Saving Emblem City

By Hannah C. Schuessler

Imagine things, once perfect, turning horribly wrong. This is the exact same thing that happened to fifteen-year-old Stacey Williams. Sure, she may be just like any other high school freshman. But she knows about something no one else would even think was real. But its very real to Stacey. She is let in on something that could not only devastate tons of people, but it could also destroy an entire city.

On the night she receives the note from Emblem City, it is the night her life begins to change. No one, not even Stacey, knows what could happen. But she will have to face challenges and take risks. For her, life is but a challenge. Things just arent the same anymore. Only she knows the truth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499067019

Hannah C. Schuessler

The author, Hannah C. Schuessler, lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has looked death in the face many times and told it to come back at a much later date.

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Hannah C. Schuessler.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014915523

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4990-6699-9

                Softcover         978-1-4990-6700-2

                eBook              978-1-4990-6701-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 08/26/2014

Xlibris LLC

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Contents

Chapter 1     The Life Of Stacey Williams

Chapter 2     The Hologram

Chapter 3     Seeing Is Believing

Chapter 4     The Perfect Lie (Only Bigger This Time)

Chapter 5     The Arrival Of The Magical Boat

Chapter 6     Finally Here

Chapter 7     Emblem City

Chapter 8     The Legend Of The Magical Stone

Chapter 9     The Final Encounter

Chapter 10   One Day Later

Chapter 11   The Last Piece Of Important Information

Chapter 12   Randal’s Sudden Disappearance (Four Years Ago)

Chapter 13   Going Back

Chapter 14   All This Time

Chapter 15   The Weapon

Chapter 16   Setting Out

Chapter 17   Possible And Impossible

Chapter 18   The Plan

Chapter 19   The Important Question

Chapter 20   Then And Now

Chapter 21   The Decision (The Final Priority)

Chapter 22   Trudging On

Chapter 23   The Sounds Of Attack

Chapter 24   Rise And Fall

Chapter 25   The Thing That Matters Most

Chapter 26   One Last Thing

Chapter 27   Back To Normal

Chapter 28   The Return

Chapter 29   The Goodbye

Chapter 30   Home

In memory of Dewey Bojangles Bullmeister. He inspired me in great ways. Best dog ever.

Chapter 1

THE LIFE OF STACEY WILLIAMS

I took a careful step to the left, putting one foot in front of the other. I watched and cautiously witnessed my pace, as I walked about the small town. Yes, the small town of West Virginia. With its graffiti-covered sidewalks and cloudy skies. I am Stacey Williams, typical fifteen-year-old of the somewhat modern era. I attend the local high school here in the area I liv e in.

Within fifteen minutes or so, seeming that I am still making my way to the schoolyard, the loud dominance of the school bell rings. I scurry now on the schoolyard, wishing that I will hopefully make it to first period. As I am at my locker, gathering my books for my first class of the day, I see the boy I’ve been crushing on since eternity. He has curly brown hair and deep brilliant blue eyes that sparkle whenever he smiles. His name is Benjamin Harper. Everyone around this school usually calls him Ben. We’ve become great friends over the years of knowing each other. I accidentally bumped into him as I was coming up the long hallways.

Sorry, I said.

It’s okay, Stacey. You didn’t do any harm, Ben replied.

Oh, okay then, I said.

We both laughed really hard that our stomachs hurt. Seriously, what was so funny about this? I didn’t get it, but apparently, Ben did. He always understood things. He always found a way to add humor to literally everything. Words would describe him as funny, smart, independent, and, well, a good guy. I, knowing nothing, would say he was the kind of guy girls liked being around. I adored many qualities about Ben, and that was one of the many. The fact that he was personable, could say things, and was never shy, it takes me back to the day when we first met …

It was a cloudy day, three or four whole summers ago. I was, at the time, eleven. A fifth grader who was soon to be a middle schooler. It was only the middle of July. I was calmly sitting on the front curb of my house. My little brother, Armando, was in the front yard wandering about and fooling around with a few of his closest friends.

Walking down the slightly deserted sidewalk was a boy and his mother. The boy looked closed to my age. I’d say the mother looked as though she was about thirty-three years in age. Both the boy and his mother shared similar features, including the most noticeable of all— their blue eyes. The boy had a welcoming, warm smile plastered across his mellow face. He was wearing tan cargo shorts, a plain salmon pink shirt, and a watch that blissfully sparkled in the burning sunlight. He was cute for his age. None like any other. The mother was tall and thin like her son. She too had curly brown hair.

