Adventure to Destiny: The Unity Objective Series

by Sandra Golden

  The next week William, Jennifer, J.R and Helaina settled into a routine. In the morning Jennifer and Helaina, along with Kellie and Emma, would work in the kitchen perfecting their skills for the upcoming fair. William and J.R, and relatively frequently Mark and Dylan, would work diligently on the motorcycle. Usually after lunch everyone under the age of 18 went off to the beach, for jet skiing, snorkeling, and everything else young people did while at the beach on a hot summer’s day.

  Wednesday afternoon a moving truck rolled up to the Unity house filled with J.R and Helaina’s possessions along with a few passengers riding up front with the driver. Iggy the iguana, Tulip the tarantula, and Baby and Sugar, two little hamsters that Helaina had bottled fed when their mother died, all had gotten the V.I.P treatment for their long journey. When the little cages of animals arrived Mason took them straight to Helaina’s room, where the girls made the animals comfortable in their new environment giving them fresh water, and food, and a little attention, before they turned their attention to the other boxes.

  Helaina, Kellie, and Emma spent the entire afternoon organizing Helaina’s bedroom. Trying on some of her extensive collection of clothes, even experimenting and trying different looks with Helaina‘s make-up and jewelry. While they were busy they all enjoyed listening to Helaina’s enormous CD collection.

  They took a break for lunch, when they returned to put the remainder of the clothes away, they discovered something that Helaina’s Grandmother wasn’t going to like. The top to Tulip’s, the tarantula, was slightly opened and Tulip was missing. For an hour, the three girls searched the bedroom without any luck in finding her. Then suddenly they heard a scream in the hall and ran to discover Tulip crawling down the hall towards Sophia, cornering her at the linen closet. Jennifer and William came running up the stairs.

  Before William could stomp on the spider with his shoe, Helaina yelled, “Granddad Don’t! That’s Tulip she won’t hurt you.”

  “Helaina what is that thing doing in this house? No one told me you had one of those things!” Jennifer yelled.

  Helaina went and picked up her fuzzy friend and put it in her pocket. The same pocket that Peanut was sleeping in. Peanut didn’t appreciate that and immediately took to scolding Helaina, as she climbed out on to her shoulder.

  “See she won’t hurt you, besides you are bigger than she is,” Helaina told the women.

  “Girl, you are scaring your Grandmother and Sophia, go put that thing in a cage and lock its door. Maybe we should send, THAT THING, back to your Mom and Dad.”

  “But Granddad, Mom doesn’t like her either, she would be happier here with me.”

  “That’s probably why your mom sent it here. She was probably glad to get rid of it,” laughed Jennifer. “Go lock THAT THING in its cage and keep it there. Since Sophia obviously doesn’t like her either, I think maybe you should keep it in the garage.”

  “If I keep her in the garage can she stay?” Helaina wanted to know.

  “Yes, I guess so. But she must stay in the garage, not the house.”

  “Thanks Grandma, I promise. I bet Mason will like her.”

  J.R, Mark, and Dylan, missed all the excitement because when J.R got his things he just took the boxes upstairs, shoved them into the closet and went fishing. The boys did bring back some nice trout that they caught at one of the Nature Park’s lakes. J.R had returned to the park, with his friends several times trying to find the waterfall, thinking that there had to be some sort of mistake, unfortunately they couldn‘t find one single clue that it even existed, and this saddened them.

  The evenings at the Unity home, on Hope Island, were like that of any normal family. Dinner; television; talking on the phone or using the computer to email family and friends, and playing games in the recreation room were the normal activities. The only unusual thing that this family did was on some evenings they watched and listen to stories with the Story Chamber.

  Monday came back around and it was time to prepare for the Hope Island Summer Fair. Everyone on the island, and under it, always looked forward to this event, those on the island who didn’t have “must do” jobs, at the moment, participated in preparing for the event. This year William volunteered himself, and J.R, to prepare the go carts and the race track for the event. When the fair started, William would be in charge of that event, making sure it ran safely, appointing judges, and acting as the race announcer. J.R would help out by keeping the little go carts in running condition.

