Prologue-Tales of an Intuitive (Bloody Footprints)
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Intuitive boy solves cold-case
Johnny couldn't seem to fall asleep. He tossed and turned for what seemed hours. "Why cant you turn on the air conditioning mom", he said under his breath. Johnny was a very unique kid and his mom was well aware. When he was only six years old he was playing with someone in his bedroom but his mom knew it was only she and Johnny in the house. When she stepped into the room, he was chasing something, but whatever "it" was, she sure couldn't see it. "Johnny, who are you playing with?" she asked with hesitation. "I'm playing hide and seek with grampa Mike." Johnny's mom started sobbing, knowing full well, this was real. She missed her dad so much! It was hard to believe he'd already been gone for a year. She tried to compose herself so her son wouldn't feel the deep despair she had from losing her dad.
Please, Please, let me wake up. Johnny was having one of his wierd dreams which he'd had ever since he could remember. He tried making out the face in the dream but it was just a dark, fuzzy profile. " Who are you?" What do you want from me?", he said to the dark shadowy man. "Just follow me and you will get the answer you need to help me." Johnny followed the man down a dark, dusty road. It was so isolated here. The roads were lined on both sides with thick brush and the tallest white oak tree's you'd ever seen. "Where are we going and who are you?" Johnny was beginning to feel light-headed, like he was ready to pass out. As he stopped to catch his breath he noticed, In front and behind him were bloody foot prints that marked the path that had been taken. The last thing Johnny remembered before waking up, was falling to the ground.
He woke up trying to catch his breath. The time on the alarm clock showed 8:18AM. Just then the door flew open and his mom was freaking out. "What's wrong mom?" "What do you mean what's wrong, you were the one that woke me up screaming." " Did you have a bad dream honey?" "Ya, I did and it was one of my Big Dreams." His mom layed there for about 30 minutes, holding him and caressing his face. Somehow Johnny's mom knew how to make everything ok.
Monday morning seemed to come so fast. Where did the weekend go? He hopped in the shower and let the water beat on his face and body. AAHH! Nothing like a cold shower on a humid day. He poured milk and his favorite cereal into a bowl. Froot Loops, he thought to himself, had to be created by a really smart kid. Johnny ran out of the house and down the steps. It was nice that he didn't have to walk far to wait for his bus. Some of his other thirteen year old buddies couldn't just stand at the end of their driveway to catch the bus. It might not be a big deal to other people but he thought it was pretty cool. Johnny was sweating beads waiting for the bus. The sun already warmed up to about 72 degrees at 7:30AM. Finally, the bus was approaching and he knew it would be cool in there. When he looked back at the house to say goodbye to his mom, he couldn't believe his eyes. Again, just like in the dream the other night, he saw bloody footprints from where he stood at the bus stop and back to the house. Past experience told him that his mom didn't see this terrifying vision and somehow that made him feel a little better about the whole thing.
Throughout the school day, Johnny tried to figure out what this guy was trying to tell him. "Give me more clues and maybe I can help you," He thought to himself. It was about 1:30 now and Johnny was studying during his DS time. DS time stood for "designated study time" and gave kids time to catch up on projects and homework. A red headed girl he'd never seen before, was walking toward his desk. She introduced herself as "Margaret" and he nervously muttered back, "I'm Johnny." "I know who you are," she said. "What do you mean you know me. I have never seen you before." She sat down and explained that her father had sent her. She had lost her dad two years ago and the police knew it was a homicide. She said that they were having trouble solving the case. "My dad told me about you in my dreams and how you see things." He said he's giving you clues about who murdered him." "Can you help me?" she said, through her choking tears. "Yes" Johnny reassured her, "I know I can help you. Let's just go over everything I have seen and you can fill me in on what it all means."
Johnny turned on the t.v. after dinner and there she was. His new friend Margaret with the bright red hair. After he and Margaret had pieced all the clues together, the police were able to find the man that murdered Mr. Murpy. It was a neighbor who lived next to their cabin. The reporter that broke the story was standing outside the murderers cabin. I could see that it was set back in an isolated location. It was a dark, dusty area lined with thick brush and the tallest white oaks you'd ever seen.....
