Fantasy Mind Trip Book 3: Adventure Fiction & Music, #3

By Rainnie Cozpiter

Longer! Crazier! It's book 3!

PARTICIPANTS IN THE GREAT RACE_TO SAVE EARTH is the next chapter in this never-been-done-before, Adventure Fiction & Music series by Rainnie Cozpiter.

Things aren't going as planned for Max. For one thing, his uncle is returning home much sooner than he had expected. For another thing, his friend Rob just can't seem to follow the rules of S.C.A.M. And it's getting harder and harder to keep the club a secret, especially from his parents. What does all of this mean for Max and the future of his Secret Club of Ancient Music? It means it's time to turn on that mysterious record player. Listen fast and play hard!

Join the members of SCAM in another fantastic mind trip through the power of fusing music and fantasy fiction. They're running out of time…better make the most of it.

-Short, Rapid-Paced Adventure

-Interactive Mix of Reading and Listening to Music

Don't just read it...EXPERIENCE it! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rainnie Cozpiter
• Release date: Dec 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215189788

Book preview

Chapter 0: Not According to Plan

Today was going to be great. Max could just feel it. First of all, by default, Saturdays are always good days—no school, lots of cartoons to watch, and the freedom to laze around in pajamas until lunch time.  Oh, yeah.

Second, the weather outside was bright and sunny, but not too hot to enjoy rollerblading or throwing the football around. Max couldn’t wait to plan his day out. That’s right, his day. It felt so good to be in control of one’s own schedule for a change. Usually, school stole that privilege away from him. But not today. Not Saturdays. And in just a few weeks, summer vacation—when every day was like a Saturday! Summer vacation was the best!

He took another delicious bite of his cereal at the family table in the kitchen and gazed out the small window next to him as he planned all the great things he was going to do. Well, for starters, no TV because he was grounded. That was a major bummer, but YouTube was a decent enough substitute (so long as Mom wasn’t around to catch him). So he’d just lounge around with his computer for most of the morning. Then around lunch time, brush his teeth, get dressed, and maybe Dad would take him to get a burger or something. Then in the afternoon, call up Rob to throw the ball around. Maybe ride bikes too. And finally, head over to Uncle Lou’s for another incredible mind trip with the magical record player.

Yep, it sounded like the perfect day. At night, maybe he’d even work up enough energy to tackle his homework a little before tomorrow—for Max, Sundays were always homework days. Horrible, horrible days. Except during summer vacation. Max smiled again at the thought of heavenly summer vacation and chomped down on another spoonful of cereal.

Mom came into the kitchen and started making some coffee for her and Dad. Good morning, sweetie.

Morning, Mom, Max tried to say with a mouthful of sugary goodness.

Mom banged around the cupboards for a while. Then Dad walked into the kitchen fully dressed. That wasn’t normal.

Max felt panic creeping up on him. He quickly munched and swallowed and then asked, What’s with the clothes, Dad?

Hm? Dad was not a morning person. It was a miracle if you heard more than two words come out of him at any given moment before noon.

Well, why are you all dressed up? Are you going somewhere?

"We’re going somewhere, Mom corrected. Max dropped his spoon in his bowl of milk and soggy cereal. Dad sat down, cradling his empty cup patiently. Max’s mom turned to briefly look Max over. Hurry up and finish that and then get dressed, okay? We’re visiting Grandma today and shopping for new clothes for you. You’re outgrowing everything so quickly."

Max was shocked. Visiting Grandma!? On a Saturday?? Followed by shopping for clothes? On a Saturday!?! Max noticeably shuddered at the thought. Leave it to parents to ruin everything good in life. Max felt like arguing for his right to enjoy today, but what was the use? He’d lose, for sure. Clearly, plans had been made without him, and there was nothing to be done about it now.

So instead, he lowered his head and said in a defeated voice, What time are we leaving?

Mom was in the process of pouring coffee but still managed to check her wristwatch. In half an hour. Around 10:00.

Unbelievable. That was the only word running through Max’s mind as Mom continued talking. "We’ll spend the morning and lunch with her, then head over to the outlet stores. We should be back just in time for you to quickly do your chores for Uncle Lou and then get ready for your sister’s concert.

