The Mystery of Fuller Creek Mine

By David C. Reyes

Upon moving to the town of Fuller Creek, Jesse feels the life he once knew is over. But from the moment he meets a spunky girl named Katie, he soon finds out the adventures have just begun. In the midst of a school assignment, Jess & Katie stumble upon a mystery which has been unsolved for over fifty years! With vicious rumors threatening to end their friendship, will they persevere and solve the mystery of Fuller Creek Mine?

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Harbor Press
• Release date: Apr 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201966089

David C. Reyes

David is a published author with multiple works of fiction to his credit. A trademark of his writing, is to use his creativity where he entwines a positive moral message within his storylines. Beside writing, David enjoys watching romantic comedy movies or spending time in the local mountains with his lovely wife, Linda.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION:

THIS STORY ALL BEGAN in a small town called Fuller Creek. My father, who is a supervisor for a manufacturing plant in Colorado, was transferred to California when they needed more people to work at that location. I, being twelve years old and going into the seventh grade, wasn’t happy about the move. I had many friends, a nice home, and as a sixth-grader, we were the Kings of elementary school. Now that we were in the 1980s, I thought I had it all. I would hang out with my friends, play video games, and watch the Denver Broncos during football season with my dad. It was a pretty nice life. The thought of moving away to a small town did not thrill me, and I was definitely not looking forward to it.

One thing I came to realize very quickly: Fuller Creek was a very, and I mean very, small town. I think the population was only about nine thousand people, with some small shops, a couple of factories, one car dealership, one theater, and only local-type places to eat. Not even a Burger King to have a Whopper. And the worst thing was, they didn’t even have a single video arcade—bummer. The town was called Fuller Creek because of the founder of the town, a man named Thomas Fuller. It was a nice area at the foothills of a National Forest. It had lakes, streams, and plenty of trees. My mother is a homemaker who takes care of our household and me and my sister. My sister Tami is older than I by about a year, and she bosses me around a lot. But I guess she’s okay.

When we first arrived to start our new life, it was the start of the fall season. A cool fall nip was in the air, and the trees had just started to turn their colors. My mother always said, The fall season is my favorite time of the year, watching all the colors change. So, when we arrived, she was pleasantly surprised to see that the area had plenty of maple, ash, and birch trees to give off the color she wanted. I also think my father likes the fall, but I think it’s because that’s when football season gets started.

Starting in a new school, in a new place, and making new friends was going to be an adventure. Just how much of an adventure...I really wasn’t prepared for!

CHAPTER ONE – MAKING NEW FRIENDS

AS OUR FAMILY SETTLED into our new home, I was going to be starting the seventh grade. In some ways, I felt excited about it; but in other ways, I had a knot in the pit of my stomach from the unknown. I had a nice comfortable life living on the outskirts of Denver. And like any large city, there were many things to do there. Besides the normal activities, my father also took me camping, and we even went on hikes at Pikes Peak. I also got to visit the Colorado Springs Air Force Academy when my Boy Scout troop went there on a field trip.

As I got ready for my first day of school, I didn’t know what to expect upon entering the seventh grade. Some of the school districts had recently placed sixth, seventh, and eighth grades together into what was called middle school. Whereas back home, elementary school ended in the sixth grade, and junior high started in the seventh grade.

I finished getting dressed and made my way downstairs. My mom was packing my lunch as I went to the cupboard to make myself a bowl of cereal.

Mom, why did we have to move here to Fuller Creek? I already know I’m not going to like this town. I checked out the area on my bike the last few days, and they don’t have anything here. The places to eat seem totally lame, and there isn’t even a regular mall. Back in Denver, we had a double-decker to hang out. All they have is one tiny strip mall in the downtown area.

My mom placed a grilled ham and cheese sandwich in my lunch sack. Jesse, we talked about this. Your father’s job needed someone with his knowledge to supervise the new plant in Sacramento. And because he was willing to move, they gave him a promotion with a higher paying job title, which means more money for our family.

I took the cap off the milk and poured it into my cereal. Then why didn’t we move closer to his job in Sacramento? Why do we have to live way out here in the boonies?

