The Violet Flash: A Novel

by Mike Mason

Overview

 

There’s a rip in the blue umbrella, and time—and Chelsea—are slipping through!             One moment she was there, the next moment she was not, and Ches Cholmondeley was watching when it happened. And he learns of other mysterious goings-on: for three days in a row the world’s atomic clocks have lost a second, resulting in bizarre accidents ranging from dropped casseroles to plane crashes. Are these events related? What’s a brother to do?            Figure out a way to get his sister back, of course. In search of answers, Ches befriends the local clockmaker, Myron Stinchcombe, who knows a lot about time, and seeks out Sky Porter, who knows a lot about, well, everything.            But time is running out. And Ches is torn, knowing that the very deed that can save the world might also keep his sister from ever returning to it.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781434703699
Publisher:	David C Cook
Publication date:	06/01/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368
File size:	5 MB
Age Range:	9 - 13 Years

About the Author

 

Mike Mason is the best-selling, award-winning author of The Mystery of Marriage, The Gospel According to Job, Practicing the Presence of People, The Blue Umbrella, and many others. He has an MA in English and has studied theology at Regent College. He lives in Langley, British Columbia, with his wife, Karen, a family physician. They have one daughter, Heather, who is pursuing a career in dance and the arts. Find out more about Mike at MikeMasonBooks.com.

 

Read an Excerpt

The Violet Flash

a Novel

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By Mike Mason

David C. Cook

Copyright © 2011 Mike Mason
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4347-0369-9

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CHAPTER 1

A Mysterious Disappearance

* * *

Chesterton Cholmondeley poked the bridge of his tortoiseshell glasses with one finger, a gesture he performed a few hundred times a day. Having recovered the years that the evil Dada had stolen from him, Ches was now a lithe, darkly handsome boy of twelve. Yet inside, as if shadowed by a double identity, he still felt old beyond his years.

It was a sunny Monday morning in April, a week before Easter, and he sat alone in his room with a heavy bedspread draping the window. A single sunbeam shone through a pinhole in the fabric and hit a glass prism above his desk, splashing a rainbow on the far wall. Interrupting the beam with his hand, Ches admired the array of clear, natural color on his palm. No pigment could give such intense hue; it was pure light.

Leaning forward to write in his notebook, he noticed his reflection in the mirror. The spectrum was now emblazoned across his forehead like war paint. In the mirrored rainbow the violet band of color was for some reason particularly prominent. He wondered if this was due to the angle of incidence—or perhaps to some property of the mirror's silver backing?

Suddenly the rainbow was extinguished, leaving him in darkness. While the cloud passed, he sat listening to the wind outside. All morning it had blown hard and steady, almost as if it was going somewhere. At breakfast his sister, Chelsea, had remarked, "It's like the sky is a big balloon with a hole in it and all the air is rushing out."

"Sis," Ches had chided, "there's no hole in the sky."

"Okay, Mr. Smarty, then what is wind?"

When Ches launched into an explanation of high and low pressure zones, Chelsea interrupted, "You know very well that wind comes from bins in Porter's Store."

Ches snorted. "Maybe it's stored there, but that's not where it comes from."

"It comes from Eldy," replied Chelsea. "He delivers it."

"Okay—but where does he get it?"

Puzzlement darkened Chelsea's face. Then she brightened. "I'll ask him!"

Ches sighed. They'd been having this sort of conversation a lot lately and it drove him crazy. In Chelsea's world one mystery led to another and there was never any real answer. That's what science was for: It gave you answers.

Ches's rainbow returned, and he was just readjusting his prism when there came a knock at the door. He started but did not respond. Even when the knock sounded again more urgently, he kept silent.

"Chesterton Cholmondeley!" sang the voice.

Ches hated his full name—not just the preposterous alliteration, or how long it took to write, but the fact that Cholmondeley was pronounced Chum-ly, which sounded like chummy. Which Ches definitely was not.

"I know you're in there!" insisted the voice.

Heaving a sigh, Ches drawled, "Enter at your own risk."

The door opened to admit Zac Sparks, his freckled face looking, as usual, astonished. In the months since Christmas his fiery red hair (which Dada had ordered cut) had grown out into its former puffball.

"What are you doing, Ches, sitting here in the dark on such a nice day?"

Zac strode across the room and was about to flick open the blinds when he realized they were covered with something thick and heavy. As he fumbled around, the thing came down on his head.

"Hey, cut that out!" yelled Ches. "I spent a long time pinning that up."

