The World Travelers

By Bethany Lindell Chapter One The Girl with the Dog

Aria Rhapsody Johnson was not like other little girls. This was not always very apparent when you first saw her, however if you squinted just so, you could see the tale that was always following her. It was a very impressive tale, with very fine fur and lots and lots of pictures. She had woven it herself, albeit very clumsily at first. But by now she had had lots of practice, and so it was in much finer condition then when shed been born. Nathanial didnt see Arias tale when he first met her. It is not entirely his fault, since two older brothers tend to do that to a boy; however he is much better now. But when he first met Aria, she practically thought him a hopeless case. It was her dear friend Magnus that finally convinced her otherwise, however that came later. When Nathanial first met Aria, it was because their teacher was prone to worrying. Mrs. Gardener was a very sweet woman, with short brown hair and a pleasantly round little face. She called all of her students dear, even the bad ones, but to Aria belonged the title of dearest. Dearest? Mrs. Gardener said in her sweet way one Tuesday morning as the twenty or so children in her class were coloring their assignments. Dearest I have someone Id like you to meet. Aria looked up quite innocently from her own work, bright yellow crayon still held in one hand, and blinked up at her teacher, who also happened to be her aunts good friend. Aria saw with some trepidation that there was someone standing next to her aunts-friend-the-teacher. It was a boy, her age plus or minus one year, with sandy brown hair and a gloomy face. He was wearing a plaid sweater vest of all things over a white Sunday shirt, like the kind your parents made you wear to church. Aria tried not to pull a face when she saw he was also wearing bright green shorts. Brighter then aliens! She thought with distaste. His shoes were normal enough though. Running sneakers with blue Nike signs on the side. Aria liked them, although his left laces were untied. Obviously he wasnt dressed by his mom. Aria thought as she sized the boy up.

The boy, for his part, stood there very quietly, trying to ignore this strange girl staring at him and wishing that his new teacher would leave him alone soon so he could find a nice corner to sit in. Aria, this is Nathanial, Mrs. Gardener went on in her sweet way, overlooking the childrens wary circling as it were, he and his family just moved here from Miles City, Montana and I was hoping you could help show him around today. Nathanial, this is Aria, one of my best students. She looked hopefully between the two of them. Now Mrs. Gardener had her own ulterior motives for wanting Aria and Nathanial to get along. Nathanials father Mr. Hawthorne, a very respectable horse handler from Montana, had already explained their familys reasons for moving to this tiny town, so Mrs. Gardener was well appraised of the boys situation. And because of her good friend, Arias aunt, she was more familiar with Arias tale then most as well (although since she was an adult now she couldnt possibly have known the whole thing). She worried for Aria because she was soft spoken and tended to shy away from the other children her age, especially since Brittany Almcie had already made sure that none of her friends would ever hang out with a space case like Aria. Her words, not Mrs. Gardeners. So in short, Mrs. Gardener was rather hoping the children would be good for each other. If only Aria had thought the same thing. After a long moment of staring at this new boy, Aria blinked again, and shook her head, making brown hair fly around her head. No, Im good. He doesnt want me. Give him to someone else. She told her teacher, sounding very sure of herself as she turned back to her yellow crayon. Mrs. Gardener resisted the urge to sigh at the girl. She should have expected something like this, especially coming from Aria. Nathanial for his part, remained quiet, not particularly caring at this point who was supposed to show him around school. It wasnt like theyd actually do it anyway. But Mrs. Gardener was determined. Now Dearest, the teacher said in her warning voice, Im sure Nathanial doesnt think that, do you Nathanial? She asked the boy. Nathanial stayed silent. Undeterred, Mrs. Gardener turned back to Aria. Then she told her, quite firmly, Dearest, I insist. And that was the end of it. Aria knew that when Mrs. Gardener insisted something, she meant it! Usually she insisted her friend, Arias aunt, have some more iced tea, or for Aria to have another cookie, but still, the meaning was the same. Aria preferred it when Mrs. Gardener insisted over cookies. So, Aria sighed, sounding very put upon.

