Jack Higginbottom and the Cave Dot Com

Jack Higginbottom

and the Cave

Dot Com

By

Eric Thomas

Smashwords Edition

Jack Higginbottom and the Cave Dot Com Copyright © 2011 by Eric Thomas

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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* * * * * *

Prologue

The boy ran through the dense forest his blood stained clothes in tatters, and the smell of fire clogged his nostrils. The cries of the invaders rang in his ears as they hunted for him, and his body stung from the many wounds he had endured Agh! he cried as an arrow pierced the air nicking his ear, and another trickle of warm blood flowed down his already blood spattered face.

A cry went up from somewhere behind him, and then a large thud as though someone had fallen off something. He threw himself down behind a fallen tree, but only just in time, as three evil looking Vikings appeared bearing axes Come out boy they roared.

So you take to fighting children now the knight sat astride a large black horse, and wielded a large heavy sword Well no more you Saxon dogs he sliced two of the Vikings down.

A third Viking threw his axe piercing the knight’s helmet, and splitting his head like a water-melon Now for you boy snarled the Viking retrieving the knights sword.

The boy cowered behind the log, and the shadow of the demon hovered above him What’s your name boy he growled.

Jack said the boy fearlessly.

Well Jack, it’s time to die he smiled showing teeth that were brown and decaying from eating to much raw meat Now get up he roared Do you hear me Jack, get up.

Jack get up the voice sounded different, and no longer sounded threatening Jack come on time to get up.

Jack rubbed his eyes sleepily, and sat bolt-upright Leave me alone he cried I’m not scared of you.

A soft hand gently stroked his mop of blonde hair You and your crazy dreams lad, I blame it on all those daft video games.

Oh granddad its you sighed Jack.

Chapter One

The Cave

Young Jack Higginbottom was born in Sydney, Australia in 1996, and had been orphaned at the tender age of six when his parents were tragically killed in a car accident. His father had been head-hunted in 1993 by a major advertising agency, and was made a senior partner in the firm shortly after his appointment. He met Amy Jack’s mother in 1995, and when she became pregnant they married in the January of 1996. Jack’s father had made several successful investments, and those along with his shares in the company had ensured Jack’s future would be financially secure. His grandparents had unselfishly stepped in following the tragedy, and had given him a home and all the love they could afford for a couple in their late sixties.

Jack was just like any other regular Fourteen-year-old boy, and if he wasn’t kicking a football he’d probably be climbing a tree. Academically he was a very bright and willing pupil, but school hours were also another opportunity to plan the next big adventure with his two mates Will and Charlie. So imagine the pleasant surprise his grandparents had when he told them he wanted to know something about history, and in particular local history. Maybe the idea of riding a white horse in a suit of armour, or shooting an arrow at an enemy archer appealed to him - whatever the reason John and Mary Higginbottom were not about to defuse the enthusiasm of their unpredictable grandson.

It was his grandfather who responded first to this unexpected request What you need lad is an istorical encyclopaedia he said in his quaint Lancashire accent. John & Mary Higginbottom had lived for all of their 60 plus years in a tiny village in North East Lancashire called Ireby, and Jack had embraced the change from a big city to a tiny country village warmly and affectionately. In fact he couldn’t imagine living any place else, and life was one big adventure after another.

Book’s uttered Jack Book’s are boring granddad, if I had a computer I could find lot’s of useful information on the Internet he said excitedly.

Computers, Internet blurted granddad I don’t understand any of those things, now when I were a lad.

Jack spread his arms out on the kitchen table, and lay his head on the sturdy wooden surface as if he’d fallen asleep.

Now then John interrupted Mary Higginbottom You’ll put the lad to sleep with all that talk of when you were a lad, this is the future and Jack needs to keep abreast with it she tussled Jack’s mop of Blonde hair in a loving kind of grandma way.

We have a computer at school now grandma Jack had come to life again with a new glimmer of hope It’s fantastic, and I’m really good on it he said enthusiastically You ask Will and Charlie.

