Children Adventure Book (Sci-Fi Fiction)

Out in the darkest reaches of space beyond the stars, strange forces are awakening and affected planets are tasked with the job of protecting themselves with the help of the youngest, smartest and bravest of heroes. Five unsuspecting children will be chosen to journey into space on an exciting adventure to save and protect these planets, while learning of the wonders of the universe and the unique powers that will be uncovered.

“Come on down, Joey! Everyone’s in the car already.”

Joey stood at the top of the stairs with a frown on his face. He didn’t want to go anywhere. Especially Adventure City. It was probably going to be dumb anyway, but Mom and Dad had insisted because it was his sister Carrie’s fifth birthday. Carrie was the last child, and the favorite of the house, and everyone always did what she wanted without a second's thought. Not he or his older brother Willy ever got a choice.

Willy was twelve years old, and usually, he would kick up a fuss and the both of them would insist on remaining behind, but this time was different; Willy wanted to visit Adventure City too, he had a friend from school who’d gone last month and talked about it all the time.

“Don’t worry, Joey. You’re going to have so much fun,” Willy told him as they got into the car. “Yes, darling,” Mom smiled at him. “There are so many attractions there, unlike Dreamland and we have to make your sister feel special. It’s her birthday.”

Still, Joey wasn't convinced. They'd visited Dreamland right there in the city for his tenth birthday two months ago. He not only loved the park but didn't have to be stuck in the car for hours before getting there. Joey preferred to have remained behind at home, working on his new science project. They were studying the solar system in school and had been given an assignment to recreate any planet of their choice. He loved Jupiter but was stuck with Saturn because his friend, Mark had chosen that already.                    

Still, it was pretty cool. He was in grade five and enjoyed science and researching otherworldly things like aliens, and extraterrestrial life forms. Going to some distant theme park didn't feel as much fun but he had no choice. He sighed with resignation and sunk back into the car seat as they headed towards the highway out of town.

“Honey, we have a round ticket here,” Owens’ mother bent to tell him as they arrived before a popcorn machine at Adventure City Park. “You can go on any ride but just be careful, go on now, we will be here waiting.”

“Are you sure, Mom?” asked Owen with hesitation, glancing from her face to his father's.

His father’s normally cheerful face held a slight frown and even though he tried hard to force a smile, he could see it wasn’t genuine because his eyes still looked sad.

“Yes, darling,” his mother said with a bright smile on her face. Have fun and enjoy yourself. We will be right here waiting, don’t go too far.”

Owen nodded and turned to set off with his huge cotton candy but it was suddenly not that tasty anymore and he threw it in the bin by the side of the popcorn stand. His mother didn't notice or scold him, she was back arguing with his father. They had been at it since they arrived at the park. Owen was tired of hearing them fight all the time; he felt some relief as he followed some kids heading for the huge attraction he'd seen a short distance away.

The sign above read: Planets of The Universe, and looked like something he was going to enjoy. He was determined to have fun and not think of his parents fighting; then he'd write about It in his secret journal that was safely tucked away underneath his Lego drawer. He wrote about everything happening in his life, one day he’d be a successful journalist and was very serious about his dreams just like his English teacher, Mr. Prescott always told him to be. It didn't matter if his mother and father fought all the time, it wouldn't matter because he'd be traveling the world, writing stories, and taking loads of pictures.

“Are you having a good time, Annie bug?”

Annie forced a smile on her face at her big sister, Kylie’s inquiry and nodded vigorously.

“Yes, I am. Thanks for bringing me even though I know you didn’t have to.”

Kylie’s bent down to face Annie squarely. “I wanted to, love. You are my sister and we’ve got to stick together and take care of each other now. We will get through this, okay?”

“Yeah, okay.”

“Now smile and give me a kiss,” Kylie said, embracing her younger sister.

Annie smiled even though she felt sad inside, and kissed her sister’s cheek.

“That’s my big girl,” Kylie tousled her short brown curls. “You can go have some sweets over there if you would like, we will wait here for you.” She said and pointed to a candy stand across from where a short line stood, waiting their turn.

Annie needed no further prompting before crossing over to the stand. She and Kylie had lost both their parents four months ago in a car accident and Kylie had become her permanent guardian. It was hard and painful every time she thought about the accident, but Annie was determined to cheer herself up and make her sister happy. She loved when everyone was happy and pleased with her. At the sweets stand, Annie got into the line behind a girl whose fingernails were painted a bright blue like the sky. It looked so beautiful that she couldn’t help staring.

