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FICTION HUMOR ADVENTURE -two old titles in one book- 1. The Witch Hunters: Fairy Tale The Princess is locked in the tower, where she is giving the dragon a hard time. The Prince goes to her rescue, but is getting lost. The king is confused and doesn't care too much about the happening. The dragon has a paternal love for the Princess. And there is also an old witch, trying to make the things right, in the memory of the old good times... 2.Lost Games: Novella There is no Heaven without snakes. And George is about to prove that. In "Heaven"- the biggest children’s shop from the Town, some strange things are happening and George is convinced that something evil is hiding just "under their nose"...

TRANSCRIPT

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MONSTERS & WITCHES SEBASTIAN MATHIAS

Copyright © 2014 Sebastian Mathias

All rights reserved.

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Old Titles: over 7000 downloads including free promotions

The Witch Hunters

Reviews:

This is a fun little story of a puzzled Prince, a petulant Princess, a wily Witch and a desperate Dragon, not to mention a quibbling Queen, a

cowardly King and confused Knights - Chris Graham

This was a cute, simple fairy tale complete with your typical characters—a princess, dragon, witch, King and Queen, and lots of

knights. It is a good read for its target audience - Ann Mullen

"I really like the book,it was something else, another kind of magic with comedy that fits perfectly". - Hogof A

Lost Games

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Reviews:

„…this is a delightful little story about George and some of the other children in a village where a large toy shop has been built and due to

open soon.

But first, there are adventures to be had including, but not limited to, the catching of a naughty Tooth Fairy, the capture of a Snake-man,

etc…” - Chris Graham

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THE WITCH HUNTERS

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CHAPTER 1

FOR ALMOST A CENTURY, nobody saw any witches. They were all gone, hiding somewhere far away from people. Nobody was interested how they left anymore: on foot, on their broom or in a carriage. The important thing was that the problems were gone with them.

However, things were good just until yesterday, in the afternoon. The sun was still up in the sky, sending warm rays to the people in the fields, who were not so happy about it. They were hoping that some clouds would appear, maybe even some slight breath of wind.

There were no clouds, nor wind. They saw something else though, something that scared them. They saw an old witch flying on her broom, like it was the most normal thing in the world to do. She wasn't in a hurry, and she didn't look scared at all. She didn't seem to even care that people saw her.

“She felt at home!” a braver man said. “She was flying, but, you know, not very straight,” an

old lady whispered, like she was afraid that someone could hear her.

It's so obvious: her face, her eyes, she looked like the witch.

“She was dressed all in black!” a little boy with tangled hair said.

“I was so drunk!” a strange man from the tavern said. “What was she?” asked a half-deaf peasant. “She was a witch!” they answered all together.

* * *

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The bravest knights gathered at the Castle, ready to fight. They were wearing iron armors, sharp swords; they had bows and arrows. The King was happy.

“The one who catches the witch,” the King started his speech, “will get as much gold as he can carry, as much land as his eyes can see, and my daughter as wife!”

“Your Majesty...” “Yes, my dear Queen.” “We don't have a daughter.” “That's a pity.” “And we don't have so many lands as well.” “Well, let's hope their eyes can't see that far.” He looked across the horizon. You could see only

fields all around. “The one catching her will get as much gold as I give

him!” the King corrected himself. “You swore to be faithful and fight every enemy that threatens our people...”

One of the knights sadly scratched the back of his neck. He didn't remember such things.

“You swore to protect me with your own lives...” “...protect our people,” the Queen corrected him. “And the people swore...” “Your Majesty...” “You know what, Queen, stop correcting me! Go and

sew something!” He looked at the knights, forgetting what he wanted to

say. “Go and catch the witch and stop staring at me! Come

on, go already!” The knights were confused about the things they will

get from the king. They all made a bow and went South, to the West Castle. It was the last place the witch has been seen, she was supposed to be there at that moment too!

* * *

The King was on a hurry to have lunch, like he had a

rough day at work.

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It's not an easy job to reign over a kingdom. You get hungry and thirsty!

The wooden table was full of goodies: poultry, pork, lamb, fruits, vegetables... You could eat them in peace and enjoy your living!

“Your Majesty!” “Who dares to bother me when I'm at the table?!” The servant apologized: “I just wanted to let you know,

that the Prince is here!” “Did he bring the Princess too?” “Unfortunately, no!” “What a misfortune!” the King said, while eating a

piece of meat. “What are you waiting for? Go and invite him to lunch! Am I the only one who has to solve everything around here?”