Oh, alright, she grumbled, kicking out the chair next to hers, just sit there and do your own work. I dont like to talk when Im thinking. She told the boy decisively. Without arguing, the boy sat, clasped his hands and put them on the table in front of him. And that was their introduction. Not bad so far as first meetings go. Mrs. Gardener returned a few seconds later with a piece of paper for Nathanial. Aria already had a bucket of crayons between the two of them. Today were drawing our families Nathanial. I know you got here late so yours doesnt have to be finished, but just do the best you can until its time for snack. Nathanial just nodded silently at her and ignored the piece of paper next to him. Mrs. Gardener gave him a somewhat sad smile, but left the children alone all the same. Aria scribbled for a moment without talking, but she kept sneaking looks over at her new friend. She couldnt tell if he noticed or not. Dont hold it against her, Aria said a moment later, referring to Mrs. Gardener, shes rather nice, for a grown up. Nathanial didnt nod, or give any other sign that he had heard her. However he did unclasp his hands, picked up a gray-brown crayon and started to carefully draw a funny u-shaped thing on the piece of paper. How boring, Aria thought when she saw this. But after Mrs. Gardeners insistence, she decided not to say anything. So she picked up her favorite bright yellow crayon instead and went back to her own picture. She was so focused on her picture that she didnt notice when Nathanial finally flicked a curious glance her way. He was actually a very nice, outgoing sort of boy and as such had lots of friends. The problem was that they were all back home, in Montana. Not here in swamp land, small town Texas nowhere. I hate it here. Nathanial thought, and not for the first time either. I wanna go home. Its too hot. Its too wet. Its tooHOT! Those were the first two things he had learned about Texas. It was hot, and it was wet. Hot enough that when his dad had accidentally left a can of biscuits in the trunk they had partially baked. And wet enough that all three brothers had each lost a pair of shoes the first time they had traveled out in the Texas swamp muck behind their apartment building. These Nikes were new. His brothers had helped him pick them out while their dad was out looking at different ranches for work. Nathanial felt his scowl deepen. He hated this strange place. There were no open spaces because it was all filled with pine trees and marshes. There were too many cows. There was too much noise. All the empty air that wasnt filled with people was filled with freaky bugs that

sounded like rain sticks. His oldest brother Thomas had called them cicadas. Their middle brother Christopher had called them noise pollution. Nathanial just called them trash. The boy shook himself. Their sister Miriam probably had something to say about them too, but no one could understand her. She was only two still. That and the only thing she said lately was, Wheres Mommy?. The gray crayon broke in two with an audible snap! in Nathanials hand, sending gray bits of crayon rubble across the paper. Hey, the girl next to him said suddenly, those are Mrs. Gardeners! Dont break them! Nathanial looked up at her. For a moment he had quite forgotten she was there. Aria blinked at the boy as he looked up at her with dark owlish eyes. She had surprised him somehow. She watched as he looked back down at the broken crayon in his hand, looking surprised by that too. Aria frowned lightly. Did ya do it on purpose? She asked. Nathanial looked up at her again and shook his head. Aria peered at him, but accepted his defense with a nod. Alright, well thats different then. Just try not to do it again please. She told him as she returned to her own picture once more. Nathanial dusted the waxy crayon bits off of his hands as he searched the room for a distraction. He didnt want to draw his family now. It was too broken. His eyes inevitable fell on Arias colorful paper. Whatre you drawing? He asked her in a muffled voice. Aria lifted her yellow crayon away from the boxy yellow smudge shed been coloring. She inspected her drawing somewhat before telling him. My family. Nathanial leaned over and looked at the drawing. He made an incredulous face. Whyre they all funny looking? He asked her bluntly. Aria ignored the funny looking bit. That theres my Maggie, she pointed to a sitting animal that she had colored brown and red. Nathanial thought it might have been a dog. And thats my best friend B. She pointed at the yellow blob. If he tilted his head and squinted, Nathanial thought he could make out a blonde haired, blue eyed boy wearing a bright yellow shirt waving at him from the page. And that tree in the middle? Whos that? Nathanial asked. Arias face deadpanned. Thats me. She told him. Nathanial looked at the brown and green girl...thing standing between the blob and might-be-a-dog creature. Oh he said slowly. Fortunately before the boy could stick his foot any further into his mouth, Mrs. Gardeners voice rang cheerfully through the classroom.

Alright dears, you need to put the crayons away now. Its time for snack! ~ The school day continued as most school days should slow and boring and almost before he knew what had happened, Nathanial found himself standing outside in the bright Texas sunlight in front of the school. Waiting for nobody. Stupid Chris, the boy grumbled to himself as he looked for the beat up family car he already knew wasnt there, I told him school gets out at two but does he listen to me? Nooo. He said in a mocking voice before huffing an aggravated sigh and making his way to an empty bench he had seen earlier that was half hidden by a cluster of flowering crepe myrtles. It was then, when he was just beginning to absentmindedly scan the cars parked in front of the elementary school, that he noticed the dog. It was a big dog, bigger then any dog Nathanial had ever seen, bigger then the boy himself. And at the moment the dog was still sitting down! He was covered in thick, fluffy fur that Nathanial was sure he could sink his whole head into if the dog would let him. He had a great, noble head and massive paws and aside from his back and around his eyes, which were a dark gray color, he was completely, snowy white. He was sitting proudly on the curb as if he owned it, but Nathanial thought he looked about as ordinary as a leopard wearing a pants suit. Still, the dog just sat there, looking at the children leaving school in almost the same way the boy had been looking at cars. It made Nathanial think that the dog was waiting for someone. Suddenly the dogs bright eyes lit up and he gave one deep throated bark. Some children looked up at the sound, but most of them didnt really notice. Maybe this was a regular thing? Nathanial could hardly believe that this sort of thing could become normal, but he turned around to see who the dog was barking at anyway. With some surprise, Nathanial watched from his bench under the crepe myrtles as the girl from class walked up to the dog like she would walk up to any of her friends. Well, that was if she had any friends. Throughout the day Nathanial had not met one single person that had actually wanted to talk to his reluctant tour guide, although from what hed seen this hadnt bothered Aria in the least. But now it was like he was watching an entirely different girl. Aria smiled the first hed seen all day and said something to the dog as she scratched the top of his massive head. Nathanial was too far away to hear what, but he did hear her laugh when the dog licked her face.

