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Evil witches taking kids is nothing new in childrens stories.
But inThe Fearless Travelers Guide to Wicked Places, its aparentthat gets taken.
Prologue
Night was falling.
The thought would not leave her now.
She had seen them tumble from the dark cloud like bits of snow.
Heard them plunk into the silent sea and sink beneath the cold water, leaving no trace.
There was no song for it.
No way to understand it.
I must.Two of her babies were awaiting her return.
A long hiss filled the air around her.
A trumpet of fear escaped from the swans long white throat.
Now she knew the sound of the vaporous beast that had swallowed her brothers and sisters.
It was right behind her!
Faster, she told herself.
She pushed harder, beating her wings until they burned with pain, but it was too late.
The sky became muddled with mist.
Cold enveloped her and snow began to fall, coating her feathers.
Unable to fly, she began to fall.
She would sink into the cold water and see her children no more.
A sharp pain clanged through her breast as she hit.
A pained honk escaped her beak, taking her wind.
The dark water did not drag her down.
It was not the sea, but a stretch of ground.
Her body trembled at the strange magic of it all.
And gathered in this small forest was a group of humans.
They wore long dresses and stood before a crackling fire of purple flame as the snow fell around them.
Their skin was pale as her own feathers and their hair raven black or golden as a finch.
Beside her was a child with dirty feet and a snarling smile.
The child plucked the swan carelessly from the ground.
She wrapped her nail-bitten hands around the swans belly and squeezed tight.
Kitchen or the cage?
she said to the tall woman.
The woman studied the swan for a moment and grabbed her beak roughly.
Put her in the cage.
The child put the swan under her arm and walked toward a tall tree with a large hollow.
Youre lucky, the little girl sneered as she entered the hollow of the great tree.
I was hungry for swan.
Locked behind the thick bars were animals.
Bears, a lynx, coyotes, foxes.
she snarled and marched with authority toward the biggest cage of all.
It was vast and filled with birds.
All shapes, all sizes, of every jot down.
All frozen in flight.
Just floating in the air, wings outstretched.
Among them were some of her brothers and her sisters.
Here you go, the girl snarled, opening the door and stepping inside.
With a rough toss, the girl threw the swan into the air.
Her wings suddenly worked!
As she opened her wings to fly she let out a longTRUMPET, but instantly she froze again.
She hung in midair with all the others as the door slammed and the sound vanished into nothing.
Not a single person had witnessed the cloud take the women, but Nell Perkins knew it was true.
One had only to glance up to see that this cloud was different.
She tried to tell herself that it was silly.
Its just a cloud.
The truth was this wasnt the first time people had disappeared from their small town.
Over the years almost a d
ozen people had simply vanished.
Most were young women, though one was a boy Nells age named Max.
They had just started to become friends when he vanished four weeks ago.
He was funny and daring and liked to play the trumpet.
He didnt vanish in the same way, though it felt the same to Nell.
One night he went to sleep and he didnt wake up.
He had fallen into a coma.
They took him to the hospital, where he was still asleep.
As Nell pulled her bike into the schoolyard, she had the strangest thought.
Maybe the cloud was behind it.
Maybe it had drifted over his house while he slept and kidnapped a part of him.
The thought sent a shiver up her spine and she quickly locked up her bike.
The normally busy yard was empty.
A few teachers were hustling the late students inside.
Attention, students and staff!
Principal Greens voice crackled over the loudspeaker as Nell entered.
All students and faculty are not to go to their classrooms.
Report directly to the school auditorium for a special assembly.
Nells stomach was tight with nerves.
The assembly was her chance to tell everyone what she knew to be the truth.
The cloud had kidnapped the women and maybe Max as well.
I am going to look like an idiot, she told herself, but it was too late.
She had decided she did not have a choice.
She recounted the facts as though she were telling them to a policeman.
When the library closed, Nell walked outside.
The sky was free of clouds and the streets empty of people.
She got on her bike and headed home.
Summer was coming and she had books to read and the ocean to dash into.
The mist was drifting off the sea, caressing her cheeks and dancing across her lips.
Nell liked the briny taste of the salty air.
All was still and utterly silent.
As she stared, Nell wished for several things.
A single shoe and nothing more, spit out as if it were a part not worth eating.
No plane had flown overhead.
There was only one conclusion.
