Houdini

By Charlotte L R Kane

This is a modern day version of the Houdini brothers - Harry and Theo. Follow these two brothers as they discover magic, and how their lives revolve about performing. However, when one brother is offered an opportunity and the other isn't, their lives become seperate and they take different paths in life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charlotte Kane
• Release date: Aug 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201771232

Charlotte L R Kane

I have a degree in Business Management and started writing in 2006 when I was first introduced to fanfiction. From there my passion from writing has been discovered. However, it was only in 2012 that I decided to start writing stories that were not fanfiction and came across the option to have my work published. I started by adapting some of my fanfictions into ‘proper’ pieces of works and published them. From there I have continued my writing journey and expanded my style and genres. Although I prefer to write about the darker sides of life, I love the challenge of exploring situations and genres that I have not done before. For me, writing is about escaping reality. It is freedom. You can create the world, choose who lives and dies, decide if good or evil will prevail. It’s expressing your thoughts and feelings.

Book preview

PROLOGUE - 1975

They had always loved this time of the year. The way the snow dusted the trees in a light coating and the roofs of the houses glistened in the morning sun. How the icy wind nipped at the skin. The way a person’s breath was visible in the air.

It was Christmas Day, and it was definitely the boy’s favorite holiday. They would ask their parents to put up the Christmas decorations and tree as soon as Halloween was over. So, November 1st every year, they boys would help their parents prepare the house for the holidays.

This Christmas is where our story starts.

All was silent on the streets as people stayed inside their homes; in the warmth. Ten-year-old Harry Houdini was the first to wake and looked around the room, noticing the overflowing stockings at the bottom of the bed. He shakes his eight-year-old brother Theo awake and runs to turn the bedroom light on.

Theo, come on. It’s Christmas, Theo woke up with the light being turned on and stretched, letting out a heavy yawn as his eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness in the room. It takes a couple of seconds for him to realize what day it is.

They grin and yell between themselves as they find the toy cars they had been asking for, along with some sweets - their favorites - and $5 each. They hoped that Santa had delivered the presents they asked for. They had both been extra good that year, making sure their homework was always completed and offering to do chores. Harry asked for books whilst Theo had asked for coloring pencils and paper.

Their parents stood in the doorway, smiling before they entered the room and wished them a Merry Christmas. Their father asked if the boys had been good that year, a large grin etched on his face. The boys laughed, and nodded enthusiastically, nd made their way downstairs with their parents. Under the tree, a large pile of presents stood and the boy’s eyes twinkled with delight as they made their way over to them.

They sat around the Christmas tree and their parents made them take turns in opening their gifts. With each one, squeals of delight rung though the room. They had received everything they’d asked for. The boys made their parents open their presents next – for their father they bought him a new t-shirt their mother had helped them pick out, and made him a car from wood. A neighbor who was skilled in woodwork had helped them with making gifts for their parents.

For their mother, they purchased her some perfume they knew she liked (that had raided her vanity dresser to find her favorite), and had made her a wooden owl – her favorite animal. The boys were thanked, hugged, and kissed from their parents, who admired the wooden gifts with awe.

There was a single present left under the tree – a large one. The wrapping paper was dark green and had stars on it, and was wrapped with a red bow. Their parents told them it was a gift to the both of them for being good throughout the year, and that it was something extra special.

The boys ripped off the wrapping paper together and glanced in amazement at the magic set in front of them. They both grabbed for the box, but Harry was able to get it first, so he held it tightly. Magic was something they only saw on television and now they could learn it themselves. They stared at the front of the box before removing the lid and inspecting the contents. Inside, a wand, a handkerchief, some cups, some dice, and a few other items were placed neatly, along with a book with the words Performing Tricks.

The boys were big fans of David Nixon, a well-known magician, and always watched his show, The David Nixon show, after school. They were inspired by David Nixon, but didn’t think it was something they could do. But now they would have the chance to learn. Maybe they could turn it into something, and be like David Nixon themselves. The possibilities were endless.

Their parents smiled at the excitement on their boy’s faces and watched as they flicked through the book and discussed which tricks to practice first. Harry was already taking control and deciding the tricks they would learn. Harry always liked to take control of a situation, liked knowing what they were going to do and when they were going to do it. Besides, he was the first born child and that automatically meant that he got to make the decisions. Theo would have to agree with them and do as Harry ordered him to do. It was just the natural way of things.

Thank you. This is fantastic. I can’t wait to get started. Harry hugged his parents, sat down, and started reading the book. Theo, always the conscious and tidy one, cleaned up the wrapping paper and placed it into the bin, scrunching it hard, but it still overflowed.

He also made sure the gifts were neatly placed in piles underneath the tree, organized into who the gifts belonged to. He needed order before he could enjoy his presents.

Harry laughed, Come on Theo, come and have a look at this instead of cleaning. Theo sat beside who his brother. Harry had already decided what trick they would be doing first. Excitement bubbled through the boys as they chattered away; their other gifts left discarded under the tree.

They didn’t know how much that little box of tricks would determine their future.

CHAPTER ONE – 1981

Ladies and Gentleman; please come forward and watch the amazing Houdini Brothers, Harry shouted as he walked from the