P rotectors of The
W ood #2
P hoebe Breaks Through Wri tten By J ohn Ki xMi l l er
I l l us trati onsBy Carl osUri be LawrenceTate Gi deon Chas e Des i gn andProducti on Team gabri el abaez TamaraKachel mei er LawrenceTate KCCampos Geof f reyKi xMi l l er Edi ti ng J i m Paul CeciCharl es Ki ng Song:LoveI sOver EdwardGuzman &J ohn Ki xMi l l er
c ont e nt s Phoe beBr e aksThr ough 1 . TheCa l lo fSo phi a1 2 . Be c o mi ngaPr o duc e r1 9 3 . TheBl ueDe mo nsCo met ot heSt o r e3 2 4 . TheWr o ngWa yAg a i n4 3 5 . AHe a tWa v e6 1 6 . Al lFo urTo g e t he r7 5 7 . TheBi gGa me 8 5 8 . TheGo o s et ha tLa i dt heGo l de nEg g1 0 1 9 . TheLi f e Bl o o do fa nOr g a ni s m1 1 9 1 0 . Wo r l dTr e eEnt e r pr i s e s1 3 2 1 1 . Thunde ro nt heMo unt a i n1 4 4 1 2 . Li v i ng 1 5 5 1 3 . Ac r o s st heFo r e s t1 7 0 1 4 . ThePa r t yf o rSa mmyGe t sOuto fHa nd 1 9 2 1 5 . TheSt o r m Br e a ks2 1 3 1 6 . Fl o a t i ngUnde rt heSt a r s2 3 2
Summar yofBook#1 Thi si st hes ec ondbookoft hePr ot ec t or sofTheWoodSer i es , as i xv ol umes agaaboutagr oupoft eenager swhos av et he wor l df r om c l i mat ec hange. I nBook#1,PhoebeComesHome,Phoebear r i v esbac ki n Mi ddl et ownaf t eray earawayatc ol l ege.Onf al l i ngas l eep,s he dr eamst hatas t r angegr eenmanc omest oherwi ndow andt el l s her :“Ev er y t hi ngi sats t ake! ” Thef ol l owi ngdays hedi s c ov er st hats hoc ki ngc hangesar e t aki ngpl ac ei nherf ami l i arc hi l dhoodhome.Ani mmens e c or por at i onal r eadyownsmanyl oc albus i nes s es ,andi sbuy i ng uppr oper t yatanal ar mi ngr at e.Whent hel oc almi ni s t er pr eac hesas er monaboutc l i mat ec hange,anangr yc r owdwal ks outi npr ot es t .Andav al uabl egem c al l eddr eams t onei sat t r ac t i ngext r aor di nar yi nt er es tandmanyunans wer edques t i ons . Phoebes et soutt omakenew f r i endsands av et hewor l ds he knew andl ov edasac hi l d.Butherpar ent shav es ol dt hef ami l y bus i nes s–at oys t or e–andmov edt oagr eenhous eont heedge oft hev as tf or es tpr es er v e.Phoeber eal i z est hatt heyac t ual l y s pendmos toft hei rt i mei nt hef or es ti t s el f ,wor ki ngona my s t er i ousgar deni ngpr oj ec t . I nt r y i ngt ounder s t andt hi snew s i t uat i ons hes t umbl esont oa gr eats ec r et :l ar geandv er yr ar edr eams t onec r y s t al sc ani ns pi r e v i s i onst hathel pgui depeopl et hr ought hec r i s esandt ur ni ng poi nt soft hei rl i v es .Shebegi nst os eet hatt hes es t r uggl esi n Mi ddl et ownar et hekeyt oagl obalc onf l i c t ,andt hef ut ur eofl i f e onear t hi sats t ake. Phoebeor gani z esherf r i ends–Abby ,Geor ge,andJ er emyasat eam t ohel ppr ot ec tMi ddl et ownandt hes ec r etofdr eams t onef r om Mi l t onMor phy ,ac or por at eexec ut i v ei nt enton domi nat i onandi nc onc ei v abl eweal t h.Shes uc c eedsi nget t i nga j obatt het oys t or e,andbegi nst obui l dabas ef orherac t i v i t i es . PhoebeandJ er emyf i nal l yj our neyt ot hehear toft hef or es t ,and Phoebehasherowndr eams t onev i s i ont ogui dehert hr ough danger st hatl i eahead.