"What the ..." Completely enveloped, Zac struggled to get free.

Ches groaned. It looked as if not one small boy but two or three big ones were thrashing around under the bedspread. Zac was a good kid but highly excitable, like a frisky puppy, always jumping up and licking. After five minutes with him Ches often felt he wanted to go away and think for a long time.

Finally disentangling himself, Zac spluttered, "What are you trying to do—catch a heffalump?"

"A what?"

"A heffalump. Didn't you ever read Pooh?"

"Pooh who?"

"You sound like you're crying!" Zac exploded in laughter. "You know, Winnie-the-Pooh. Didn't your mother ever read it to you?"

"My mother read me books on science like I asked her to. Why did you go and mess up my bedspread?"

"Because this place feels like a tomb. Here lies Chesterton ..."

"Don't call me that. Only Rev calls me that. Or did."

Ches dropped his eyes. For the past four months his father, Reverend Cholmondeley, had lain in the back bedroom in a coma. Ches had not visited him once and rarely referred to him. "So what's up?" he asked.

"The sky," said Zac. "And this." He waved the latest edition of the Big City Times. "Bet you haven't heard."

Even from where he stood, Ches could read the bold headline:

PLANE CRASH KILLS 108

"So? That stuff happens all the time."

"Not like this," said Zac. "Check it out."

He pointed to a smaller headline at the bottom of the page:

CRASH DUE TO LOST SECOND?

Ches took the paper and read on:

Scientists are puzzled over the apparent disappearance of a second from the world's most sophisticated clocks.

According to Dr. Morgan Stromway, director of the National Standards Bureau, "Today, April 16, at midnight, our cesium atomic clocks fell short by precisely one second. Occasionally we add an extra second—called a 'leap second'—to accommodate for a gradual slowing of the earth's rotation. But for a second to drop out is unprecedented."

Dr. Stromway explained that atomic clocks are normally correct to within two nanoseconds per day, or one second in 1,400,000 years. "For a whole second to disappear," he said, "is equivalent to a city of one-and-a-half million people vanishing from the face of the earth."

From around the world came reports of other strange events occurring precisely at midnight, including the crash of United Airlines flight 207.

Ches's reading was interrupted by another knock. "What is this, Grand Central Station?"

Without invitation the door burst open to reveal the bright eyes and shiny black hair of Chelsea. "Hi, you guys! Umbrella time. We're painting frost panels today."

Ches grimaced. It was spring break and Sky Porter had announced a special weeklong weather school. But lately Ches's interest in Sky's weather classes (normally on Saturdays) had declined. Or rather, increasingly his interests had narrowed to a particular field. Ever since seeing a spectacular glory on top of Wind Mountain at Christmas, Ches had been fascinated by what was known as meteorological optics: the study of celestial light displays including glories, rainbows, auroras, and halos. If he knew the weather class would address one of these topics, Ches was keen; otherwise he'd sooner stay home and work on his optical experiments.

Besides, he found Sky Porter an unsettling person. Frankly he found people in general unsettling. But since the storekeeper had entered his life, Ches's world had been changing so fast that he kept looking for ways to put on the brakes. A born scientist, he couldn't grasp how all weather—wind, rain, earthquakes, light itself—could be controlled by a man across the street with a blue umbrella.

"Think I'll sit this one out," he told Chelsea.

"But even Iris is coming."

"So?"

"Good for her," said Zac. "She needs to get out of that room."

Since her release from the World's Smallest Business Establishment, eleven-year-old Iris (the former Barber) had been living with the Cholmondeleys and helping to care for the Reverend. Tom Pethybridge had lived there, too, until his parents were located and he moved to the Big City. Neither Tom nor Iris had shown any interest in learning the secrets of the blue umbrella. As Iris put it, "I've had enough magic to last me two lifetimes."

"C'mon, Ches," said Zac, "you need out of your room too. You and Iris are both cave dwellers."

Irked at being linked with someone who spent her days changing his father's diapers, Ches was about to take Zac's head off when he remembered he had a question for Sky. So, with a sigh, he grabbed his jacket and the three of them headed out.

In the hallway they met Iris, who flashed Ches a big smile.

"Thought you weren't interested in this stuff," he muttered.

"Chelsea keeps pestering me. I'm just going to watch."

"The umbrella's too fun just to watch," said Chelsea. "At least try making thunder or something."

Outside it was so windy they had to lean forward as though plodding uphill. It was a cold wind for April, and Ches clutched at his collar. Crossing the street to Porter's Store, Zac asked him what he thought of the newspaper article.