As I was watching them from my spot on the curb, the boy seemed to catch notice of me. Within a matter of seconds, he came running toward me. I stood up.

Hi there, the boy said, smiling his cute smile.

Hello, I responded. It was nice having someone to talk to for once, I thought.

I’m Benjamin Harper, the boy answered. You can call me Ben if you want to. I don’t mind.

I’m Stacey Williams, I said, staring at Ben.

Nice to meet you, Stacey, Ben said.

You too, Ben, I simply replied, baffled in my own thoughts.

We shook each other’s hands. I couldn’t help but realize how great this was. To finally meet someone who notices you, understands you, someone who will finally know you and what you’re like.

I can tell we’re going to be great friends, Ben said, breaking the silence.

Yes, indeed, I answered.

He was right. We were going to be great friends.

After remembering the story flashback, I noticed that I was daydreaming. About the one person who became my first friend. Benjamin Harper. But what he didn’t know is that I had an insane crush on him. Yes, I do. Ever since the start of seventh grade up until now. Quite a long time, if you ask me. My first period teacher, Mr. Martinez, had to tell me to pay attention three times already. Talk about embarrassment. Let alone annoying. Makes me bored to the bone.

The rest of the school day was nothing but a long tedious blur. By the time I came back from my walk home from school, I was a complete wreck. I was so exhausted. Being only a freshman, this was very normal. After I put down my stuff, I grabbed a snack and headed upstairs to my awaiting bedroom. I didn’t have much on my mind at the moment. All I wanted to do was sit around and daydream. It sounded like the best option for right now. It wasn’t until later that day that everything had suddenly started to change.

I was in my room, staring out beyond the depths of my window, when moments later my dad’s car pulled up in our driveway. When he saw me staring down at him through my window, he smiled and waved at me. I just frowned and said nothing.

My brother Armando, seeing that Dad was home unexpectedly early, rushed downstairs, shouting, Dad’s home! Dad’s home! Come quick, Stacey!

Me, whereas having nothing better to do, ran downstairs and pretended to act surprised that Dad was home early. Even though I already knew that he was.

How is everyone? Your mother will be home late. She’s working in her office, Dad informed us.

Well, that’s almost like honest luck that it’s true, I thought quietly. Mom was always working late pretty much every single freaking day.

Moments later, I was back up inside my bedroom, doing whatever it was that I was doing. Six minutes later, my cell phone rang and literally scared the crap out of me. I picked it up and was surprised to see that the person who is calling was Ben.

Hello? I answered the phone. Silence was on the line for a few seconds.

Hi. Is this Stacey? Ben’s voice asked.

Yes, I answered with complete indemnification.

Hi, Stacey, Ben said.

There was ongoing pause on the other end. Luckily, the pause was very short.

I need to remind you that if you are having trouble with anything, you can always, always come to me. I’m here for you, Stacey, Ben said.

I was clueless about the fact why he was telling me this. It was quite puzzling. After all, he was trying to be a good friend. Who could blame him?

Uh, thank you very much, Ben. I really appreciate that, I said.

The urge was coming closer and closer for me to tell Ben my true feelings for him. It was like a burn that was too impossible to cure. But maybe everything would be okay, and we would end up more than friends. Maybe we’d love each other like no one else would ever love themselves. All I can say is, what on earth would I rather know than getting my crush to actually give me a chance for once? It’s literally like a no-brain question. Starting with the easy way in and the tough way out. Simple but hard. Then suddenly, without meaning to, the confession spilled out.

Ben, I like you. I’ve had an insane crush on you for a long time. I really hope you’ll come to like me.

Right when I realized what I had just said, I gasped. There was a moment of very intense awkward silence on the line. Was Ben still there? Did he suddenly decide to storm off? Then the most troubling of all questions popped into my head: What if Ben actually hates me and doesn’t think I’m a good friend? Finally, in the nick of time, Ben spoke up.

Stacey, is this really what you think?

I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t speak. I had just acted like a fool and blew it! I was really pissed off at myself. Now I wondered if Ben really was my friend anymore.

I’m sorry, Ben. But I have to go, I said.

No. Stacey, wait—

Before Ben had a chance to say another word, I hung up. I was still very mad at myself. How could I have said that just to ruin everything? Why was I forever pulling this kind of crap? I had all but no idea why. Therefore, I was clueless. I wanted to be alone for a while to clear my thoughts.

After about fifteen minutes of being alone, my brother Armando came rushing inside my bedroom. Feeling annoyed, I did what I usually did when Armando was acting like this.

Go away, Armando. All I want is to be left alone.