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The Call of Sophia The next day, Phoebe was astonished to find herself back working at the toy store. It hardly seemed possible that an event so intense, so strange, as her visit to the forest, could happen without disrupting the routine of her universe. Yet there she was, sitting behind the cash register. Her entire body felt stiff and sore. She was not her normal self, and was afraid that others could see it, as if there were a sign painted on her forehead. But no one seemed to notice anything, and she had no wish to talk to anyone. All her available energy was spent in poring over her experiences, fitting the pieces of her life together like a puzzle. She knew that something had happened that was beyond her understanding, but her intuition told her that it was good... very, very good. Yet even in her happiness Phoebe was worried. I’m supposed to be doing things, but what exactly? I don’t really understand the woman in my vision. Calling her Sophia doesn’t tell me much. What did the old man say? Phoebe thought back to the conversation in the cave, and remembered the old man had replied, ‘Yes, that’s her, our leader in this great struggle, the crisis of our time. We have a leader when we need one the most, a champion for the earth.’ And he had advised Phoebe to bring her questions to Reverend Tuck. I need help, Phoebe thought. I’m supposed to have some special talent, but I can’t figure out what to do next. I can’t even find Abby a safe place to live, or a job. But I have learned one amazing thing: Dreamstone – an opportunity and a danger I can’t even imagine -lies under Hidden Valley. And this is all a secret. Reverend Tuck had better be able to help me. I’m in over my head. She recalled that before their departure at sunrise, the old man had told her that life often developed or moved faster – sometimes in very surprising ways -- for those who looked into the stone. He said there was a term for the experience: ‘dreaming your life forward.’ “You can’t try it very often,” the old man said. “It won’t work. But watch for opportunities now.”
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Back in the toy store, however, Phoebe found herself in the same old world. No opportunities came her way. All her attention was on the events of yesterday, and the feeling she had inside. She was aware that Jeremy too was focused on himself. They’d smiled at each other, but had barely spoken that morning as they followed Chi Chi out of the forest. They bid each other good-by with a warm hug, but without a word. Phoebe had expected something more from Jeremy, at least some curiosity about her experience, an effort to get together and talk; but she supposed he felt as overwhelmed as she did, and would take a few days to return to normal. She longed to follow up on their idea of creating a team of detectives to help Abby and defend Middletown and the forest from what looked like a hostile takeover. But all that would have to wait for another day. After work Phoebe limped home in the quiet evening, yearning for a shower and bed. When she met her sister in the kitchen they embraced and apologized to each other with abandon. Their quarrel seemed like a foolish whim, a tempest in a teapot that was already over. As soon as possible Phoebe fell into bed. For a moment she felt the deliciousness of rest, and then dropped into sleep. At the toy store the following day, during a boring stretch of the early afternoon, Phoebe was looking out the front door wondering how angry Gilligan would get if she joined the Flores brothers’ courtyard game of hackysack. Then she recognized a neat and handsome man in his forties who walked in through the front gate and took a look around. He wore navy blue sweat pants and a soccer jersey with the yellow and blue patch of the Half Moon United Soccer Club glowing above his heart. Phoebe felt a sort of electric jolt, a feeling of her life changing, as she watched the man carefully observe the handful of teenagers playing hackysack in the summer sun. With a few flicks of the foot and knee the boys kept the small ball-of-beads in the air, juggling it back and forth with an occasional flick of the head. Suddenly the man stepped in with his foot to save the hackysack from hitting the ground, and sent it back toward the group for a play. “Mario!” shouted the boys. “What are you doing here?” “Helping a team,” he replied. “Our game never sleeps.” He continued juggling the hackysack with the boys, making
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a few spectacular plays. Finally the ball-of-beads hit the ground, and Mario stepped back with a word of thanks. “See you on the field,” he said. During this short time Phoebe’s mind had been buzzing. She walked out the door into the courtyard and called, “Mario! You know everyone, everywhere. How do you do it?” “Phoebe! I was just thinking the same of you. I hear you’re back in Middletown, I come to visit, and who do I see? The best young players in the county! It’s like magic.” He smiled. “You look well, very well.” They exchanged a hug and kisses on the cheek. “I need your help,” said Mario. “I know you will be interested.” “Uh oh,” laughed Phoebe. “I was afraid of that. I know what you’re going to ask -- I knew the first second I saw you. I can’t do it.” “You’re after my own heart,” said Mario. “We are so alike. I know you will accept my offer. You won’t be able to resist.” “No, I can’t do it. But go ahead and get it out. I’m listening.” They sat on a bench in the shade of the wall, clearly enjoying each other’s company. “The club has grown since you played in the State Finals,” he began. “We have sixteen teams now, a respectable club. But still more kids want to play than we have coaches! Our game spreads among the young people, but we adults cannot keep up. My U-14 girls’ team has no coach. I myself put the team together, but now I’m too busy. My U-17 boys went to the semifinals last June, and this is their year for tournaments, to be seen by college coaches, to win scholarships. This is their chance for a jump-start in life! How can I neglect them?” Mario paused and looked at her. “Will you take the girls’ team?” “I’ve got a job, more than full time. And I’m sure someone is running the team.” “A parent who doesn’t know the game! But he’s a great manager. And his daughter! Wait ‘till you see her play. They call her nice. You’ve got to take a look at these girls.” “Where do you practice?” “Half Moon Middle School. We have only half a small field, twice a week.” “Mario, look,” said Phoebe firmly, “I don’t have a car. I don’t drive. Half-Moon Middle is a bus ride away. I work six days a week.” “When is your day off?”