“Absolutely,” the Queen said. The Prince walked through the wooden door leading to

the dining room. He seemed thin and exhausted. “I would look like you if I walked around the woods

for no reason. How many times I told you: The Princess is locked in a Tower! And the Tower is up in the mountains, you fool!”

“I ask for forgiveness, my King. I thought I was heading to the mountains.”

“How can you believe you're heading to the mountains if you keep descending to the woods? Oh son...”

“One more time, I apologize.” “I forgive you. But you know that you can't stay in the

Castle for a long time.” “Why?” “Haven't you heard? There's a witch flying on her

broom right above us!” “Did she hurt someone?” “Are you stupid?!” “I...” “I know you are, stop answering! The witches are evil!

They have to get caught! And you are one Prince without a

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wife. It's your duty to go after the witch and show people your courage!”

“But I...” “Don't even think of turning it down! You can hit the

road right now!”

* * * The Prince walked more than riding the horse. He was afraid of them. He was more afraid of witches,

but he couldn't tell anyone about it. The King gave him a guide. He thought that the Prince

will not be able to find the West Castle which was located South.

“Is the Prince tired yet?” asked the guide. “It's not your business!” “Maybe he could ride the horse. We will get there

faster.” “Are you sick of your life, servant?” “Not at all.” “Stop talking then!” “But...” “I said stop talking!” The guide didn't say a word anymore. He saw

something flying over their heads. Maybe it was the witch herself.

The Prince didn't even notice what was happening around them. He was walking madly through the trees. He was so sick of the woods.

“My Prince...” “You pumpkin!” “The witch!!!” “What?!” “She’s here!” “But we didn't even get to the Castle!” “I know.” “But why is she here and not at the Castle?!” “That I don't know.”

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“What do you know then?” “The road to the Castle.” “Oh, stop talking!"

.

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CHAPTER 2

THINGS WERE GOING WORSE than ever in the West Castle. Like their south location wasn't enough for that. And now, they heard that the witches were seeking for revenge.

"These are some bad times that we live in, really bad!" the king's angry brother yelled. "It's like the king's stupid jokes were not enough! Now here we are, being threatened by the witches!"

"Things can be seen in a good way, or a bad way; or both," the First Counselor concluded.

"He's such a wise man," the second one said. "What do you mean by that?" the General in charge

with the leadership of the West Castle asked. "Oh, I was just stating an obvious fact." "Guards!!!" "Check this out, I have an idea!" the First Counselor

rushed to say. “A brilliant idea, General!" "I'd like to hear it." "Hearing it it's just a..." "Guards!!!" "We can write a letter to the king, that's it! Damn, how

come I didn't think of that earlier?" The General seemed to get more nervous by any

second. "Just speak, useless counselor!" "OK, so we will write to the King that the witches have

no intention to harm us, nor do they have bad thoughts about our people. Moreover, they are even trying to help the Prince find another Princess, who, hopefully, wouldn't be sleeping in strange towers like the last one."

"Kill me if I get something from any of this." "Death, my General..."

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"... it's closer than you think! Leave these deep wise thoughts aside. What's the point in writing all these stupid things to the King?!"

"Stupid things? No, Sir. Like any other problems, this one has a solution! I've been informed that the Fate Fairy is walking around our lands for no good reason. And I think that there is no other person on earth that the witches hate more than her."

"The Fate Fairy! Now that's a good idea,” the General said.

"As I said, it's brilliant! The witches may arrive whenever they want, and we'll just show them where they would be able to find the Fate Fairy. And as a reward, we ask the King to change this Castle's name."

"That loggerhead! What kind of name is West Castle?! And what does it have to do with another princess anyway?"

"My General, we know well enough that the Prince will only find that mountain tower when he gets really old."

"That's true." "So, we will tell the King that one more issue has been

solved. I don't want to be rude or anything, but we don't have so many lands."

"Too few indeed," the General confirmed. "And, after we explain them how to find the Fate Fairy,

we inform her as well. In exchange, we ask her to change the destiny of the Prince, by getting him married to another girl."

"That's great! You're not that stupid after all." "The stupidity, my General..." "Guards!!!" "That's the perfect way to make everyone happy", the

first Counselor said. “They will fight each other, while we'll get the lands and change this name forever!"

"I like the way you think," the General said. "But where will we find that bastard another princess?"

"I'm glad you asked. By some weird chance, my daughter…"

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"Guards!!!"

* * * The First Counselor was angry. When things came to punishment, the guards always

would play the indifference card. Plus, he was the one to write the letter, and moreover, take it to the King.

All that considered, what was the point of having knights after all? Oh yes… They were supposed to fight and carry their pointless armors from one part of the world to another!

