The Fff and a Changing World: Book I

By Kay Ray

The Five Friends Forever are pitched headlong into a turbulent, challenging, and changing world in which some animals and people are mutated. With all electronics disabled, they’re forced to find their way out of an abandoned mine shaft in which they’ve been trapped. Danger looms along every turn. Cut off from the rest of the world, the five will need to learn to survive on their own. Along this journey, they are aided by their animal friends, flying dragons and horses and one unique little dog in some very unusual ways, especially when encountering dangerous mutated creatures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781669803317

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Copyright © 2022 by Kay Ray.

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 Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 12/08/2021

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1Miko’s Nightmare

CHAPTER 2The Tucker Family Enter The Caves

CHAPTER 3Travel to Lizard Gorge

CHAPTER 4Earthquakes

CHAPTER 5Head for The Caves

CHAPTER 6Snake in The Sod House

CHAPTER 7In The Cave, Miko Unconscious

CHAPTER 8Go Deeper Into The Cave /

Choosing The Right Tunnel

CHAPTER 9Silkworms

CHAPTER 10Developing Community at Sod House

CHAPTER 11Growing Wings!

CHAPTER 12Monster Cave Fish

CHAPTER 13Josi Meets Bliss!

CHAPTER 14Josi Shares Stories of Bliss

CHAPTER 15The FFF and The Bear

CHAPTER 16The Giant Eggs are Hatching

CHAPTER 17A New Way of Life for The FFF: Flying Horses

CHAPTER 18Giant Centipedes Attack! Zither to The Rescue

CHAPTER 19Tails of Monsters—Starting Dragon School

CHAPTER 20Tocho’s Hunt—FFF Work it Out

CHAPTER 21Finding a Place for Dragon School

CHAPTER 22The Seahorse in The Lake

CHAPTER 23Dragon Camp

CHAPTER 24Crystals at Work

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Chapter 1

Miko’s Nightmare

She ducked, grabbed Maxee, and dived into a roll, ending up covering Maxee’s body with her own. The screaming ball of fire missed her head by inches. It plowed into the hillside next to her, scattering dirt, pebbles, and dust over her. When she looked up, there were more burning rocks headed right at her out of the clear blue sky. Jumping up, she grabbed Maxee again and ran faster than she’d ever run in her life. Her legs were pumping with everything she had, but if felt like she was running through quicksand. The ground itself seemed to be pulling on her feet. She kept going, hugging Maxee to her.

Every time she ducked or turned, the rocks changed direction to follow her. She began to panic, her breath coming in gasps. Her heart pounded. Her chest burned. Her legs burned. Her arms, holding Maxee close, felt like lead. Every time she glanced up, the rocks seemed to have faces glimpsed through the fire surrounding them. They shrieked and cackled like demented ghosts. They whistled in excitement as they flew through the air.

She could tell by their expressions that they were enjoying her fear. Somehow, she knew they were. They were looking forward to crushing her, surrounding her with their fire. She forced herself on. She was straining now, her heart pounding so fast in her chest, it sounded like a drum. She pushed herself even harder; her legs were flying, but it felt like she was going no faster than a walk. She had a pain in her side. She was breathing in huge gasps.

The rocks were screaming like maniacs now, laughing. They were sure they had her. In seconds, she’d be a burning to a crisp. Seconds to live! She had to do something. Had to outthink them. Had to escape them. Had to keep Maxee safe too.

When she could run no more and the fiery rocks were almost on top on her, she doubled back and leaped as hard as she could, rolling again, with Maxee in her arms.

And she landed on her bedroom floor on all fours, crouching over her English bulldog, Maxee. Maxee blinked sleepily and eyed her with a puzzled expression.

Miko sat up, pushed her mane of black hair out of her eyes, and wiped the sweat off her face. She was gasping for breath. Her legs ached. Sweat coated her face and body. For a moment, she felt confused and overcome with feelings of fear. Dread hung over her like a dark cloud. She was shaking as though her muscles were really reacting to a great strain. As she stroked Maxee to calm herself, she struggled to get herself under control.

"Whew! Maxee, that was some dream! It seemed so real. Scariest nightmare I’ve ever had. It was terrible. Horrible. I actually feel like I’ve been running for hours and I’m still out of breath. Are you OK, girl? I didn’t hurt you when I fell out of bed, did I?" Miko routinely talked to Maxee like she would any close friend. Maxee’s wrinkled face and body movements were as expressive as if she had a voice and could carry on a conversation.

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Last time I had a really bad dream, it wasn’t anything like that, but it kinda came true. I gotta get in the shower and wash that nightmare out of my mind. I gotta— She was interrupted when her cell phone beeped, telling her she was receiving a message. She grabbed the phone and read, Urgent, urgent. Seth called a big FFF meeting at his place. C U there. Bout an hour. G.