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“I ’ m af r ai dt ot el lyou.Monday . ” “Atl eas tmeett het eam.Ineedapl ac et ogett hepl ayer sand par ent sor gani z edf ort heyear .Mos toft hem l i veovert hi sway .Let ’ s havet hemeet i ngher eatt hes t or e,j us tl i kewedi dwi t hyourt eam i n year sgoneby .Forol dt i me’ ss ake.Remembert headul t swhower e al r eadyt oobus ywhohel pedyou?Mef ori ns t anc e?Now i t ’ syour t ur n. ” “I t ’ st r ue,Mar i o.God knowsyou wer et her ef orme when I neededyoumos t .Goahead.I nvi t eyourt eam t ot hes t or e. ” “Theyar ec al l edt heBl ueDemons .Andt heypl ayl i kedemonst oo. They’ l lbeher eonMondayatf i veo’ c l oc k. ” Phoebei mmedi at el ys aw t hepos s i bi l i t y–howeverr emot e–of c r eat i ngaj obf orAbby .Lat ert hatday ,whens her eques t edGi l l i gan’ s per mi s s i onf ort hemeet i ng,s hepl ayedupt hei deat hatherpl anwas t obr i ngawhol enew popul at i oni nt ot hes t or e:s oc c erpl ayer sand t hei rf ami l i es .Gi l l i ganofc our s ec ons ent ed,andPhoebehi nt edt hat s oont heywoul dbef l oodedwi t hc us t omer s-andneedext r ahel p. I twasal ongs hot ,aver yl ongs hot ,butwor t hat r y .Atl eas ts he br oughtt hes ubj ec tup. Overt henextf ew daysPhoebedevel opedt hes t r angei deat hat t hec our t yar dwasher‘ l uc kys pot ’ .Dur i ngever yf r eemoments he f oundanexc us et os pendt i met her e,hopi ngf orgoodf or t unef r om t hepeopl ear oundherandf r om hert hought sonvar i ouspr obl ems . Shec r edi t edherl uc kys potwi t ht hei ns pi r at i ont of ol l ow Rever end T uc kwhens hec aughtagl i mps eofhi m wal ki ngbyont hes i dewal k. Wi t hal i ght ni ngdec i s i ons heputdownherf ol derofannounc ement s and adver t i s ement s-s hewasr edoi ng t hebul l et i nboar d-and headedouti npur s ui t .I namoments hec ameupbes i dehi m and as ked,“Doyouhaveami nut e,Rever endT uc k?CanIt al ks omet hi ng overwi t hyou?” “Ofc our s e!I twoul dbeapl eas ur e. ”T uc kl edt hewaypas tt he c hur c h,t hr oughas mal lgat e,andont oapat hoff l ags t onest hr ough t he ver yl ar ge c hur c hyar d.“Why don’ twe s i ther ef ora f ew mi nut es ?”hes ai d,mot i oni ngt oawor nwoodenbenc hundert he s hadeofat al lmapl et r ee.I twasaqui etands ec l udeds pot ,oddl y wi l dandunkempt ,wi t hl onggr as sandbr okenbr anc hesandl as t year ’ sl eavess t i l lont hegr ound. “How c anIhel pyou?”heas ked. “I t ’ sabi tofadel i c at es ubj ec t .Ineedt of eel s ur eyou’ l l bec ar ef ul wi t hwhatIs ay . ”
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Rever endT uc kt houghtf oraf ew s ec ondsands ai d,“I ’ l ldot he bes tIc ant obr i nggoodi nt ot hewor l d. ” Thet houghtf l as hedt hr oughPhoebe’ smi ndt hatT uc kwasgi vi ng heras i gnofs omes or t ,al mos tl i keapas s wor d.“I t ’ saboutAbby Chapman, ”s hes ai d. “Ah!Adel i c at es ubj ec t .Iwoul dl i ket ohel p.Whatc anIdo?” “Abby’ sl ooki ngf oras af epl ac et ol i ve,ands hement i onedt he c hur c h. ” Hewhi s t l eds of t l y .“I ss hes af enow?” “Shes ayss o.Is aw al et t er .ButIdon’ tknow wher es hei s . ” “Is ee. ”Hepaus ed.“Whynots t aywher es hei s ?” “Shes ayss hewant st obeanor mal gi r l wi t hf r i ends .Shewant st o beher ei nt own. ” “Awor t hyr eques t-yetawkwar dnonet hel es s .I tbr i ngsust ot he hor nsofadi l emma. ”Hes hi f t eduneas i l yont hebenc h.“Wehavea s ur pr i s i ngc oi nc i denc eher e,andwhatAbbywant si snoti mpos s i bl e. OurChur c hCounc i lwasj us tdi s c us s i ngt hi snegl ec t edc hur c hyar d. We woul dl i ke t o hi r e a gar dener .Butourf undsar e noteven s uf f i c i entf ornec es s ar yr epai r sonourbui l di ngs .Is ugges t edt hatwe l etagar denerl i ver entf r eei nt hec hur c hyar dc ot t ageasofol d,i n exc hangef orc er t ai nr es pons i bi l i t i es . ” Hemot i onedt os omet hi ngbyt hef arwal lt hatl ookedt oPhoebe l i kear undowns hed f orgar deni ng t ool s ,buts her eal i z ed t hati t mi ghtbebi ggert hani tl ookedf r om adi s t anc e,s c r eenedbyamapl e t r ee.“Noonehasl i vedt her ef oradec ade, ”c ont i nuedT uc k,“buti t c anbemadel i vabl ewi t hal i t t l ewor k,and. . . ” “Thatwi l ldoj us tf i ne! ”Phoebebr okei n.“Abbywi l lbet hr i l l ed! Sheal wayss ayss hehasbadl uc k,buti s n’ tt hi sac hange. ” “Hol d yourhor s es .I t ’ snott hateas y .We’ l lhave t o make an announc ement ,l ookatr es umes ,i nt er vi ew c andi dat es ,and f i nal l y r eac hadec i s i onbymaj or i t yvot e.Iknowt hatAbbyhasunus ual s ki l l s asagar dener ,butherover al lr eput at i oni s . . .wel l ,ques t i onabl e,f ul l ofs t r anger umor s .Ihes i t at et os aymor e.Butyous houl dunder s t and t hatwe’ d need ver yper s uas i ve ar gument st o getherac c ept ed. Ri ghtnow Idon’ ts eei t .Evenundert hebes tc i r c ums t anc es ,t hi swi l l t akeawhi l e. ” “How l ongwoul dyoues t i mat e?” “Atl eas tamont h,maybet wo. ” “Whati fi t ’ sanemer genc y?” “Wel l ,whati fi ti s ?Whatwoul dyouwantt odo?”
