered.

Take off your shoes; we just had the floors cleaned! She said looking down at my black Converses, which were somewhat muddy.

Okay, okay. Sorry mom, didn't know. I slipped off my shoes and kicked them to the corner. The tile was cold on my bare feet so I quickly stepped onto the small area rug.

Hey mom, do you know why dad has a jeep? I asked, washing my hands at the sink.

We will talk about that over dinner, my mom said. Don't you have some homework to do?

Yes, but I was going to help you with dinner. I walked over to the cabinet where we kept the pasta.

No, it's okay, I got it. You go do your homework.

Umm okay...sure. I said and I walked upstairs to my room.

I jumped on my bed to lie down. I was exhausted from my day. I thought about how tired I was. I was sick of waking up at 6:00 a.m. every morning and going to sleep late because of all the homework they force on us.

I got up off my bed and walked over to my desk to start my homework.

Beep, beep, beep, New Text Message, my phone read.

I picked up my phone and flipped it open; the text read: 'webcam.' I quickly put my phone down and turned on my computer. It took a few minutes to load. Ugh, come on! Turn on! I yelled at my computer. Then Anna, my six year old sister, walked in.

Why are you talking to your computer? Anna asked, as she sat down on my bed.

Hey Anna, do you know why Dad has a jeep? I said, changing the subject.

I'm only six, how would I know? Maybe we are going on vacation! To the beach! I have never been to a beach! Anna was getting excited over nothing.

No, we are not going on vacation to a beach. Sure it's almost summer, but there are two reasons why that's not possible. First, why would we buy a jeep instead of renting one at the beach? And second, we already have plans for the summer.

Oh okay, Anna said, and then walked out. I turned my chair around and the second I logged on to my video chat account the words, Call From Erin, popped up on my screen.

Erin's face came up on my computer as did mine in the top left corner.

Okay, I need to know why your dad has a jeep because if it's for the summer, you can't go. We are already going to work at that camp together, Erin said.

I know, I know I'm going to figure out what it's for, I said.

Promise that right after you find out you'll log on and tell me. I will be waiting for you.

Yes, I promise, as soon as I know. But you know Erin, it's probably nothing big. It's probably just a one week vacation to the beach. That's all.

Okay, I guess you're right, but you still have to get on after dinner, Erin said.

Okay I will. So do you understand the math homework? I asked her, holding up my paper to the camera.

No, I have no idea how to do it. I think you do something with... She paused to think. I don't know, she finished.

Okay. So I can't believe we only have three more days of school! I squealed.

I know! I am so excited! What should I wear the last day of school? she asked.

It doesn't matter because right after we are going to the pool.

I know, but I still want to look good, Erin said as she got off her chair and walked to her closet. She pulled out some clothes and walked back to her computer. Okay, she said, putting them on the chair and turning her computer upward so I could see her whole body. This one? she asked, holding up a cute zebra print fitted t-shirt and a denim mini skirt. Or, or, or, this one? She held up white shorts and a light blue tank top with a black half-jacket.

I like the first, because, no offense but red hair doesn't really go with blue, I said pointing to the skirt and zebra top.

Hey! It has some orange in it too. I'm not going to dye my hair to match my clothes. This is all natural, Erin said shaking her orange curls in all directions like a model for a shampoo commercial, but thanks. I like the first one better anyway, and now I can wear my new shoes!

Glad I could help.

Katie, Anna, time for dinner! my mom yelled from the kitchen.

I gotta go, I said, ending the call and closing my laptop.

I rushed downstairs just in time to see my mom scooping pasta into the four bowls that sat on the granite counter. Anna hopped down the stairs with one of her many Barbies in her hand.

Okay girls, sit down, my dad said. Both Anna and I sat down at the kitchen table while our mom put our food in front of us. Anna sat her Barbie on the table next to her plate.

Anna, no toys at the table, my dad said in a calm relaxed voice, though I could tell he was hiding something.

But it's just Sara, she's my favorite, Anna gave her famous puppy eye look that has always worked on our parents.

Tom, just let her, my mom said sitting down at the head of the table and twirling her fork in her noodles.

Kristen, I don't want a doll on the table while we're eating.

Just give it a rest, Mom said.

Anna dug in and started eating. I just sat there looking at my parents, seeing them staring back at me with blank expressions. Nothing to say, nothing to do.

Katie you have to eat, my mom said to me.

Nah, I'm not so hungry. Big lunch, I said and pushed my bowl as far away as I could.

No more food after dinner so I suggest that you eat now, Dad said.

Not until you tell me why we have a yellow jeep in our garage right now, I said pointing towards the white door that led to the garage.

My mom took a deep breath and said, Katie your dad got a job offer to work in St. Thomas for three years, and he took it.

So dad's leaving us? I asked, looking at my mother who had a depressed look on her face now.

No, we're going with him, she replied, a fake smile spread across her face as she said this, as if she were trying to make this seem like a good thing.

I sat there with my mouth wide open as thoughts of leaving rushed through my head. I couldn't sit up straight. My heart was racing so