Michael Thunder: The Thunder Trials

Michael Thunder

The Thunder Trials

J. Arthur Reliford

Brighton Publishing LLC

435 N. Harris Drive

Mesa, AZ 85203

www.BrightonPublishing.com

ISBN13: 978-1-62183-485-4

Copyright © 2018

eBook

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Cover Design: Tom Rodriguez

All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. The characters in this book are fictitious and the creation of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to other characters or to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher or copyright owner.

Acknowledgements

First and foremost I would like to thank my children for their inspiration that gave me the imagination to write. My daughter Jailyn Reliford, my son Joseph Reliford, my son John Reliford Jr., my daughter Jaleena Vason, and last but not least the newest edition to our family my bonus son Michael White II.

I would like to thank my family who has seen the writer inside me for so many years and encouraged me to allow the world to read my stories. My mother Willie Morrow for reading over my work and giving me feedback, and my brother Alan Reliford who is also my best friend.

Thank you to my beautiful fiancé Barbara Jiles. She has been my rock and always pushing me to become great. For the motivation to press on and not give up. For seeing in me what I couldn’t at times. Thank you for believing in me, investing in us and our future. And thank you in advance for the many years to come.

I would also like to thank all of my family, friends and those not mentioned for their support and words of encouragement to continue writing and not give up on my dream. And everyone else that dared to dream with me along this journey.

Chapter One

A Penny for Your Thoughts

It all started one cold and rainy night. It was a terrible storm, and the power at the orphanage was out. Because there was no electricity for the heaters, the children slept in the lunchroom on the floor near the fireplace. As they were settling in for the night, they suddenly heard a knock at the door.

AAAAIIIIEEEEE! all the kids screamed.

QUIET, ALL OF YOU! Miss Ratcliff shouted as she turned to them so they could see the mean look on her face.

It sounds like someone is trying to break the door down, she said as she walked toward the door. The children could hear the door opening. It was quiet at first but soon they heard footsteps coming down the hall. A little girl lying closest to the door whispered from across the room, Be quiet; we’re going to get in trouble!

Miss Ratcliff walked into the room, but she was not alone. There beside her was a scared little boy with nothing but a blanket covering his torn shirt, jeans with holes in them, and a thermos in his right hand. He had no shoes, and his feet were shriveled up as if he had been walking in water for hours. He just stood there shaking as he was looking around the room.

Ok tell me your name so I can go on with my night, Miss Ratcliff said, as she bent over looking him in the eyes.

My name is Michael. I don’t know my last name, he whispered under his breath.

How can you not know your last name? she asked in a growling voice.

At that very moment, the Thunder made a loud clap so loud you could feel the building shake. Michael clinched his blanket as he pulled them over his head.

Well from now on we will just call you Michael Thunder. Because you seem to respond to that pretty good.

Miss Ratcliff began to laugh. Ha-ha-ha-ha as she snarled. Ok just find a place on the floor to sleep,

Michael tried to get close to the fireplace because he was freezing, but the older kids surrounded it leaving no room.

Don’t even think about it squirt. Go to the back of the room with the little kids, said Aaron, as he pushed Michael back to keep him from getting near him. Aaron was nothing more than a big bully. He teased and picked on the smaller kids all the time. Michael walked to the back of the room and curled up in a ball in a corner. He was holding his feet trying to warm them because his blanket was still wet.

P-s-s-s-s-s-t A voice whispered trying to get Michael’s attention.

He didn’t move. He was fast asleep and freezing on the floor. It was a girl that was a little older than he was. She moved closer to him and took his cold, wet blanket and gave him one of hers. Then she put her socks on his feet to warm them up faster. The next morning when she awoke, Michael was sitting beside her with his arms wrapped around his legs and his chin on his knees as he watched her sleeping.

What are you doing? she asked as she frowned. She was a little creeped out by Michael being so close.

I didn’t know where to go, and all the other kids left before I woke up. I’m sorry if I scared you, said Michael with a sad look on his face.

You didn’t scare me, kid; you creeped me out. Nothing scares me! V said as she stood up looking him in the eyes.

I’m hungry. When do we eat here? Michael asked as he looked around the room trying to figure out where to go.

As Miss Ratcliff walked into the room and spoke to V Looks like you have recruit duties. Take Michael to the boy’s hall and assign him a bed. Then show him around. Then you can eat.

Come on; I don’t have all day, try and keep up. When I say move, you move. In fact, don’t do anything unless I say so you got it? V said.