"Beats me. Time doesn't just disappear."

"It goes somewhere," said Zac. "I wonder where?"

Zac kept chattering but Ches tuned him out, listening instead to Chelsea. Much as he hated to admit it, after his sister's five years of total silence, he loved the musical sound of her voice.

"Sky told me a story and I painted it," she was saying. "Wait till you see."

Ascending to the Weatherworks by the back stairs, the children found Sky surrounded by large white crystalline panels mounted on easels. Blue umbrella in hand, he stood before the sparkling canvasses like an artist with a brush.

Ches stared, surprised to find himself genuinely intrigued. Just when he thought he'd seen everything, Sky came up with something new. The panels were a good eight feet high by about four wide.

"Is that what it looks like?" Ches asked.

"Yes—window frost!" enthused Chelsea. "Isn't it cool?"

"If you mean the weather's turned colder ..."

"I did these other panels this morning," she continued, bouncing on her heels. "Way up there, that's mountains, snow- covered, with caves and everything. And sailing around the peaks are white eagles. Down here, in the valleys, it's summer with all kinds of trees and flowers. And this is a castle and over here is a column of knights on horseback with banners fluttering ..."

"Awesome!" cried Zac.

"Wait a minute," said Ches, squinting. "I don't see any of that."

"Maybe you're too close."

"I see it!" exclaimed Iris. "There's the king out in front, and the princess in her long dress ..."

"Yes!" Chelsea clapped her hands.

"You guys have some imagination."

"You're right, Ches," Sky said with a laugh. "It takes imagination to see truly."

Ches stared harder at the frost pictures.

Iris said, "I always thought Jack Frost did this."

Chelsea, doffing an imaginary plumed hat, performed an elaborate bow. "Jill Frost, at your service. Do you want to try your hand, Iris?"

"Oh, no!" Iris backed away. "I only came to watch."

"May I show her, Sky?" Eagerly Chelsea took the umbrella and began to draw on a blank, transparent ice panel. Wherever the umbrella's tip touched, little puffs of vapor appeared, accompanied by a tintinnabulous sound like snowflakes falling on tinfoil. A frosted impression of Eldy's Balloon and Flower Stand began to emerge, complete with the figure of Eldy, bent double as he arranged a bouquet. At a certain point, before their eyes, the picture seemed to come to life. Even Ches noticed it.

"Wow!" said Zac. "I didn't know you could draw so well."

"Sometimes," observed Sky, "art is a matter of discovering the right medium."

Unsettled by the vividness of the image, Ches backed away. Glancing at his watch, he saw that it was just coming up to noon.

"Can I try?" asked Zac.

"Let Iris try," said Chelsea, offering her the umbrella. "Do you want to?"

Iris shook her head briskly.

"Then at least let me show you the inside of the umbrella. May I, Sky?"

"Go ahead."

Chelsea undid the fastener and slid the golden ring up the shaft. The spreaders opened to the familiar sound of the cloth canopy rustling like wings.

Just then the whole building shook with the pounding of the wind.

"Whoa!" said Ches. "Maybe you shouldn't ..."

But Chelsea was already lifting the umbrella aloft like a sail. "Look, Iris, the inside is exactly the same as the sky itself!"

Gingerly Iris crept closer.

"See—the same beautiful blue, the same sailing clouds ..."

Again the wind thumped the building so hard that Ches felt it in his chest. Then he heard a loud rip as of canvas tearing. And what happened next tore at his heart.

He was looking right at his sister when she lifted off like a rocket and disappeared into the umbrella's canopy.

One moment she was there, and the next moment she was not.

The umbrella clattered to the floor.

CHAPTER 2

Under the Weather

* * *

Everyone froze. Only the umbrella still moved, the tips of its metal spreaders ticking softly as the open canopy tilted back and forth.

"Don't touch it!" warned Sky. In a few strides he crossed the room, seized the umbrella, and snapped it shut.

Iris burst into tears.

"But what—?" stammered Zac. "How could—?"

Ches simply stared, his heart racing.

"Ohhhhh!" wailed Iris. "I never should have come!"

Sky breathed hard as though from great exertion.

"Wh ... where is she?" Ches's voice sounded hollow and far away, as if he were the one gone.

Iris slumped to the floor and began rocking back and forth.

Finally Zac blurted out, "What happened? How could she just disappear?"

Sky, obviously bewildered, inspected the closed umbrella, examining it all over for clues. Though Zac peppered him with questions, he remained silent.