© 2010 Linda Rogers
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Well done! I'm impressed.
Very creative, seeing it all through a thirteen year olds mind...Well done!
Totally CSIish, Love it twinhead. Great job.
great story well written and interesting, thanks for the hub
Maybe you could do a whole series of "Johnny" adventures", with him solving crimes.
Nice reading, Makes me remember about Conan the detective, good job.
Thanks Twilight Lawns. I love writing short stories and thought I'd get one out on hubpages. I enjoy shows like CSI, Medium, Criminal Minds and 48 Hours Murder Mystery and anything with a twist. It means a lot that you took the time to read the story. Thanks :)
Thanks Will, that means a lot. I really appreciate that you took time to read it as I know you kinda have to be in the mood to read a short story.
Thank you b.-Malin. I think kids are such a open vessel that they are usually the ones to see things adults can't. My story is of course fiction but bits and pieces had some truths to it. It feels really good to get support on my first short story on hubpages. I'm jazzed you and others here are reading it-YAE, YIPPEE:)
Thanks sis-Yes, you know how I love the mysteries. It's really fun getting one of my short stories out on hubpages. No better place to get support of good friends and fellow writers. Love you
You are so welcome Michael and thanks for taking time out of your day to read my first short story here on hubpages. I am thrilled:) Picture me skipping and dancing around my kitchen. LOL
OMG Rob-That is such a great idea. I have sooo many stories I could write with Johnny as the so-called medium. You just pumped me up so much. OK, I am jumping up and down now. Thanks for your great idea:)
Hi Aris-I don't remember Conan but I remember reading the hollisters as a kid. They solved mysteries and murders. I just thought of another cool mystery. Did you ever happen to listen to Mystery Theatre on the radio back in the 70's??? My sister, dad and I use to sit down at night with popcorn and blankets and listen to it. What a great memory. Thanks for taking time to read my short-story. The support means very much to me:)
I liked it. I like to read mystery novels and this one is a very good one. I am making my own series of Mystery novels which i am going to publish soon. I have already finished like 20 books or so.
I want to read more of your Jonny adventures. Please give me more.
Man does that mean a lot coming from a mystery writer. I will write more with Johnny as the detective. There are soo many ideas in my head-Where do I start....
I'm really psyced to read yours. Would you send me an email when you publish yours because I will be your number one fan. I can't get enough of this stuff. Thanks for taking time to read this JASON:)
And yes Minnetonka Twin, I will send you an email when i publish mine. The idea given by Robwrite is a very good one! Your stories are so good that they could be printed in the form of a book. You can easily prepare a medium out of Jonny adventures.
This is just a suggestion what i am telling you now. You have shown that Jhonny is alone so why not give Jhonny a good friend, Like a DOG!!! It's up to you now. You are the author.
And be careful before you start publishing Jonny adventure series. There are spammers out there who may try to copy your work. So before you start publishing these series, Copyright you work. Below is a link there you can make your work protected. Here all work is protected by http://myfreecopyright.com/ and has been licensed under Creative Commons license.
I hope this helps you:) Lots of good luck for your Jonny adventure series. JASON.
How I wish we had many more Johnnies in this world – just imagine: no unsolved murder cases. This was a fascinating story, MT. I’ve voted it UP in all ways.
Great little story and with kids always fun too!
JASON-Thank you soo much for these great suggestions. I agree that Johnny needs a partner and why not a dog. The Johnny in this story is someone I am close to in real life and he does have a dog. This is soo exciting. I also want to thank you for the copyright thing. I had no idea how to go about that. I will do it right now. Your brilliant about the dog idea and it fits perfectly for this character. I'm so pumped up right now. So many thank you's.
Thanks for the compliment Martie and for hitting buttons for me.
I too wish we had more intuitives like Johnny in the real world.