But Armando didn’t do as I asked, he stayed right there.

Why, Stacey? he asked.

I need to clear my thoughts, I said.

Is this about your boyfriend? Armando annoyingly asked, making kissy faces and saying, Stacey and Ben sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G! Ha ha!

Armando can be very annoying and hard to control. Eventually, I ended up shoving him out of my room.

Dad called for me to come to dinner at six thirty. It was all but what it usually is.

At about eleven o’clock, Mom arrived home. I went upstairs again to brush my teeth. It has been a very long, very boring day. I shut off my light and closed my eyes. What was I going to do about Ben? Besides, my brother had been wrong. Ben isn’t my boyfriend, he’s only a friend of mine. How am I supposed to think about this without anyone else knowing? I had only one fear: What if Ben didn’t want to my friend anymore? Then I’d never be able to speak to him again. He would never want to see me again, let alone knowing it was all my fault. So many questions, no answers, and only one problem. Which that problem was mine. I was dreading showing my face to Ben in school tomorrow.

Oh, what a terrible mistake I’ve gotten myself into! I can still hear his mocking voice inside my head. How much torture this really is! To come and think he was actually my crush, not irrelevant, but it was true. I’ve had a crush on him for three years now.

The next day wasn’t all that great to begin with either. I nearly arrived late to school this morning. But however, when I walked through the school doors, I was milked by a group of older boys, whom all of which were seniors. Talk about the start to a crappy day. I felt like total shit when I walked in late to first period. With milk covering my clothes. I was a mess. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me these days? I hid behind my jacket, hoping that Ben wouldn’t notice me and just walk away to somewhere else. Trust me, Ben was the last person I wanted to see when I was feeling sorrowful and such self-pity.

When Mr. Martinez told us to take out our textbooks, I was relieved that the awful day had started. Hoping that it would end soon enough. But unfortunately, no such luck. The reason I say that is because Benjamin Harper literally caught sight of me this time.

Crap, so much for wasting my time, I thought.

After the horrible confession I made yesterday and spending practically my whole day trying to keep a safe-enough distance away from Ben, things just have to start falling apart again. First, it was a bad morning start, and now everything leads to this! Ugh, could my life get any worse? Probably so. Yet I hope it won’t get any worse than it already was.

When Ben approached me, I did the best I could to ignore him. I still couldn’t get over the horrible confession. I couldn’t believe I just went ahead and blabbed what was inside my little mouth like a ridiculous fool. Which reminds me, why do I act so foolish? Whereas, the ignoring thing did not work like I had originally planned. Ben walked right over to my spot.

Hi there, Stacey, Ben said.

Hello, Ben, I said.

There was a moment of bitter silence.

Look, Ben, I said slowly before speaking again. I’m really sorry about what I said the other day. I really hope you’ll forgive me, as I can never forgive myself. I must’ve been such an idiot. All I can say is it won’t, and better not, happen again. I’m really sorry for everything I’ve done.

Ben just stood there and stayed silent. He had a very amused, astonished look on his face. Almost like he was trying to figure something out. I waited patiently and quietly for his response. But he just chuckled like it was nothing at all.

No, Stacey, I … To be honest, I’m not upset.

I looked slightly confused.

You’re not? But how come?

It’s just, well, Stacey, you actually surprised me.

What was he saying? How had this happened? What did this all mean?

Oh, I did?

I thought it over. You know what, Stacey? I think you’re a pretty cool girl, Ben said.

Oh my god, this can’t be happening to me! It’s literally the major highlight of my day.

I’ll see you later, Stacey, okay? Ben said.

Yeah, see ya, I called out.

With that, Ben walked away. The rest of the day, I was picturing Ben’s last words in our conversation in my head. "I thought it over. You know what, Stacey? I think you’re a pretty cool girl." Did he really mean that? Is it possible he would end up my boyfriend? I will not get my hopes up too high to begin with. All I was thinking at the moment was my crush finally started paying attention to me for the very first time in my entire life. For the first time, I hadn’t made a first impression a total disaster.

When I came home, after viewing today’s homework assignments, I was in a better mood than I have been in a very long time. I was so happy I wanted to tell the world. Literally, I really, really, really, really do. Ben was the person I wanted to thank. I was grateful. Very much grateful. To come and think I might’ve screwed everything up, especially our friendship, everything is back to the way it was before. I liked it a whole lot better. Well, because now that Ben trusts me, nothing will go wrong. I honestly thought that that was more than good enough.

Let’s make sure my little brother Armando never finds out about Ben and I. Letting him know would badly turn things around. And then—boom!—it’s all over.