Deep in his sad thoughts, the Counselor opened the door to his house.

"Did you do what I told you to?" his daughter asked him the moment he stepped in.

"I did, may the Lord forgive me." "And?" "And the guards caught me like a thief in the middle of

the market. And you know that the General doesn't really approve such things."

"That was predictable," she said. "What am I going to do now?"

"You marry a simple servant, like you were supposed to do a long time ago."

"No, I don't want that! I want the Prince!" "Sweetheart..." "No, I don't even want to listen to all this! Anyway, I

heard that you are going to the Castle to give a letter to the King."

"That's true." "I'm coming with you!" "Oh God, no..." "Did you write the letter?" "No." "I'm going to write it as well!" "Oh God, help us!"

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* * * The First Counselor's daughter began to write the letter

without paying any attention to her father's words. "Dear King, Your humble servants from the West Castle are

about to start a war. We are not trying to get your compassion, oh no, my dearest King, we just want to let you know that there will be war and bloodshed on our southern lands; and all that for the castle so wisely called West Castle…

The Witches set out two days ago. People talk about the fact that one of them is walking around here, on our territories. We don't know what she's up to, but we're all sure that it can't be a good thing.

People also talk about the brave Prince who fights to save his Princess. Someone even told him that she's locked in that tower from the middle of the woods.

In times like the one we live in, we would like to come up with some help and advices. It's very well known, but also, not entirely true, that the Prince can't get the throne unless he marries a princess...

And here goes our advice. There's this thing that people talk about - a girl

from our lands who is hundreds of times more beautiful than the young (?) Princess from the tower. She never showed up at the Castle, but only because she's very modest and she doesn't want to make the Queen and the other girls jealous. And, as the General himself said, she would be a great match for the Prince! And, even if he would deny it in your presence, that would only be because he has too much respect for you.

The West Castle might fall. There's nothing easy in fighting the Witches. And our only concern is the happiness of our Prince; and that's the only reason we are bothering you for.

Love, your humble servants from the West Castle..."

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P. S. "Our Prince spent a lot of time searching for his

Princess. He must be tired already. If we fight the witches; and I'm sure that we'll be successful, he might come and visit us. The First Counselor would be honored to have him in his house."

* * *

There was a woman on the road leading to the Castle... As the First Counselor mentioned, she wasn't too

young nor too old, she wasn't really beautiful, but neither was she ugly.

The brave knights who guarded the entrance to the Castle didn't notice her. She passed by the houses with a smile on her face; sometimes she was even listening at the people's doors.

She seemed to be attracted by the interesting discussion from the First Counselor's house. As led by some deep thoughts, she entered the room of the beautiful girl. She saw a letter on the table, read it and started to laugh silently. She took a new sheet of paper and started to write.

"Dear King, This letter is written and sent by some humble

servants of yours, who are very frightened by the latest events. There's something happening here, like a conspiracy that nobody saw since the times of the “lights” showing up in the sky, considered to be the ones to bring "STRANGERS" from the “Upper World”, to milk our cows… And this whole conspiracy is meant to be against our Prince!

How would it be possible for a girl from the country side to marry him???

So, our advice for the Beloved King is to lock that thick skinned girl in a cage. Maybe some ogre would save her and marry her eventually...

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The letter is signed by us, your humble servants from the West Castle!

P. S. ...with love!"

* * * The First Counselor sealed up the letter without even

reading it. He hit the road, accompanied by the young lady who still didn't give up on the idea of becoming a Queen. They barely moved away from the Castle when a witch, unsuccessfully landed right in front of them.

"Where are you headed?" she asked, without even bothering to greet them, like any person with good manners would do.

"To..." the First Counselor didn't get the chance to answer.

"... to the Castle! We have some news for the King," the girl said.

"Is that so? What kind of news?" "We know how to find the Fate Fairy!" "Ok, and why would you need a letter for that?" The witch approached the girl and boldly took it from

her hands. "You are not allowed to read it!" she yelled. "I don't really care," the witch answered and began to

read the letter. "Oh, what a rude woman," she said to herself. She

teared up the letter, jumped on her broom and flew to the Castle.

The First Counselor picked up a few paper pieces, managing to read a few words.

"That's not my letter," the girl said, totally frightened. "It's bad, child, it's very bad!" "The General must have read my letter already." "It can't be good. You should have listened to me when

I told you it was a bad idea."

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"So now what?" "Now, we run away. The General will send his people

to look for us. All that we need to do is hide in a small village, disguised as poor simple people, away from all the madness!"