Miko sent a text back to Gina saying she’d be there. Gina was her BFF, and they usually sent text messages back and forth throughout the day, every day. Grabbing clean clothes, she headed for the bathroom with Maxee on her heels, snorting. Those feelings of fear and dread hung over her, but she was determined to shake off the nightmare in the shower. She got ready for the day and headed over to Seth’s house at the end of the street.

The FFF, Five Friends Forever, as they called themselves in their e-mails and texts, were sprawled in lazy comfort around Seth’s family room. Seth sat up and leaned forward, his entire lean body in some type of motion, hands waving or fingers tapping, feet jiggling. His expression became somber as he rose to his feet and began to pace, one hand across his chest.

I called you all together here this morning . . . he began theatrically. He was concentrating on trying to use his best deepest tones, which had recently made an appearance and to keep those irritating squeaks from slipping out. Well, I called you here because I had a nightmare of flaming rocks, he finished in his normal voice, flinging both hands out wide. Anybody got any ideas? All the mouths dropped open. All started talking at once. I had that same dream.

They all kept their faces turned toward Seth, but three pairs of eyes slid in Miko’s direction.

Tamiko, or Miko to her friends, lay stretched out on the floor on her side. Her black hair was a silk curtain framing her face. Her chin was cupped in one hand. With her other hand, she stroked her bulldog, Maxee, stretched out alongside her, snoring gently. Miko said, I don’t know what this means. We will just have to wait to see if anything happens.

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You are my most precious, precious, Miko crooned in a whisper to Maxee. The little red dog’s whole solid body wriggled appreciatively. The snores were replaced with happy grunts and snorts.

Miko’s love of animals and her deep attachment to Maxee were a long-accepted part of the FFF. The five kids had grown up together and played together since diaper age. Miko and Maxee were as inseparable as they could get. If one accepted Miko, one accepted Maxee too.

As the eldest of the group by only a few months, Seth was the up-front leader, taking charge and sometimes issuing orders like a general, which the others largely ignored. His tall wiry body was always in constant motion. But it was Miko’s imagination, her fey insights, and her quiet energy that inspired the group and often led to their most memorable adventures together. In her shy way, Miko was often the unacknowledged leader.

Miko swept her eyes around the room, knowing the others were waiting for her to bring up a great suggestion. Her eyes stopped on Benjamin sitting on the floor, leaning against a chair, cleaning his fingernails with his pocket knife. Ben was also a little shy, deeply loyal, and the strong core of strength in their little group. His stomach rumbled. He tried manfully to ignore it, while the rest smiled knowingly. Ben was always hungry. His sturdy, muscular body lounged, eyes fixed on Miko inquiringly, but he remained silent as her gaze shifted to Regina.

Gina’s long honey-colored hair slid softly down both sides of her face as she leaned forward to adjust her socks again. Her cell phone was clutched in one hand; she was never without it. As she straightened, she began a text message.

She’s the beauty and light among us, thought Miko. She just shines, and I wish I could be as pretty and popular as she is, but I love her as my best friend anyway.

When Miko’s own phone beeped, she grinned widely at the message from Gina sitting right across from her, telling her to hurry up and come up with something good to do. Gina was right. They were all bored since school let out last week. They needed a little project or activity, at the least to focus their attention away from the possibility of their nightmare coming true.

Miko’s gaze slid over to Bethany. Miko smiled warmly. Beth made them all feel important. Beth was the youngest and sometimes felt a little unsure of herself. She was often coddled and protected by the rest when she was bullied at school. Beth was one class behind the others in the group and had not formed any close bonds with any of her own classmates. As usual, her long brown hair fell forward, partially covering one eye. She peered at Miko with the other. Miko could never figure out how Beth could see where she was going.

Well . . ., began Miko at last, I guess we could go to Lizard Gorge. We haven’t been up there since last summer, and I bet those pretty lizards will have their mating wings about now.

Benjamin’s thoughts turned immediately to the fort of sticks and rocks they’d built up there the year before, and he grinned happily.

Seth let out a shrill whoop, punching one fist into the air, pacing, and waving his hands. Yeah, yeah, we could take a hike up there with backpacks and lunch. Or . . . yeah . . . how about if we see if we can get our folks to let us camp up there tonight? My parents might be willing to meet us there for supper or something and stay there with us. They could bring all the tents up. They like it up there too, and Mom was just complaining that we haven’t done any camping yet this spring. He paused and looked around the room. The rest of the FFF were all nodding approval. I’ll go check with ’em. He leaped out of the room before finishing his sentence.

