The Hidden Land

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© 2013 by Mohammed Shahid Hussain. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/22/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-9641-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-9642-2 (e)

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

Also by Shahid Hussain

R3v3ng3

For the two most important people in my life

My Mother and Father

Who have looked after me for 19 years with extreme care

(And still are)

CHAPTER

1

People in Cassandra are very self organised and love to live in their town very much. It is a town surrounded by large trees and vines that hung from them like snakes. The people in Cassandra never leave their town because they haven`t been able to find a way to travel out of the giant forest that went all the way around their town. They never considered to find out how their town had become engulfed in this large undergrowth. It was left uncovered and now has become a problem for people to go out or come in. But it was no problem for the people who live here because they farm their own food and have their own cattle ranches, it soon became apparent that they didn`t need the outside world and that they`ll survive with the things they have, but if they could`ve made contact with them that would`ve been useful. Tourists used to come by before when the trees weren’t that big but now there were no tourists and the ones that used to come here were probably dead. The sheriff of Cassandra gave strict orders to the whole town that no one was to enter the dense forest under any circumstances. They might get lost and if they do manage to make it out then they will face a £344 fine.

The bright orange sun gradually rises behind the horizon with its outline wriggling. The light brightens up the entire town with shadows moving in the opposite direction made by the small and big buildings. Birds chirp away in the distance telling everyone that it was time to wake up. Some of the parked cars start and roll down the empty roads, their wheels hitting small potholes in the road.

Leo, a dark haired teenager with his pyjamas on lay on the edge of his bed. One of his hands hung from his bed and was a sign that he would fall off at anytime. The alarm clock struck 8 o`clock and began to ring loudly, causing Leo to stir then slowly drop from the bed with a loud thud. Leo`s head hits the ground hard and his eyes pop open, he sits up and rubs the top of his head with a painful look.

Damn, that hurt Leo says rubbing his head

Leo presses down on the top of the ringing clock which stops making the sound. It was a Saturday so there was no college today, the plan for today was to go to the park and chill with two of his friends. After the pain disappeared, Leo heads for the bathroom through the long corridor and slams the door shut.

Alice, Leo`s little sister hears the door close and walks up to it. She violently knocks on the wood and calls out.

Leo! I was about to go in there! Leo!

Hold on! I`ll just be a minute okay? Leo replies calmly.

I don`t care, get out Orders Alice.

What part don`t you get about just a minute? It isn`t that long Leo brushes his teeth in a hurry, he wet`s his hair by putting his head under the tap.

Alice stomps her feet in frustration. You annoying… She takes a deep breath then lets out a long breath. Take as long as you like. I hate you! Alice storms off angrily.

In the bathroom, Leo chuckles quietly while looking in the mirror. Alice was a pain sometimes but he loved her even though she shouts at him everyday. After fixing his hair and putting on some aftershave, Leo heads downstairs.

You can go in now! Watch out for my hair in the drain! Leo teases while going down the stairs.

He could hear Alice exclaim from her room. Ewww! Leo!

Leo walks down the stairs with laughter escaping him all the way. When he reaches the kitchen Leo spots his father sitting at the table reading the latest newspaper. Riley looks up as Leo walks into the kitchen, a broad smile forms on Riley`s face while he puts down the paper.

Leo. Have a seat son, wonderful weather we`re having don`t you think? Riley gestures to the chair next to him which Leo takes.

I`d say so. What are you doing today dad? Asks Leo pouring himself a bowl of cereal.

Riley sighs. Work I`m afraid. The garage is one man less because Thomas had to take the day off

Really? What`s happened to him?

It`s not him, it`s his daughter who has this bad fever and is in hospital. I`m taking his place for today

Leo puts in a mouthful of cereal in his mouth and raises his eyebrows then lowers them in fast motion.

I don`t mind. I get extra pay for the extra work I do, which is fine by me. What are you doing for the weekend? Anything special? Riley leans back in his chair and folds his arms.

Nothing much. Just going to head to the park with Tiffany for some chilling. That`s all Leo found himself being stared at by his father, he shrugs to get Riley`s attention. What?

Nothing Riley waves away the question. A thought just popped into my head and took me away somewhere else

Dad, trust me. Nothing`s going to happen Reassures Leo.

I hope what you`re saying is true. I don`t want any unexpected surprises okay?

You won`t, besides, we`re just going to the park not some pole dancing club Leo chuckles at the thought of what he`d just said.

