The Sunset Journey

By Rachel Kingstone

One secret. Four dogs. 20,000 islands.

Jaeli, an orphaned dog with a dangerous secret, is trapped on an island with her canine friends, Kai, Roscoe and Ginger. This is the story of her life, in her own words. Will the four dogs ever find a home? Will Jaeli's past come back to destroy the pack forever? Don't miss this fast-moving, mysterious tale about a perilous journey, heartbreaking loss, and the triumphant power of friendship and family.

Ideal for readers aged 8 to 14, The Sunset Journey is the first thrilling book in The Twenty-Thousand Islands Trilogy.

Author Rachel Kingstone, 12, shares her lifelong love of dogs with vibrant storytelling and nail-biting action on every page of The Sunset Journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312202306

Book preview

The Sunset Journey

the Twenty-Thousand Islands Trilogy

Book 1:

The Sunset Journey

by Rachel Kingstone

For the real Ginger – I will always remember you.

The Sunset Journey

First Edition

The Sunset Journey copyright © 2014 Rachel Kingstone

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher or author.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

Cover Design: Rachel Kingstone

Interior Design: Rachel Kingstone

Publisher: Lulu.com

1. Fiction 2. Animals 3. Mythology 4. Adventure

Summary: When Jaeli and her friends escape from captivity, they must take on a dangerous journey to find a home.

First Edition

Printed in Canada

ISBN: 978-1-312-20230-6

"To die – takes just a little while –

They say it doesn't hurt –

It's only fainter – by degrees –

And then – it's out of sight –

A darker Ribbon – for a Day –

A Crape upon the Hat –

And then the pretty sunshine comes –

And helps us to forget –

The absent – mystic – creature –

That but for love of us –

Had gone to sleep – that soundest time –

Without the weariness –"

~Emily Dickinson

Author's Note:

Lupus Mythology is a religion that I created for this trilogy. Lupus Mythology is the dogs' and wolves' mythology. Where a human might say Oh my God or thank God, a canine would say Oh dear Lupus or thank Lupus etc.

Also, there is no difference between the terms Lupus and Liaza (the Creator). Liaza created the world, life, etc. and is a god to the canines in this story. Lupus is another term for Liaza, just as there are several terms for human gods in various religions. Both Lupus and Liaza the Creator are referred to in The Sunset Journey.

Pronunciation:

Felicia: pronounced Feh-LEE-shya.

Ginger: pronounced JIN-jer.

Jaeli: pronounced JAIL-ee.

Kai: pronounced Ky (rhymes with sky, tie or why)

Liaza: pronounced LIE-ah-zuh.

Lupus: pronounced LOO-puss.

Roscoe: pronounced RAW-skoh.

Sheila: pronounced SHEE-lah.

Taäm: pronounced Tahm.

Part One [1]: The Journey Begins

Chapter One [1]

As I write about my life, the scratch of my hawk feather quill is drowned out by the sound of miserable yelps and howling. Pitiful animals, all around me, crying for mercy ... or for a scrap of nutritious food ... or for a chance to escape the gloomy darkness. To run free in the daylight.

But all this noise can't block out the brooding thoughts and vivid memories that have been swirling in my mind. Stories that long to be recorded. That desperately need to be shared. So I hold this quill in my teeth, and I scrawl my tale across these scraps of paper stolen from the heartless human guardians who keep us here against our will.

We are all dogs. This whole room – the whole building, this cold, dreary miserable cinder-block prison – is filled with our four-legged kind. We're surrounded by cement walls stained the colour of the sickness and filth that chokes the musty air we breathe. Over our heads there are a few small light bulbs to tell us it's daytime if they're on. Night time if they're not. For no sunshine finds its way inside this place. I guess no ray of sunshine would want to be here if it didn't have to.

My thick chocolate-brown fur contrasts with the ugly brown stains on the floors and walls. Even now, ungroomed and encrusted with filth, I know that beneath the scars of man I could be beautiful. But more importantly, my pelt served me well during my years in the wild. My lush coat is warm on cold nights. It keeps my skin safe from sharp branches and rocks and bee stings. Oh, how I yearn for those wonderful months – those danger-filled times when I felt free and alive. When I survived with nothing more than my fur, fangs, and friends to protect me.

But there is no point in mourning now. I am trapped here forever. The only things that keep me from dying of boredom, if illness or starvation don't take me first, are my three best friends – Kai, Roscoe, and Ginger.

Oh, yes. I don't remember mentioning my name. I am called Julia. My birth name was Jaeli, but that is a secret that I must keep from everyone but you. I will explain later.

This dreary building that holds us captive is located on an island called Porcupine Island. It's a large expanse of green - or maybe it is white, I can't tell the difference between the two – somewhere out in the middle of the cold blue waters of Loughborough Lake. I was born into a litter of three on the mainland of Kingston but, finding myself alone as a young pup, I followed the scent of meat onto a small cargo boat. The boat delivers food