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CHAPTER 3

THE PRINCESS WAS BORED. She was waiting for someone to save her. She was locked in her room, up in the Tower made of wood and stone. She had nothing to do but stay by the window and wait for a Prince to come. She didn't really like it. Why did she have to be locked up? She couldn't get married like that, not without being rescued?

The dragon was bored too. It was a year full of bad luck, he used to say. He saw only a few knights passing by, and they were too tired to fight. One of them even died at the entry, without having the chance to pull his sword off the scabbard. He had the flu...

It was nobody's fault but his own, the dragon thought. What was on his mind when he chose to come to the Tower from up in the mountains? It's cold, it snows all the time and, by the time the knights arrive, a few years could pass. He even heard that the Prince got lost in the woods. The dragon had the impulse to go and look for him…

And the Princess?! She's absolutely thick-skinned! Instead of crying, screaming, being afraid of him, she's raising big smokes! He gets nagged for the fact that he doesn't blow enough, that he doesn't have enough flames coming out of his nostrils. She even tells him to blow into the stove. Where did you ever see a dragon humiliated like that?

It was time to do something. He went upstairs, in the last room of the Tower where the Princess was locked.

“I'm leaving,” the dragon said. “I have something to do.”

“You're leaving?!” asked the Princess. “Are you leaving me here alone?!”

“It will not take too long.” “What is that supposed to mean?! And how can you

even leave, just like that? What if a Prince comes over?”

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“Listen, Princess! I'm tired of explaining everything to you! Now I don't blow enough fire through my nostrils, now I snore too loudly when I sleep, now I leave the Tower too often… What's wrong with you? Is this how a Princess should behave?”

“I'm sorry if I offended you in any way.” “In the end, I'm a dragon!” “Yes, I know...” “A scary dragon!” “You scare me...” “I’m the fear of the Princesses and knights!” “Jesus Christ...” “When people see me, they hide in fear!” “Terrifying...” “And you, you are unbearable!” “Poor dragon...”

* * * The dragon felt better. It's different when you get to show who you are. The

Princess should know that he's not in the mood for jokes. He was flying East. He was in a hurry to get to the land

of the witches. Talk to them, get some advice, and see what he can do. People got too obedient. They don't leave their houses that often, they mind their own business. He heard from his little brother, a becoming dragon, that people don't hunt them anymore. With all that sorrow, his father threw himself from the mountain.

“Hello, young dragon.” A witch, flying not far from him, started the

conversation. “Hello to you too, old witch,” the dragon answered. “Where are you headed?” “To your land...” “What do you want from us?” “I would like to talk to you about people and see what

can we do. They became too lazy.”

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“That is true.” “They don't look for us anymore, they don't hunt us.” “I can't agree more!” “They don't even need a Princess anymore!” “That's terrible.” “I guard this Princess for ten years now, and I barely

saw a few knights. And she's very hard to bear. She talks all the time and makes fun of our misery!”

“How insensitive...” “That's true. If she even knew how much time I spent

to kidnap her, how hard it was to bring her to the mountains!”

“She has no respect at all…”

* * * “I might have an idea,” the witch said. “I'm all ears!” “I can fly to the people's Castle. Wake them up a little.

Remind them about the old times!” “Yes...” “And after that, I'm going to hide at the West Castle

for a while.” “That's crazy, calling it West Castle when it's located

South.” “What can we do, the King is a little bit strange.” “That's true.” “And when I will find out that the Prince is headed to

the West Castle, I will go and meet him someplace where there aren't so many people.”

“And...” “And after that, I will kidnap him and bring him to the

mountains, to you.” “What for?” “To show the road to that stupid Prince. To go and

find the Princess!” “That's great!”

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“And that's not all. The King will send more people to look for his son!”

“That would be brilliant!” “You don't say! You will protect the Princess, and I will

hide from the other knights that will try to catch me!” “Just like in old good times!”

* * * The dragon was full of joy. He couldn't wait to go to the tower and share the good

news with the Princess! He was flying over the mountains, through the snow

storm and wind. He didn't care. When he will arrive to the Tower, he will warm up. He will set a big fire, to keep the Princess warm too. For the only reason that she raises a big smoke when she's cold.

“Princess, I have some good news for you!” No answer. “Princess, guess who is coming to your rescue!” No answer. “Princess, why you’re not answering? I hope you're not

totally frozen...” And since he didn't receive any answer, the dragon

rushed to the room upstairs. The door was open. The room was empty. There was

only a letter on her bed. The dragon was surprised. He reached the bed with his

neck so he could read the letter. He was too big to fit into the room.

