The Frightened Fox: Sammy Silvertooth's Guide to Revolution, #2

By Miranda New

A little girl with the power to save or destroy the revolution. But whose side is she really on?

 

Barely recovered from her last encounter with a fox witch, Amia sets out with Simon to find safety within the revolution. Unfortunately, the wilderness of the Dome turns out to be more dangerous than either of them could have imagined. Between horrible monsters and dangerous government officials, the future doesn't look bright for the Armarian refugees.

 

Along the way, they stumble across a little girl who may hold the key to defeating the government. But can she be trusted? Until they know for sure, Amia must keep the little girl safe. If she succeeds, she may finally have a way to get free of the Dome. If she fails, the government will have a new weapon to add to their arsenal. Amia and all of the Armarian children's lives hang in the balance.

Can Amia find a way to keep not only herself, but her children safe? Buy 'The Frightened Fox' and find out!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Miranda New
• Release date: Oct 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393047612

Miranda New

Born in Texas, Aged in Korea Texas born and bred, Miranda New and her husband Steve moved to Korea in 2009 for a short break from life. Two sons, two dogs, and a lot of lizards later, they’ve admitted that they may never leave.  Miranda fell in love with Korea almost as soon as she got off the plane. She spent much of her life teaching other expats about the language and culture of the country. After writing her master’s thesis on the topic of second language self-identity formation, she became extremely interested in people’s self-identity and how it is influenced by their surroundings. Having struggled herself to form a second-language identity, Miranda uses her novels as an opportunity to explore the multitude of identities people create for themselves.  Miranda and her husband Steve have two adult sons and are currently in process to adopt a third. The process of creating a family out of four people who do not share blood-ties has also deeply impacted Miranda’s writing. Much of her work delves into questions related to what it means to be a family and how people end up in the relationships that they are in.  Miranda is dedicated to improving the plight of immigrants both in Korea, the States, and all over the world. She is also specifically interested in the rights and struggles of children, both those who are caught in various forms of slavery and trafficking, and those who live in war torn areas. Having spent more than ten years living next to North Korea, the struggles of its people stay close to her heart. She hopes that you will find joy and hope when you read her stories and that they will open your eyes to groups of people you might not have previously thought about.

Book preview

1

May 6 th 2043, 04:45

Sixteen-year-old Denny Elby sat bathed in the light of his computer monitor. He was typing furiously. @Bunnyfufudidit823 In 2018 a scientist in Peru managed to replicate the plasma that makes up the Dome. The process to make it required an electro-magnet and a super conductor. How can you say it’s naturally occurring? He read the words he’d typed out loud and nodded once to himself. That ought to put him in his place, he said as he clicked Post.

His elbow caught a pile of books stacked precariously on the corner of the desk. They hit the floor with a loud thud. Shoot! If Mom and Dad wake up, I’m toast. He turned to his bedroom door and listened for any signs that he’d woken them. The house stayed quiet. Denny let out a big sigh of relief and bent down to pick everything up.

Why don’t you just go to bed, man? He glanced at the clock. It was already 5:00 a.m. He’d only get a few hours of sleep as it was. If he flunked his math test today, well, that would be the end of the computer in his bedroom. He glanced at his still-made bed and stretched. Guess I’ll catch a few hours of sleep, then study for the test during English class. He turned back to the computer only to find that @Bunnyfufudidit823 had responded to him.

@Stargazer2819 Where’s the proof? I’ve never heard of any of that.

This guy is a serious Dome-troll, Denny muttered.

He posted a link to the article he’d found about the scientist.

Then, he glanced at the math textbook sitting on the desk. He’d promised himself that he’d only be on this site for an hour. How did time always go so fast when was on his message boards?

@Bunnyfufudidit823 replied back to him. @Stargazer2819 That’s a hoax site, mouth-breather.

Denny scowled at the screen. Just go to bed, this guy isn’t worth it. He started to turn the computer off, but found himself typing in the address for one of his favorite blogs, Dome-ination. The writer had a PhD in Dome Studies and as far as Denny could tell, was a genius. The site was filled with blurry pictures of the inside of the Dome, interviews from people who reported unexplainable occurrences related to the Dome, and scientific studies that disproved much of the government propaganda about the Dome.