Then before Nathanial could decide what to make of this, Aria slung an arm over the dogs great neck and the odd pair turned and walked in the direction opposite of Nathanial. The boy blinked after them. Theyre leaving? He thought. Just like that? No grown ups or nuthin? The girl and the dog walked on, unaware of the boys shock, no grown ups or nuthin. Now this was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Usually the idea of following some strange girl and her peculiar dog wouldnt have even entered Nathanials head. It was justwell, Aria was a very strange girl and that was a very peculiar dog. The idea of not following them tasted like old oatmeal in Nathanials mouth. Cold, slightly slimly, and painfully boring. Nathanial peered quickly to his left, and then just as quickly to his right and, seeing nothing to stop him, hopped off his bench, swung his bag over one shoulder, and high tailed it after Aria and her peculiar dog as sneakily as he could.

Chapter Two The Rickety Old House

Nathanial wasnt sure what Aria would do if she saw him following her, so he hung back, staying out of the girls sight as much as possible. He stayed behind corners, ducked behind car wheels, and twice dove into the same bush when Aria gave an unexpected twist to peer silently over her shoulder. Nathanial was still pulling pointy leaves out of his hair when Aria and her dog turned off the sidewalk into the yard of a very old, very rickety, house. The boy waited another moment before darting over to where he had seen the girl standing last. At first he wasnt sure how she had gotten in, since it was quite obviously not Arias house. The wood of the house was old and rotting and gave off that peculiar sour, wet smell that comes with freshly mulched playgrounds. There was no more glass in the windows except for the odd triangular piece that had remained jammed in the frame when the window had been broken. The frames had been white once, the boy thought as he looked for a way in, and the house itself had been bright red if the flaking, peeling, rust red paint still clinging around the doorframe was anything to go by. There had once been a white picket fence too, Nathanial saw, but ivy had long since covered that, although that was probably after the sun had prematurely aged its bright white paint. Definitely not her house, Nathanial said to himself as he stood outside, definitely nobodys house. He had no idea how right he was. It took some searching, but Nathanial eventually found the loose ivy that hid the brake in the fence Aria must have crawled through. Nathanial crouched down and peered through the broken pickets to the other side. The lawn was just as brown and shabby as the house was, but he could hear Aria laughing from the backyard, so he knew she had to be here somewhere. A burst of happy dog laughter only confirmed his suspicions. There was a brief struggle between boy and ivy, but then the annoying plant let go of Nathanials ankles so suddenly that he tumbled through the hole head over heels with a shout. He somersaulted quite unwillingly across the prickly brown lawn until finally coming to a stop against the side of the house with a breath stealing, Oof! It took Nathanial a minute to realize that the reason the world was upside down was because he had landed on his head with his legs leaned up against the side of the broken down house.

He tried to lift a hand to his head to keep it from spinning, missed his head, and clocked himself in the chin instead. Epic fail... the boy thought just as a pair of skinny, dirt stained legs appeared in front of him. Hey! A high pitched voice came from somewhere above him. What are you doing here? Nathanials legs finally slid off the side of the house and landed with a thump on the brown grass, dragging the rest of his body behind them. The boy groaned softly and held his head, but Aria remained unmoved by his aching crown. It was his own dang fault for following her down here anyway. The girl propped small fists on equally small hips and glared at this intruder. Well? She demanded angrily. Well what? Nathanial snapped back, finally righting himself all the way. Arias glared deepened. Well what are you doing here? She shouted at him. Nathanial waited until he was back on his feet before giving her a scowl of his own and answering, rather loudly as well, Me? What about you? What are you doing here? And, he glanced around at the rickety old house again, only now thinking that however owned this place probably didnt want two kids yelling on their front lawn, whose house is this anyway? He hissed, keeping his voice down. Aria blinked at him, though her scowl remained in place. Its Nobodys house. She told him, lowering her voice as well. Nathanial snorted and rolled his dark gray eyes. Well obviously, he grumbled, feeling very put out. Not only did he have to go to a new school, in a new state, with a crazy girl as his tour guide, but now his head hurt too. Aria, however, had a rather different reaction to Nathanials sour mood. Oh! She cried in utmost excitement, scowl vanishing from her face. Youre a friend of Mister Nobodys? Well why didnt you say so? Before Nathanial could ask the girl just what, exactly, she was talking about now, Aria grabbed his wrist and yanked him forward. Hey! Nathanial cried, nearly tripping over a rock that was half buried in the hard ground, Hey girl! Whatre you- pfft! - he spit out the mouthful of leaves hed gotten from a low laying tree limb, -what are you doing?! Aria apparently didnt hear him because she just pulled him faster. Oh he is going to be so glad to see you! So little of his friends come to see him now since theyre all off seeing Somebody or Other instead! Now come on! Hurry up! Nathanial shot a very unnerved look at the back of Arias head. Yyoure crazy!! He shouted. No wonder nobody talks to you at school!