Someone was trapped inside the cloud.
The secret weighed on her for the next several days, and she told no one.
Clouds dont kidnap people.
They dont eat young women.
Keeping quiet seemed like the best choice.
But they look at me anyway, Nell reminded herself.
That much was true.
On any day Nell Perkins was hard to miss.
Not things exactly, but creatures.
Inner animals, Rose had called them when they first began making themselves known to Nell.
They appeared right around the time Nells father had gotten sick and passed away.
Nell had begun talking to them when she was four.
The first one to speak to her had the body of a man and the head of an elephant.
Being so young, Nell didnt think this was unusual.
His name was Jim and he delivered the mail.
Nell would get excited and jump up and down when she saw Jim walking toward the house.
The mask, which had suddenly appeared, would drop away.
Without his inner animal, Jim was quite bald and had a face filled with freckles.
It was fun for Nell to see who was hiding what.
Nell never talked about her rare skill, for she thought it was normal.
Then, during her first day of kindergarten, Nell Perkins learned the truth.
All the children were sitting on the rug with eager, excited faces, trying not to squirm.
Nell wasnt sure she liked kindergarten and longed to be at home in her pajamas.
Ms. Rook, the teacher, was another story.
She was the prettiest person Nell had ever seen.
Nell screamed loudly and wouldnt stop screaming as the doll stood over her.
Nell was so gripped with terror that her mind
felt blank.
She couldnt remember how to make the terrible dead-eyed face go away.
Other teachers came rushing in to help and their faces were just as frightening.
Youre special, Nell.
For everyone else the answer was simple.
Nell had an overactive imagination that encouraged her to see things that werent there.
The cause of her condition, they concluded, lay in the fact she didnt dream.
Her nights were dark and dreamless.
He attached multicolored wires to her head and watched her as she slept.
Despite what he said about their nonexistence, the doctors own inner animal was that of a friendly walrus.
It did not diminish, but Nell learned not to tell anyone and to keep what she saw secret.
Still there was only one way to make them go away.
Nell was forced to say My name is Nell Perkins aloud several times a day.
This declaration became a curse.
My name is Nell Perkins.
A shy girl who preferred books to people and whose only friend was now in a coma.
Now she was about to embarrass herself again.
Nell felt a knot of fear grow in her stomach.
As the teachers hustled the students into the auditorium for the big meeting Nells breathing began to grow fast.
All eyes were on the stage, where the local chief of police was standing with Principal Green.
I cant do it, she said to herself in desperation.Im not going to say a thing.
He turned to Nell and whispered, My dad said the government is kidnapping people for experiments.
He twitched and continued, Have you seen those black vans on the road lately?
Nell admitted she had not.Stay away from them, warned Todd.Children!
The principal stepped over to the microphone.
There has been a lot of talk going on about recent events.
Todd Lincoln elbowed Nell.
The police wont say what it is, Nell reasoned,because they dont know the truth.
Her stomach clenched even tighter.
The police chief nodded and stepped forward.
He cleared his throat.
Three women have gone missing from our town.
These are the facts.
In these cases rumors can cause more problems than the actual incidents.
As of yet we dont think a crime has been committed.
We have seen no evidence of harm.
Sometimes kids can be a great help to police.
I want you to think.
Do you have any information youd like to share?
Keep in mind this is a serious matter.
We are only interested in facts.
Things you have seen, not stories or rumors about UFOs or secret experiments.
Before she could stop herself, Nell stood.
There were two hundred students in her school, and every single one turned and stared.
the police chief said, smiling.
Nell felt her hands go clammy.
She knew at once standing up had been a mistake.
How could she possibly explain?
She tried to think of a different story.
Mention a man in a strange mask or a black government van, she thought.
Have you seen something?
said the police chief.And out it came.
Nell spoke.A shoe.A hush fell over the students and Nell knew at once she
had said something wrong.A shoe?
the chief said to Nell, who was not sure where
to put her hands.
A wet piece of candy hit Nell on the cheek and stuck.
The whole room broke out in peals of laughter.
shouted the police chief.
The mob grew silent.
She plucked the wet watermelon candy from her cheek and continued.
The cloud that is hanging above town.
Havent you seen it?
The dark purple one, Nell said, growing less confident with each passing second.
the police chief said, still trying to understand what this had to do with a shoe.