Because housing is much more affordable out here. Besides, don’t you just love this area with all the trees and the foothill setting? And seeing how we are at a higher elevation than the Sacramento basin, we will probably get a few snows in the winter. Won’t it be nice to have a white Christmas like we did back in Colorado?

I thought about the freezing winters and shoveling the mounds of snow from our driveway. Shoveling snow with frozen hands, nose, and feet was not necessarily my favorite activity. I guess having a few snows as opposed to the deep freeze of a Colorado winter was a welcome addition to my life.

I swallowed a mouthful of Raisin Bran. Okay, Mom, I agree the area is nice, but I just know I will never find friends like I did back home.

Then you’ll make new friends. We all have to make adjustments right now. So please try and give it a chance. Just wait. Before you know it, you are going to make lots of new friends.

I kind of doubt it. I can already tell I’m going to hate this little town of Fuller Creek.

Just then my sister Tami came downstairs and stopped to look at herself in the foyer mirror—as usual. She entered the kitchen, grabbed a Pop-Tart, and then turned to me with one of her brooding stares to rush me along.

Are you coming or what, squirt?

My sister and I used to get along pretty well when we were younger. But since she had become a big eighth-grader, she thought she was so much more mature than I.

I countered with a brooding stare of my own. Hey, I haven’t finished my breakfast yet, dorkface. You can go ahead without me, if you like.

Suit yourself, Jess, but you better not be late on your first day of school. And don’t embarrass me either. I plan on making new friends right away, so act like you don’t know me. I don’t need you hanging around and ruining my chances to get in with the popular girls.

I won’t. I know us puny seventh-graders aren’t supposed to be around you big eighth-graders.

My mom interjected. Tami, I don’t want you mistreating your brother at school. You used to get along so well, and now it seems like you two are at each other’s throats all the time.

That’s because I’m a mature teen, Mother. And he’s just a little twelve-year-old squirt!

I rose from the table and took my bowl of cereal to the kitchen sink. So what, Tami? You’re older than me by one year, what’s the big deal? Next year, I’ll be a teen also.

"Yes, but no matter how old you get, you will always be my kid brother. Anyway, I don’t want to be late, so I’m outta here," she retorted as she left in a rush out the door.

Fuller Creek is a very small town, so I could easily walk to school instead of taking the bus. I really liked that aspect, because I totally hated the bus. Forty or more kids packed in a sardine can with smelly tennis shoes and the scent of bologna sandwiches reeking from their lunch boxes. Needless to say, walking to school was a welcome relief for my sense of smell.

As I began making my way to school, I met a guy named Brian, who was walking in the same direction. There was also this girl named Becky, who was walking along with him. I soon found out they were friends, I think since kindergarten. As Brian and I began the initial process of getting to know each other, I knew right away we were going to be good friends. In the following days, we would soon be talking about TV programs, sports, and of course—video games. With reddish-brown hair, he was kind of your typical-looking country boy, except he really didn’t like country music or anything like that. In fact, he was more into ’70s classic rock, not The Oak Ridge Boys. Becky really didn’t say too much, as Brian and I mainly dominated the conversation. She seemed content to just listen to our conversation while doodling periodically on her Pee Chee folder.

When we entered the school gates, Brian, Becky, and I parted ways and headed to our first class. The typical site of red brick walls, top-latch windows, and the ever-present solid metal doors brought back memories of my school back home. With slight anxiety, I walked into my first-period class, which was going to be social studies. I scanned the room and then sat down on the far-right row, second seat down from the top of the aisle. I prefer not to sit in the back, but I also don’t like to be directly in front of the teacher either. Sitting in the very first seat usually represented you were either a brain, a teacher’s pet, or you needed glasses but were afraid to wear them for fear of being teased. Actually, it was none of those things for me. My fear of the first seat was from a nightmarish incident in the fourth grade. We had a substitute teacher with an allergy condition who unfortunately had the habit of not covering his nose when sneezing. Needless to say, I don’t sit in the front row anymore.