Aria half turned and quirked a light brown eyebrow at him. Whatre you talking about? The teachers dont like it when Nobody comes to school, so he stopped. Nathanial just stared at his anti-social school guide. Distantly he realized his mouth was hanging open. Aria dragged him around to the back of the house, still going on about how she had been having such a nice chat with Mister Nobody. Magnus! Aria suddenly called as soon as she rounded the corner, Nathanial half hidden behind her. Magnus look who came to tea! Its that boy I told you about from school today. Hes friends with Mister Nobody too! Isnt that funny? She asked someone Nathanial couldnt see. Nathanial was just glad that she finally slowed down and dropped his arm. The boy rubbed his sorely abused wrist and shot the girl a sharp look, but she only smiled at him, clearly very pleased that Mister Nobody had more friends then just her and this Magnus fellow. Leaving off his glare, Nathanial stepped out from behind the girl to see just who he was being introduced to now. It was not who he had expected to say the least. Before him stood a little round table with only three legs instead of its original four. A white lacy cloth had been thrown over the top, but Nathanial thought that it must have been a lace curtain in another life. On top of the table-curtain, a surprisingly well matched china tea set sat in the middle of the haphazardly leaning table. Great, Nathanial thought, rolling his eyes up in a struggle for patience, a tea party. How girly. But even a tea party dis-enthusiast like Nathanial could clearly see that the table had three place settings. One, set in front of a hastily pushed back chair with a half eaten cookie on the little china plate, probably belonged to Aria, Nathanial thought. The second place obviously belonged to her dog, who was sitting directly in front of the place and cup to Arias left, his great dull pink tongue lolling amiably over the side of his muzzle. The boy briefly noticed that there were no cookies on the dogs plate, although there was a suspicious amount of dog slobber that told what had happened to them. The third and final plate and cup was untouched, slightly dusty, and the chair behind it was distinctly empty. Nobodys place of course. Nathanial resisted the urge to back away slowly. Great, he thought again, just great! She really is crazy! But there was no escaping now as Aria turned to her great dog with a smile. Magnus, this is Nathanial Hawthorne. Nathanial, this is my dear friend Magnus the Great, but you can just call him Magnus.

Before Nathanial could try and think of what he could even say to something like that, Magnus padded over and curiously stuck his wet nose in the boys face, sniffing him earnestly. Immediately the boy froze. It wasnt that he didnt like dogs they had had three back home, but only Thomas Susie Q had come with them when theyd moved but he was very respectful of them. Especially big dogs like Magnus that had teeth the size of daggers. Nathanial was very conscious of those big white teeth hidden away in the dogs muzzle as Magnus sniffed his face, his collar, and the top of his head, and then snorted out a breath of air that ruffled the boys hair and reminded him of half eaten kibble. For what felt like forever, Magnus looked at Nathanial with his bright, discerning eyes. Only now that he was this close to the great dog did Nathanial see how very blue his eyes were. Like two pieces of sky that had gotten trapped in snow drift. Those blue eyes bored into Nathanial, and he resisted the urge to fidget. Maybe Magnus didnt like him. Maybe he thought he smelled funny. MaybeNathanial abruptly laughed as Magnus tongue left a wide, wet streak down the side of his face. It appeared Magnus liked him after all. Feeling happier then hed felt since leaving Montana, Nathanial grinned at the dog and carefully scratched his ruff. Magnus just licked him again before his tongue took up its usual place hanging out of the side of his mouth. And this here, Aria continued once boy and dog were happily acquainted, is Mister Nobody. She waved an arm in the general direction of the third chair. Now Nathanial really didnt know what to say. What was he supposed to do? Say hello to an empty chair? It was either that or remind Aria that she was insane again. But that would make the second time since hed gotten here and that sounded just rude. So, gritting his teeth, Nathanial turned towards the empty chair and said as politely as he could, Itsvery nice tomeet you Mister- No! Aria suddenly cried, breaking off Nathanials introduction to the chair, Thats Mister Nobody! She threw an arm past Nathanial towards the rickety old house, which was what she had actually been pointing at before. Nathanial turned and saw, with no small amount of surprise, that there was a door set in the side of the house. And a closed door at that. But that wasnt stopping the pale man from coming through it with a tray of cookies in his hands.