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“Have Abby move in right away.” “What kind of emergency are you expecting?” “People are looking for her. She’s afraid.” “I understand, but a few on our council will want to refer the matter to the police. And how much information are you -- or myself for that matter -- ready to make public?” “Can I talk to her and get back to you?” “Of course. I don’t mean to be discouraging. Believe me, if I can see a practical way to help Abby, I will. You know... there may be other problems coming up in the course of time that need my help. We’re both trying to bring good into the world. Think of me as your ally.” Reverend Tuck looked at her and nodded. “A very delicate matter. Be careful.” Phoebe hesitated, unable to speak. She desperately wanted to discuss her visit with the old man and her dreamstone vision, but she couldn’t find a way to begin. Yet it was too perfect an opportunity to pass up. “I love my job,” said Reverend Tuck. “Don’t be afraid.” “I have to get back to work,” she blurted out. “But I need to tell you, the old man advised me to speak to you. I looked into... I saw... her.” Tuck’s eyes widened, and he quickly glanced about. “You’ve been to the forest,” he said quietly. “Yes.” “I see...” Tuck muttered. “Yes, I see. Can you come back after work? You close the toy store at dark, don’t you? Meet me here.” “Oh!” exclaimed Phoebe in relief. “Yes, I’ll be here.” And she rose and raced back to the store. Dusk was turning into dark in Middletown by the time Phoebe and Gilligan locked the front gate of the toy store and said good night. Phoebe waited for Gilligan to disappear down the street, and then walked up the sidewalk past Miracles Gift Shop, across Old Stone Road, past the church, and stood at the gate of the churchyard for a minute, wondering what to say. She stepped inside and walked up the path. In the darkness she could see Tuck’s reddish face and white collar. A cool breeze made a noise in the leaves, dispersing the heat of the day. Reverend Tuck stood up and said quietly, “Thanks for coming. We could talk here or go inside to my office. I’ve got a little coffee left
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from the morning.” Phoebe’s eyes were adjusting to the dark, and she saw the expression in his eyes. He seemed confident, eager, interested. She didn’t want to move to another setting or make any small talk, and already felt hyper-awake, in no need of coffee. “Let’s talk right here,” she replied, and sat down on the wooden bench. “I know you must have important questions,” said Tuck. “I’m ready. Start anywhere you want.” “I’m... I’m...” She couldn’t find a way to begin. “We don’t have to start with your most pressing concern. Let me first thank you for your kind words a couple of weeks ago about my sermon. What did you find appealing?” “We studied climate change at college, but no one thought of it as a spiritual issue. I never heard of anyone seeing it as a part of the church.” “Yes!” declared Tuck with enthusiasm. “That’s the main point, and the story of my life. It’s taken me twenty-five years to fully accept it. Our church will become a relic of the past unless we meet the challenge of climate change. And I doubt if we can save the world as we know it without the full power and motivation of the world’s religions. It is a spiritual issue.” Tuck waited and looked at Phoebe. She finally said: “But I’m afraid that nothing we do will make any difference. Can you really change the way people live?” “It’s personal with me,” said Tuck. “I feel I have no other choice.” He spoke very softly, and with a smile, as if his predicament made him happy. “Let me give you a little background. Years ago, well before you were born, people all over the world learned that chemicals used in refrigeration and air conditioning were opening holes in the upper atmosphere, allowing harmful radiation to enter and damage, among other things, human skin. At that time I had a cancerous tumor removed from my face. It never came back, and an cance international agreement helped to reduce the worldwide problem to some extent, but for me it was a crisis that never ended. I could see that Mother Nature, our earthly environment, was vulnerable. Since we can destroy nature, we must necessarily become the stewards of our world, responsible for its fate. “Since then, as the threat of climate change has grown, I’ve slowly realized that the earth is sacred. We have to treasure and fight for it.