Nell turned to the crowd and froze at the sight before her.
There was a burbling sound of flesh stretching as everyone in the auditorium transformed.
Nells heart began to pound and her face grew red and hot.
No, she whispered to herself.
But like it or not, IT was happening again.
She was having a moment.
The entire school was showing their inner animals.
But that meant doing what she hated more than anything else: reminding herself loudly who she was.
My name is Nell Perkins, Nell announced nervously, and the cloud is stealing people.
I saw the shoe fall from it.
I think there was blood on it.
The whole room erupted with laughter and the principal whispered something in the police chiefs ear.
He nodded and frowned.
Nell knew what he was saying.
Dont listen to that girl.
There is something wrong with her.
Nell felt her cheeks flush with shame.
As she sat, everyones inner animal disappeared.
That was awesome, Todd whispered to her, but she did not agree.
She sunk into her seat.
Chapter 2
The remainder of the last day of school before summer vacation passed like a blur.
Yearbooks were signed, parties were held, but Nell wanted nothing to do with any of it.
The sky overhead was blue.
Nells bike was the only one left in the rack.
Its okay, Nell told herself, and felt she could handle the ride home.
All its pressure and battles were over for nearly three months.
Nell repeated to herself as she rode.
It was the title of her favorite book.
It was beyond favorite.
Everyone was given a second chance to be whoever they wanted to be.
The closest Nell got to that actually happening was the first day of summer vacation.
She could be anyone she wanted now.
Nells mother, Rose, was walking out the front door.
she shouted at Nell.As always, Rose looked slightly unreal to Nell.
It was rare that Nell and her brothers even called her Mom.
Nell smiled, staring at Rose with wide- eyed confusion as though she could not recognize her.
Nell had gotten into the habit of pretending that she had amnesia and everyone and everything was a mystery.
Ive never heard of it, shed say when the popular green vegetable appeared on her plate.
shed remark when the command to clean her room was issued.
Even Nell knew the joke was getting a little tired but still she couldnt stop.
Maybe she wanted it to be true.
Maybe she hoped that she really could forget who she was and become new again.
And Rose sometimes played along, but lately she gave the same response.
You could never forget who you are, Nell, and you shouldnt want to.
You are your own person and that person is fantastic.
Today was no exception.
She sighed and repeated that Nell could never forget and the book itself was wrong.
Its a virus, Nell snapped, suddenly finding herself flaring with anger.
Anyone can get it.
Its ridiculous, Rose shot back.
No parent in that town could get that virus.
Anyone can get it, Nell repeated.
Memory doesnt just live in your brain, Nell.
When youre a parent, it fills up your entire body.
It becomes your body.
And that means a mother could never forget her child ever, no matter what.
Now, Rose said with a smile, Check out these beauties.
I found them at a garage sale in Newberg.
Rose was an antiques dealer and was always buying and selling interesting things.
This is a hurricane kite, Rose said.
It even has an anchor.
Attached to the center of the kite was a cord of thick leather that ran to a wooden spool.
On the top of the spool was a metal hook shaped like a lions paw.
Best of all, it is hand-painted.
The artist is quite famous.
Only three of these are known to exist.
I have a buyer in Wickerton that will give me cash if I bring it right over.
Your brothers are at Jacks house and wont be home until supper.
It is the perfect way to start your summer vacation.
All right, Nell said.
She hated going on deliveries with her mother.
The truck was a piece of junk.
The radio didnt work.
The roof leaked when it rained and during the summer it always smelled like wet fur.
Nell considered her mother the bravest person she had ever met.
Really, Rose said, not sure if she was joking.
You want to come?
Yes, Nell chirped.
She opened the trucks passenger door and climbed inside.
An antique, hand-cranked record player sat on the front seat.
Nell had seen many pass through her house, but this one was particularly beautiful.
The cone where the sound came out was made of golden glass and shaped like a lily.
A 1929 St. Oiseau gramophone, Rose said proudly.
Does it work?Find out.
Turn the handle and when it begins to
move, place the needle arm on the disc.
Nell followed the instructions, watching as the disc began to spin.
Gently she lifted the arm and placed it on the record.
The needle touched the fat black disc and the scratchy sound of a violin drifted out.
Soon a woman began to sing in French, her voice haunted and lonely.
Rose said as the truck pulled out into the street.