Within a few minutes, they could hear Seth saying, What can happen? What could possibly happen? We’ve been up to Lizard Gorge before. We’ve all got our cell phones, and you could come up and stay the night with us. The low rumble of Seth’s father’s voice followed this and then a shout for Seth’s mother, whose voice quietly joined the discussion. At last, they heard another piercing whoop from Seth, and four pairs of hands reached for cell phones and began dialing home.

When everyone finished talking to their parents and obtained the necessary permission, Benjamin shouted, I can bring a lantern. And my mom just made some fresh biscuits we can warm over the fire tonight, and she said she just made some lasagna too, and I really hate to miss that, so she’s makin’ up another batch to send with us.

Miko groaned, thinking of the state of the lasagna after being in Ben’s backpack all day.

My mom is sending cold cut sandwiches for lunch and she’s packing brownies, Gina said. Everyone joined in all at once with their intended contributions. They began to separate and headed for their homes to prepare for their five-mile hike to Lizard Gorge.

None of them had even a hint that this might be the last day of life as they’d known it.

CHAPTER 2

The Tucker Family

Enter The Caves

At the same moment, separated by a large mountain range and completely unaware of the FFF’s existence, there was a small group on horseback riding alongside towering cliffs.

Josie reined her horse around, put her hand on her hip, and yelled at the top of her lungs, C’mon, you slowpokes! I can’t wait to see what’s around the bend of this big rock wall. Gosh, I’m getting better and better at this horse stuff. See, I don’t even have to hang on to the saddle all the time anymore. She threw her whole arm into a sweeping wave to demonstrate.

Marge and Gary Tucker, Josi’s parents, urged their horses to catch up, but Josh, only a mere nine years old, was dawdling, looking down at the ground from his saddle. Marge glanced back at her son. What’re you finding so interesting down there, Josh? Don’t lean so over so far, you might fall out of the saddle again.

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Mom, I’m practicing tracking, like Gabe has been teaching me. I’m gonna be like a scout for the pioneers in the olden days. There’s some kind of old trail here with animal tracks on it, and I think they’re probably deer tracks from what Gabe told me. Or maybe they could be antelope or, or maybe even moose or, or . . . I’m not sure what else. It looks like the tracks lead around the bend in front of Josi, so let’s go see where they go from there.

Gabe, the guide for the Tucker family for their vacation week of riding horses in the mountains, was far in the rear, standing next to one of the pack mules, adjusting something on the harness. When he noticed Marge watching him, he waved them forward. He was sure he could catch up in short order. While his attention was on the Tuckers, the mule he was next to reached down and tried to grab a mouthful of Gabe’s pant leg. Gabe swatted him affectionately.

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Durn it, Onionskin. Cut it out. We ain’t playin’ now. Stand still while I fix this harness, ’n’ you’ll be more comfortable, ’n’ we won’t lose our supper ’cause it falls off ’n ya.

With her parents and Josh approaching, Josi turned her horse and followed the curve of the towering rocky wall. She started searching for some of the tracks Josh was talking about. There were some faint marks in the sandy ground that she began to follow. She guessed these were tracks. They led directly toward another bend in the rock wall, but when she got closer, she couldn’t see them leading away from the wall in any direction. She urged her horse another few steps forward and saw a narrow cleft in the wall. It looked almost like a cave opening to her but didn’t smell like any of the caves near their home in Kentucky, which were dank and icky, she thought. In fact, she was sure she felt a slight breeze coming out of the cleft.

Josi’s curiosity was stirred. Carefully, she got down off the horse and tiptoed up to the opening and peered around it. The wall was smooth and seemed to meet at the top, forming a wide tunnel big enough for a couple of horses side by side. As she looked down, she saw more of the animal tracks leading into it. She wasn’t sure, but it didn’t look like any tracks came back out of the tunnel.

Still walking on tiptoe, unaware she was holding her breath, Josi carefully led her horse into the tunnel a few steps and stopped short, causing the horse’s nose to hit her shoulder. He snorted and shook his head, rattling the hardware on his bridle.

The sounds echoed around the tunnel, causing Josi to shiver and glance around. She drew in a deep breath and held it again as she studied the wall in front of her. High up on the wall ahead, she could see in the dim light what appeared to be some primitive drawings of horses, deer, buffalo, dogs or wolves, and human figures. Josi let her breath out in an explosion of happiness. She’d read and studied so much about the American West and its earliest inhabitants that she wasn’t sure she could believe her eyes. Cave drawings! Could those really be cave drawings? she wondered silently.

"Mom, Dad, Josh, c’mon, come on! Hurry up and come in here. I found something totally sweet. You really aren’t gonna believe this."

For her parents and Josh, now leading their horses, to enter the tunnel, Josi had to walk ahead. Her eyes drank in the wall drawings in wonder. The three behind her walked along in the same kind of awe, staring at the paintings, which seemed to glow and move with the reflected