~Chapter 6~
The Chest of Secrets Book Two
It was a beautiful summer morning with the smell of birch and pine trees wafting in the air. The sounds of songbirds singing in the trees could be heard, and a sprinkling of fluffy white clouds gently drifted westward, riding along on a soft inviting southerly breeze.
It was day like most, in Centerville.
Mr. Beamer and Jeremy Parks were out in north fields working with Mr. Belvedere the Plow Horse, tilling the barren fields while Hattie May was in her kitchen with Mrs. Beamer planning a PTA luncheon while sipping on a cup of sweet tea together.
Since it was a Saturday morning, most of the neighborhood kids could be seen out playing in their front yards, as their mothers, and fathers were busy deep within their daily chores, mostly tending to their farms. Louis was playing with Muncy, out in the front yard, as he always likes to, when he has caught up on his chores, and homework (which is rare).
It was all and all a very pleasant morning in Centerville.
However, a cold and eerie wind of change was about to descend, upon the quaint town.
It would be a strange wind: that stirred from a far off and distant place.
"Muncy the wind is getting cooler. Can you feel it? Ouch! It somehow just bit me. Did you feel it? I've got to go inside and get a coat, wow, that was very odd. What was that? Stay right here Muncy until I return" said a now agitated Louis, as he headed for the front door.
"Mr. Belvedere can you feel that wind? Look at the birds they all flew off in a hurry towards Martinsville, towards the south. Kind of weird isn't it. Can you make for the barn? Something just doesn't feel right about that wind," said a mildly alarmed Mr. Beamer.
Mr. Beamer turned, and waived over at Louis's dad, (Mr. Parks) who was mending a fence at the far end of the field. Upon seeing Mr. Beamer waiving both hands high in the air, and signaling for him to head towards the barn, Jeremy placed his tools back into a small wooden cart found nearby, and advanced, towards the warmth of Mr. Beamer's barn.
The winds unexpectedly grew in intensity, which sent the clouds above scurrying for cover. The sky grew a pale color of blue gray as a large cloud of dust and leaves were being blown about the ground. Muncy finally could not find any more comfort in the front yard. He headed for Mr. Beamer's barn as well.
"Muncy, are you getting cold out there?" asked Mr. Beamer as he ran into Muncy flying in through the front barn doors.
Muncy just wagged his tail, and slobbered a bit which brought a smile to Mr. Beamer's face.
"Can you believe this wind?" asked Jeremy as he to hurriedly, entered the barn. "I have never felt anything like it before.
"It sure is a strange, especially for this time year."
"It felt like it bit me, on the hands and nose. Did you feel that too Mr. Beamer?" asked Jeremy as he felt his nose, then looking at his hands, to make sure all of his fingers were still intact.
"Yes I did feel it. I cannot explain it, but if felt like some sort of ill gotten or evil wind or a wind that came from a far away land. I think I have felt that wind before but I'm not sure. I need to think a minute."
"Ah, Mr. Beamer you're just over reacting. That was no evil wind, maybe it was just some erratic, arctic wind that blew down somehow from the north, which is I must admit as well, is unusual for this late in the year."
"No Jeremy I have a sixth-sense about these things. We may have been friends for years and years but there are still a few things that you do not know about me, if my instincts are correct, and that wind was what I thought it was, you will know more about me, soon enough.
"Alright Mr. Beamer, and yes there are some things I don't know about you, that is the truth, but I for one just think as I said before, it was a just a cold...out of season blast...from the north.
Muncy shook his head from side to side, barking an alarm, as Louis entered the barn.
"Hey what's was up with that wind? Did you feel it dad, Mr. Beamer?"
"Yeah Louis, I felt it. It was a little strange, but I don't think I would worry too much about it son. Mr. Beamer thinks that it was something very alarming, and quit strange. He kind of got nervous; which I have to say worries me a bit, as well."
"Mr. Beamer, I felt it too. It worried me as well. I don't know but it felt like some thing, bad had happened, and that the world had changed in some unexplained way. I can't really put my finger on it, but it touched my soul, deep down inside" said a worried Louis, as he placed his left hand over his pounding heart, to reassure himself, that all was well.
"I think I know what it was. I think I know what has happened Louis, and you...I am sorry to say...may be correct" said Mr. Beamer as he looked deeply into Louis's innocent cobalt blue eyes.
"Well what was it already...Mr. Beamer?"
"Yes...Mr. Beamer...what was it?" asked Louis's dad.
"Someone has opened... the Book of Aka Manah."
"What did you just say Mr. Beamer? The book of...wha-t? What kind of book is that? It sure doesn't sound like something, that I want to read," said a wide-eyed Louis.
"Again if I am right about, this, then you will find out about it all soon enough Louis, as all the children, and parents here in town will," said Mr. Beamer as a sad, and very distraught look came across his well-worn face.
"Mr. Beamer, you're starting to scare me talking like that. Cut it out. What do you mean all the children and parents will soon know? Dad what's he talking about."
"I don't know Louis; you're right it does not sound good. Can you give us a little more information about this book? What did you call it, the book of...? Aka...Aka Manah, Mr. Beamer?"
"I can't give you any more information right now, but I will shortly. I have to check a few things out to be sure, before I speak about it again. I am almost now positive, that we will have a visitor coming to town shortly. I will call a meeting to discuss this with the town leaders. The meeting will be here in my barn in a few days. So please try not to worry too much. I will talk to you both as soon as I know more."
Mr. Beamer turned and looked across the barn towards where Muncy was sitting on a bail of dry hay.
A strange look came across Mr. Beamer's face.
It was the look of dread.
It was a look of fear.
Only Muncy noticed the true and very deep worry that was upon Mr. Beamer's face. Muncy quickly headed over to Mr. Beamer to give him, a comforting nudge. He placed his wet nose into Mr. Beamer's hand that was hanging by his side. Mr. Beamer smiled at Muncy, giving him a reassuring pat on the head, but both knew that trouble was brewing in the air, and that a dreadful, and troublesome change, was coming to Centerville...soon enough.
Louis took his dad by the hand, looked at Mr. Beamer one more time then turned towards Muncy, motioning for them to go. Louis did not say another word, nor did Jeremy.
Mr. Beamer mustered the best smile he could. He waved goodbye, as they passed out of the open barn doors, to return to their home, to ponder all that just took place. Mr. Beamer sat down on a nearby stool, took off one of his old work-boots. He then started to rub his aching toes. His long, silvery-gray hair hung down over his face, only partly hiding the anguish, and fear in his sullen eyes.
Mr. Beamer mumbled to himself, "The Book of Aka Manah had not been opened, or read, in almost three-thousand years.