As other students filtered into the class, this particular girl walked in the room. I noticed her looking around as if trying to figure out where to sit. I could relate to that feeling, as I had just gone through that myself a few minutes earlier. I thought she was probably going to sit with some of the other girls, but then she looked in my direction. When our eyes met, she gave a half smile and then walked over and sat right in front of me. She had blondish hair down to her shoulders, these big bluish-green eyes, and some funky-looking tennis shoes. I only noticed how she looked because she sat right in front of me—not that I cared or anything like that. Considering she didn’t sit with the other girls, I figured she was probably new to the area like I was. I guess that’s how we started to talk in the first place.

She turned around in her seat. Hi, are you new to this school or did you attend last year?

I’m new to the school, I replied. We just moved here to California. My dad got a job in Sacramento so we moved to this area. How about you?

She brushed a strand of hair that got caught in the edge of her mouth. I’m new here also. My family moved here a few months ago from Southern California, a place called Carlsbad. Have you ever heard of it?

No, but we came from Colorado, so I don’t know many places in California.

I see. So what’s your name?

My name is Jesse, Jesse Thompson.

Jesse, huh?

Yeah, that’s my full name, but most people call me Jess. So what’s your name?

My name is Katie, Katie McCullough, she said with a smile.

So is that short for anything?

Yes, Katherine, but don’t call me that. Only my mother calls me Katherine, especially when she’s upset with me.

The teacher then began to address the class, so she turned around in her seat. As the teacher went over what she expected and the different subjects we would be covering, things got a little strange. For some reason, I found myself thinking about that girl, Katie, and hoping our conversation wasn’t just a one-time deal. But in thinking about that, an uneasy feeling ran through the core of my body.

Oh, man, what’s wrong with me? When I was in the sixth grade, I would never think of wanting to be friends with a girl. All my friends back home were guys, and the thought of being friends with a girl used to make me want to throw up. But now, all of sudden, I feel drawn to this girl somehow. Maybe all this California sunshine is playing tricks on my friendship radar. What in the world is going on with me?

The bell rang, ending our first period, so we exited the class and started walking side by side down the hallway. She turned to talk to me once more.

So, Jesse Thompson, do you know anyone else here at this school?

I pointed to Brian, who happened to be talking to Becky by her locker. Yes, I know those two over there. I met them on the way to school this morning. I haven’t really talked to Becky that much, but she seems like an okay person.

Oh, I met her and she’s really nice; I talked to her in the girls’ restroom.

I rolled my eyes. In the girls’ restroom? Why you girls spend so much time talking to each other in the restroom, I’ll never know.

She placed a hand defiantly on her hip. Well, it’s better than just standing there next to each other whistling or whatever you guys do.

I laughed and thought, This girl’s pretty funny, and has spunk, too.

I turned to head down another hallway. I guess I’ll see you around, Katie; it was nice meeting you.

You, too, Jess, it was nice meeting you, too.

When it came time for my fifth period, English class, I found that Katie girl was in that class also. This time she sat near some of the other girls, but she did wave to me when she saw me enter the classroom. I did notice something kind of interesting that a couple of guys in the class would glance at her every now and then. Maybe it was because she was a new student, or perhaps they thought she was kind of pretty or something. Even some of the eighth-grade guys seemed to take notice of her.

As the day moved along pretty quickly, most of my classes were what I expected. I met up with Brian after my last period class, and we began to walk home. That girl Katie was nearby and caught up with us as we all walked home in the same direction.

So what do you guys think of the school? Brian asked, as he had lived there most of his life.

It’s all right, I said. It sure is small compared to the schools I was used to in Colorado.

I like it, Katie said optimistically. I think we are going to have a good year and a lot of fun.

Brian turned and walked backwards to face us. Hey, I heard from Becky you guys got ole Mrs. Weaver for social studies. I hear she give tons of homework, so good luck! He laughed and then turned his attention to me. Hey, Jess, you want to come over my house this weekend? I have the Atari 2600 and a bunch of games we can play.

All right, that sounds cool. I’ll ask my parents about going over.

We came to a side street. All right, you guys, this is my street, so I’ll catch you later.