But Nell was hardly listening.
All her thoughts were on the storm rumbling in the distance.
They began to drive through town.
A small thimble of green thread with a needle stuck out of it lay on the dashboard.
It rolled back and forth as they drove.
Rose didnt care but the rattling as the thimble tumbled helplessly from side to side was driving Nell crazy.
She liked things in their proper place.
The truck didnt get very far before the storm caught them.
All at once the truck began shaking.THUMP.
Hold on, Rose said, as the engine rattled and wheezed.
With a finalTHUMP, it died.
Its fine, Rose answered.
For several minutes Rose tried to start the truck without any luck, until finally she admitted the truth.
The engines dead, Rose said.
A fine time for it to die.
Call a tow truck, Nell said.
Youre as smart as you are brave.
Rose took out her phone and stared at it with a furrowed brow.
Nell gazed out the window.
It was a lonely turn-of-the-century building, made of white bricks and leaded glass.
Rose thought for a minute.
All was silent save for the rain drumming the roof and the wind rattling the windows.
We can hide out in the factory until the storm passes.
It will be safer.
If the road floods, Rose said.
But someone will come, Nell said hopefully.
Suddenly, a flood seemed very likely.
In a heartbeat, Nell and Rose were out of the truck.
Quickly, Rose untied the kite.
Nell grabbed the gramophone out of the front seat.
Nell yelled, but what she meant wasthat was not right.
It wasnt normal, and it was all terribly frightening.
Nell threw herself into her mother and instantly felt her mothers arms surround her.
Rose held on tightly.
She kissed Nells head and murmured, Its okay.
Both of them stood there for a moment thinking the same thought.
It had been so long since they had hugged each other.
I have gotten a hug from the unhugger.
Lets walk, Rose said, her voice steady, nodding to the factory across the meadow.
But the truck, Nell said.
Nothing to worry about!
Rose said, and started moving across the weedy meadow.
She held the record player in her arms and Rose carried the large kite.
They were both bent low, taking hard, thudding steps, walking slowly into the wind.
Each struggling step made Nells mothers smile grow even wider.
To always feel right and never want to forget who you are.
Rose shouted.What?You are.
As long as
you are not afraid.
Though, Rose hesitated, I dont like the look of that cloud.
Nell followed Roses frozen gaze upward.
The bruise-colored cloud had returned for her.
Thats the cloud, Nell said.
The cloud that kidnapped all the women.
What are you talking about?
Nell lurched forward, nearly slipping.
The needle fell onto the record.
They heard the scratchy sound of the violin, and the womans voice sang out.
And, as the music played on, the cloud began to rumble.
Even though now would be the time to run, they couldnt.
Transforming into something wicked.
I am Nell Perkins, Nell said, hoping it was only a moment.
And that is a regular cloud.
Its not, Rose whispered, and Nell knew for sure this was really happening.
And it was wrong.
Run, Rose commanded.
Run and dont stop!
In an instant they both took off, darting as quickly as they could across the wet field.
A crack of lightning shot from the skull-shaped cloud, slashing down into the grass before them.
Rose tripped and the kite was ripped from her hands.
The spool of wire hit the ground and wildly unfurled.
The metal lion claw of the kites hook came straight for her head with awhoosh.
The claw passed above her head and hit Rose hard in her stomach, snagging her belt.
Rose desperately tried to break free of the cord coiling up her middle.
She was staring up at the cloud, her eyes wide in horror at what she saw inside.
In desperation, she yelled to Nell a warning, but the shriek of the wind made hearing impossible.
She tried to reach her mother but could not.
The closer she got, the more the wind pushed her back.
Nell screamed as her mother was reeled up, rising toward the cloud like a fish on a line.
Goodbye, my love, Rose answered, refusing to show her fear.
Her head disappeared into the cloud with a final scream as she glimpsed what awaited her inside.
Nell threw up her arms and jumped.
She knew it was ridiculous but couldnt help it.
If she stopped it would be over.
If she stopped she would be alone.
Who would look after her and her brothers?
How would she tell them she was gone?
Nell jumped and jumped and jumped.
Jumped as if she could jump to the cloud and pull her mother down.
Come back, Nell whispered helplessly as her mothers shoes slipped inside the cloud.
Nell jumped again and slipped on the wet ground, hitting her head on a rock.