Yip, yip, yap went the little Brown & White Yorkshire Terrier.

See laughed Jack Stinky agrees as well.

They all started to laugh, and then his grandma said Don’t worry Jack, Granddad and me will take you into Lancaster on Saturday and buy you your computer.

YES! cheered Jack jumping up from the table, and punching the air I have to go and tell Will and Charlie the good news. With that he ran out into the small front garden, with stinky yapping at his heels.

* * * * * * *

William John Barker and Charlotte Claire Jones were the best friends Jack had in the whole world. Will was the son of the village postmaster, and lived with his parents in the small village post office directly across the road from Jack’s cottage. Will had a mop of bright Red hair, and a mass of freckles to match. He was a rough and tumble kind of boy, and a bit of a daredevil. He’s the one that used to tie a tablecloth around his neck, and jump off the garden shed to see if he could fly like superman.

Charley was the daughter of the school principal, and was probably the most intelligent of the bunch. She was a typical Thirteen-year-old tomboy who preferred playing action heroes to drooling over the latest fashion craze, and often accompanied her father on his favourite pastime of caving. Her light Brown hair was always tied in two pigtails, and her favourite clothes were Blue jeans and a Red check shirt.

‘Clang, clang’ went the bell above the post office door as Jack burst in Steady on lad smiled John Barker You’ll have the door off it’s hinges if your not careful.

Sorry Mr Barker panted Jack But I have something really important to tell Will.

Jack, what is it said Will excitedly rushing into the shop from their living quarters.

Jack glanced quickly at Mr Barker in a secretive sort of way, and then said, We have to go and get Charlie first, and then I can tell you both.

Will looked across at his father One hour, and then I want you home he said.

They raced down the street to the Black & White House where Charlie lived, with stinky close on their heels. Charlie was riding her bike in the front garden when they got there Charlie yelled Jack We have to go to the cave; I have a big secret to tell you. All top-secret stuff was discussed there, and the cave was the inner sanctum of their magical world. They skipped across the field behind Charlie’s house excitedly, and entered the small forest making their way carefully along the winding path. They stopped at a collection of large boulders, and checked for intruders before proceeding into the gap between the large stones. Even though it was a light summer afternoon, the cave inside was quite dark. Will took one of the oil lamps down from the wall, and lighting the wick he carefully hung it back on its nail. Their shadows made an eerie picture on the wall of the cave, and they sat on their makeshift furniture – orange box chairs & tea chest table.

What’s the big secret Jack? said Will excitedly.

Grandma & Granddad are going to buy me a computer on Saturday said Jack. Wills face looked disappointed So what snapped Charlie I’ve got a computer it’s not really that special is it.

Jack sighed and ran his fingers through his hair Yes it will be special he put his hand up to stop Charlie interrupting him Listen, I’m going to get one of those small notebook computers, I can carry it in my bag and bring it here he smiled.

Yes, shouted Will Then we can do secret stuff in the cave on the computer.

Like what Charlie sounded cynical

Maybe we can find out more about where we live, and who lived here hundreds of years ago, replied Jack.

But we can do that now on my computer said Charlie gloomily.

Charlie snapped Jack What about parents, and your dad’s the headmaster it would be just like being at school. Jack sighed heavily before continuing. We might even find information about the caves, there could even be secret tunnels…

Or treasure interrupted Will excitedly.

Whooo! mocked Charlie Sounds exciting…

There was a scratching, and a rustling noise somewhere at the back of the cave that interrupted their discussion.

Wh…what was that? stammered Will.

The scratching and rustling was followed by a loud clunk, and a yip... yip... yip. Then stinky burst into view with his head stuck inside an old can. They’d forgotten about him, and he’d been scavenging at the back of the cave.

Oh Stinky laughed Jack It looks as if you’ve found treasure already and they all ran from the cave laughing loudly, with stinky yapping behind them.

* * * * * *

The man in the store smiled gently as Jack’s grandad explained that he new nothing about computers, but he wanted a compact, yet versatile one that his grandson could use to further his education. "Have you heard of a notebook Pentium?