As I was left thinking about the stupidest things, Mom interrupted me with the loud honking of her car horn.

Stacey! she yelled. Get down here!

I figured I best just do what she says. I walked out of my bedroom and fumbled down the stairs.

After helping put away several loads of groceries and a few other things, I’m left alone in my bedroom thinking things over.

What a long but surprising day, I thought as I sat quietly.

Yet I’m interrupted again.

Stacey! Armando loudly shouted.

What? I called back.

Dad says come to dinner now! Armando answered.

I went downstairs to report to the dinner table. Good to not think about my own life for once. Everything was as usual as always. Dinner was okay. For starters anyway.

So, Stacey, how was school today? my mother asked as we were finishing up our dessert course.

Usually, I didn’t have much to say (on a daily basis, that is). But I guess today must’ve been my lucky day.

Well, actually, Mom, school was amazing today, I blurted out happily.

My parents looked surprised and a little excited.

Well, Stacey, that’s good to hear, my dad said proudly.

I started blushing crazily all over again. My cover was blowing, but I realized I didn’t care anymore.

It’s about a boy, isn’t it? my mom questioned.

Yes, I said, embarrassed by the thought.

Well, which boy is it? Mom parked up excitedly.

Benjamin Harper, I said.

That cute boy from down the street? Mom asked.

Yes, I said again. It was embarrassing but true.

Stacey has a crush, Stacey has a crush! Armando chanted just to piss me off. Apparently, it worked like he was hoping.

Stay out of it, Armando. It’s none of your business, I said. Luckily, that little statement got Armando to shut up. Yeah, just a boy. That’s all, I said, steering back to the conversation.

That’s great. Good for you, Stacey, my dad said.

Thanks, Dad, I said.

At this point, dinner was pretty much over. I did my dish like everyone else had done theirs. I thought about everything that has happened to me. Could things get any better? Well, I didn’t exactly know that answer. I had nothing to worry about. It was reasonable enough to feel this way. I had someone who might actually like me. There were no odds in that, right? The possibilities of Ben liking me were of a high range. I mean, he said that I was a pretty cool girl. He actually said it right to my face. Right to my face. For proof, it’s all in my head. What kind of guy says that to a girl’s face? Someone who’s nice, caring, friendly. That someone was obviously Benjamin Harper. He is such a nice guy. Everything a girl wants in a guy. Also, Ben was honest. Honesty is important. For my luck, Ben understood everything.

All the while I was daydreaming, I realized it was getting late. I checked my clock to look at the time. According to my clock, it was ten minutes till eleven. I once again closed my eyes and dreamed deeply. Nothing even bothered to disturb me. Not even my ghosts of my wallowing dreams. The reason I say that is because some people still believe in ghosts and various evil dwellings, which, by the way, don’t even exist in this world. They are like 100 percent mythical. Everyone knows that. I mean, it’s true.

It seemed like the night trudged on forever. I was tossing and turning in bed repeatedly. I had a really, really crazy dream that was almost impossible to get out of, let alone describe. I woke up in a haze, relived that none of it was real. My hair was matted, tangled, and messy. My body was covered in sweat, I’m guessing from my hell of a nightmare. My bed converter and sheets were mostly off my bed. My bra was close to coming lose, so I adjusted the straps. Then I got dressed.

I rushed downstairs, grabbed breakfast, and ran out the door in time for school. I hoped I won’t be milked like last time because if there’s one thing, it completely sucked. If you don’t know what sucks more, try having a group of senior boys pour milk on you. Not very fun, is it? Nope.

I was able to make it through the door without any seniors holding tons of milk seeing me. I gotta admit it’s tough being a freshman. All people who have suffered through high school would agree. Yep, because, unfortunately, I’m one of those people.

Several minutes later, Ben walked in through the door.

Hey, you’re here early, Ben said, noticing me.

Oh yeah. Early bird catches the worm, I said jokingly.

We both laughed really hard at my witty, little joke.

Yeah, I guess so, Ben said.

I nodded. He made a good point. I adored that about him. He was quite smart for a fifteen-year-old, although pretty much everything he said made since. He was always saying witty, senseless, hilarious things like that. It’s not like he could help it. Ben was a remarkably funny person. That’s probably one of the reasons why we are friends.

Tried getting here early. I don’t want to end up getting milked by a bunch of seniors, I retorted.

Yep. That would suck, Ben replied.

Yes, indeed, I said.

How unsanitary, have they no dignity at all? Ben asked, chuckling at his own words.