Chapter Three Mister Nobody

Nathanial gaped at the man coming towards them. Not only was there really a Mister Nobody, but he actually had no body. Nathanial tried very hard not to scream at this realization. Aria either didnt notice or didnt care, because she just smiled at the old looking man and waved. Mister Nobody! Look whos come to visit! She cried, pointing at Nathanial. Its another of your friends. Mister Nobody looked up from his tray where he had carefully very carefully been making his way across the stunted brown grass towards the children. Nathanial saw that, true to his name, he had a very plain face not one youd ever be able to remember it was so plain looking. Already Nathanial was forgetting what Mister Nobody looked like. And he hadnt even turned away yet. It got slightly better as the man crept closer. He moved slower then a snail so Nathanial had a good amount of time to inspect this ghostly man whose hands shook so hard that the plates rattled against the silver tray like a rattle snake. Nathanial tried to remember that he had a very high, balding head with only three long hairs combed across it, and that he was stooped and wearing a colorless, old fashioned suit, or even that there was an absentminded emptiness in the older mans gray eyes but it was useless. As soon as the boy blinked he could no more remember what Mister Nobody looked like then he did his cousins nieces husbands uncles second wife looked like. Here Mister Nobody, let me take that for you. Aria offered, taking the tray of cookies form the rattling man and setting them down on the table for Magnus to inspect. And you sit here, remember? She said gently, taking the ghostly mans hand (Nathanial was surprised her hand didnt pass right through the old mans) and sitting him down in the before now empty chair. There you go, she said before talking Nathanial by the shoulder and doing much the same to him, And you sit here in Maggies seat since he never uses it anyway. She told him. There, she said brightly as she took her own seat, Magnus stealing cookies between her and the still flabbergasted Nathanial, thats much better. Now Mister Nobody, is there anything youd like to say to Nathanial? The semi-transparent man leaned forward across the table slightly, peering at the boy with his colorless eyes. Do I know you? He warbled in a soft, high voice, like an old rush bird.

Nathanial went still in his seat. Oh, no, he hadnt thought of this. If Aria hadnt liked finding him here, what would she say when she found out that Nathanial actually didnt know the strange Mister Nobody? And more importantly, what would she do to him? But again, Aria surprised him. She threw back her head and laughed at the mans question. Of course you do Mister Nobody! She told him. Youve just forgotten again. Comes with accidentally leaving your body behind in the Farlands, right Nathanial? She asked, turning towards him with a sweet smile. Uh Nathanial stuttered not sure what Aria was talking about, R-right. He sighed in relief when Aria turned back to their host. So Mister Nobody, have you heard from B yet about the jump? Nathanial discreetly raised an eyebrow at the old man and the girl. He doubted Mister Nobody could remember his own name, much less whatever make believe that Aria was talking about. But it appeared to be a day made for surprises, because Mister Nobody turned his creaky old neck Arias way and said, Why yes, he called just this morning, albeit it in very old, very slow words. Aria beamed and clapped her hands. Hooray! Its about time we got this adventure started. Ive been packed and ready for weeks! She exclaimed. What about you Mister Nobody? How is your adventure going? But Mister Nobody had returned to his intent peering at Nathanial. Are you sure I know you boy? He asked slowly, reminding Nathanial of his Nanas old wooden rocking chair, the one that creaked every time the rockers touched the floor. Aria was watching the pair of them now and Nathanial felt the uncomfortable sensation that he should answer the man. I-Im sure Idont know sir. He forced the words out. Arias eyebrows creased together a little, making Nathanial suddenly nervous. I mean, he said quickly, that Im sure I met somebody once, but I dont know if it was you or not Mister Nobody. It was the best he could think of on short notice. Mister Nobody snorted rather disdainfully as he slowly reached down and picked up his tea cup. Well of course that wasnt me, he said in his slow, meandering way. Nathanial and Aria watched as the half faded man carefully raised his tea cup to his mouth. Unfortunately though, his hands shook so much that tea slopped over the sides with every inch the cup traveled upward. By the time Mister Nobody tried to take a sip of his tea, there was nothing left to sip. Mister Nobody looked down rather sorrowfully at his empty cup before beginning its long descent to the table. Mister Somebody is my brother, he told the boy, and a very pompous one at that. He added.