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And during this time I joined your parents and others in the Protectors of the Wood, and learned the significance of dreamstone.” Tuck’s voice was so quiet that Phoebe found herself leaning forward to hear him. “Yes?” she replied. “Tell me about that.” “I looked into dreamstone twice, some years ago, and each time I saw disasters. It was a nightmare for me. In a whirlwind I saw fires, fertile landscapes turning to deserts, floods wiping out whole cities and farmland and forest... and war, with terrible, massive destruction.” Tuck looked into space. “All of my faith, my hopes, the truths that had guided my life, were tested. I neglected my job, my community. I felt sick all the time. And then I saw her -- not in a dreamstone vision, by the way -- but I awoke one night with a dream in mind in every detail. I can still recall every word. It changed my life.” “I need to know about that,” said Phoebe, looking closely at Tuck’s face in the dim light from a church window. The wind made a rushing noise in the leaves on the trees, and moved last year’s leaves and sticks on the ground. “I already knew about her,” Tuck went on, “Others had seen her in the stone, but I had been denied that vision, and was desperate for an answer, a way forward. In my dream I was out walking in the forest. I don’t know why I thought I could find her there, but I did believe I could, and at a certain point I saw a dark spot in a stone ridge on a mountainside. Going closer, I found the opening to a cave. I could not enter more than a few steps for fear of being lost in complete darkness. The movement of the air and a faint smell of water gave me a feeling of immense depth, as if a whole underground world extended in every direction. I had no light, and no idea what to do. And then I heard a high, uneven, broken voice. I pictured an old woman speaking. “‘There you are,’ she said. ‘I’ve been waiting for you. What took you so long?’ ”‘I’m lost,’ I replied. ‘I’m a minister, supposed to preach God’s word, but I no longer know what to say.’ “‘Listen,’ she said. ‘I have a message for you. For I, too, am a preacher. Let the world know I am here not only for people but for all life, for there can be no human beings without the teeming life around you and inside you. And this is the way it should be, for there is a place in heaven for the worm in the soil, the snail in its shell, and
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the microorganisms everywhere on earth. Nothing is too small, nothing is useless, nothing is dead. There is life in a stone and a grain of sand and a speck of dust and the air you breath. For heaven is here on earth, and the earth is a part of the city of God...’ “And there was more, much more,” Tuck whispered. “Go on,” begged Phoebe. “What else did she say?” “I won’t give you all of it now, but there’s one more part you should hear. She said: ‘I am Nature’s champion, her helper from on high, appointed by God to be Nature’s guardian from of old, and her ally in her current sufferings. I am the one who has never ceased her work from the beginning of time – and now, in this crisis, I am asking for your help! Join my labors! All of you who can hear me! All of you who are able! All who have a gift, the great and the small! Life on earth, your mother who nurtu nurtures you in this world, needs your help!’ “And her voice rose as she said this!” Tuck said, raising his arms and opened his hands. “Her voice seemed to echo out on the mountainside and in the valley below! I have given her words a name: The Call of Sophia. She is calling. She is calling each and every one of us.” There was silence in the churchyard as Tuck paused. Phoebe was thinking, trying frantically to find a way to extend the conversation and learn more. “So this is what was behind your sermon,” she said. “Exactly,” Tuck agreed. “But wouldn’t it be more powerful to just tell everyone all that you have told me?” “Ah! Now we’re getting to the heart of our immediate problem, the terrible dilemma we face.” As Tuck gathered his thoughts, Phoebe’s mind was racing. “The dilemma we face?” she asked. “Who are the ‘we’ you are talking about?” “The Protectors of the Wood, and others in our parent organization, the Guardians of the Earth.” Tuck’s voice was so low that Phoebe could barely hear him. “Do you know about these things?” Tuck whispered. “I’m not sure how much I should tell you.” “My father asked me to keep Abby out of danger,” said Phoebe. “But I’m not sure exactly what that danger is. Don’t you think I should know? And when I looked into the stone in the cave under Hidden Valley, she climbed out of a pit in the ground and told me to follow her. I’m trying! I’m trying! But I’m not sure how to do it. I’m not