Jack shook his head, and stared vaguely at the salesman.

He plucked what appeared to be a small notepad from beneath the counter, flipped open the lid and switched it on This is a jetbook II with 80gb of ram… and he went into his sales speech.

Something else had caught Jack’s eye in the counter display, and his granddad gave him a nudge Listen up lad, you know more about these thing’s than me.

What’s that one there he said eagerly, pointing at the bright yellow computer in the display.

Ah! smiled the salesman. He replaced the jetbook II, and took out the bright yellow one Merlin he said holding it out like some prize trophy.

Merlin repeated Jack quizzically.

Merlin sighed the salesman You know after the wizard, King Arthur and the Knight’s of the round table and all that.

Jack just stared at him with a vague expression on his face.

Anyway continued the salesman This is one of a kind, the most intelligent pocket pc on the market he pressed a button and the small screen lit up displaying the windows icon. It has Internet connection with no time restrictions and unlimited downloads, microphone & speakers built in, and micro-lithium batteries that never need re-charging.

Wow gasped Jack That’s brilliant, but I wish the screen was bigger.

Hah!! exploded the salesman; this was the moment he had been waiting for, time to play his ace card come with me young man. He led Jack and his bewildered grandparents off into a small dark storeroom at the back of the store. Closing the door he pointed Merlin at the wall, and pressed another button. A powerful beam of light from the tiny computer lit up the wall, and the windows icon filled the wall like a small cinema screen. What do you want to know about young man the salesman had already begun the Internet connection, and the noise from the modem appeared to disturb Jack’s granddad.

English History answered jack Especially around this part of England.

The salesman typed the words English history-Lancaster into the search engine, and pressed the search button. In a matter of seconds a whole list of web sites appeared on the far wall, and he clicked on one of them. There we are he smiled Everything you need to know about this ancient city.

I and how much is that going to cost us asked Granddad cynically.

Well it is top of the range sir, replied the salesman So it will be about four times as much as the notebook I showed you

I thought as much we’ll take the other…

Granddad please interrupted Jack before he had time to finish his sentence This one’s so much better for me he pleaded I can carry it around in my backpack, and I can be starting my homework on the school bus and then he played his ace card Dad would want me to have it.

John Higginbottom let out a big mournful sigh, but it was his wife Mary who spoke up He’s right John, its part of his inheritance to further his education

* * * * * *

The train journey home turned out to be quite educational for Jack’s grandparents, and even his granddad was warming to the trickery of this magical little machine See granddad enthused Jack It tells you about Ireby, we had Vikings here once.

Get off with you lad, gasped granddad, as he read the words on the small screen in absolute amazement. Ireby had history dating back to the Doomsday book, and beyond. Its rugged landscape was notorious for its many caverns, and was a popular location for weekend cavers. The current population was a mere 200, and it consisted only of the village shop, the Stags Head Inn, several small farms, and the post office.

Jack leapt from the taxi as it pulled up outside their cottage, and stinky ran to the gate excited to see his friend I’m going to show Will and Charlie he shouted excitedly, opening the gate for stinky.

You be careful then lad that cost a lot of money, shouted granddad caringly And be back home by 4.30, that’s half an hour you’ve got.

But Jack had already disappeared into Wills shop Come on John stop fussing, I need a cup of tea and his wife led him into the house.

Charlie, Charlie they yelled as they approached their friend’s house.

I’m up here came the faint reply.

They looked up and saw Charlie looking down from the tree house in the boughs of the large oak Come on Charlie, we’re going to the cave yelled Will.

They entered the dark inner sanctum of the cave, and Will made to light the lantern. No wait Jack stopped him, and switching on the pocket pc, he aimed it at the far wall. Immediately the wall lit up with the bright logo, and Jack connected to the Internet.

Brilliant whooped Will

That’s awesome Jack, gasped Charlie.

Jack showed them the information he had found for Ireby, and then showed them all the different web sites on local history This is brill repeated an over excited Will I want to do somersaults.

