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Max Tuffin: Sparks Of Life!

 

I woke up in the morning and slowly alighted of my bed. I placed my feet on the cold timber floor. My cat, Butterscotch stretched and licked her paws.
I then heard a shout coming from my balcony. It was my brother Rick! He was climbing on a tall ladder about a floor away from my apartment room. He climbed onto my balcony and caused my petunias to plummet to the ground…. Oh I do hope they didn’t hit anyone

“What are you doing?” I asked in shock. “Climbing onto your balcony Max.” Exclaimed Rick. I was affronted! “Why are you here Rick?” I said.“Well, you see, my friend Luther had decided to give me a huge present. He gave me the Hethershire castle in New Creepton!” Rick shouted in excitement. “New Creepton? That place makes my hair stand on end.” I replied. New Creepton is a spooky place in the north of Blue Sunset Bay. I live right in the middle of Blue Sunset Bay. Rick ignored me. He knew the scaredy-cat I was. He grabbed a bag of and chewed them rudely in front of my face. He told me that he was planning a family reunion over there! I was upset.

No, it's not that I hate family reunions, it's that Rick planned something! Whenever Rick plans anything, it goes horribly wrong! Like the time we went to Hawaii and Rick planned the whole family a boat trip. He bought the wrong kind of wood to build the boats and the boats fell apart!
It was that moment when Rick realized he planned the trip in shark-infested waters. Don’t worry, nobody was hurt. Then I caught. a cold and spread it to everyone!

Another one of Ricks's failures is when we went to Switzerland during winter and Rick forgot to bring the coats (our family didn’t bring enough coats as Rick said it would be provided). To cheer everyone up, Rick demanded me to bring the food and snacks. When I was bringing the snacks a herd of deer chased me along the winter road as I had food. I led them to the crowd and things got horribly wrong! At least nobody was hurt. (Remember fascinated reader, these are just some of Ricks's many fails.)

After Rick left, I heard a knock on my front door. It was my two nieces Adelyn and Evelyn. “Oh, hello darlings!” I said in surprise. “Hello, uncle. Mum sent us to give you a letter.” Adelyn explained. “Mum’s going to New Creepton herself. We’ll be going with Christopher and Gemma (My nephew and niece.)” Evelyn said. The two hopped along the hallway of the condo after they passed me the letter. Hearing New Creepton made my heart skip a beat. I calmed myself down with some yoga stretches…. after cramping 5 parts of my body that is.

I decided to read Tina’s letter aloud to Butterscotch. “Hi, Max! It’s me, Tina. I want you Max and only you to read this letter. Since we are all staying at Hethershire castle for the family reunion, our whole family has grave danger awaiting us. Someone is plotting to loot us when we stay in Hethershire castle! This will be unsafe for the whole family! I’ve set out to look for the criminal myself in New Creepton, that’s why my children are with Julie (Jemma and Christopher’s mum). If I haven’t called you by the time you receive this, I am in danger and need saving! Love Tina L. Tuffin.” My blood ran cold. Me? Save someone?

Being the wimp I was, I wept as I was under pressure. Butterscotch came by my side and calmed me down by stroking her tail on me. My blood-curdled…suddenly a zap of courage sparked in me. I felt the need to help my dear cousin. She would do it for me…now I must help her. All I knew was that I couldn’t do it myself. I needed to find someone reliable and valiant…. Honestly, no one valiant nor brave was available thanks to Ricks's sudden decision for a family reunion. So, the only person I could find and more importantly trust was….Yes….my lazy, portly, and stubborn brother Rick. Rick came as soon as I told him the problem. We both dashed into his car and drove off to New Creepton.

Once we reached Hethershire castle, I took out a torchlight from my bulky backpack. Rick held on my hand as we walked down the creepy hallways. Sounds popped from every angle unexpectedly. We had turned as pale as vanilla ice cream. Suddenly I felt a spark of determination! “We must save Tina!” I shouted. Rick and I ran along the hallway bravely.

I looked for clues. I looked for hours…but Tina was nowhere. “How’ll I ever find Tina if you don’t help Rick?” I asked him as he was staring at his phone. “Not my problem.” He replied….“Fine.” Rick didn’t really help, he just touched and broke things…but this was a good thing! Rick managed to open a secret passageway by accident!

When we went in. Then the entrance shut. I was in a scary room with Rick. I didn’t even know where Tina was nor when and if I’d see my family again. I felt… hopeless. I figured I’d just dwell in this place. Suddenly, out of the blue, Rick said something remarkable,” It’s okay Max. We’ll get out no matter what!” Ricks's words made me feel something. A spark of hope lit in me. “Yes, Rick…we’ll get out and find Tina!” I agreed.

We searched the secret room for any exits. There was some writing on the wall. It read: ‘Shout out the feelings that we really need. Not all have these, but you…. Probably?’ “What feelings?” Rick asked. “I know! The little sparks that I had today! Without those sparks, I’d never make it here. Courage, determination, and hope!” I shouted. The exit didn’t open. Instead, another door opened. Tina came out running. Her eyes shimmered with merriment.

We all hugged. “Wait! We might have found Tina…not the delinquent!” Rick reminded. “Not a problem. While I was stuck, I heard the thief coming every day. We should hide here today until the thief comes.” Tina said.

That night the thief came again. Plotting his plan. We snuck behind him and dragged him to the ground! We pulled off his mask and found out that he was…was…he was Luther! “Luther? You’re the thief?” Rick asked. “Yes, I am! Muhahahah! I was plotting to give you the castle so when your family comes to stay, I can loot them” Luther said with a cackle. “You’ll be looting no one,” I said confidently.

After that adventure, I learned from the sparks. Rick learned to help and care and Tina should’ve learnt to not go on dangerous missions herself. Anyways, all I need now are some celery sticks, cream cheese, some hot valerian tea, and my pet cat to stroke. What a day!

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