Nathanial thought he could understand that. He had just opened his mouth to say that his middle brother Chris was like that too, when Aria cut him off. But you would have known that if you had really met either one of them, she said, watching Nathanial with one blue eye, and you havent, have you? Nathanials eyes flicked uncertainly from Aria, to Mister Nobody (who was spilling tea all over the table as he tried to pour some into his cup), to Magnus (who was more preoccupied with the cookies still in the middle of the table). The boy shrunk down into his chair. no, he finally said in a quiet voice. Mister Nobody didnt look up and Magnus was still too busy with the cookies he couldnt reach, but Aria looked livid. For a moment he thought she would yell at him. Her face certainly turned a bright enough red to justify it. But no. Instead she gave an indignant huff, adjusted her chair so that she wasnt facing Nathanial anymore, and crossed her arms angrily over her chest. I shoulda known a sissy-boy from Montana couldnt have known Mister Nobody, she said, nose tilted upwards in the air as she refused to look at Nathanial as she spoke, youre nuthin but a great big faker Nathanial Hawthorne. And Im not gonna tell you any more about my coming adventure. She told him resolutely. Two deafening barks from Magnus told them just what he thought about that. Well I dont care! Aria shouted as if she had understood what Magnus had said clear as if anybody else had said it. I dont want him to come and thats that! He shouldnt even know about it! She defended herself. Dont be cross Aria, Mister Nobody instructed slowly as he tried again to drink his tea, listen to your Magnus. Dogs are smarter then all of us put together, you know that. Then he grumbled somewhat sourly. At least they dont lose their bodies every time they come to Earth for a visit. Nathanial didnt even try and understand what that meant. But I dont want to take him! Aria told her dog firmly, but even she could hear the begging note in her voice. Magnus gave a rumbled deep in his chest by way of answer Tough luck. Mister Nobody translated for Nathanials benefit alone. Hes right, you need someone else to go with you. You cant rely on Magnus for everything while youre there. B will be with me. Aria argued. Unless, by some miracle, you actually find Star Home, then youll have to make the trip back all alone.

But he doesnt know anything! Aria whined. Much less about World travelin! She yelled. That got Nathanials attention. What? Like other planets? He asked, sitting up straighter in his chair, Thats so cool. Even Magnus stared at him this time. See?! Aria demanded, pointing an incriminating arm at the boy. So teach him. Mister Nobody said. It seemed he was a much tougher old see through man then Nathanial had first thought. Even if he did try and shake himself to pieces every few minutes. Hes got no idea what hes getting into! Aria tried. So? Nathanial suddenly spoke up, tired of people arguing about him like he wasnt even there. Three sets of eyes locked on to him, making Nathanial fidget. But hed started talking already so might as well go on He slouched back in his chair and managed to get his voice mostly under control. Just cause I dont exactly know what you guys are talking about doesnt mean Im stupid. You said youre going to different worlds, he looked at Aria, and after meeting him, he nodded at the surreal Mister Nobody, Im beginning to believe thats exactly what you meant. If youre not crazy anyways. He jabbed. Aria shot him a glare. And besides, Nathanial said, some of his anger leaking into his words now, its not like I wanted to be in this stupid town in the first place. Ive already moved halfway cross the country, he said, meeting each of their eyes in turn, whats a couple of worlds on top of that? For a long moment, they only stared at him, so he added, just to be clear, I want to go. Its gotta be more interesting then just sitting around this mud ball. Mister Nobody and Magnus slowly looked back at Aria. Magnus nudged his girls arm with his nose and gave a soft, Whuff. Even Nathanial understood the canine version of, I told ya so. Aria looked helplessly between Mister Nobody and Magnus, unaware that her mouth was hanging open. But-but! She tried. They remained unmoved. Ahhrg! Aria vented her frustration before flopping back in her chair and crossing her arms over her thin chest. She didnt say anything else as she glared at the brown grass on her other side. Somewhat awkwardly, Nathanial snuck anxious glances at the three of them. He hadnt quite understood what had just come over him, but oh well. Whats done was done. And he really did want to get out of this small town mud ball. After taking a noisy slurp of tea and seeing nothing that said his three companions were about to spill the beans, Nathanial said the first thing that popped into his head. So you two really arent any smarter then a dog? Oh yes, that made things so much better.

Aria gave Nathanial such a stare that he was sure being exposed to it had just made him immune to his Nanas stares for the rest of his life. Mister Nobody just gave another disdainful snort, but between you and me, Nathanial was much more frightened of Arias reaction than Mister Nobodys. No boy, the old man said slowly, going for his tea again, I meant that one dog is smarter then all of your humanity put together. How else could they jump so easily between worlds? He sniffed again and managed to slowly sip down the bare swallow of tea that had managed to survive the trip up. Nathanial shoved the new questions inspired by Mister Nobodys words to the back of the already lengthy line in his head. Im sorry, he said instead, but what happened to your body again? Aria muttered something under her breath before viciously biting the head off of a cookie shaped like a giraffe. Mister Nobody didnt say anything abut this reaction, so Nathanial decided not to either. Well, Mister Nobody said slowly, as if in resignation to the inevitable, if youre already going, which means youre already going to meet my brothers, then that means I might as well tell you what happened myself so they dont muck up the story on purpose. He frowned across the table. You see boy, the see through man said, drawing himself up just the tiniest bit taller, I used to be a very famous- he paused, absentminded gaze returning in stronger for a moment. Er, the old man turned toward Aria, what very famous thing did I used to be again Aria? The young girl resettled her arms over her chest and said, quite clearly, A scientist Mister Nobody, you used to be a very famous scientist. Oh, the fog behind Mister Nobodys eyes lifted slightly, oh, quite right. Quite right. Now, er, the fog returned again, in full, whos he again? He pointed a half seen finger at Nathanial. Your body Mister Nobody! Aria snapped. Mister Nobody looked over at Nathanial in surprise. Thats not my body Aria. He said, somewhat taken aback. No! The girl yelled. Tell him what happened to your body Mister Nobody! Oh, the old man said, right. Well, you see boy, I used to be a very famous scientist in my world- And what worlds that? Nathanial asked, quite keen to know now that he knew other worlds existed. Oh, its er Mister Nobody trailed off again. Automatically, both boys looked over at Aria.