Denny scrolled through the front page, looking for new articles. He might not be the smartest kid in town, but he was absolutely positive that the government’s continual assertion that the Dome was a naturally occurring phenomenon was a crock. What sort of person believed that a massive green plasma bubble was naturally occurring? People who didn’t want to consider the truth, that’s who.

That was the thing about people here in Wytheville. They didn’t really talk about the how and why of the Dome. All they ever did was talk about the aftermath. They were constantly going on about how the day the Dome showed up had been the beginning of the end for America. It wasn’t that Denny disagreed, it was just that he couldn’t understand what they were trying to accomplish by whining about it.

Denny was all about the here and now. And here and now, there was a big ‘electrical anomaly’ swallowing up a fourth of America. Why did everyone just accept the results of all of those government studies without questioning them? Sure, they had huge lists of facts and data that were supposed to conclusively prove that there was nothing living in the Dome, but who had made those numbers? Who had done all the research? The government. Denny had read the papers, and he wasn’t convinced.

How could they have even done research on the Dome? There was a three-mile electrical dead zone around it. They’d claimed to have used some kind of spectroscope and magnetic energy ray, but that seemed far-fetched. He couldn’t even get phone reception in his bathroom. And they were always going on about how difficult it was to get any clear reading on the Dome. Except in this one case, apparently. This was why Denny tended to believe that America had been the one to put the Dome up. But why?

He rubbed his eyes. Man, I’m tired. He glanced at the clock; it was already 5:30. He was definitely going to flunk that math test. He turned off his computer and flopped onto his bed. The Dome would have to wait.

A few hours later, Denny jerked awake to the sound of a crow screeching. What is it with that bird? It was out there every morning. Like it had been sent. Maybe it was a conspiracy. Woah, Dad’s right. You are getting paranoid. More screeching. Shut up, bird! he shouted, shielding his eyes from the bright rays of sunlight streaming through his window.

You okay up there? his mom called from downstairs.

Fine, Mom! That bird’s out there again! Denny cursed the bird under his breath. Stupid bird, always waking me up before my alarm.

He groaned and sat up, glancing at the clock. It was already 7:45. He climbed out of bed and staggered to his dresser. Something sharp jammed in his heel. Ow! he yelled. Lifting his foot, he found the bent remains of one of his favorite manga figurines. Oh no! Stargazer Navel Buster! he groaned. He gingerly picked up the little rabbit in a spacesuit. An ear and the bright yellow laser sword were bent.

Denny! You okay up there, Sweetheart?

I’m fine, mom! I just stepped on my Stargazer figurine.

He cradled the mangled figurine in his palm. He’d spent nearly fifty dollars on this thing. How had it even ended up on the floor? He glanced at the pile of books on his desk. That’s right, I put him up there to keep me company while I studied for the math test. Why didn’t you make me study little guy? He hobbled over to his bookcase and deposited the sad little rabbit in his spot between Wolf Hunter and T-Rex Wild Cat. I’ll deal with you tonight, Captain Buster, he muttered.

His mom shouted up the stairs, Hey, Den? I gotta get to work! Hurry down so I can get my kiss!

He limped out of his room and down the stairs. That little sword was a lot sharper than he’d suspected. His whole foot was throbbing.

Are you okay, Denny? his mom asked.

Yeah, just a sword to the foot, Denny said.

His mom smiled and leaned forward, lips pursed. He leaned in and offered her his cheek.

Have a great day, Sweetheart! Love you!

Yeah, love you, too, he said, wiping her lipstick off his cheek.

His mom opened the door, and then turned. Hey, Den, please make sure Katie isn’t late.

She’s never late, Mom. I always get her to school by 8:30.

Her teacher begs to differ.

Narc. Okay, you got me. I promise. She won’t be late today.

She leaned around him. Bye, Katie! Have a wonderful day!

Katie, who was sitting at the table, eating a bowl of cereal, waved her spoon. The telltale lipstick was still on her cheek. Bye, Mom!

The door slammed shut and a moment later he could hear the car start up.

Dad already leave?

Yep.

Any cereal left for me?

Nope. She giggled and stuck out her tongue.

Pumpkin-head, he grumbled as he walked into the kitchen. Sure enough, the cereal box was poking out of the top of the trashcan.

Seriously, Pumpkin-face?

Mom said you’re not supposed to call me that, she said, jamming another big bite of psychedelic colored cereal into her mouth.

Mom has left the building. What am I supposed to eat?

