Stories from the Sandbox

By Wesley Wakelin

What would you do if you discovered a whole new world beneath your own feet, in the depths of your own sandbox? Would you explore the world, and learn its magical secrets? Or would you run away from the countless evil beasts that swarm the underground?

Unfortunately, for young siblings Tommy, David and Rin, they do not have a choice in the matter. Once they fall into a portal down their own sandbox, they realize they are trapped in the underground world. With no clear way out, they must work together to survive and find their way back home. It doesn't take them long to realize they can control a form of magic called "the Gleam", which they use to free their new, quirky goblin friend, Deek, from imprisonment.

Join the three siblings, along with Deek, on their adventures: solving puzzles, battling monsters, and trying to decide whether to help save this new world, or simply find the quickest way back home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wesley Wakelin
• Release date: Mar 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781039127265

Book preview

Cover-Front.jpg

Stories from the Sandbox

Parts I & II

by Wesley Wakelin

Illustrated by Larissa Melnik

Edited by Susan Mesler-Evans

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

The Sandbox

Chapter 2

Deek

Chapter 3

Cornelius

Chapter 4

Abaddon’s Swamp

Chapter 5

Windermere

Chapter 6

The Feast

Chapter 7

The Request

Chapter 8

The Return to Earth

Stories from the Sandbox: Part II

The Sea of Flames

Chapter 1

The Return

Chapter 2

The Grand City

Chapter 3

The Rescue

Chapter 4

The Gift

Chapter 5

The Separation

Chapter 6

The Test

Chapter 7

The Architect

Chapter 8

The Reunion

Chapter 9

The Sea of Flames

Chapter 10

A New Home

About The Author

Copyright

Thanks to my Dad, the mastermind behind the Sandbox Stories, who inspired me to write a book based on his imaginative ideas he told me when I was a kid.

Chapter 1

The Sandbox

Tommy… I’ve been watching you from another world. A world where the possibilities are endless, where… magic exists. The power and strength inside of you is unlike anything I’ve witnessed. However, it is still slumbering within. You know where I dwell, you can feel it, can you not? Find me… to awaken your true talent. Find me… to unleash your true potential… and rule the underground… with me.

Tommy awoke from the same daydream he had near the end of every school day. As he opened his eyes, he moved his sandy blond hair out of the way and quickly glanced at the classroom clock as time slowly wound down. He could barely contain his excitement as he shook with anticipation. The school year and his final year of middle school, was down to the last minute. His eyes never blinked once for those last sixty seconds as he stared at the clock.

Five seconds left until I can finally spend the entire summer digging in the sandbox, he mumbled to himself.

Tommy didn’t know exactly why he was so addicted to digging. It was either the exploration aspect or the idea of finding ancient artifacts that intrigued him, even though he had yet to find anything exciting other than some rocks, sticks, and an old bottle once. He promised himself that this was the summer where he would make his famous discovery.

When the bell rang, the class cheered and Tommy sprinted to his locker, emptied its contents and left the school grounds. On his way home, he spotted his younger brother walking by himself on the other side of the street. He wore his typical sweatshirt, with his hoodie overtop of his shaggy black hair. He excitedly ran over to him.

Hey, David!

David didn’t acknowledge him, he continued to walk and stare at the ground.

What’s wrong? he asked. We’re done for the year, aren’t you happy?

Yeah… David finally responded.

Wait, you’re all covered in mud!

Thanks for pointing that out, I didn’t notice, David said flatly. I… uh, slipped.

No you didn’t. Come on, who was it this time? he asked, as he began wiping the dirt from his brother’s shirt. Man, it's everywhere!

Johnny and his little group of minions of course. He clenched his fist. Made fun of me for telling the teacher I was going to be digging in my sandbox this summer. Thought I was a loser…

That’s it, this has gone on far too long. I’m going back to school and having a word with those bullies, he said with frustration.

No, don’t! David said, flailing his arms. That will make things even worse. I’m fine, I’ll figure it out next year. He tried to kick a rock on the sidewalk and almost fell over.

Okay, if you say so, he replied, looking worried.