“Do you like them?” The girl asked with a smile, wiggling her fingers.

"Yes, they are beautiful. I wish I could have mine painted like that," Annie said.

"These are press-ons. You can buy them at the shop if you want.” The girl said. “My name is Blair, what’s yours?”

“Annie. Have you gone on any rides yet?” Annie asked, liking Blair already.

“Almost everything and it’s been so much fun!” Blair exclaimed. “All except the Planets Of The Universe. My cousin says it’s boring, but I want to go all the same.”

“Can we go together?” Annie asked

“Sure,” Blair said, her eyes lighting up. “This is my first time in a theme park and I want to try everything. Come on!”

They got their sweets and headed to an open caravan-styled diner by the corner where Blair's aunt and cousin sat eating.

"Aunt Kathy, can I go check out the Planets of The Universe ride with my new friend, Annie?" Blair asked.

Aunt Kathy gave Annie a smile. “Hi, Annie. Who are you here with?”

“My sister,” Annie replied shyly.

“Okay, girls. Hurry back when you’re done, okay?”

“Okay,” Annie and Blair chorused in unison, before holding hands and taking off for the Planets Of The Universe at the other end of the park.

Finn walked into the Planets of The Universe Maze like a boy on a mission and he was. He had his Planet Finder device which he’d ordered online after his last visit to the park and was determined to debunk his classmate’s claim that the ride was an actual pathway to space, and aliens were real.

Since arriving at the park with his nan an hour ago, he'd been waiting for the perfect opportunity to visit the ride. At that very moment, she turned to buy some ice cream, he'd sprung across the park and straight into the attraction in seconds before she could even try to stop him. He wouldn't have needed to give her a hard time or be deliberately naughty if his parents hadn't banned him from entering.

The last time they'd visited the park, he'd gone in there and been there for hours, oblivious to the fact that everyone had been searching for him around the park the whole time. His parents had been forced to leave the gaming company meeting to come and look for him, and they were not happy about that.

Finn hadn't felt particularly sorry about it, he loved the ride and how it was designed like the solar system with images of planets and stars and cool-looking aliens of various shapes and sizes popping up at every corner and speaking crazy languages. He particularly loved the Teleporter pad at the center. It looked exactly like the teleporter he’d seen on Star Trek and it was right there, he was headed to prove Alan wrong about it all being real. His parents wrote and built videogames, he knew just how stuff worked and aliens weren’t real. Although it would have been totally cool if they did, they weren’t. He wasn’t stupid and knew the finder was fake as well, but it was cool to pretend that it was.

Just before crossing the last alien figure before the silver and metallic curtain shielding the teleporter pad, the indicator light on his finder began to flash. Finn was surprised and excited, he wondered what cool gimmick had been added to the ride since the last time he’d been there and hurried onward ready to explore.

“Tell me about the Pendulum ride again, Olivia,” Blair urged her cousin for the third time since they’d begun the trip to Adventure City, New York.

"Blair! How many times do you want to hear it?" Olivia groaned. "Mom, make her stop."

“Just one more time, dear,” Aunt Kathy implored. “Blair hasn’t been to Adventure City before and she’s only excited.”

Blair was beyond excited. She'd never been to any theme park before but had heard so much about the amazing, spooky rides that made you almost sick, the tasty snacks, and the sparkling lights that went on forever. The moment her mother had suggested a vacation at Aunt Kathy and Uncle Rob's farm two days ago, she'd been so excited and wasted no time packing her clothes, toys, and favorite magazines for the trip. Her mother was a biochemist working at the biggest laboratory in California and barely had time for any fun. Blair couldn't wait to arrive at the fun park her cousin had spoken about in great lengths last night, nor could she stop talking about it. Hands poised under her chin, she listened with glee as Olivia narrated her experience in great detail.

“Olivia’s experience might not be like yours. You are going to get to enjoy it yourself soon and I can’t wait to hear about it,” Aunty Kathy said as they drove into Adventure City’s parking lot an hour later.

Blair wasn't thinking about anything else at that moment. Her eyes were glued to the window, taking in all the huge, exciting rides ahead with anticipation. She couldn't wait to get inside. She had never had the chance before and couldn't wait any longer.