  Jennifer and Helaina helped organized the different contests, such as the pie eating contest, and the biggest, and best vegetables grown in personal gardens, on the island, they were also judges for that event. They helped set up the different arts and crafts exhibits, Helaina, Kellie and Emma enjoyed setting up the different displays. Emma entered a few of her paintings and was excited to be participating in such a grand fair. Where she and Dylan were born they had no fairs, or circuses, or art galleries, so this was a very big event in the young Emma’s life. Emma and Dylan were more excited about the fair then anyone else on the island, and their new family couldn’t wait to share this new experience with them. Jennifer would be one of the judges for the the arts and crafts division, a job she always looked forward to.

  Everyone worked hard setting things up on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, on Thursday the residents took a break while the rides were delivered by barges and set up on what would be the Midway of the fair. When Friday morning arrived, the small circus which was scheduled to perform paraded their animals down Main Street, followed by clowns and acrobats. When they arrived at the arena, they paraded around until everyone was circling the performance area. Ribbons were attached around the necks of four elephants, each one stationed at the four compass points – north, south, east and west. When the elephants pulled the ribbons ten thousand balloons were released signifying the beginning of the Hope Island Summer Fair. It was a spectacular sight to been seen, and the newest residents of the island got the privilege to command the elephants to release the balloons. It was something Emma and Dylan would never forget.

  Friday night everyone enjoyed the circus, the various rides and games on the Midway. Among the fair goers, were two new faces to the island. They had just arrived that morning on one of the island's helicopters. They settled into their apartments that afternoon, then being new to this environment decided that the best way to meet the people of Hope Island was to attend the fair.

  Spring Rockford, and Eli Carpenter, having passed the rigorous screening required for new teachers, and employees of Unity Corporation, where finally given the opportunity to come to this very exclusive community. Spring Rockford hired to teach Ethology and Geography, wasn’t a teacher by training, she was a twenty-one year old grad student who ran out of money and needed a job to continue her studies to get her Doctorate in those subjects. Her father, who worked for Unity Corporation, told her about this teaching opportunity. Spring had an I.Q. of 156, was the youngest of a large family from Denver Colorado, both of her parents were Botanist. She stood five foot eight inches tall, had dark hair and was of thin build, she also had a bubbling personality. Some of her favorite activities was writing and gardening, she was an animal lover who devoted her spare time to an animal rights group.

  Eli Carpenter was 24, he was a talented mechanical engineer with a restless spirit, and wanted to explore the world before he settled down. He applied for this job on a whim, not thinking that he could possibly get the opportunity to step foot on such an exclusive island. But his inventions caught the eye of someone from the corporation; he also had a talent for teaching and was good with young people. He felt those things had gotten him this chance to explore somewhere new, and he always welcomed challenges. Both Spring Rockford and Eli Carpenter came to Hope Island to teach but each was hiding a few secrets, even a secret that they themselves didn’t know.

  Saturday the Arts and Crafts, along with all the farm produce, canned jams and jellies, cookies, cakes, and breads were all tasted and judged. Th
e awards and ribbons wouldn’t be awarded until the awards dinner, which was the last event of the fair. Saturday afternoon in the sports arena Olympic type activities for adults as well as children took place. There was javelin throwing, long jump, pole jumping, relay races, and other running, jumping and throwing games. Dylan Roberts was the star of the show, out racing, out jumping, out distancing everyone in his age category, and every adult who challenged him. When it came to throwing his new brother, Mark was the champion. Having powerful upper body strength, he was very accurate in hitting the targets; Mark was an excellent archer, as well as a marksman with firearms.