"Dear dragon, I'm sorry I teased you all these years. I messed with

you and I made fun of your twisted teeth. I scared you when you were asleep. I painted your tail. I put snow in the stove, so that it would make a lot of steam, and you coughed for two days. I played tricks saying that I saw

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some knights, so you stayed up all night, hidden behind the Tower. I made you a tiny crown of flowers...

I was a bad Princess! I hope that you will forgive me someday for

everything that I did to you. I hope that you will also forgive me for leaving you alone in that big Tower. But there comes a time when you realize that your Fate doesn't know everything. There comes a time when you have to choose: turning into an old lady in that Tower, or going after the Prince by yourself. When I will find him, I will show him how to look for a Princess!

Love, the Princess."

http://www.amazon.com/Monsters-Witches-Childrens-Fiction-Book-ebook/dp/B00NZETN3I/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_1

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LOST GAMES

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I

INNOCENT GAMES: CATCHING A TOOTH FAERY

CHAPTER 1

ALTHOUGH HE ISN’T MORE than nine years old, George has a reputation already. He was present everywhere, especially where something unusual happened, at other times, he was there earlier than everybody else and the actions seemed to have a definite relationship to his presence. And because of this, he could not be absent from the Big Opening, especially because he could overhear different rumors spreading through the town.

Firstly, it was discussed in the town that all the children want to be the first to the Big Opening. This is not something unusual, although, it could be a big challenge for him. Not more, but the games would be organized to begin nearer the shop, this being a strategy that he knew very well.

But other rumors worried him a lot. Every time, when he heard something new, he became more worried and his black eyes glanced suspiciously at every passerby. Actually, in this evening, he walked nervously in the yard, waiting for Tom to come. In these situations, every decision that was taken must be primarily accepted by the others “brothers of army”…

To make matters worse, Tom seems not to be in a hurry, beginning to talk with a younger boy that played with a ball in the street, a sign that he has so much time. George looked with big eyes when he saw this and beckoned to force the pace. How much absence of responsibility, especially now and not to talk about the seriousness of the situation instead…

Tom, who is eight years and four months old, was the best friend of George. He is a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes, discerning, courageous like no one else. Tom has also a

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reputation, as a wise man, especially after the situation of two months ago…

Two months ago, a foreign boy, about 18 years old, stopped for a few minutes in their town. He wore a cap turned backwards, he also had some tattoos with dragons and other wonders and, like the other outsiders, he didn't know how to leave the town more quickly. For that reason, he asked Tom if he knows a street that leads directly to the exit and Tom answered, like a man who knows and saw a lot in his life.

Then the wonder happened. The strange boy put his hand on Tom's shoulder and spoke the

magic words that changed his life: “Thanks’, dude...” After that he disappeared quickly-quickly to the exit.

The words however remained, being heard by a lot of children who quickly spread the information throughout the town. Tom is a “dude” now, confirmed by the rumors and admiration of those that have seen the marvel with their own eyes.

Tom came near George’s gate and looked suspiciously in

both directions before he entered into the yard. George took his hand and pulled him under a cherry tree with more leaves, next to the fence, where they couldn’t be seen from anywhere else in the yard, while they can see everything, even far away.

“Where is Michael?”, George asked. “He stayed with Cate,” answered Tom. “Ok. Only, not to say a word about what we discussed

yesterday…” “Don’t worry. Cate said that she will pinch his hand every

time he tries to speak. And you know how Cate can pinch…” “Yes,” answered George and wiped his left hand without

thinking, in memory of an unpleasant situation. “What else did Jason say?”

“What everyone else said. Maybe he invented some of them, but it’s clear. Somebody is there, every night. For the past three weeks somebody is in the “Heaven” and we didn’t know it.” Whew!

Tom sputtered in puzzlement. “We will find out who does such things. And are you sure

that last night, somebody was with this monster?” “Almost surely. Let’s see what else Cate finds out from

Helen and Ruth. Those two don’t tell lies ever...” “Shush, look, here they come!” George interrupted him,

pointing up the street. Tom looked up and saw Cate, who was approaching in a

hurry. Michael was beside her. He seemed to be afraid and confused.

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Michael was another important man, being a boy of ten years old, older than everyone else the same age and to his annoyance, was rotund. Michael was a little bit fattish, although his paunch wasn't linked to sweets, he said. It’s the fault of having wisdom and his big heart needing a bigger body...

While these two spies seemed to come with good news, small steps were heard, going from the house to the cherry tree. George pouted his lips and Tom shook his head, in annoyance. The girl that came wasn’t anyone other than Mia, the younger sister of George, who supposed that something important was happening in the yard.

