The Girl with the Golden Hair

By Masters and Shriyanka Sharma

A young boy (Mason) will do just about anything to avoid having to suffer through another long, boring summer. Little does he know that an adventure like no other waits just around the corner.

When accompanying his mother to the museum,

• Language: English
• Publisher: Masters Publishing LLC
• Release date: Dec 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781735363851

Book preview

The Girl with the Golden Hair

Colton Masters

Copyright © 2021 held by Colton Masters in association with Masters Publishing LLC™, All rights reserved.

No part of this publication or artwork may be distributed, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent from Masters Publishing LLC™ For issuance of these permissions contact the publisher.

ISBN: 978-0-578-21504-4

Any reference to events, persons, existing works of art or places are strictly the work of fiction and are not intended to be historically or factually accurate.

The story was created by Colton Masters

Cover art by: Shriyanka Sharma

Edited By: Patty McConnell, Desaree and Colton Masters, in association with Kevin Anderson & Associates

First printed edition 2021

Masters Publishing LLC™

™

Author’s Dedication:

I would like to dedicate this story to the Dria family: Gus, Hilary, Grace, Lillian and Bennett. Their tireless pursuit of education and the arts served as the inspiration for this story. I consider myself extremely lucky to have had the pleasure of visiting various museums and exhibits with this family over the years. Seeing the wonder and excitement through their eyes led to the creation of Masons’ journey.

Acknowledgements:

I would like to acknowledge all the effort and professionalism that was demonstrated by Kevin Anderson & Associates. Specially, Kendra Harpster who helped to further this story and my writing ability.

I would also like to thank my wife, Desaree, who pushed me when I most needed it and convinced me to finish this story. Without her encouragement, this story may have never found its way into readers’ hands.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

The Girl with the Golden Hair

Chapter 1

There was once a boy named Mason who was staring down the barrel of a long, hot, boring summer. His mother always seemed to be working, but at least he normally had his friends. They would ride bikes together or play ball or race each other to see who was the fastest. But this year was going to be different.

As summer break approached, Mason learned that all his friends were going to go away to summer camp. He pleaded with his mother, but she repeatedly told him he could not go. Every morning he would beg her, but his mother’s answer was always the same.

I’m sorry, son, but we just can’t afford that right now, she would say.

But if they are at camp, who’s gonna ride bikes with me around town?

Mason’s mother was busy packing her bag for work, as she did every morning. While I am gone, I want you to stay in the house.

But Mom!!! Mason whined. What am I supposed to do all day?

Maybe you could color or read some exciting books. Mason did not look at his mother; he just stared at the floor. Or maybe you could have an adventure in the backyard.

Mom, the backyard is not an adventure, Mason pouted, . . . and books are not exciting.

Well, you will just have to find something to do here while I’m at work. It’s not safe for you to be running all around town by yourself. What if something happened to you?

I’m not scared . . . Mason protested in the toughest voice he could muster.

When I get back from work maybe we can go do something together.

But you’re always working!

Mason’s mother turned and gently grabbed him by the shoulders. No leaving the house or backyard until I get home. Understood? She kissed his forehead before heading out the door. I love you, she shouted as the door swung closed. Mason rolled his eyes as he stood alone in the empty house.

Mason passed the hours by drawing, watching TV, or tossing a ball into the air in the backyard.

Late into the afternoon, from the backyard Mason heard the front door open and close again. He knew his mother must be home, but he did not run inside to greet her. Instead, he continued throwing the ball and thinking about how this was going to be his whole summer.

It wasn’t until he heard his mother calling for him that he turned to go inside. Mason spun around, tossing the ball to the ground. He watched it bounce a few times before rolling under a large bush that sat against their fence. Mason heard a strange high-pitched noise as the branches and limbs began to violently shake from side to side. Mason’s heart began to race as he took several steps backward. He wanted to turn, to run inside, but he could not make himself turn away from the frantic shaking of the leaves. The vibrant blur of brown and green, combined with the high-pitched cries, was both mesmerizing and terrifying. He screamed as a large rock caught the back of his shoe, causing him to fall hard to the ground. His mother rushed out the door to kneel by his side. What’s wrong, honey? Mason never looked away from the bush; he slowly lifted his still-shaking arm, drawing his mother’s attention to the unnerving sight.

Mason’s mother let out a chuckle as a small gray squirrel jumped out from among the green foliage. It looked around only briefly before scampering off and up a nearby tree. Are you OK? his mother asked.

Yeah! he said as he tried to slow his pounding heart by taking several deep slow breaths. Mason’s mother gently wiped the tears from his face.

So what did you do today? she asked.

Nothing . . . Mason said defiantly as he retrieved his ball from under the bush. His arms and legs were still a little shaky, but he was more embarrassed than scared at the moment.

Well, what would you like to do now? We can go somewhere or do something. Where would you like to go?

I don’t know, he answered as he tossed his ball in the air and caught it again.

His mother thought for a moment. OK, let’s go to the museum.

But Mom . . . I don’t wanna be stuck inside all summer.

Come on, it’s not all summer and it’ll be fun; you always used to love the museum, she said. Besides, I thought you said you wanted to do something exciting.

Sure, it was OK last time, but I was just a little kid back then. Mason rolled his eyes. And the museum is not exciting. It’s boring. Probably even more boring than reading books.

His mother