The Urban Boys Series, Book 1
Young Adult Action-Adventure, Young Adult Thriller, Urban Fantasy, Mystery/
Thriller
Date Published: 9-15-2021
Publisher: Two Petals Publishing
A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five
friends. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand
their sensory superpowers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and
mysterious strangers complicating their plight, will the boys be able to
defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late?
EXCERPT
Eleven
Mixed and Mashed
S ONE WOULD IMAGINE, a mysterious forest
might offer deep, eerie chills, especially at night.
Instead, the forest cast a rich glow, and the
environment was beautiful and serene.
Walking slowly with their eyes absolutely feasting on
the horticultural delights, the boys were approached by
something they weren’t sure was real. It floated
effortlessly, lighting up in a sporadic pattern, but had
neither sound nor discernible shape, other than being
somewhat clear and round.
Its fluttering wings suspended it in the center of their
disbelieving huddle. All eyes were on it, but what it was
provoked more mystery than the forest itself. It bounced
in a cheery, beckoning fashion, flashing its stunning
wings, drawing the boys into a never-ending waltz. They
were transfixed, unable to glance at each other,
prevented by the daze each silently battled.
The little glowing being carried about, moving closer
to their faces. It moved in and out of trees, spewing
A
sparkle and splendor, then floated away from the boys,
yet stayed close enough to continue the enticement.
Contributing to the amazing glow ricocheting from
sprawling fronds to soaring trees and fallen leaves, the
being’s creativity advanced in a display of twirls and
spins, astonishing the boys. And they followed their little
friend further and further into the forest.
Deeper ahead, the visual spectacle beautifully
intertwined with the clicking noise, which grew louder
and more defined, moving up the scale into high notes.
The repetition of the noise mesmerized the boys,
equating to an invisible lasso.
The friends grouped together, looking ahead and
behind. Their stomachs tightened as the tension grew.
What they saw next would pale in comparison to their
little, wondrous friend, who steadily bounced around
several curvy pathways.
The small creature led them into an area deep within
the preserve housing two large, floating, clicking balls of
light. The boys instinctively covered their eyes, yet still
tried to peep through their fingers.
The light balls began spinning wildly and grew louder,
with their tops spitting out free-falling shavings of light
like fireworks.
The sputtering light bounced off the dirt only to end
up against a tree or one of the boys, then back down and
up again.
Slowing down, the beings moved in between the
boys. Too scared to move and struggling with reality, the
boys’ eyes locked onto the radiant balls.
And with a striking force, the five friends were
encased by a bright, piercing light as the balls exploded,
emitting their energy onto the boys.
Mixing and mashing north, south, east, and west,
bright waves covered the soil, spreading across trees,
rock, and all plant life. The forest fell silent, frozen like an
inhale without an exhale. It was dark and quiet, except
for the liquid energy dripping from the huge, wavy
leaves.
Being subjected to drifts both in and out of reality, the
boys succumbed to the lure of a vacant black space
within the deepest parts of their minds. They fell to the
ground unconscious, laying in this forbidden domain in
the center of a place they had been warned not to
approach.
And from some distance toward the other side of the
preserve, a draped shadow had been looking inward and
saw this mysterious incident.
The curve of his black hood was loose enough for him
to witness the unthinkable. But it also shrouded his
expression, which was impassive.
This figure, a dark stranger, had been watching the
boys for a period of time and saw the explosion of light.
He knew it had exposed them to a grave risk in this place
of both awe and fear. He realized time would now take
the reins as a master guide for these stricken young men,
all of whom would need hope as a rod and stamina as a
spear on the long journey ahead.
Knowing the veil of normalcy would need to be
maintained in order for this inconceivable episode to be
minimized, the Dark Stranger drew upon his strength to
physically move each of the boys to Rhee’s house.
He knew familiar surroundings would ease them as
they roused, barely able to comprehend their
predicament.
For he knew much, and every step, every footprint
left an indelible impression on the path leading to the
studio in Rhee’s backyard. Indeed, footprints providing a
window to the past meshed with hope for the future.
And like a laser, the Dark Stranger steadied his gait,
hurling each one up and over his powerful shoulders.
As he absorbed the totality of the scene, he breathed
deeply. His head hung in a manner to which only trauma
could relate. But in a sign of resilience it swiftly sprung
back.
Under the circumstances, he knew time would not be
patient nor friendly.
Welcome or unwelcome.
Fate had arrived.
Author
K.N. Smith
K.N. Smith, winner of the “Best of” in the category of
“Outstanding Young Adult Novel” at the Jessie Redmon
Fauset Book Awards, is an auth
About the Author
K.N. Smith, winner of the “Best of” in the category of
“Outstanding Young Adult Novel” at the Jessie Redmon Fauset Book
Awards, is an author and passionate advocate of literacy and arts programs
throughout the world. Her lyrical flair sweeps across pages that twist and
grind through action-adventure and urban fantasy in edge-of-your-seat
narratives. K.N. has over twenty-five years’ experience in communications
and creative design as an award-winning consultant. She inspires people of
all ages to reach their highest potential in their creative, educational,
and life pursuits. Visit K.N. Smith at www.knsmith.com.
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