Although she used to be seen frequently with his friends, Mia hadn't been seen with them for the past three days. She had a big problem on her mind and considered the Tooth Fairy to be more wolfish than people said. This Fairy stole two of her teeth, suddenly, in a single night, without asking permission and without leaving anything to pay for them!

And not just any teeth did this thief steal. She took the biggest and the most beautiful teeth, from the front. Until that night Mia didn’t realize that she was in sore need of them, especially now, when the pears from the neighbor’s garden were begin to ripen. Now, she has to stay with her mouth closed and her bottom lip turned inside, showing that her troubles don't know any relief.

Michael, sweated and tired, dropped down to the ground and let Cate give the report. Cate breathed in deeply twice, after which she began to speak.

"The "Heaven" is being talked about," began Cate, "it's as we walked through the market!” she shouted, to make the news sound more important. “Last night everybody saw someone skulking near the shop, after that someone entered it through the front door!”

“Ouch!” cried Tom. “This beats everything!” declared George angrily. To enter through the front door is proof of stupidity or not

caring if they're seen. Mia opened her mouth in astonishment. She didn’t know

what was being talked about, but George knew, and that was enough for her.

“Listen to the next bit, listen, George!” shouted Michael, gasping with tiredness and emotion.

Cate, who wasn’t more than nine years old, realized that at this moment all the attention was given to her, as had happened two years before, when George, Michael and Tom offered her help. The truth is that she needs… She had slipped

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accidently into the lake at the park, while she was trying to catch a mermaid. True foolishness, that made Tom laugh ironically, every time he remembered.

“The night hadn't arrived yet,” she continued, "when Helen and Ruth came back from the church, talking about the shop. You know that they cannot be present at the opening, so that…”

“Cate, you kill me!” yelled Tom. "Tell it all at once!” “Ok!” reproached Cate, angry that he had spoiled a good

moment. “They saw somebody entering through the front door, but

didn't see what the man looks like.” “Man?” asked disappointed George. “It seems so,” answered enlightened Michael. “Don’t be fooled by appearances,” George advised him with

a lowered voice. “Maybe he looks like a man but isn’t! We' we already seen such “people”!”

George looked round furtively, to judge the effect of his words. Mia was most afraid, Michael shook his head in suspicion, only Tom and Cate seemed to agree. That was enough for a start.

“And what next?” asked Tom. “Helen and Ruth stayed nearby until the darkness came.

And when the sun totally disappeared...” Cate waited a moment to look at the faces of those listening to her. Mia seemed to be stunned, letting a drop of spittle run down her chin. Such stories made her forget everything else... “And when the darkness came,” continued Cate, "THEY appeared!”

“Oh my God!” shouted Michael. Even though he already knows about what they discuss, now he seemed to be more enthusiastic than everybody else.

“Cate, in God’s name, tell everything at once…!” George demanded, feeling the ground move under his legs with his emotions.

Cate didn’t want anything more, feeling pleased, like after having a double ice-cream.

“Who are THEY?!” exclaimed Tom. “I don’t know,” answered Cate, feeling concerned about the

consequences of this answer, especially after it had caused so much trouble. "But," she continued, to repair the situation, "there were three. And they were younger than us. And the most interesting thing is that the creature opened the door for them!”

“So,” told Tom, clapping his hands. “And what’s next?” asked George.

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“They stayed there for a few minutes, after which they left in a hurry. It isn’t known who they are and what plans they have, but something isn’t clear here. It isn’t clear at all!” exclaimed Cate.

“Yeah,” said George worried.” Any ideas, Tom?” "None," Tom replied. George scratched the top of his head, pushing his fingers

hard into his thick, black hair. “It’s the most complicated situation so far," he continued.

“Such things only happen once in a lifetime, my friends!” George was convinced that the thing that follows would be

of absolute importance and that their decision could change the destiny of their town forever. The others also understood the significance of this great moment, so they listened with great attention, deciding that it’s unimportant what they have to do and not to turn back. Michael didn’t share this opinion, but for his friends’ sakes, he would let them think that he is with them.

“The worst thing is that we don’t know with whom, or with what, we have to deal with," continued George. “And until we know this thing, it’s difficult to take a decision.”

“And how can we know it?” asked Michael, afraid even before the answer came.

”Good question,” answered George, avoiding it. “There are two days till the opening; that means we don’t have time to waste. And because we don’t have enough time, we will have to find out in another, unusual way.”

Michael gulped. All the ways were unusual with George and all were in a way where the retraction to it was his only pleasure.

“We will go to Mister Winston!” said George with a grave voice.