It doesnt matter! The girl cried, quite fed up with this already and the story wasnt even really started yet. Besides, youre going to see it soon anyway, she groused under her breath. Nathanial stared uncertainly at her, but Mister Nobody just nodded sagely. Or at least, as sagely as a man who only half exists can. True enough, he said, now boy as I was saying I used to be a very fam- You said that part already, Aria muttered, propping her chin on a fist and idly toying with the sugar spoon. At this rate theyd never leave. Then before Mister Nobody could ask what part he had been at, Aria said, Just skip ahead to the experiment. Right, the experiment, Mister Nobody repeated, getting back into his story telling groove. Well back home, I had this brilliant hypothesis that I could world travel without, he held up a gnarled finger as if this was the really clever bit, the use of a travel stone. Thats the thing that lets you jump in the first place, Aria whispered to Nathanial without sounding too surly about needing to explain this time. Nathanial nodded and tried to keep all the different pieces to this very complex puzzle straight. So howd you world travel without this special stone? Nathanial asked Mister Nobody. I invented this machine, Mister Nobody said, whispering the words as if they were a highly guarded secret, that when you jumped through it, it drops you in the world you told it to send you to. He explained. Nathanial looked over at Aria. Jump through it? He asked. It looks like a fancy hula-hoop you put on the ground, hooked up to a special box that tells it what to do. Yes, well, Mister Nobody continued, sounding somewhat sheepish now, the problem was that when I jumped through the hoop, my body hit the ground and stopped, he gestured to his see-through self, and the rest of me didnt and kept going. So... Nathanial said slowly, thinking on this, the ground kept your body from going through the machine? Mister Nobody closed his colorless eyes and slowly nodded. Nathanial blinked, tried to bite his tongue, and failed. Well why didnt you just hang the hula-hoop in the air? Aria suddenly laughed, bad mood abruptly evaporating. I asked the same thing when he told me that story! Well its easy to say that when you already know the problem, now isnt it mister and missus smarty-pants? Mister Nobody drawled. Clearly being without a body by his own mistake was still a smack to his pride. The children just shared a look and tried not to laugh.

Anyway, Mister Nobody pressed on, eager to finish his story sooner now rather than later, my body is stuck back home and Im stuck here without the proper tools to reach it. Why doesnt Magnus just take you back? Nathanial asked. Magnus sniffed to show just what he thought about that idea. Mister Nobody anxiously twiddled his ethereal thumbs. I may have confused poor Magnus for a house cat when we first met. He mumbled. He didnt know much about Earth then. Aria told him. This made more sense to Nathanial then anything else theyd told him all afternoon. So you were sucking up with that whole dogs are smarter then all people thing. Before Mister Nobody could so much as squeak, somewhere a bell sounded. Everyone around the table stopped moving, although Nathanial was more caught off guard then anything else. The mellow, brassy note had a peculiar hum at its edge that made Nathanial think of something, but for the life of him he couldnt remember what. What was that? Nathanial whispered as the mellow note began to fall away. No one answered him. The other three remained still, heads tilted slightly to catch the sound better. Eventually the sound faded beyond their hearing. The new silence was broken by the clink of Mister Nobodys tea cup hitting its saucer. Time to go. He announced suddenly. What? Nathanial asked, startled, as Mister Nobody, Aria, and Magnus all rose from the table. Now? Of course now, Mister Nobody said as he began his slow, surreal shuffle towards his house. Didnt you hear the bell? Its now or never, so to speak. B-but, Nathanial stuttered, Im not ready! Oh, right, Mister Nobody said, slapping his fist into his palm in slow motion, Aria! Get him ready! Right! Aria answered as Mister Nobody continued to creep towards his house. So what do I need? Nathanial asked Aria as the girl came to stand in front of him, tapping her chin with one finger as she scrutinized him for the second time that day. Goggles? Nathanial asked when she didnt say anything. Clothes? Food? A radio? Mon-Mphff! What you need- Aria said over Nathanials muffled questions -is to get erg! rid quit squirming already! of this thing! Aha! She cried, triumphant as Nathanial finally pulled his head free of his sweater vest. He could only stare at Aria as she tossed the offending garment to the ground and dusted her hands in victory.