We waved good-bye as Katie and I continued to walk home. We talked about the new school year and what to expect now that we were in middle school. Then she began to turn down her street to go home.

Well, Jess, this is my street.

All right, Katie, I guess I’ll see you in school tomorrow.

Suddenly, she squint her eyes and playfully waved her finger at me, saying, Not if I see you first!

As I began to walk home, I thought about what my mom had said about me making new friends. I already knew I was going to have a friend in Brian, which was great, it being the first day of school. But what I didn’t count on was meeting a girl no less who in the coming days would become a very special person in my life.

At the McCullough residence, Katie arrived and set her books on the sofa table. Then she entered the kitchen. She went to the refrigerator to get something to drink and sat down at the kitchen table. Her mother entered the room and rinsed her empty glass in the sink.

So, honey, how was your first day of school?

Actually, it was better than I thought. Like we talked about, I was a little bummed about leaving all my friends back in Carlsbad. But actually, I think I might have made a couple of new friends today.

Mrs. McCullough wiped her hands on a dish towel and sat down herself.

Really, honey? That is so great. Do you want to tell me about these new friends?

Well, the first story is kind of funny. When I got to school, I decided I better use the restroom before going to my first-period class. When I got in there, I saw this one stall with the door slightly left open. The door handle looked a little grimy, so I decided to kick the door with my foot. When the door swung forward, this girl suddenly screamed. I was so embarrassed and began to apologize to her. When she came out, she told me the latch was broke on the door, and that’s why it wasn’t closed all the way. She was really cool about me hitting her with the door, and we began to talk. It turns out she’s a really nice person, and right away we seemed to hit it off. Her name is Becky Summers, and we also have our fourth-period class together. I think we are going to be good friends—at least I hope we will.

That’s great, honey. Now, you mentioned there was someone else. What’s her name?

Oh, it’s not a ‘her’; it’s a ‘him.’

A ‘him’?

Yes, his name is Jesse; Jess for short. I have him in my first-period social studies class, and also in English.

Mrs. McCullough directed a wary eye. A boy, Katie?

No, not like that, Mom. There’s just something about him which makes me feel comfortable when I talk to him, like I can trust him. He’s also a little shy, which I like. I was the one who had to start up a conversation with him. I know we only talked a couple of times today, but I can see us actually becoming good friends.

Good friends? I don’t know, honey. You know how your father is about boys coming around the house. Last year in Carlsbad, when that one boy liked you, your father put a stop to that right away.

I know, but that was different. Michael liked me more than a friend; that’s why he kept coming around. Jess and I would only be friends.

Well, I guess it’s inevitable with you being in middle school that boys are going to be a part of your life. And since you’re so pretty, I am sure there are going to be many of them coming around in the next few years.

Katie rolled her eyes. Oh, Mom, you’re just saying that because you’re my mother.

I may be a proud mother. But seriously, honey, you are becoming a very pretty girl.

Thanks, but don’t worry about this too much, okay? If Jess and I do become friends, I don’t intend it to become anything more than just a friendship.

When I arrived at home, I went to my room to get changed out of my school clothes. My mom had just finished talking with Tami about her day and walked into my room.

So, Jess, how was your day? Tami said her day went pretty good. She thinks she’s actually going to like living here, other than the fact of not having a mall to go to.

My day went better than I thought. In fact, you were kind of right. It looks like I might be making a couple of friends already.

See, I told you. If you gave it a chance, things would work out.

Well, don’t get too excited yet; it’s only the first day. But I met this guy name Brian Jensen, and I can tell we are going to be good friends. He even invited me over to his house to play some video games this Saturday, if that’s all right.

Sure, honey, that should be fine as long as it’s okay with your father. Does he live around here?

Yes, just a few streets over on Fourth Street.

What about this other boy, is he friends with this Brian also?

No, and he’s not a boy, he’s a girl...I mean, she’s a girl. I have her in both my social studies and English classes, and she seems pretty cool.

"See, honey, it’s just barely the first day, and you have made two friends already. I know it’s a small town, but someday