True, and I don`t want you to go in them clubs ever, got me? He gets a nod. Good. Now who`s this Tiffany anyway and when do we get to meet her? Teases Riley looking over to Mariana who turns around with a grin.

Just a friend. Mom`s going to meet her today because she`s coming to pick me up Leo tries to avoid eye contact.

I can`t wait and shouldn`t it be the other way round? By the way, just a friend? Do you believe that dear? Joins in Mariana with the tease.

Not one bit Replies Riley shaking his head. "Well, we can`t do anything about it though can we? She`s Leo`s friend. Is my breakfast ready? I need to start work early today because the Danny says that we have two other cars waiting to be fixed" Riley bending his head back.

Almost done Replies Mariana placing the toasts onto a plate.

Alice`s footsteps can be heard creaking the staircase, then start coming up the corridor and swinging open the door. She gives Leo a dirty look just before sitting opposite him.

What? Leo shrugs.

There was no hair in the drain Alice shot at him.

Leo couldn`t help but snigger. Alice ignores him with all of her might, she didn`t want her morning off school ruined by her big brother. The atmosphere in the kitchen turns serene for Leo after seeing his whole family together in one room. Mariana places the plate in front of Riley with hers in the other hand. The family have breakfast together not knowing whether it is their last breakfast together or their first to the start of a new beginning.

Cassandra was fully awake now. The people were beginning to open their shops and some driving to work making the roads impassable just like rush hour. The farms were full of grazing cattle, lazing around all day until it was time for them to return back to the stables.

So you`re going to the park with Leo? I thought we were going to hang out today? Complains Victoria, a blonde girl with some freckles around her cheeks.

He`s asked me after a long time Vic, I couldn`t just say no. Look, how about you and Gary come with us? I`m sure Leo won`t mind Tiffany suggests. Her dark hair blowing hard in the wind, she had ocean-like blue eyes which is what everyone thought caught Leo`s attention.

I`m not sure about that. Leo wouldn`t want me and Gavin snooping around when he`s gone for a walk with his girlfriend

Girlfriend? What do you mean girlfriend? We`re just good friends that`s all Tiffany argues halting in her tracks.

Oh come on Tiffany, you very well know that you can`t hide that from me. Your feeling towards him isn`t just mutual but romantic Victoria folds her arms with attitude.

The cars blazing past them blew cold wind onto them and made Tiffany shiver a little.

So what if it`s romantic? You won`t tell him will you? Tiffany grabs hold of Victoria`s shoulders in the blink of an eye.

Relax, I won`t. You have a very tight grip and it really hurts Tiffany let`s go letting Victoria massage her shoulders.

Sorry. So are you going with us or not? I`ll be more comfortable if you were with me to tell you the truth

After much consideration, Victoria agrees to Tiffany`s suggestion. Alright, I`ll let Gavin know and see what he wants to do. When were you about to head out?

An hour left, are you going to Gavin now?

Yeah, I`ll see you after an hour okay?

Yeah, bye

Tiffany watches as Victoria heads down the opposite direction. She wonders whether she made a mistake by admitting to Victoria about her feelings about Leo. Too late now, if Victoria tells Leo about it then it isn`t going to be good for her. Tiffany shrugs the thought away, so what if Leo found out? He`s going to find out one day anyway so it might as well be now. With that positive thought, Tiffany turns around and strides down the road towards Leo`s house.

CHAPTER

2

The doorbell rings two times very closely. Tiffany patiently waits as she hears Alice shout from the living room.

Leo! Tiffany`s here!

After a minute, footsteps can be heard rushing to the door and Leo swings it open. A broad smile brightens up Leo`s face as he lets Tiffany pass him, the door closes behind Tiffany who begins to take off her coat.

How`ve you been? Asks Leo taking the purple coat.

Great, I mean considering me being at home all day staring at my computer screen I`d say great A grin follows.

Leo hangs the coat on some hangers by the door. You didn`t have to be dramatic about it, I know it sucks but you`re the one who never leaves the house Leo points out.

How can I when I get course work after course work? It gets to your head so much that it makes you feel like there`s no way out Anger can be heard in Tiffany`s voice.

That`s college for you. If you want those grades then you have to show them you can earn them. But don`t worry, today all you have to do is relax and give your brain a rest because we`re going for a walk in the park, okay? Leo places his hands on Tiffany`s shoulders and gives her a friendly smile.

Yeah Tiffany smiles back.

Let`s go and have a seat or do you want to stand here and talk?

Very funny, come on Tiffany pulls on Leo`s cheeks with affection.

The television was running on high volume