I don’t know. Seems like an upper management problem.

The mouth on this kid. He smiled slightly. She was getting pretty funny these days. But he wasn’t going to tell her that.

And the award for worst little sister goes to-

Your fat smelly face! she said. Standing, she took her bowl to the sink and rinsed it. Denny grabbed a box of whole grain cereal off the fridge.

Man. Now I gotta eat Mom’s old lady cereal.

Katie wandered off to do whatever it was girls did in the morning. He gagged down the cardboard goodness of his mom’s cereal while watching cartoons.

Mom said you’re not supposed to watch TV before school! Katie shouted from upstairs.

Denny rolled his eyes. For a ninth-grader, she sure was into the rules. He turned his attention back to the TV. After swallowing the soggy remains of his cereal, he took a whiff of his armpit. I ought to shower. He glanced at the clock. It was just now 8:00. Better hurry.

The water was just barely hot enough to be tepid. Water heater must be going out. He sighed as he alternatively scrubbed and shivered. Not likely they’d be fixing that anytime soon. Bill collectors were calling every day of the week as it was. At least it was May. Maybe they’d have enough money to get it fixed before winter.

Denny! Katie called, banging on the bathroom door.

I know, we’re late. I’ll be out in a minute.

No, something weird is going on! Katie kept hammering on the door.

It’s just your face, Katie! There’s nothing anyone can do about it.

No, I mean it! My hair’s standing up on end.

What?

My-

The air in the shower began to crackle and vibrate. The lights in the house flickered erratically before going off completely. Somewhere outside he heard an explosion.

Holy- Denny cut off the water and scrambled out of the shower. Wrapping himself in a towel he ran out of the bathroom.

What was that? he asked.

Katie’s eyes were huge, and she was breathing in tiny gasps. What’s going- She was cut off by the screeching of the emergency siren.

Denny? What’s happening? Tears were streaming down Katie’s face.

I don’t know. Just… Denny glanced at his towel.

Just stay right here. I’m going to put some clothes on.

He ran into his room and grabbed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. The siren kept blaring. The lights flickered back on. What in the world happened? Is there a storm? He looked out the window to see if there were any storm clouds.

His jaw dropped open. Holy cheese and rice casserole, he whispered.

The bright green glow of the Dome was gone. In its place was... nothing.

Katie! he shouted.

Why? What is it? Her voice was shrill.

The Dome! The Dome’s down!

What? She threw the door to his room open and rushed up next to him.

Woah!

They stood next to each other for a moment, just staring at the vacant space the Dome had occupied until seconds ago.

But the government said it couldn’t be taken down, she said.

Denny just shook his head.

What… what do you think… Katie trailed off.

Denny stared out at the empty air. Gone. His mind was a swirl of chaos for a minute. Wait! If it’s gone… then anything in there is…

Something on his desk started buzzing. Katie screamed and clung to his side. Denny glanced around the room, struggling to get his brain to focus on what the buzzing could be. My phone! He rushed over to his desk and dug it out from under the mess of books. It was his mom.

Denny! Sweetheart, are you and Katie okay?

Mom! Denny half-shouted into the phone.

Den, listen, you are not to leave the house! Do you understand? No matter what, stay put. Don’t go to school, don’t go out to investigate. Stay where you are. At his mom’s voice, tears sprung to the corners of his eyes.

Mom! Where are you? Are you okay? he nearly sobbed into the phone.

Denny, are you crying? Are you okay? his mom shouted through the phone. She was definitely upset.

Denny took a shaky breath and glanced at Katie, who was pressed up against his side, staring up at him in terror. Keep it together man.

Is Mom okay? she asked.

We’re okay, Mom. Are you okay?

It’s crazy out here. People are running out into the streets, a car just- his mom gasped, and a second later there was a loud crash.

Mom? Mom? Denny’s heart leapt up into his throat.

I’m here. I’m okay. Some idiot just drove his car into a utility pole.

Mom? Mommy? Katie whimpered.

She’s fine, Katie, Denny said. He wrapped an arm around her.

Den? Look, I- The phone cut out.

Mom! Mom! Denny shouted into the phone.

Katie started sobbing. Denny looked down at her and took a deep breath. Calm down, man. You’re freaking out Katie.