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sure I understand what’s going on here...” Phoebe felt her voice rise and tears fill her eyes. Her shoulders began to shake, and she sobbed without a sound. Tuck gently touched her shoulder. Phoebe took a deep breath. “You should tell me what I need to know,” she said quietly but firmly. “Don’t you think so? Why would the old man tell me to speak to you?” “You’re quite right to rebuke me. I hear you.” Tuck looked her in the eye. “Okay, here is the situation as I see it. First, since she told you to follow, you must be doing things she wants you to do. So have confidence, even if it seems small or irrelevant. If it’s important to her, then it’s important, period. Do you understand that?” “I’m trying.” “Second, there is some history here, facts about our situation that you should be very aware of. Let’s go back to the Guardians of the Earth for a minute. You have heard of that organization, haven’t you?” “Well, yes. You mean the big environmental organization? I don’t know much about it.” “It’s the biggest environmental organization in the world, at least in terms of animal and plant habitat and small farm preservation, and total investment in environmental projects. And the founder and chairperson of the board is a very old woman who grew up here, a woman named Teresa Georgi...” “Teresa! You mean Wendy’s aunt?” “Yes, that’s right, and keep your voice down. Are you aware that her headquarters is up in the North Ridge Mountains, a very strange, inaccessible place for a central office?” “That’s something I know a little about. You mean the source of... dreamstone.” Phoebe said this in a faint whisper. “Yes, and I see by the look on your face that you know that it’s not really the source of dreamstone. It’s a way to hide... Hidden Valley.” Tuck just mouthed the syllables. “John Chapman, the old man, must have told you, or you wouldn’t know. So you are one of us now. You are an initiate, so to speak. You are among the very few.” Phoebe nodded. The wind had risen, and drowned out their words in the rushing noise in the trees. “But you may not be aware that the Guardians of the Earth was originally financed by the sale of dreamstone, and has channeled an enormous funding stream into the planting of trees and the
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pr es er vat i on off or es t ,i nc l udi ng hundr edsofagr i c ul t ur alf or es t s , f or es t st hatpr oduc ef ood,andt her aw mat er i al sf orc r eat i ngheat and bi ogasf r om ac ompos tmi xt ur eofwoodc hi psand s hr edded l eaves .They’ veal s oadvanc edt het ec hnol ogyt oc r eat ebi ogasf r om f oodwas t e,oranyor gani cmat er i al .I tmaynots oundl i kemuc h,but i fyout hi nkoft hewas t edf oodandwoodandot heror gani cmat er i al onawor l dwi des c al e,andt hef ac tt hatc ar s ,f ur nac es ,gener at or s ands t ovesc anr unonbi ogas ,andt hats mal lf ar mer sc anmaket hei r own. . .wel l ,t hatal onewoul ds ol veani mpor t antpar tofourc ur r ent c r i s i s .Leavet hec oal ,nat ur al gas ,andoi l under gr ound!Gr owf or es t s f orf ood,c ompos t ,andener gy!Us eal lt heor gani cwas t ef r om our c i t i es !Thatac hi evementpl usel ec t r i c i t yf r om s ol arandwi ndc oul d c hangeourwor l d.AndI ’ l lgi veyouahi nt :t heweal t hofdr eams t one underHi ddenVal l eyc oul ds aveal ar gepor t i onoft heani maland pl anthabi t atonear t h,andt huss avet hemaj or i t yoft hel i f eonear t h f r om ext i nc t i on. “Sor r yt ogets ot ec hni c al ,butyoumus tunder s t andt hatt hes e c onf l i c t sand s ec r et sher ei n ours mal lt own c onnec twi t h gl obal pr obl emsi nabi gway .As i gni f i c antpar toft hewor l d’ sf or es tl andi s owned byt he Guar di ansoft he Ear t h.Theyhave ot herf undi ng s our c esnow,buts t i l ldepend on dr eams t one f ormany oft hei r i ni t i at i ves ,aswedoal s o,her ei nMi ddl et own,onamuc hs mal l er s c al e.I nf ac tourl oc alor gani z at i on,t hePr ot ec t or soft heWood,i s r eal l yj us tas mal lpi ec eofT er es a’ swor l dwi deent er pr i s e. ” T uc kpaus ed and l ooked atPhoebe.“Do youknow whatHal f Moon Count y woul dl ook l i ke t oday wi t houtt he f undi ng f r om dr eams t one?Thel os sofs mal lf ar msandf or es t ?Thi nkabouti t .And t henc ons i derwhatdi f f er entpar t soft hewor l dwoul dl ookl i ke.And r emember ,t hi shasal lbeen done wi t h many ,manyt hous ands– pos s i bl ymi l l i ons–ofs mal ls l i ver sofdr eams t onel i keyourc har m.As f arasIknow,t hever yl ar ges t ones ,t hevi s i ons t ones ,donotexi s t out s i deourc i r c l e. ” “It hi nkIgetwhatyou’ r et r yi ngt os ay , ”Phoebec uti nwi t han ur gentwhi s per .“Youc an’ ts how t hepower sofdr eams t onet ot he wor l dwi t houtr eveal i ngt hes ec r etofi t ’ ss our c e,oratl eas tgi vi ngout danger ousc l ues .Andt hent her ewoul dbear us ht odi gupt hef or es t pr es er ve.I st hati t ?” “Yes .That ’ si t .We have us ed onl yat i ny f r ac t i on of t he dr eams t onei nt hec avesand t unnel sunderHi ddenVal l eyf ort he s ake ofs ec r ec y ,bec aus et ec hni c al l ywe do notown i t .That ’ sa
