THE CHAMPION: Book Two THE MISFIT SERIES

By Karris Callahan

A misfit. A hero in disguise. A boy
trapped in a reality where fear and pain
keep him locked up inside, a prisoner
to himself. His freedom can be found in
another world that depends upon courage
and bravery. A battle between the two
worlds… between two selves. Will it
always be one or the other? W

• Language: English
• Publisher: LitFire Publishing
• Release date: Sep 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781643987040

Karris Callahan

KARRIS CALLAHAN a young adult author and mentor who helps misfits embrace their differences and find their unique identity. Ever since she was young Karris has never been satisfied with the ordinary, leading her on many adventures in the process of pursuing studies and exploring her interests. She refuses to settle for anything less then to dream big dreams and is happiest while using her creativity to tell stories of all shape, size and form. Her deepest desire is to help others find their own voice and story in the midst of a world that has silenced many.

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THE CHAMPION

Book Two The Misfit Series

Copyright © 2019 by Karris Callahan

ISBN: 978-1-64398-704-0

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher or author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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.

Printed in the United States of America

LitFire LLC

1-800-511-9787

www.litfirepublishing.com

[e-mail]

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

To the many supportive readers, friends, and family who patiently waited, supported, and cheered me on. Thanks for believing in my story and giving me a reason to overcome every barrier.

A special thanks to my loyal supporters…

Bethany, Logan, Chris and Jennifer.

CHAPTER ONE

1945

Snow-topped mountains. Sloping valleys. Massive pine trees. Soaring eagles. It was a breathtaking view from the top of a mountain.

If only it were real.

Micah opened his eyes: trees; grass, sky, fields, an empty road. Just a plain old front yard. True, his front yard was a lot nicer than most kids’ front lawns were. After all, he lived in a castle! Still, his trees were just trees… even if there were a lot of them. Micah had seen this view before. He wanted to see something new.

The thought had barely disappeared from his mind when Micah regretted his wish. For something new did pass into his line of sight. The police car flickered past the open end of the driveway, dark and menacing like a wild beast in search of its prey. And it was headed towards Cassie’s house.

Jumping up from the bed, Micah dashed for the door, only to stop as his hand touched the knob. It was Sunday. His dad was home. If he wanted to leave the house he needed to be quiet and not alert his father.

Quietly opening the door, Micah calmly walked down the hall as the questions whirled in his mind. The police car was sure to bring trouble. Had they been discovered? What if someone had turned them in? What if this very moment Cassie and her siblings were being taken to the orphanage? Micah felt the urge to run return, and it took all his determination to keep walking slowly.

Peeking his head into his parents’ sitting room, he spotted his mother, dressed in pale pink, sitting at her writing desk.

Can I go into town for a little while?

His mother looked up and tucked a strand of hazel colored hair behind her ear as she said, That’s fine Micah, but let me finish this letter first. I need you to deliver it to the Matron at the orphanage for me.

Micah resisted the urge to tap his foot as he waited; instead his gaze swung to his father, whose eyes had refocused on his newspaper. His dark hair so unlike Micah’s fiery red; his grim-looking square jaw protruded out in an intimidating fashion. It reminded Micah of one of the characters from his comic books, one who was a part of a mob.

So caught up in his imaginations was he that Micah half expected his father to look up with an evil smile trained on him. His father never spoke of his business and they moved often to smaller towns like this one. They were rich—very rich—and he was often a stern and uncaring person. Could it be his father really was involved in crime?

Micah’s thoughts were interrupted as his mother sealed up the envelope and extended it to him. Make sure it doesn’t get bent or dirty and please see that it is delivered directly to her. Suspicion tugged at the back of his mind as he looked at the letter.

What if Mom knows about Cassie? Surely she would have contacted the police and not the orphanage if that was the case. Besides, why would she send the letter with him? Just to be certain, he casually asked, Getting ready for another dinner party? His mother looked back up from the next letter she had begun. No. I am organizing a charity benefit to help the orphanage.

Oh, Micah responded in relief, turning quickly to leave.

Micah, wait! His mother called again and Micah paused, glancing over his shoulder as she continued. Do be careful. I’ve heard rumors about some criminal activity. Be home before dark.

Glad there was nothing else to keep him from leaving, Micah nodded and slipped out. Being extra careful to be quiet on the stairs, so as to not anger his father, he found his bike in the garage, and after sliding the envelope into his shirt pocket he took off down the long driveway and towards Cassie’s house.