It’s fine, Katie. She’s fine. I’m sure she’s- Somewhere outside he heard screaming. He and Katie rushed to the window. Three people went running by. A minute later, there was a police car. And then two more police cars. Denny watched as the they disappeared around a corner.

Their house was less than a fifteen-minute walk from the Dome. What if it’s all true? What if something was living in there? He glanced at the book of supposed Dome monster sightings that was sitting on his desk. They’d all seemed so cool when the Dome was safely in place. He took a deep breath and tried to smile at Katie.

Come on, Pumpkin-head. Mom’s fine. She said to stay inside.

But why did she hang up?

She didn’t hang up. The phone got cut off… Denny squeezed Katie’s shoulder and said, Mom is okay, and we’re okay. Just for good measure, he added, And we don’t even have to go to school today.

Katie nodded numbly. What are we supposed to do?

Well… He stared at the wall. What are we supposed to do?

Do you really think anything was living in there? she asked.

Yes. No. There’s nothing under there. Remember? The government said it was just an electrical anomaly.

You always said it wasn’t, Katie whispered.

Since when does she care what I think? Yeah, but all the teachers said I was being crazy, remember? And teachers know a lot more than me. He squeezed Katie’s shoulder again and contemplated his situation. He’d read a thousand different articles about what might be in the Dome. The most recent one was super human zombies. He’d blown it off the other night, but now…

Denny? Why aren’t you saying anything?

Huh? Oh, I’m just working out a plan.

What’s your plan?

Geeze, slow down, Katie. Well, we can see the street best from my room, right? Let’s grab some snacks and hang out in here.

Okay. Katie wiped her nose on her sleeve.

As they started down the stairs, Denny could hear a newscaster talking in a high, frantic voice. He hurried down to the kitchen table where the TV was.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a drill. The Dome has come down, the newscaster said. Please await further instructions! The government is putting all cities within a fifteen-mile radius of the Dome on immediate lockdown. The newscaster was pale and shaking. Denny rushed over to the TV with Katie.

I repeat, all of Wytheville is being put on lockdown until further notice. Please do not leave your homes!

Mom and Dad are out there, Katie whispered.

The newscaster continued, Ladies and gentlemen, we have just received our first footage of the inside of the Dome. The camera cut away to a picture of the Dome vanishing. Inside, Denny could just barely make out what appeared to be clusters of some sort of buildings. Were those houses?

Were there people in there? Katie whispered.

Shh. Denny stared at the TV. The screen switched back to the newscaster. He was staring slack-jawed into space.

Jack, you’re on! someone called.

I… the man wiped his brow with his arm. I can’t believe… we have footage of what many are saying are humans living within the Dome. Denny’s body began to shake. Next to him, Katie started whimpering.

Denny? What does he-

Shh, Denny hissed. The Dome came back into view. Denny hugged Katie up against his side. There was the explosion again, and then, in the right-hand corner, he saw something that looked an awful lot like a person stagger into one of the buildings.

No, Denny whispered.

Katie gasped. Denny! That was a person! There were people in there! What does that mean?

Denny didn’t respond. He glanced around their living room. The internet was right. Something had been living in there. Was it just humans?

Katie began sobbing. What if they come here?

Denny froze. What if they come here? Dad had a gun in the master bedroom. They ought to have the gun.

Katie, get some food and go into my room, he said as he darted across the living room to the door of his parents’ bedroom.

Where are you going?

I’m getting the gun. Just get food!

Denny yanked open the door of his dad’s closet. There, in the corner, was the gun safe. What was that code? Mom and Dad’s anniversary. He squeezed his eyes shut and ran through all the possible dates. December. Twenty-fifth? No. That was Christmas. Thirty-first was New Year’s Eve. Twenty-nineth. He punched it into the safe. The door clicked open. There was the handgun and two boxes of bullets. Denny grabbed them and darted back into the living room. Katie was nowhere to be seen.

He stumbled up the stairs, nearly dropping the box of bullets twice. In his room, he found Katie perched on his bed, staring out the window. Her eyes were red from crying. On his desk was a jug of orange juice and two boxes of granola bars. She turned as he walked in. Her eyes widened at the gun.

Do you think they’re dangerous?

He hesitated. Yes. Nah. But better safe than sorry, right?

They sat next to each other on the bed while Denny loaded the gun. His dad had taken him to the shooting range a few times last year. Something about responsibility and proper gun ownership. It hadn’t seemed especially important then.