  Everyone had an amazing time, riding the rides, playing the games, trying new foods on sticks, and watching the shows. J.R, Mark and Dylan loved the go-carts and the rides, spending many hours challenging each other with the different games on the Midway. Helaina, Kellie and Emma loved the arts and crafts, the exhibits, and most certainly the animals. When the boys weren’t playing games, they were on the go-cart track; they would take their turn racing around it. Everyone knew the three boys had entered the junior races, but no one but the girls and William knew that there would be a challenge portion of the go-cart competition, and the three girls were going to challenge the three boys to a race.

  Saturday afternoon the Junior Go-Cart races were about to begin. First to race the six to eight-year old’s, then the eight to ten-year old’s got their chance. As the different groups of kids had their turn to race J.R went to check out the car he was to drive in the race he was going to participate in. He wasn’t too impressed with the engine, so he made a few adjustments that he thought would help the car move faster. Finally, he heard his Grandfather announce the race for fourteen to eighteen-year old’s, and pushed the car onto the track. There would be ten cars to race this time, J.R, and Mark, and eight others. Everyone was ready to start, the engines running, protective head gear, gloves and safety belts were doubled check. The starting flag was raised; when it was dropped ten go-carts went racing down the track. J.R and Mark were in front of the pack until Marks go-cart started to wobble a bit, and he was hit from behind causing him, and the car that hit him, to spin off the track into the mud. Mark was out of the race. J.R’s car started to smoke; it started with just a puff, then grew into a thick black cloud that encircled the entire go-cart. J.R couldn’t see a thing, the car slowed to a stop, and the rest of the go-carts passed him by, leaving him behind. Kellie’s cousin Justin won that race, and J.R learned a lesson. Cheating, even though he called it “adjusting”, doesn’t pay off.

  Now came the challenge races, there was just one challenge race. William announced to the crowd; “Folks we have a challenge. Can Mark and Dylan Roberts, and J.R Black come up to the podium to meet your challengers.”

  The three boys came up excited by the challenge thinking that three other boys would be their opponents.

  “Boys are you ready to meet your challengers for this race?”

  “Yes Sir!” They yelled with excitement.

  “Boy’s, meet your challengers.”

  This was the cue for the three girls to come up to the podium. The boys couldn’t see their faces, for they had helmets on to temporarily hide their identity. The three girls lined up on the podium before taking off their head gear and reveling to the boys who had challenged them. The boys couldn’t believe who was standing there.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen meet the challengers. These three lovely ladies are Kellie Garfield, Helaina Unity and Emma Roberts. Boys do you accept this challenge from these ladies?”

  “We sure do.”

  “Now shake hands and get into your go-carts.”

  The crowd cheered and clapped for the young racers. J.R and Mark had been given different go-carts, not having time to repair the two that had failed them. To make the race fair they lined the cars six across the track, and waited for the flag to drop. When it did all six took off, the race stayed close for most of the race, the six of them raced nose to nose. It wasn’t until the last twenty yards that J.R pulled away from the rest, with the accelerator to the floor, a firm grip on the wheel, and with eyes on the finish line J.R was the first to cross over it. They were followed closely by Kellie, Mark, Dylan, Helaina, with Emma bringing up the rear. It was an exciting race, and the crowd was on their feet for the whole six minutes.

  “Let’s give a big round of applause for these young racers who did a fantastic job.” The crowd applauded as the kids got out of the go-carts, they smiled, formed a human chain and all took a well-deserved bow.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  NOT LIKING WHAT SHE SEE’S

  Sunday afternoon was the last chance to enjoy the attractions at the fair. Helaina and Kellie, having finished their volunteer work at the arts and craft tent, decided they would go to the one place they haven’t explored. The House of Mirrors. It had been so busy the few times they wanted to go inside that they had abandoned their previous attempts. This time they were in luck, the only one at the exhibit was the attendant.