I do plan to continue this as a series, thanks to Robwrite.
Thanks a lot Polly. I appreciate it:)
This was a very interesting read.
Minne this was awesome you made up this? wow love it.
If you dont mind me asking how old are you? Jus askin was wondering if your profile picture is recent,looks young and cute!
Cheers:)
What a great story! It is both exciting and written with warmth. You are such a gifted writer! I enjoyed reading this!
I never listened to Mystery Theater but I agree with Jason's idea about a dog, waiting for the next Johnny adventure series.
Yep Aris, I can't wait for the next Jhonny adventure series to come out!!! I know it for sure that Minnetonka Twin will do a very good job on the next series. Good luck:)
Minnetonka Twins i cant wait anymore. I want to read the next Jhonny adventure series now. I am so excited when jhonny adventures will come out and when will i read it. Can you at least tell the date when it's gonna be published? I promise you that i will take leave from work so that i can come home and read Jhonny adventures. Please tell me when you are gonna publish it.
Thanks Doc-:)
Hi Emily-Yes this is a picture of me and my identical twin sister many years ago when we were in our older cousins wedding as flower girls. I am 48 years old now. Wouldn't it be wild to have a kid this age writing on hubpages. Thanks so much for stopping by:)
Thank you thoughforce-That means so much to me:)
Aris-Oh, mystery theatre was so cool. I am so very pumped about people waiting for more on Johnny and his adventures. This is why Hubpages is so amazing. The people that support us make us better writers and give us ideas that we may never come up with. Thanks:)
JASON JASON JASON-You humble me. I am so excited about this and am coming up with my next one as we speak. I will let you know via email as soon as It's coming out. Thanks so much-I am very choked up right now:)
I'm speechless. What an amazing piece of work this is. Like Jason, I look forward to reading more as well. Thank you again for sharing your talent. It gives me something to strive for!
Thank you so much VividImage. You humble me:)I am working on my next chapter from Johnny.
Wonderful awesome work Dear hesart. God Bless You.
Thank you stars. God Bless:)
...well this is very absorbing and well put together containing so many narrative elements that usually constitute a full length novel and you have skillfully
condensed it all into short story form - and I am just in the mood for this kind of genre because I have just finished watching my favorite TV show on CBC - 48 Hours Mystery!!! I think Hubpages has a new Agatha Christie!!!!!
OHH Colin, that is so sweet of you to say.
Too funny because I just watched 48 hours murder mystery too. They were re-runs though:(
I'm a sucker for all those psychological thrillers. I watch CSI, Criminal Minds, Medium, Ghost Whisperer, Law and Order, NCIS...I think you see my point. Now that two of my favorite ones have been cancelled, I feel the need to write mysteries on hubpages. Thanks for your kind words my friend:)
This would be an ability which would be wonderful yet rather scary at the same time. I am sure there are people who have it. Your story kept my interest the entire way...thanks for sharing! WB
Wow! You made this kid come alive. This is the foundation not of a book, but a series of books. Your ability to write this boy so vividly is truly impressive. I want more!
Thanks for your comments Wayne-It means a lot that it kept your interest. I love writing short stories and plan to keep going on this one.
Poetvix-You humble me and your kind comments made my day. On the suggestion of a couple hubber friends, I will be making this a series where this boy solves cold cases. Thank you so much for reading this:)
Great story! Thank you - also - I think my kids need some more DS time of your kind, rather than playing on their DS games:)
Amen to that RealHousewife. I so relate to that! Thanks so much for reading my short story. It means a lot. I appreciate that you were patient enough to read it. I will be making this a series but have to get inspired to keep going on it. My nephew that I live with is "johnny" in this series. He's a great kid and very intuitive since he was born.
You should write a series! That would be great:-)! I loved the story too!
I plan to but I've just had writers block. Thanks for reading my short story.
Twilight Lawns Level 7 Commenter 16 months ago
Well constructed story. I enjoyed reading it, thank you.