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s t or yI ’ l l t el l youwhenwegetac hanc e.Butyous houl dknowt hatwe dohavehopesofs ol vi ngt hatpr obl em,Godwi l l i ng. ” T uc kgat her edhi st hought s . “Butr i ghtnowMor phys us pec t st het r ut h,andhehasi nf or mat i on f r om t hepas t ,f ami l yhi s t or yt hathasputhi m ont hes c ent .Hes mel l s at r eas ur ebeyondt hewi l des tdr eamsofmos tpeopl e,andpowert o gowi t hi t ,powert hatwec annotbegi nt omeas ur eorpr edi c t .He’ s put t i ngal lhi sr es our c esi nt ot hehunt ,movi nghi sor gani z at i onher e, buyi nguppr oper t y ,s ear c hi ngt hef or es tandf ar ml and,ques t i oni ng al lt hos e who mi ghtown dr eams t one f r om t he pas t .He’ seven i nves t i gat i ngt hehi s t or yofl andowner s hi pi nt hi sar ea,andt hel egal and pol i t i c alpos s i bi l i t i es ofget t i ng mi ni ng r i ght si nt he f or es t pr es er ve.We ar es c ar ed,des per at el y on t he def ens i ve.And I ’ l l admi t ,we’ r enots ur ewhatt odo.Ther ec oul dbes omet hi ngpos i t i ve aboutourl os i ngal lc ont r olofdr eams t one,andl et t i ngf at et akei t ’ s c our s e.Butal l owi ngt heMor phyor gani z at i ont oas s umec ont r ol . . .i t i ss t agger i ngt ot hi nkof ,andhar dt os eeanyt hi ngbutac ont i nui ng ni ght mar e. ” “Butwhat ’ shi sgoal ?I s n’ theal r eadyr i c h?” “Ext r avagant l yr i c h.Hi shol di ngsi nc l udei ndus t r i alf ar ms ,f os s i l f ueldi s t r i but i on s ys t ems ,mi ni ng oper at i ons ,hos pi t al s ,i ns ur anc e c ompani es ,c ommer c i al banks ,news paper s ,andt hel i s tgoeson.But hewant st ot akehi sor gani z at i ont os omei nc onc ei vabl enewl evel ,t o whatendwec anonl ygues s . ” Phoebe t ookaf ew deep br eat hs ,and made af ai ntwhi s t l i ng s ound,s haki ngherhead. “Youmus thaveatl eas ts us pec t edt hi ss i t uat i on, ”s ai dT uc k. “Idi dhaves omei dea.Buti t ’ ss t i l las hoc k. ” “Ourent er pr i s e,ourdi s c over i es ,ourhopesf ort hewor l dwel i ve i n,al lhangbyat hr ead.That ’ smymes s age.IhopeI ’ ves heds ome l i ghtonyouri mmedi at epr obl ems . . .youref f or t st ohel pAbbyand s avet het oys t or e,f ori ns t anc e.Thes et hi ngsmayappeart obes mal l , event r i vi al ,butt heyar ec r uc i alt ot hel ar gerpi c t ur e.Mi ddl et owni s ont hewayt obec omi ngvi r t ual l yac or por at eownedt own.Whatwi l l bec omeoft hepeopl eandt hi ngswel ove?Whatwi l lbec omeoft he f or es tandt heourhopesf ort hef ut ur e?Thi nkabouti t .Youar eone ofusnow,andhaveami s s i on:pr ot ec tt heent er pr i s ewehavebegun, and f i nd t r us t wor t hyf r i endst o hel p you.One t hi ng f ors ur e,i t mat t er s ,i tmat t er swhatwedo. ” “I t ’ sal lt ooc l ear ! ”Phoebebr okei n,hervoi c er i s i ng.“Myf at her ’ s
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words are ringing in my ear. No wonder he gave me this job... But one thing I still don’t understand. What does Wendy have to do with all this?” “Ah! Everything. More than I can tell you and more than I know. Wendy is such an enigma that I can only guess at who she really is. She and Chi Chi and their father are the heart of this enterprise. I’m just a plain man who has stumbled on a tremendous secret, the key to the future for our world. But Wendy and Chi Chi and John Chapman, they seem to understand it, and they are the ones who are guiding us. To me, and many others, it feels like we’re in a trap, painted into a corner, and it has seemed that way for years; but the three Chapmans, they go on, giving confidence and faith to the rest of us. And out of that strength, I’ll try to give some to you.” “I’ll need it,” said Phoebe. She smiled. “Now at least I’ve got a better picture of things. It all makes more sense. I know you’ve been honest with me, even though many people still treat me like a child. I’m grateful. But before I go, please give me hope about Abby. She will appear very soon – who knows, maybe tomorrow -- and she’ll want to live in that garden cottage right over there in the dark.” Reverend Tuck sighed and shook his