The news said there were people living in there, Katie whispered.

Yeah, I saw.

No, like they said that it was confirmed. Someone had met one of them or something.

Denny glanced at the gun.

Why do you think it came down?

Maybe they just wanted some fresh air or something, he muttered. Katie shook her head.

Ten minutes later, his mom’s car pulled into the driveway. Mom’s home! Katie shouted and jumped up off the bed. Denny watched to make sure his mom was the one getting out of the car. As soon as she stepped out onto the driveway, he breathed a sigh of relief. Unless it’s a shape shifter… or body snatcher… He shook his head once and followed Katie down the stairs.

2

July 1 st 2040 20:22

Amia closed her eyes. The wound in her side was throbbing painfully. How had she managed to walk all the way here? She felt like she was going to pass out. But now isn’t really the time for that, is it? After a lifetime of lies, she was finally about to get some real answers about the government and the Dome. Just don’t pass out.

She opened her eyes. Jorgen and Simon were talking animatedly. Jorgen kept slapping Simon on the back and laughing. They must be really good friends. She struggled to imagine anyone getting close to the ever grouchy and mysterious Simon Greggory.

What are you grinning about over there? Simon asked.

She shrugged. Just happy to be sitting.

A glimmer of a smile crossed Simon’s face. You should have seen this kid in action, Jorgey. I think she might be faster than Stephanie.

I find it hard to imagine that, Brother. The Grackle was almost impossible to catch.

She took the heads off of three criers in just minutes.

Jorgen raised an eyebrow. The Baby Grackle is certainly following in her mother’s footsteps.

Both men’s expressions darkened momentarily.

Well, Baby Grackle, I suppose you’d like to hear my story, Jorgen said, adjusting the lantern so that the light didn’t shine in his face.

Amia leaned forward, wincing at the sharp pain in her side. Yes. Please.

Just a warning, Kiddo, this story will ruin your life. You’ll never be able to live a happy life in the Dome again. You sure you want that? You keep going on about how great the government is. Simon scooted his chair back and pulled off one of his boots. Governor’s pants, my feet hurt.

Amia eyed Simon and then Jorgen. I just want to know the truth, Mr. Greggory.

Well, once you’ve heard the whole truth, you’ll see why I’m such a crotchety old bastard. Simon shook his boot.

Jorgen ran a hand through his light brown hair before resting his chin on his palm. He contemplated Amia for a moment, bit his lip, and began.

"I was born in Stockholm, Sweden. My father was a politician. We had a great life. We lived in a big house, we had servants, and I went to the best school in the country. Then, when I was maybe seven years old, my father brought a man home to dinner. I’ll never forget the man. He had these indigo eyes, unlike anything I’d ever seen, and he was American. He was introduced to me as Mr. Foxe. My mother was very polite to him, brought out our best china, and had the servants make an expensive meal. She later told me that he was a wealthy man and Father had made a very good deal with him.

"Time went by. Mr. Foxe sent two children to my father. They were small and the palest white I’d ever seen. Initially, I thought they were sick because of how pale they were. My father said they were servants Mr. Foxe had trained. I didn’t really understand what that meant, and I didn’t really care, honestly. My father said that I was not allowed to play with the children or to talk to them, so I didn’t. They didn’t look like they’d be much fun to play with anyway. Honestly, most of the time they looked like they were about to burst into tears.

About six months into the children coming to live with us the boy disappeared. No one said anything to me about it, so I’m not sure where he went. The girl looked even sadder after that. A bit later, a few more kids showed up. No one really talked about them or why they were there.

Amia stared at Jorgen in shock. Is he talking about Domer kids? Is this why they’re kidnapping them? Her fist clenched tightly in her lap. Jorgen, who had been staring off at the wall until that moment, turned and met her eyes. His expression softened slightly. I should have warned you, this is not a happy story, Baby Grackle, he said. Amia took a deep breath and leaned back in her chair, unbaling her fist.

No, I’m okay. Please, I want to know, she said.

"For the next few years these kids would shuffle in and out of our house. All of them paper white and small. They’d work for us for maybe six months or so, and then they’d disappear. Mr. Foxe occasionally came to ‘talk business’ with my father. They drank and smoked a lot whenever he came. Both of them seemed to think that they were going to make a lot of money with these kids.

"Then there was some disagreement between them. I don’t know what it