  Inside they found mirrors that made them look thin and fat, tall and short, the mirrors that made them look silly were their favorite. It was when they went into the Maze of Mirrors that the girls got separated, it was fun to play who was the real girl. Getting lost was easy, because sometimes it was hard to find an opening where you could move along the path. With mirrors in front, behind and on the sides, and even on the ceiling and the floor it was extremely challenging. Their images were bouncing off so many mirrors that the girls couldn’t figure out where the other one was which was amazing fun. Helaina stopped, she was laughing so hard she needed a moment to catch her breath.

  Unexpectedly, Helaina felt all her senses come alive. It was like her body was telling her something was about to happen. Taking a deep breath, she shut her eyes then slowly exhaled. When she opened her eyes, she saw her images in the mirrors disappear. Taking their place was a picture of the crowd at the race track. Instead of twenty or thirty images, it was like she was standing in the middle of the stadium, it was one continual picture that was alive with activities. Today the adults were getting their chance to race, there was a large crowd of family and friends to cheer them on. The picture before her focused on a young mother standing behind a stroller with a brown haired toddler, with attention getting deep brown eyes. The mother was so focused on the race, watching her husband that she didn’t notice her little girl had wiggled out of the safety belt and gotten out of the stroller. The little girl in a red sundress, with a little yellow bow in her ponytail was headed for the track, right in front of the racing go-carts. Helaina didn’t wait to see what happened next, she shook the images away. Seeing a light peeking around the edge of a mirror, she figured that there was a window or door behind that piece of glass. She pushed it aside, finding she was correct in her assumption. She slipped out of the window and into the late afternoon crowd. Peanut, feeling her friend’s rapid movements held on tight in her bag as she felt Helaina pick up the pace.

  Helaina knew she had to get to that little girl before she got hurt. Quickly after finding her way out of the Maze of Mirrors, she ran through the thick crowd as fast as her feet could carry her, feeling helpless and confused. At times pushing people and things out of her way, Helaina jumped over a wagon that was carrying a family dog and small children. She took short cuts around tents and through the stores on Main Street, going in one door, then out the back door. She was just a hundred yards outside the race track area when she heard her Granddad introduce the drivers. Knowing that in less than a minute those go-carts would be racing, her heart began beating faster. Taking another deep breath, letting it out slowly, and getting in control, she continued on.

  Finally realizing that it would be easier to find the little girl if she would run along the edge of the track, right in front of the crowd. After all that is where she saw the little girl. William, while giving a second by second account of what was happening on the track, noticed Helaina running along the edge of the crowd looking like she was fr
antically searching for something or someone. Instinctively he picked up his camera and zooms in on her to get a closer look, watching her actions, at the same time keeping close watch on the progress of the go-cart racers.

  Helaina finally sees the little girl, just as she climbs out of the stroller, she rushes forward, pushing someone aside so she can reach the child before she steps out onto the track. Picking up the child, holding her so close the girl cried out in protest, Helaina’s heart beating hard in her chest. The young mother, having just noticed what her young daughter was up to, saw the young girl pick up the child before she could get on the track. Tremendously grateful for her assistance, she came to get her little girl from Helaina’s arms; thanking her for keeping her wayward daughter from getting too close to the racing go-carts. William had snapped several pictures of the scene. Seeing that all was well, he returned to his job, just in time to declare the winner of the race. After giving a few announcements William invited everyone to the barbeque where the trophies and ribbons will be awarded to all the winners. Then he went in search of his Granddaughter.

  William found Helaina sitting alone on the beach, little Peanut cuddled close to her as she stroked her little head, with tears running down her soft pink cheeks. She looked so lost and alone. William sat down next to his Granddaughter, and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a chance to gather strength from him.

  “Granddad something happened and I didn‘t like it, not at all,” the girl sobbed into his shoulder.

  “I know. I saw you on the track.”

  “It scared me and Peanut.”

  “Want to tell me what happened.”

  Helaina caught her breath and told William what had happened at the House of Mirrors, how scared she was that the little girl would get hurt, and that she had to come to save her.