Nora’s ensemble concert was tonight?! Max definitely didn’t want to go to that. I don’t want to go, he said matter-of-factly.

Well, Max, who’s going to watch you while we’re gone? I know it’s not important to you, but it’s important to Nora that we show her support. It’ll be nice for you to go. It’s not often that you have to do things like that for your sister.

All good points that would take too much effort to counter. Dad just sat there taking his first sips of coffee. Max sighed heavily and took his bowl to the sink. It still had some cereal left, but Max was no longer able to enjoy it. All hope for today was gone now. The joy of life had been completely sucked out of him. Now it would be just a matter of enduring till the bitter end.

And then, tomorrow...homework day. Max shuddered again as he trudged down the hall to get ready. Nora was strolling down the hall in the opposite direction and had to move out of the way for Max. What’s with you? she demanded. Wrong side of the bed again, it looks like. She chuckled at her own joke and sat down at the kitchen table to enjoy breakfast.

At that moment, a knock came from the back door. That could only be one person. Max returned to the kitchen and leaned against the nearest wall as Mom opened the door for Rob. Good morning, Rob, she said sweetly.

Hey, Mrs. Lorentz, Rob replied. I hope I didn’t come over too early.

Not at all, said Mom. Have you had breakfast yet? You’re free to have some here.

Thanks. Rob plopped down in the seat next to Nora. She noticeably shifted her chair away from him. Rob looked up at Max expectantly. Hey, dude.

Hey, man.

Wanna hang out today? Maybe go ride bikes or something?

Max didn’t even have time to respond. His mom answered for him. Oh, sorry, Rob. Today’s not good. We’ll be gone all day.

A wave of disappointment washed over Rob’s face. Max knew what Rob had really come over for. He wanted to go straight over to Uncle Lou’s house. Maybe even spend the entire day there. But his dreams had been dashed to pieces just like Max’s.

Nora glanced over at Rob with a knowing look. Then she looked up at Max and tried to smile consolingly. She was part of the secret club too, so she understood the disappointment. But unlike Max, she enjoyed playing card games with Grandma and shopping for clothes. Today was her ideal Saturday. Max couldn’t stop himself from feeling bitter about that.

Sorry, Rob. Max tried to give his friend a half-smile. Can’t today. All of the members of S.C.A.M. nodded solemnly to one another. No adventures today.

It made Max even more mad now that he knew how little time they had left until Uncle Lou’s return. Minus today, that just left Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Maybe not even Sunday, depending on the amount of homework he had to do. What a major bummer today was turning out to be!

Rob got over the initial shock and casually mentioned, That’s okay. Maybe tomorrow then. But his eyes said, Tomorrow or else! He got up without having eaten anything and headed for the door. Dad and Nora both said goodbye to him. Mom echoed the goodbye and left the kitchen. Rob looked at Max one more time and said, See ya. Then he headed outside and back home.

Max felt bad about the whole thing. He decided that he just had to make tomorrow work now that today was taken from him. Maybe he could do some homework in the car and at Grandma’s house and at the store and at Nora’s ensemble. With a little luck, maybe he could get it all done today. With determination, he sprinted down the hall and rushed to get ready. Maybe he could even start some of his homework right now while his family was still getting ready.

So he took a three minute shower, brushed his teeth but didn’t floss, threw on the clothes that he had lying on the floor in his bedroom, and dragged his bulky backpack out to the kitchen table. His dad was still sitting there, sipping at the last of his coffee. Max yanked his planner textbook from his backpack as well as a random textbook. It was math. Well, I’d better get the hardest over with, I guess, Max decided.

What’s all this, Max? Dad was finally at the point where he could speak in entire sentences. It must be close to 10:00 already.

I want to get my homework done today so I have some free time tomorrow, Max explained.

I see. Dad paused for a moment and then added, Don’t forget about hockey practice tomorrow too, son.

Aw, Dad, can’t I skip it tomorrow?

You’re not really into it, huh?

No, not really.

"Yeah, I could tell. Well, just give it to the end of the school term, and if you’re still bored with it, you can pick something else to do for the