Braking quickly at the end of her driveway, he saw it was empty. No police car. What if he was too late? What if Cassie had needed him? Leaving his bike on the ground, he ran to the house and bounded up the porch stairs. His fist knocked three short knocks. He waited. No answer. Pausing, he listened very carefully. He heard nothing; no sound, no noise at all. This was not like her family. Usually they could be heard all the way from the end of the driveway, making some form of a racket with laughing, yelling or crying. There were enough of them that they could always be heard.

Deciding to take a chance he turned the knob and found it unlocked. Poking his head inside he quickly called out, Hellooo? Only silence responded to his call. Closing the door he smacked his head against his palms. Ahhhh! How could he have let this happen? What was he going to do? He had to figure out something before there were no more options. Where would they have been taken? The orphanage or…? Micah suddenly realized something he had never thought of before.

What if they were in trouble with the law for not reporting their mother missing and trying to live without an adult? The thought made him plop down hard on the steps. If Cassie was in jail, he had to get her out! Back up on his feet again he was halfway to his bike before Micah paused and began pacing the driveway. He couldn’t think. It felt as if someone had chained up all his thoughts and he couldn’t break them free.

Rushing back to his bike, he decided to head towards town. Anything was better than just standing around. As his feet began to fall into a rhythm, pumping the bike peddles, his mind started to clear. He couldn’t go to the police station; that would be too obvious. He might end up getting her in more trouble, or himself, and then what good would he be to Cassie? But how could he find out where she was without causing more trouble for either of them? As the wind rushed past him and he heard the slight sound of crinkling paper from his pocket, his answer came to him!

Micah propped his bike up against a tree, glancing up the sign that read orphanage. He straightened his clothes back into a neat appearance as he took in the scene. A few kids were roaming the yard; some playing tag, some chatting in groups and still others busy in some form of a game or sport. Quickly gazing at all the faces he saw neither Cassie’s nor any of her siblings.

First, he needed to find the Matron, because he had a letter to deliver. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew the letter he had been given. As he did, a sharp breeze blew past him, snatching the letter from his nervous hands and sending it twirling across the yard.

In a panic he made a dash for it, chasing it across the orphanage grounds until it at last came to rest on the other side of the yard. As he reached for the envelope, a ragged shoe appeared in his vision, crunching down directly on top of the letter. Hey watch it! Micah wanted to stop whoever belonged to that foot before they completely crushed the fragile envelope. As he looked up he found the boy to whom the shoe belonged to staring right at him… completely aware of where his foot rested.

Micah’s eyes quizzically observed the boy. He was a little shorter then Micah and was dressed in the orphanage uniform of donated or hand-me-down overalls with a mismatched shirt underneath. His blonde hair flopped in different directions with a small chunk partly covering one of his icy blue eyes that drilled into him with an intensity that made Micah wonder what he had done to anger this boy to such a degree.

Looking back at the envelope he found his own anger rising as he wondered if the letter was already beyond saving. Excuse me, that is my letter you are stepping on! The boy gave Micah a very unconvincing yet surprised expression as he looked down at the letter. What, this trash?

Micah’s anger grew hotter as he spit out each word clearly: That trash just happens to be a letter that would have helped you and all your friends here if you hadn’t just ruined it!

Friends? These kids are not my friends, the boy said, sounding very irritated. And I don’t need anyone’s help, but I am sure there are plenty of other pathetic kids who need you to rescue them.

Micah narrowed his eyes at the boy. I need to see the matron. I am supposed to deliver that letter to her. Now could you please tell me where to find her and return my property to me, Micah said, gesturing at the envelope.

The Matron is busy. Some… trouble that came up. She wouldn’t have time to talk to you. You are after all, just some kid playing messenger for his rich parents. With those words, he picked the letter up and crushed it in his grasp. Micah gawked at the boy’s fist and inwardly groaned. Nooooo! That letter had been his one chance to find out if Cassie was in the orphanage!

Not only did he no longer want to deliver the letter to the Matron, but he would be in terrible trouble if he returned the crumpled letter to his mother. She was a woman who liked things done properly; delivering a wrinkled up letter would simply not be acceptable. She didn’t like excuses either. If he told her what happened, she would assume he had been careless and tried to cover up his mistake. He had been accused of such things before.