head. “Phoebe, please understand, my position here at the church is not very strong. It’s true I’ve attracted a large congregation, and I’ve given meaning to people’s lives, but I’ve been a failure as a fund raiser and administrator, and ... well, I haven’t been good at cultivating rich and powerful people. Our buildings here are in need of repair, our financial situation is embarrassing, and an influential group of our citizens would like to terminate my contract and bring in a new minister. “And don’t forget that Abby is a Chapman, connected by blood and rumor to the ancient conflicts still burning in the hearts of people in this town. You may not know most of this background, but the older folks still discuss it behind closed doors. A lot of it is connected to the church, by the way. The Chapmans are rumored to be... some sort of pagans, or witches, and are supposed to have supernatural powers, and people are aware that Abby not only has the Chapman name but is a part of that family.” famil Tuck paused and leaned down, bringing his face close to Phoebe’s. In a hissing whisper, mouthing the words one by one, he said, “And don’t you see that this problem is complicated by the unpredictable powers of dreamstone? There are very unusual forces
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loose here. I must tell you to be as careful as you possibly can. Do not laugh at these rumors. Wendy can do things beyond the imagination of most people, and I cannot explain it. That doesn’t mean I don’t trust her. If I needed someone’s help, or wanted someone to explain the meaning of life, I would consider Wendy first of all, strange as she is.” “So you can do nothing for Abby, is that it?” “I didn’t say that, and I certainly don’t mean that. But keep in mind that my authority in this church is limited. At this time I can’t promise any permission for Abby to live here in the garden cottage. But as soon as I receive her resume I’ll begin a discussion with our elected trustees. I’m going to try my best, and I’ll be happy to speak to you any time and keep you up to date.” “I see. I’m grateful for anything you can do, and I’ll be back. But right now I’m overwhelmed, and need to get home. I haven’t eaten, and I’m starting to feel dizzy.” “I’m so sorry,” Tuck said, standing up. “I’ve got leftover chicken and salad just inside, coffee and oranges...” “Thank you, but no. I’m too excited to eat. I need to walk home and think.” Phoebe rose, suddenly gave Tuck a quick hug and said, “See you soon.” She disappeared back toward the churchyard gate. In a moment she was across the street walking quickly along Hobart Avenue toward home. Whoa! she thought in amazement. What a treasure trove of information that was! Now that explains a few things. On the kitchen table Phoebe found half a loaf of Penny’s crunchy sunflower-amaranth bread and a jar of the nut butter and honey mixture that was selling like mad at Sammy’s Coffee Shop lately. She stuffed herself with thick slices of bread topped with heaping layers of nut butter, and tried to guess the nuts that had gone into it. Walnuts? Pecans? And some lighter, milder nut? Could they be growing peanuts this far north? Phoebe was sure these nuts were harvested in the forest, part of the new project occupying her parent’s time. She was reminded of the term ‘agricultural forests’ just used by Reverend Tuck. That conversation was expanding her awareness of so many parts of her world that she found herself thinking of several things at once. And soon, as she polished off her second nut butter sandwich, she became aware of a very uncomfortable line of thought just below the
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surface of her consciousness. It had to do with George and Jeremy... She sat back and tried to focus, and suddenly became aware that she had been very discouraging to George and Jeremy about their music and plans to perform at Sammy’s Coffee Shop. A voice at the back of her mind accused her of trying to sabotage their dreams, and possibly ruining a very important change in the lives of all of them, including her. The thought gave her a painful flash of sadness and self-criticism, and she remembered that their concert was scheduled day. Time was running short. for the following da But what does this have to do with Reverend Tuck? she wondered. Ah yes, these responsibilities I’ve been given... I need friends, I need help! I need a group to do this work, and Jeremy and George want to be in it with me! They are part of the forces of good in this battle. I’ve been jealous, and petty, and behaving like an idiot. Let’s get going here! I can do better!