Let’s just get home and focus on getting rich from the treasure we find in the sandbox, alright?

Tommy smiled and they sprinted home.

When they arrived at their house, they both darted to the sandbox with smiles on their faces, grabbing shovels by the shed. They climbed over the large mound of dirt to the other side and began to dig.

Rin, their little sister, was already there waiting for them.

You’re late! she said with her arms crossed, wearing her usual denim overalls. She usually preferred just to watch them dig and give orders like dig faster, find me something shiny, and if you find any gold, it’s mine.

She noticed David covered in mud and burst out laughing. You got pushed in the mud again?

David didn’t reply, he kept his head down and continued to dig.

In all seriousness, you gotta stand up for yourself, she said as she began punching the air.

Oh yeah, like you would? David yelled up at her from the bottom of the hole.

You bet! No one messes with me.

Tommy looked up at Rin. Rin, what are you talking about? You would never hurt a fly.

I know, ‘cause they’re cute. All bugs are cute! she said, showing them a beetle she had just found.

Whatever, David mumbled.

Oh and by the way, she said, looking at a few pieces of paper. Mom and Dad wanted to see your report cards when you got home.

Yeah, that’s not going to happen anytime soon, David said, while aggressively jamming the shovel into the dirt.

Let me guess, Tommy said, starting to sweat already. You got another flawless report card didn’t you, Rin?

Well, she giggled and then put a purple clip in her brown hair to keep it out of her eyes. "Not flawless. I only got an ‘A’ in history, but the rest were A pluses."

David’s eye began twitching in anger. Thanks for telling me, I really wanted to know… David said, rolling his eyes. Grade 4 was easy, anyway. Grade 6 is much harder.

I can’t wait! Rin said, enthusiastically.

David irritably shook his head. Let’s just get back to digging, please.

They dug and dug and dug for what seemed like hours. Sweat dripped down their faces from the beating sun. Their arms became tired as the pile of dirt from the hole was now almost twice the height of Tommy.

You guys are never going to find anything! Rin yelled down the hole, where her brothers were still working.

We just need to dig deeper, that’s all! Tommy shouted back up with hope in his voice and then turned to David. We’ll find something, I just know it.

Tommy and David continued to dig… and dig… and dig even more. Afternoon became dinner time and dinner time became the early evening as the sun started to set.

Phew! This is tough, I’m exhausted, exclaimed David, as he climbed back up the ladder from the deep hole to take a break. We should check if dinner’s ready. Mom’s probably waiting for us.

Dinner? It's way past dinner. It’s probably cold by now, replied Rin.

Nooo, my hot dogs!

You guys are crazy. How long have you been digging for now? she asked, as she glanced at her watch.

Actually, I have no idea… replied Tommy from the bottom of the hole. Have we dug this deep before?

David, feeling slightly accomplished, signaled to his siblings that he was done digging for the day. Come on, let’s go inside guys. I hate cold hot dogs, he complained.

But then…

CLANK!

Intrigued, David yelled down the hole to Tommy, What was that?

I… think I hit something!

What is ‘something’? David shouted back down.

Well, it's flat, shiny, and hard. Possibly some type of metal?

David’s eyes were as wide as golf balls. Yes, this is it! We found it! The treasure chest we’ve been dreaming of for so long!

Rin stared in shock, not believing that they might have actually found something.

Tommy yelled back up, I’m going to clean the dirt off and see what it is. David, come help.

And me too? Rin excitedly asked.

Yeah, sure.

David leapt onto the ladder and slid down excitedly. Rin followed cautiously, as she had never been down this deep before. The three of them got on their hands and knees and started wiping the dirt off of the shiny, metallic area in the ground as fast as they could. They flung the dirt off with such enthusiasm thinking about what riches awaited them inside, maybe enough to quit school, thought David.

They wiped the dirt off as best as they could. The three siblings stepped back and took a moment to stare at the glorious, metal, thing…

"Hmm, what is it?" asked David, with some disappointment in his voice. He then looked over at Tommy who seemed just as confused as him.

