Beyond: Snillotia Trilogy Book One by Donna Wagner (books you have to read TXT) 📕

trying to get a grasp on magic really existing. “This staircase is mostly for my benefit, so I do not have to chance being disconnected from my world,” Goldie explained.

Everyone nodded in understanding. Adam looked at his watch. His eyes widened as he saw that it was almost 2 in the morning. “I’m sorry. We need to get back to sleep. We have to go to work tomorrow. It will be hard enough explaining so many visitors and how our house doubled in size overnight!” Adam explained.

“Just say it’s been a long work in progress. Make whoever is asking the question feel like they are the ones who missed something if they only just noticed it now,” Grandpa Mit advised.

Adam nodded and he and Myra left the room. “I think they have the right idea. If we want to seem like we belong here and nothing is unusual, tomorrow needs to be as normal as possible. This means school for the three of you, so off to bed everyone!” Grandma An said.

“Three?” Retep questioned, but realizing he wouldn’t be getting out of it, he sighed, “I guess just call me Peter, then.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Tim slammed his hand down on the alarm clock, which was blaring from his bedside table. He groaned as he sat up in bed rubbing his eyes. He looked around his room for a moment, and then remembered everything that happened the night before. The more he thought about it, the more he wondered if it had actually happened, or if it had been a dream. Before he could find out, the door to his bedroom flew open and his cousin barged into the room.

“I need clothes if I am to become Peter,” he announced.

“You can borrow clothes; let me see if I have any old stuff,” he paused, seeing the distain on Retep’s face, “Do you have a problem with my old clothes? Newer clothes won’t fit you. If you haven’t noticed, I’m about half a foot taller and a whole lot wider than you are. My new clothes will be too big. “Peter” would instantly be shunned for looking like a geek!”

Retep frowned, and then shrugged. “Fine, if that is the truth. Give me whatever will make me not a g-geek,” he stated, stumbling over the last word, “A geek is bad?”

Tim grinned. “It depends. There’s no way to explain high school to you with as little time as we have. You’ll just have to wait and see.”

Tim found some old clothes in the back of his closet and threw them to his cousin. “Here, these should fit you ok. You’ll look like you’re from this world, at least.”

Retep looked down at the clothes he was wearing. He didn’t see anything wrong with what he had on, but it was very plain, compared to the bright colors on the shirt Tim had given him. “I understand there is not a lot of time to prepare me, but could you explain a little?”

Tim thought for a moment. “Forget about the other kids for right now. It’s the adults that will probably be paying the most attention to you today. Remember your name is Peter. Most kids named Peter here are called “Pete” for short. Your last name here is Miller. So, keep repeating that to yourself. If someone asks your name, just say Pete Miller.”

“Pete Miller.”

“We’re keeping as close to the truth as possible. You’re my cousin. My last name here is Tollins, not Snillot.  You live with our grandparents. They’ve finally arrived back in this country. Adam and Myra are graciously letting everyone stay with them because I don’t really know my grandparents and they have to find somewhere to live in this country.”

It was a flimsy story, but it was as close to the truth that they could get. Maybe eventually, they all could really get a house of their own and leave Adam and Myra to live their lives, but for now, this had to work.  Retep left to change his clothes and Tim got ready as well. Soon he was downstairs, in the very crowded kitchen. After a quick breakfast, Tim, Anna, Retep, and Grandpa Cire left for the high school. It was a short walk, which was good, since Grandpa Cire didn’t know how to drive. In fact, he’d never seen a car before. He and Retep were quite amazed by them. “I must learn more about these marvelous machines!” Grandpa Cire exclaimed, “Are they hard to control?”

“I don’t know Grandpa. Even though everyone in this world thinks Anna and I are sixteen, Adam wouldn’t let us get our licenses. So, technically I’m not old enough to drive one, yet, though I will be on my next birthday.”

“Wonderful! We’ll all learn then together!”

Tim smiled, wondering how far Grandpa Cire would really take his interest in learning to drive. Before the conversation could continue, they’d arrived at the school. As they got closer and closer to the door of the building, Anna’s expression changed. Tim had wondered how she would act around him at school now, and it seemed she was worried about the same thing. He decided to help her out. “It’s okay. Go, find your friends. Find Nos-Jason.”

Anna gave him an odd look at his slip and disappeared into the crowd of kids hanging around the school, waiting for the first bell to ring. Tim led his cousin and grandfather to the office to get Retep enrolled at the school. “Good morning, Miss Potter!” he greeted the school secretary, “I’d like you to meet my grandfather, Eric Miller. He’s come to enroll my cousin in school. They’ve finally arrived.”

Miss Potter nodded, as the school was aware of Tim’s situation, though she still didn’t understand how it could take over two years to travel from one country to another in today’s world. “Nice to meet you, sir! Here are some forms you need to fill out for your grandson. You are his guardian, I presume?”

“Yes,