Well why don’t you then said Charlie

Err. Because I can’t he laughed.

Shush shouted Jack Look at that, it wasn’t there before.

Look at what said Will.

There, in that list of web sites he pointed aimlessly in the dark The only one in the Red writing.

They all stared at the name in the unusual Red writing the Cave Dot Com

Charlie began to type www.thecave.com and received an error message saying this page cannot be found.

Type it in the way it’s written said Charlie.

Jack typed the words the Cave Dot Com and the image on the wall went very dark. There was a kind of smoky appearance, and a faint red glow. They stared at the wall as the smoke swirled like a morning mist in the forest I d..don’t like this she said nervously.

Then from the tiny pc a voice was heard Och what are you doing with that fire Dot, you’re making it far too smoky in here complained the cranky old voice.

I put some wet wood on by mistake came the reply, and then as if he didn’t want this part to be heard he said Sorry oh mighty Com, your majesty, your holiness, big grumble bum.

Eh! What was that? said the grumpy voice, in a soft Scottish accent speak up and stop mumbling you silly little man.

Jack pressed a switch Hello who’s there he said.

What are you doing? asked Charlie curiously, Will just stood behind Jack with his mouth wide open.

It’s got a built in microphone, said Jack.

And you think whoever it is can here you replied Charlie disbelievingly.

Who said that? replied the cranky old voice, Dot are you playing silly games again.

Jack scrolled down the page, and a faint image appeared through the smoke. L…Look said Will there’s someone there.

It’s an old man, said Charlie excitedly And look over there near the fire there’s a little Troll.

I heard that, said the tiny man I’m not a Troll I’m a mighty Trazy.

Trazy, your crazy said the grumpy old man Who do you think you’re talking to you silly wee midget.

Who are you? said Jack.

Will you stop doing that Dot? snapped the old man getting grumpier by the minute.

Doing what he replied.

Throwing your voice said the old man.

It’s not his voice interrupted Jack It’s mine, Jack Higginbottom.

Jack Higginbottom repeated the old man What’s a Jack Higginbottom he turned and faced the little man he called Dot What kind of wood have you been burning; I think it’s giving me nightmares and I’m still awake.

Jack scrolled down the page to the bottom, and there he noticed a button that said Enter - pointing the arrow at the button he clicked. A loud rumbling noise was heard that sounded like a heavy door closing, and the smoke got thicker.

What have you done? said Charlie nervously, and they all huddled together.

I don’t know, replied Jack, But I think we have a fire in the cave the smoke was all around them now, and the smell of burning damp wood filled their nostrils.

Jack quickly switched of his computer, but the smoke lingered in the cave We’d better get out of here he said hastily, and then he felt a small hand touch his leg Agh!!! he screamed Agh!! screamed Charlie and Will as they all ran for the cave entrance.

Chapter Two

Dot Com

They stopped dead in their tracks at the cave entrance; a large rock had rolled across the opening and trapped them inside the cave. The three friends looked at each other We can’t get out, and there’s a fire in the cave said Charlie What are we going to do there was a tear in the corner of her eye.

I’m sorry about the fire it’s Dot’s fault came the voice from behind.

They turned and faced the old man who was wearing a long Red robe. His Silver hair hung low beneath his shoulders, and his long silver beard sat neatly upon his chest.

Wh…who are you?" asked Jack.

My name is Com he was interrupted by a yapping noise, they’d forgotten about stinky. He suddenly appeared from the back of the cave, yapping at the heels of the little man who leapt into the arms of Com And this is Dot gasped Com - promptly dropping him You silly little man, it’s only a hairy rat.

It’s a dog replied Jack, offended by the reference to a rat He’s called stinky.

Pooh! What’s that awful smell said Dot holding his nose.

That’s why he’s called stinky, said Jack He gets nervous.

Where are you from asked Com And what are those strange clothes you’re wearing.

We live here in Ireby answered Jack And we’ve never seen you in our cave before.

We’ve lived in this cave for ten years, when we took refuge from the Krong's