"Are you serious?" asked Michael quietly. “Yes,” the answer came. "Is there is anybody that knows all

the mysteries of this town better than Mister Winston?!" “But, George...Mister Winston is the great-grandson of the

person who built this town. Who knows if…” “Tom,” interrupted George. “Such mysteries are handed

down from father to son.” George considers this for a moment, trying to remember if

his father had handed down something unusual to him. It seemed not, so he shook his head and continued:

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“When the evening comes, let’s go all together to the “Closed Tavern”! To see what Mister Winston can tell us. And tomorrow, we will enter into the “Heaven”!”

These words were received by Michael with shivers, with a cat-like smile by Cate and with a scowl by Tom. Mia, regretfully, lost this moment, being attentive now to two children trying to chase a black cat. It seemed to be a bad sign that didn’t escape George’s notice. He didn’t care for such signs, nevertheless, the decision had been made and leaving for the “Closed Tavern” could not be postponed… .

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CHAPTER 2

THE TICKETS WERE SOLD like ice-cream during the summer. Even better, these were colored and shiny when you turned them in the sun. They also had pictures of different heroes from the films and books; they also had spaces where the name and surname must be written and even "-50%", written in the middle. They could be bought only at the Children's Library and it was said that they guaranteed a place in the “Heaven”.

Not to have a ticket to get into the “Heaven”, is the most sorrowful thing that can happen to a child. And to Michael's disappointment, he was one of them. His grandmother had bought him one last week, but he couldn’t remember where he hat put it. And, he didn’t complete it, so anybody could go into the “Heaven" in his place! And if it was only this…

The "-50%" was for a present, given to all the people with a ticket. The present you could choose yourself and the ticket was pasted onto it, and it would be delivered to the Big Opening. He had chosen a dinosaur as big as himself; he had plans to tie it to the bed. He saw in a film how the toys came alive and he didn't want his dinosaur running around loose in the house!

He begged Cate to help him find it, until the evening arrived. The last ticket was sold even in the morning and he risked not receiving a gift. Cate thought for a while, saying that this ticket offered him only a discount to a gift. This doesn’t mean that he will not buy another present, or could not go into the shop as the other children say. But she promised to help him, so after they left George, they went to Michael's house.

They searched everywhere. Under the bed, among the other toys, in the yard and also in the sand, where Michael had built a castle two days ago. There was no trace of the ticket, which meant that he wouldn’t receive the dinosaur, because the name of the gift was supposed to be written on the other side of the ticket. Michael didn’t know what to do about the problem.

"Do you remember where you put it the last?" asked Cate. “I remember only that my grandmother told me to go to

the shop and after that to come home and to complete it. I completed it only for the present…”

“And was anybody else with you?”

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“No. There were some children in the shop, but only those that go all the time to the concerts, because they have good marks. And they already had their tickets!”

“Then I don’t know where you could lose it…” Michael wiped his nose with the sleeve of his jacket and his

brown curly hair seemed to irritate his eyes. Otherwise why were his eyes getting wet...?

Cate looked at him and saw that it wouldn't be long before he began to cry so she tried to cheer him up.

“Let’s sell your old soldiers!” “Whaaat?!” “Not all of them! The oldest only. Tom has already said that

he wants one. He said that he would exchange it for a new robot made of cardboard. And then later he said that he would make a different exchange.”

“But I don’t want to sell them!” “Yeah, Michael… If you have lost the ticket, at least try to

get something new!” Michael thought a little, then he waved his hand

nonchalantly and gathered some soldiers, with swords and handguns, out of a box. He put them in his pockets and went out into the street. Cate said she would teach him how to do business.

The business dealings went well. Cate told everybody that the soldiers are being sold at -50%! Exactly as in the market! The children gathered around them, looked at the soldiers and said that the bargain was quite good. Tom also said that the offer is magnificent and so made an exchange for the robot. Someone else brought a pedal car, which still had all four wheels, a piece of a mobile phone and a remote control with two batteries. No one knew what it was for, but it had blue buttons and Michael said he had seen one like it somewhere before. He also received a tennis ball, two cookies and four beetles that were prisoners forever in a crystal rectangle. Some said that it wasn't true crystal, but they couldn’t prove it, so nobody believed them.

Michael was happy. He received rare things, precious things. Cate also got a plastic spider that looked alive. If you put it on somebody’s shoulder, you would get a laugh!

“Cate, we are good business partners!” said Michael with joy.

“You see, even without a ticket, you can receive gifts,” answered Cate.

Michael began to laugh. He had made a fortune…

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But he didn't laugh for long. Cate made a sign not to say anything and to put everything into his pockets. Arthur came up to them, a 15 year old boy, troublemaker. He was older and had two friends, a year or two younger than him, who all the children were afraid of. Arthur saw that something unusual was happening in the street, so he approached to see what it was all about.