Ches's mind was a blank. What he had just seen could not have happened. He had no category for it.

Iris kept moaning and rocking, until Sky put a hand on her shoulder. "Peace, Iris."

Immediately she was still, though she would not look up. The other children kept staring at the spot where Chelsea had been, willing her to reappear.

But nothing more happened.

Nothing at all.

* * *

An hour later the children were all sitting around the kitchen table with Mrs. Cholmondeley—except for Ches, who paced. Chelsea's chair looked dreadfully empty.

"It's all because of that stupid umbrella," Ches ranted. "It's nothing but trouble. Look at this family—Rev's a vegetable, now Chelsea's gone.... What next? That store is haunted, just like I always said."

"But Ches—" Zac began.

"Lay off, Sparks. She's my sister, not yours. And she's gone. And it's all the fault of that Porter friend of yours."

"He's your friend too."

"Is not! He's just a big troublemaker."

"But even he doesn't know what happened."

"He should know! It's his umbrella!"

Normally controlled and passionless, Ches felt more upset than he'd ever been in his life. With Dada and the Aunties dead and gone, he had so hoped for life in Five Corners to be normal. Whatever normal was.

"Getting angry won't help," offered Zac.

"You ain't seen nothin' yet. I'm gonna tear that store apart, one board at a time."

"Ches, please," said his mother. Her anguished expression silenced him, but he would not sit. She kept pressing the children for more information but there was nothing more to tell. Chelsea had opened the umbrella and disappeared up into it. That was all.

"There was a ripping sound," said Zac, "like the canopy was tearing."

"I'd like to see the hole," muttered Ches. "How come Sky closed it so fast?"

"Obviously so no one else would get sucked in."

"Well," said Ches, "I wish I'd gone with her." The only response to this came from the grandfather clock in the parlor, which sounded the Westminster chimes followed by a single deep bong.

Mary Cholmondeley rose from her chair. "I'm going back there to look. She must be somewhere!"

"Mom, don't be crazy!"

As soon as she'd learned of the tragedy, Mary had rushed to Porter's. But there was nothing to see, and when she'd tried to see Sky, the old men at the store had told her he was, as they termed it, under the weather. Hearing this, the children were aghast. Sky ... sick ...?

"It's no use, Mom," said Ches. "Chelsea's gone. Like a puff of smoke. We all saw it."

Mary sank back onto her chair. With a mother's need to rehearse every detail, sift every fact, she murmured, "I should have known something was wrong. I did know. While you children were out, I made a casserole. When I went to put it in the fridge—I guess I dropped it. But I didn't think I dropped it. One moment I was holding it and the next it was crashing on the floor. I didn't even see it fall. It gave me such an odd feeling."

"Mom," sighed Ches, "that has nothing to do with it."

Throughout this conversation Iris had said nothing. In shock, she stared at the table. Finally Zac asked, "Iris, what do you think?"

She did not answer.

Annoyed at her reticence, Ches said, "It feels like you know something you're not telling."

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from The Violet Flash by Mike Mason. Copyright © 2011 Mike Mason. Excerpted by permission of David C. Cook.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Chapter 1: A Mysterious Disappearance,
Chapter 2: Under the Weather,
Chapter 3: Myron,
Chapter 4: The Curse,
Chapter 5: Time and Space,
Chapter 6: Stinchcombe's Clocks,
Chapter 7: The Visit,
Chapter 8: Sleepover,
Chapter 9: What Time Is It?,
Chapter 10: Idyllis,
Chapter 11: The Violet Flash,
Chapter 12: The Green Flash,
Chapter 13: The Big Heist,
Chapter 14: Moonlighting,
Chapter 15: Under the Mountain,
Chapter 16: Gertrude,
Chapter 17: Pajama Adventure,
Chapter 18: Resurrection,
Chapter 19: Kaliafu,
Chapter 20: Good Friday,
Chapter 21: The Rainstick,
Chapter 22: Time Sand,
Chapter 23: Showdown,
Chapter 24: The Vault,
Chapter 25: The Din of War,
Chapter 26: A Scent of Truth,
Chapter 27: Above and Below,
Chapter 28: Horace Henbother,
Chapter 29: Dust to Dust,
Chapter 30: Easter,
Chapter 31: The Woodcutter,
Chapter 32: The Gravity of Stars,
Chapter 33: The Secret Ingredient,
AfterWords,
OUTTAKES from The Violet Flash,
Glossary,