Well!? said Rin, unable to contain her excitement. What do you think it is, guys?

Tommy and David scratched their heads and stared at a square, flat piece of metal in a state of confusion.

This doesn’t look like a treasure chest, David said with a big frown drawn across his face.

Oh, wait a second. Tommy pointed downward. Doesn’t it look like there are hinges on the side there?

Yeah, it looks like there’s a small handle there, too! he said excitedly. Do you think it's some sort of trap door?

Right! Didn’t Grandpa say there used to be old war bunkers and tunnels around here? Tommy asked, thinking back to the old stories. Yeah, I remember him always telling me those stories about those at bedtime. How they used these tunnels for the war to transport equipment and soldiers. Maybe he always knew that this trapdoor was here?

And didn’t he talk about monsters and stuff too that lived down there? David added. Or did I dream that?

David, don’t be silly, Tommy laughed. Monsters don’t exist.

I agree, Rin said. "But he did mention that elves and goblins roamed in these tunnels. Some friendly… and some… pure evil."

Elves? David asked with a smirk. Tommy shrugged his shoulders. I think monsters are more believable than elves.

After a few moments, Tommy looked back at David, hoping he was thinking the same thing.

We have to open it right? he asked.

Haha! I don’t think so! I’m not going into an underground cavern, full of monsters, elves or whatever evil things lurk down there, thank you very much, David said shaking his head. We should just cover this back up.

Are you saying you’re scared of a few elves? Rin joked.

No way! I just think it’s a waste of time if there isn’t any treasure down there.

Oh, on the contrary, Tommy said. There could be an endless amount of possibilities down there, David.

Endless?

David, this discovery could change the world! Rin quickly said, obviously wanting to explore it too. And make you famous…

"But… but… it’s just a door, how could that change the world? If there’s no chest, then there’s no treasure. That’s my motto," David said as he crossed his arms.

Tommy looked him dead in the eyes, "These are ancient tunnels from hundreds of years ago. It's going to be full of treasure," he said, doing his best sales pitch.

Enough treasure to allow me to skip school? he replied with hopeful eyes. So I won’t have to get bullied by Johnny every day?

Tommy and Rin looked at each other, not knowing how to answer that completely accurately. Yeah… sure!

Ugh… okay. If you say so, David agreed reluctantly as he scratched his head uncomfortably. "But we will only take a quick — quick — look around, and then we will head straight back up… if there’s no treasure that is."

They nodded and agreed.

Okay, let’s lift this door then, Tommy instructed. He and David dropped down to their knees and started to lift the large metal door, but it was too heavy. Their arms and fingers quickly became sore as they gasped in pain.

Rin, grab the corner there, this thing is too heavy! David instructed Rin while letting out a painful grunt.

Rin grabbed the corner of the door with excitement and started to lift. A loud screech came from the hinges as dust poured out of the cracks as if it had not been opened for hundreds of years. They dropped the lid down, on the other side of the hinges and all slowly peeked down the dark hole.

A faint light shone from the depths of the tunnel, a mere prick in the distance.

"Wow, it is a tunnel!" Rin said, hardly believing her eyes.

Tommy, you go first, David demanded.

What? Why me?

You’re the oldest and it was your idea to explore, David said.

And you’re the bravest, Rin added with a smile hoping to boost Tommy’s confidence.

"Okay fine. But we aren’t going very far in, remember. We will go down just to see what that light is and then we will come straight back up and tell Mom and Dad."

Got it! they said.

One by one, they slowly climbed down a ladder which seemed to be connected to the tunnel wall. They climbed until they finally reached a flat platform with a sandy walkway ahead of them, which was where the light was located. If it wasn’t for that faint light, it would have been pitch black. The air was cold and stagnant. The dusty floor had no traces of any footprints whatsoever. They assumed nobody had been there for a long time.

They cautiously made their way down the long corridor, in an open area with dirt and muddy walls. It was not a pretty sight. The walls and ceilings looked old and dusty. It seemed like it was dug by heavy machinery and then was never cleaned up to look very welcoming. Strange sounds they couldn’t identify echoed around them as Rin and David huddled close to Tommy. They walked a few more minutes, as the light slowly started to get brighter and closer.