Once again, we both laughed. It seemed like all he was trying to do was be funny. Well, luckily for him, it worked perfectly.

In this case, the boy with brunette hair strikes again. Ha ha, very funny, if you ask me.

So, Stacey, I’ve been meaning to ask you something, Ben said.

The thought was burning me inside. I was hoping Ben didn’t see my delight.

What was it you wanted to tell me, Ben? I asked, trying not to explode with excitement.

Ben cleared his throat before speaking again.

Do you have any plans Friday night? Ben asked.

Shocked but surprised, I stayed calm.

Uh, I don’t think so. Why ask? I said.

I felt like I was paralyzed then stunned with a thousand bolts of lightning.

Well, I was wondering if you’d want to—

And just like that, the bell rang, interrupting Ben mid-sentence.

Gotta go, sorry. See you later, Stacey, Ben said, waving his hand directly at me.

See ya, Ben, I said.

I walked to class feeling gleefully amazed. Our little chat had been the number one highlight of my day. In just ten minutes, my day had already lightened up. It’s amazing how much life’s pleasures can surprise you.

In English class, we went over today’s assignments for the rest of the week. Ugh, talk about boring. Why does everything seem so complicated these days? Really, what are we hiding from? Uh, that would be nothing. Is there anything more confusing to throw into this world? Who thought I knew? Some people. More like the people inside my home life. This isn’t a game, people! Well, I figured it was time to say it anyway. What else does the world know?

The day was long, very long. I thought it would never end to be honest. Which is never. First hour. Second hour. Brunch (a time to finally realize what’s actually going on around you). Third hour. Fourth hour. Lunch (what a long time to think about things and socialize). Fifth hour. Sixth hour. Seventh hour. See what I mean? Long enough to bore you out of your skull.

When it was finally over, I was relieved. Very relieved. Like almost happy in a sense. Weird, right? Yeah, completely unusual in a totally different way.

I’m home! I yelled as I came through the front door from my long walk home from school.

No response. Not from anyone. Just nothing.

Hmm … Guess no one’s home, I said to myself.

I went upstairs and started right away on my homework. But when I reached my room, something strange happened. As I was putting my things down, I saw something lying flat down on my nightstand. Where did this come from? Nonetheless, I would just find this out for myself. Turns out, it was a piece of paper. I picked it up and turned it over. It was a note. It was signed to Stacey Williams. That was me. But how did whoever it was who sent this know my name? I read what was on the note.

Dear Stacey Williams,

We need your help. And yes, this is urgent. Something out there has stolen the magical stone of our city. Please report to this address: 134 Emblem City in London, England. Watch for the holographic knight to give you further instructions. He will tell you how to crack the code. We thank you very much for your time. Good luck to you, Stacey.

Have a safe journey.

You’re friends at Dungeons Inc.

Now this was weird. First of all, why did they want me? Second of all, who was this holographic knight? Well, I had no clue. But I had better not tell this to anyone. But what about Ben? He was trustworthy and good at keeping a promise. So I figured, why not? He was my friend after all. Aside from him, I couldn’t let anyone else know about this. It was a urgent matter, but it was my problem. I couldn’t let anyone else get in the way of this. Sure, I may only be fifteen, but I can handle this on my own. I know, sounds crazy. But I’m destined to save the people in Emblem City. They need my help. They really need it. This is not an exaggeration. It’s true. I swear to it. Helping out is what’s important. It was my matter and my matter only.

I figured it was only a short time before I was given instructions by the holographic knight. Where would he appear? In my bedroom window? In a darkened candlelit alley? Wherever and whenever, I was ready for it. I was dying with curiosity. Would I find out soon enough? The letter made sense. It all did. I just had to know. I had to know what was upon the people of Emblem City, and I had to know how to properly destroy it and return the magical stone that belonged to the city. The suspense was biting my flesh.

After thinking about it some more, I slept it off with another abstract dream. I was really wondering about all this, what I would do and then some. I feel bad about having to probably cancel my date with Ben on Friday night. It’s not like we were dating or anything. No, we weren’t dating. But still, I feel bad about having to cancel. I woke up, rushing everything together. Yeah, that’s sounds about right. Sounds a whole lot like me. Not too complicated, is it?

When I came downstairs, my mom was in the kitchen reading the newspaper.

Stacey, what’s the rush? she asked as she saw me scrambling around in a hurry.

No time, Mom. Gotta run. Bye, I said really fast.

Before my mom could reply back, I had already gone.

I was running—past the sidewalk; past the Harpers’ house, Mrs. Harper