“What are you doing Michael? I heard that you have something to sell!”

“I don’t have anything,” answered Michael, worried about losing the earnings from that day.

“Now then, nothing?! You think I'm a fool?!” asked Arthur with a grin.

“If he said that he doesn’t have anything, it means that it’s as he says,” answered Cate without fear.

“I didn’t ask you, redhead!” “…speckled!” “What did you say?” “Nothing…” “Then don't say anything else…” “But who said?” “What?” Michael looked at Cate, when Arthur. He didn’t understand

anything, but this dialog couldn't end well. “I sold a soldier,” he said. “So… And what did you take for it?” “A mobile telephone.” “A telephone for a soldier?” “Yes. And with -50%!” "How?" "It's like the market. It's a bidding!” “I want to bid also...” “What do you have to offer?” Arthur searched his pockets. The years didn’t seem to

bring him wisdom and Michael now understood this. “Look here!” said Arthur. ” A new flashlight!” "It's that the bid?” asked Michael, distrustfully. A new

flashlight for a piece of telephone is much more than he expected.

“Of course. At 100%!” “It’s too much…” “Yes ... Then how much do you want?” "I will give you the piece of telephone for the same price.” "But... Your telephone is dead!”

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“And your flashlight is small, pocket size... That means that I get it at only 50%.”

“…at -50%!” Michael scratched his top of the head. Cate poked him and

made a sign to accept. “…Ok,” said Michael. “Let’s shake hands on it then!" Arthur gave Michael the flashlight and took the piece of

telephone. He whispered to one of his friends that he had fooled the kid. He earned 150% plus a piece of telephone!

The others began to laugh. Only to the fair minded are the percentages a big deal, they said. The main thing is to know how to negotiate!

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CHAPTER 3

IT SEEMED THAT THE NIGHT wouldn’t come. After they ate dinner, where they talked about unimportant things, our heroes waited to go out to play. They didn’t intend to lose time playing a children’s game, but their parents didn’t know this. Let them talk about politics and finances, as if they aren't aware of their town which is going to pieces for different reasons. Who cares what the president says, when, in the “Heaven” whoever wants something, goes in and comes out with...

George came out of the house, saying that he wants to walk. Walk, have you heard right? Only the old people say such meaningless things!

Tom and Cate were already waiting in the street for him, caught up in a discussion about witches. Cate said that there is only one in their town, living in the house in the forest. But Tom also suspected Aunt Olivia, a grease-burner in the “Closed Tavern”. She was very strange and didn’t come out of the house, except at night when everyone else goes to sleep.

George interrupted the discussion, saying that such things are not important for now. But inwardly he promised himself to analyze Aunt Olivia with more attention.

From behind two rubbish bins, there appeared a shadow that moved randomly from the left to the right. It was the shadow of Michael, hurrying towards them with cautions footsteps. He stayed on the part of the street with more light.

“Let’s go at once,” said George, worried that they may have lost too much time.

The “Closed Tavern”, on its door was written 24/24, was

on a disreputable street, not far from the center of the town. Unless you knew about it, it was impossible to find.

Here, only people that had seen a lot in their life and who know different secrets, spent the nights. And George would give anything to know those secrets. He had gone into the tavern only twice before, with the pretext that he had mistaken it for part of the market. He knew that there, you could hear everything about the mysteries of the “Welcome City”. He knew also that Mister Winston could be found there at any hour and the people said that they went in to visit Mister Winston, not the tavern.

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Once they reached that street, George took a deep breath and opened the door. A wall of smoke seemed to stop him even at the entrance and a bulky man fixed him with a stare. He had a defect in his left eye, that seemed to be more closed, while the right eye rotated nervously, taking care not to let any detail escape. George hesitated to make the first step and Cate took Tom’s hand. She seemed more self-assured in such moments.

"Is it not too late for you to visit such places?” asked the man with the defect, huskily.

“We came to talk with Mister Winston,” answered George. "Is that so?" asked the man again and began to laugh. “We

all come here to see Mister Winston! It is said that he is the most hospitable man in the town!”

All the people in the tavern began to laugh and some of them raised their pint of beer in the air, thanking Mr. Winston ironically for his hospitability.

“Go home to bed, little boy," said the man with the defect, in an authoritarian voice. "Children should sleep at night, not go walking in streets such as this. You don’t know what may be hiding in the dark of the night”, he completed with a grin.

“Let’s go George!” shouted Michael, worriedly. “Cate, Tom let’s go home!”

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