Something doesn’t seem right about these tunnels, whispered David. I have a bad feeling.

Yeah, it's really scary down here, Rin complained, still grabbing onto Tommy’s shirt.

Come on guys, this is so exciting! People probably haven’t been down here since World War 2! I’m sure there will be treasure down here, Tommy said excitedly. Like, look at this wall here! Isn’t it great? It looks so ancient.

David examined the wall, rubbing his hand along it. It’s a dirt wall, man. There’s lots of those above us, he said, unimpressed.

They continued walking to the end of the pathway where they finally reached the light.

Why does that light look so strange? Rin asked, narrowing her eyes, trying to examine the light source closer. The light hovered in the air, slightly bobbing up and down. There were no wires connected to it nor did it give off any heat.

Tommy began to investigate the light as well, It doesn’t look like it's even powered by electricity… how is that possible?

And it’s not even a flame, David replied. So, what could it be then?

To their surprise, the light still emitted a bright orange, comforting glow. It seemed different than any light they’ve seen before, like it was made out of liquid. It rippled gently, while it floated in the air, almost like it was alive. It drew them in as it shined brightly into their eyes as if it was trying to communicate with them.

Rin reached out, feeling the urge to touch the light source.

Wait, Rin! screamed Tommy.

But it was too late. As Rin made contact, the light quickly vanished and the surroundings turned pitch black. Everything went silent and the three kids could only hear each other’s rapid breathing. A loud snap echoed throughout the cavern. The platform they were standing on vanished beneath their feet and they fell straight down. They tumbled and tumbled for what seemed like forever. Banging their arms and legs along the rocky downward slide. A few painful moments later, they reached a soft sandy bottom.

OW! Rin rubbed her head.

Everyone okay? Tommy asked, checking his body for scrapes and bruises.

No! We just rolled down a hill for three minutes, David snapped. By the way, thanks for that, Rin!

"Me? That wasn’t my fault. I saw you trying to touch it too!"

"Yeah, but I didn’t do it!"

Guys! Tommy said, trying to calm his siblings down. Let’s just try to figure out where we are, okay? We can’t fight right now.

They looked back up to where they fell from and knew there was no getting back up that way.

What are we going to do now!? David pouted, while dusting himself off.

Okay, well, I think I can see another light source way down at the end of this tunnel. And you better not touch it this time, Rin, Tommy said with a sharp glare. Maybe that’s the way back up.

Suddenly, a loud, vicious growl came from the distance, unlike any animal noise they’d heard back home. The unnerving sound echoed throughout the cave, sending shivers down their spines.

Okay, what was that? Rin asked, not wanting to know the answer.

David looked around, I don’t even know where that came from. Did it come from the light ahead, or behind us?

Behind us, I’m sure. Let's keep heading to the light, Tommy said, trying to sound confident.

They picked up their pace, hoping to outrun whatever was behind them. They continued to walk towards the light, which seemed better than heading into complete darkness. Behind them, the faint sound of heavy footsteps drew closer. Nervously, the kids picked up their pace to a light jog. The footsteps continued to get louder and louder and then faster.

Look! We’ve almost made it to the light! Hurry, David pointed ahead.

They arrived at the light source and the footsteps behind them came to a sudden stop. It was impossible to see what was behind them, as everything was still in complete darkness. Unfortunately, they were aware that the light illuminated them for anyone or anything else in the tunnel to see. The silence was piercing as they tried to see anything around them. They heard another loud growl, but this time, it was much louder and seemed to be right in front of them. They all froze, eyes darting in every direction. A dark outline of a figure was barely seen, which was standing directly in front of them.

Grandpa… is that you?! Rin said hopefully.

I don’t think that’s Grandpa, Rin, Tommy said nervously.

As the figure inched closer, they quickly realized it wasn’t human. It stood twice the size of them and was almost the width of a bear.

Tommy then stepped in front of Rin and David and tucked them behind him. "Ugh… hello? We come in