Yes, I got it, Michael said under his breath.

And another thing, stop looking so scared. If you keep that up all the kids in here will pick on you for as long as you are here. You have to be tough in a place like this.

Michael raised his head up and extended his arm and hand. I’m Michael, pleased to meet you.

She smiled but didn’t shake his hand. Let’s go eat Michael. I’m hungry, and you need some new clothes. I’m Valerie, but around here everyone calls me V, She muttered as she turned to walk away.

And you might want to lose that thermos kid. If the big kids see you clinching to that thing, you’re going to get it. You might as well be carrying a doll because that’s how they are going to treat you. If they see you have something they take it. Not because they want it. They’ll do it to break you. But don’t worry kid just stick with me and I’ll show you the ropes.

Days passed, and Michael and V had become closer. The older kids didn’t like that she was always with him taking care of him and protecting him. So Aaron decided to test Michael the moment she left him alone which wasn’t often. They wanted to see how far she would go. V knew the rules, and rule number one was that the older kids ruled. And rule number two, was the older kids take what they want from the smaller kids no questions asked.

Hey, you little squirt! Aaron Yelled, while three other boys stood behind him laughing.

This is going to be good, said, Billy, as he stood behind Aaron pounding his fist into his hand.

Time to pay up, you’ve been here living for free long enough, Jake said, as he pushed Michael back up against the wall.

Pay you for what? Michael replied while pinned against the wall.

What do you think punk, for protection? Jake answered as he thumped Michael on the forehead.

Protection from what?

Michael frowned trying to break free of Jake’s hand. Aaron then grabbed Michael’s shirt with both hands and lifted Michael off the floor.

You’ve been here almost a month, so that’s about four missed payments. So each of us will pick a day, and on that day you will give us your dessert, and don’t tell V or else she gets it to.

Aaron then threw Michael to the floor hard.

T-H-U-D!

Michael’s head hit the floor and he wasn’t moving at all.

Hey get up kid, stop faking it. Playing hurt won’t get you out of paying us what you owe.

Billy yelled as Michael just laid there.

Come on, let’s get out of here before someone sees us, Aaron said as he and the others started to run off when they bumped into V.

Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! they all laughed as they were passing her in the hall. V knew something was wrong. Jake had Michael’s thermos, and she knew Michael was never without it. So she ran to his room to check on him. She found him unconscious on the floor.

Help! Help! Someone get Miss Ratcliff, She screamed. Don’t worry Michael everything is going to be ok.

Everyone started running into the room to see what all the yelling was. Soon Miss Ratcliff arrived, and she carried Michael to the nurse’s office.

He is going to need a doctor, said the nurse that greeted her. Her name was Nurse Anne. V stood at the door watching and waiting for Michael to wake up. Sadly, he just lay there. Miss Ratcliff came out of the nurse’s office, and saw V backed up against the wall.

With an angry look Miss Ratcliff said I thought I told you to watch over that kid. Now I have to call the doctor and have the state come in here and get in my business.

It was Aaron and the other boys that hang around with him. I saw them as they ran away laughing. Jake even had Michael’s thermos in his hand as they ran by, V attempted to explain, but Miss Ratcliff frowned and angrily grabbed her by her arms.

Listen up; you didn’t see anything, you got that! Michael falling was an accident, as far as anyone else knows he fell out of bed. And if anyone asks, that’s what you’re going to tell them.

Miss Ratcliff began shaking V as she yelled and threatened her. Her grip was getting tighter and tighter by the minute.

You’re hurting my arm, Cried V as she tried to break away from her powerful grip. Miss Ratcliff was very strong for a lady. She stood six feet tall and weighed two-hundred pounds, and once she had a hold on you, there was no getting away.

I can see you’re going to be one of those troublemakers. You come with me. I have a nice quiet place for you until all of this blows over, Miss Ratcliff growled as she took V to the laundry room and locked her in the supply closet. You won’t be causing any problems in here. Just keep your mouth shut, and this will all be over soon.

V heard the padlock click, so she knew Miss Ratcliff wasn’t taking any chances on her getting out. Three days passed, and V was still locked in the closet. Later that same day Aaron and his friends came to the supply closet where V was locked up, and Aaron reminded V of the rules.

You know what happens to snitches, don’t you? So for your sake and the sake of the new kid. Just keep your mouth shut, unless you want trouble.

V was furious and began kicking the door. Aaron when I get out of here I am coming for you, she said