And what of the trouble that this boy spoke of? Could it be Cassie and her family? How would he ever find out now! Micah could just leave now and tell his mom the letter was delivered. He had brought it to the orphanage after all. But then if she stopped by to speak with the matron, she would discover the letter had never been received.

No, that plan was no good. He needed that letter.

CHAPTER TWO

1945

As Micah stared at the crushed letter in the boy’s hand, heat flooded his face in a sudden flare of anger, and then worry, for Cassie. Taking a step forward, he was prepared to tackle the boy when he saw the paper go flying over his head. Micah noticed a smirk as the kid said, Go fetch.

Everything in him wanted to deliver a punch to the boy, and he could feel his arm twitching. Just as he was about to propel his arm forward, a tiny thought found space in his jumbled mind and that thought somehow kept him from following through with the punch. He had to act responsibly if he was going to find a way into that orphanage; for Cassie’s sake he couldn’t punch the kid.

Turning back to retrieve the letter, he caught sight of movement by the orphanage door. After picking up the destroyed envelope, Micah settled his gaze on the entrance where a middle- aged woman with light blonde hair watched him. In an instant, he was extremely glad he had withheld his punch because he knew the lady to be the matron of the orphanage.

Micah felt frozen inside. One glance at the crumbled letter and he knew his mother would berate him if she ever found out he delivered it in such a state. He could hear her scolding words even now making him feel small and insignificant. Shaking the image from his mind Micah looked up to find the matron quickly approaching him. He couldn’t leave… this letter might be his only chance to find out if Cassie was there. He held the letter out pleadingly as the matron closed the gap between them. I apologize for my carelessness Miss. This letter is for you from my mother. Micah shot a glance sideways and saw that the boy was no longer standing there. Should he rat him out? No it was not the time or place and he needed to to focus on Cassie. But thanks to my clumsy hands its in terrible shape now. Micah glanced up shyly at the matron’s face, afraid to see what he might find in those peering eyes. She met his gaze with a look that seemed to peer right through him and he quickly added, I can return and have a fresh copy delivered if you would like Miss?

The matron shook her head, Nonsense. It may be crushed but it is still readable. No need to waste more paper and ink. May I see it? Micah extended the crumpled envelope to the matron. She took it and carefully smoothed the envelope out. I apologize for Felix’s behavior. I am sorry for the trouble he caused you today. She looked at Micah with a knowing looking. So she had seen the whole thing. He was not always like this… Her voice drifted off and her eyes got a faraway look in them, making Micah wonder where she had gone.

She seemed to catch herself though and her refocused eyes had a softness as she said, You’ll have to pardon him, he hasn’t had much but trouble in his life. I assure you though, he will answer for his behavior to you today. I’ll be sure to send a response Mrs. Wentworth’s way after I have looked over her letter. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have matters to attend to and I think it best if you return home. Her eyes drifted back over to the yard were Felix sat under a large oak tree. Micah understood her meaning and he knew he was being dismissed. The matron turned to leave and he felt the panic rising up again. He had to know if Cassie was inside.

He didn’t want to risk asking questions about Cassie’s family though, not until he knew if they really were gone. If the matron, Miss Berkley, knew nothing of the situation, then he would be raising suspicion, putting Cassie’s family in the very danger he was trying to keep them out of.

Wait! I mean… Ma’am please… Micah fumbled to find the words but he had her attention again. Uh I forgot. My mother wanted to know if you could give me a tour of the place so I could give her a visual report of some of the needs upon my return. The matron looked at him doubtfully. Micah cleared his throat, trying to gain some time. I think she really just wants me to see that some kids have less then me. He shrugged with a half smile. I guess I have been asking for too much stuff lately. The matron smiled at him. It was working!

Sorry Micah, tell your mother not today. She can contact me to schedule a time for the two of you to come, and I would be happy to give you a tour. But today I have other pressing matters to attend to. Now have a good day. She turned signaling the end of the conversation and briskly retreated back inside the building that held the answers he was seeking.

***

Micah sat outside Cassie’s empty home and grumbled to himself over how badly the situation had gone. You should have held tighter to that letter and the wind never would have caught it. Then you would have been able to deliver the letter inside and you would know if Cassie was okay or not. He continued to scold himself as he sent a small pebble flying down the driveway in frustration.

He had decided his best option was to wait at their house and see if they returned. If they weren’t back by