What? The girl asked when she caught sight of Nathanials staring. Thats your idea of getting ready? Changing my clothes? Your ugly clothes. Aria muttered. And if I had my way those shorts would join that plaid monstrosity in the mud. Nathanial looked down at his favorite pair of shorts. But these were the only things I got to pick out for myself. He mumbled. Aria gave an exaggerated shudder. And Im supposed to find Star Home with you? Such fun. What about food and supplies and all that stuff? Nathanial asked, getting back on track. Aria waved a hand dismissively. Were getting all that in Midtown. Clothes, food, everything; you can find all that and then some. Now, she clapped her hands decisively, help me with the sled. Nathanial stare at her back as she moved towards the garage. Sled? He asked weakly. What sled? ~ Ah, Nathanial thought several moments later, that sled. Before him sat a pristine, cherry red dog sled, all made of wood from the polished hand rails to the sled runners. Standing at the front of the sled stood an immensely proud Magnus. Aria had already hooked her dog into the leather harness and was now double checking all of the ties and buckles. Youll have to sit in the sleigh part with the backpacks, she was saying as she pulled at a side strap to make sure it would lay straight and stay out of the way of Magnus large paws. There wont be room for you anywhere else. Nathanial just nodded dumbly. Sure, he said, only just now beginning to wonder just what hed gotten himself into. Aria gave a nod of her own. Okay, Magnus, youre good. Now, she said, looking up as Mister Nobody shuffled into the garage from the house holding a velvet bag carefully in both of his wrinkled, faded hands, I think were ready for the finishing touch. For the long moment it took Mister Nobody to cross the room, everyone was quiet with the force of the ceremony radiating from that dark purple bag. Nathanial watched with silent interest as the bodiless man solemnly held out the bag to Aria, who took it with equal feeling. Nathanial watched as Aria unwrapped the bag and carefully pulled out a strange, glowing stone strung on a thick black chord. For a moment, Aria let the glowing blue stone hang in mid air. It was small, about the size of Nathanials front canine, and very pretty. Nathanial could just make out bits of gold twinkling out of the deep blue glow.

My friend B gave this too me. Aria said a she slid the black chord over Magnus head mindful of his floppy triangular ears. The glow of the stone was immediately swallowed up by his thick fur. Mister Nobodys been looking out for it for me until I was ready to leave. Travel stone? Nathanial asked. Aria nodded as she rubbed Magnus broad head. Dogs can jump to different worlds all on their own, she told him, but usually its by sending their mind ahead of their body. Like Mister Nobody? Nathanial asked. Aria shrugged, Yeah, except they do it on purpose. She smiled. Mister Nobody wilted around the edges, his lines disappearing into mist. Thats why you see dogs running in their sleep sometimes. Their real self is off chasing squirrels in another world. Nathanial cocked his head. There are other world squirrels? Mister Nobody heaved a much put upon sigh. Squirrels exist in every world, he said dolefully, like a bad fact of life. Aria leaned her forehead to Magnus. But Maggie likes them, dont you boy? Magnus woofed happily. The bell toll returned then, vibrating through the air with its beautiful, portent note. It could have just been his inexperienced ears, but Nathanial this toll sounded ominous, more urgent, then the last, as if it was telling them to hurry. Away! Mister Nobody suddenly cried. You must away! Time to fly or not at all! Arias eyes widened. Hurry Nat! Get in! Get in! Nathanial jumped into the body of the sled where their backpacks had already been lashed down. He tried to settle himself securely between the bags, gripping tight to the lines holding them down as Aria darted around the side of the red sled and firmly planted her feet on the runners. Alright Magnus! She shouted past the urgent bell tolling through her bones. You know where to go! Away! Mister Nobody was still calling, flapping his ghostly arms at the children. Away, you must away! Dont stray from the path and dont miss your mark! And most importantly, dont forget to tell B I said hello! He shouted. It was a good thing too, otherwise Nathanial wouldnt have heard him above the sudden wind noise. As soon as she had gotten her grip on the hand railing behind Nathanials head, Aria had shouted at Magnus to, Go Mags! Go! The dog had taken off, tossing Nathanial back against the wooden frame of the sled. The wind noise was incredible, more then youd think a dog to cause just by running. But Magnus was no ordinary dog. Even Nathanial could see that as they hopped a fence, sled and all, and continued their

mad dash across the empty miles of swamp land that stretched behind Mister Nobodys dilapidated old house. Faster and faster they ran, until trees became blurs and the ground became something flying underneath them. And then, when Nathanial was sure they could not possibly go any faster, Magnus leapt-and they were instantly swallowed up by an electric blue hole that spat golden bolts of lighting from its outside ring. Aria gave an unheard shout of glee. Nathanial gave a shout of horror and ducked his head as thunder cracked around them and a golden lightning strike sliced the air just above his head perfectly in two.