Billy's Book
A short story
Fiction & Literature, Humorous, Short Stories, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
| Author: | Simon Haynes | ISBN: | 1230000004840 |
| Publisher: | Bowman Press | Publication: | July 12, 2012 |
| Imprint: | Language: | English |
| Author: | Simon Haynes |
| ISBN: | 1230000004840 |
| Publisher: | Bowman Press |
| Publication: | July 12, 2012 |
| Imprint: | |
| Language: | English |
A 5000-word short story by Simon Haynes, author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series.
Billy Crump is the local stable boy. Fed up with mucking out horses, he sneaks into the wizard's lab, concocts a potion using all the rare and expensive ingredients, and somehow ends up with a talking book. His first thought? Sell the book ... and say goodbye to horse muck forever!
Billy held the book out, not daring to meet the old man's eyes. It was snatched from his grasp, and he heard a rapid turning of pages. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw a flush creep into the wizard's pale cheeks. Oh, he was really for it this time.
Wiltred stopped reading. "Look at me, boy."
Billy shuffled his feet, concentrating on a smear of manure. Suddenly he felt his neck twisting of its own volition, and his head snapped up with a click. He flinched as he stared into Wiltred's pale green eyes, and his stomach contracted as he imagined the dreadful spell the wizard was going to punish him with.
There was a swish and thud. "Ow, fug!" yelled Billy, as the book slammed into the side of his head.
"How many times have I told you to stay out of my workshop!" shouted the wizard, swinging the book again.
Billy ducked and ran for the door. As he dived through the book sailed overhead, neatly parting his hair.
A 5000-word short story by Simon Haynes, author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series.
Billy Crump is the local stable boy. Fed up with mucking out horses, he sneaks into the wizard's lab, concocts a potion using all the rare and expensive ingredients, and somehow ends up with a talking book. His first thought? Sell the book ... and say goodbye to horse muck forever!
Billy held the book out, not daring to meet the old man's eyes. It was snatched from his grasp, and he heard a rapid turning of pages. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw a flush creep into the wizard's pale cheeks. Oh, he was really for it this time.
Wiltred stopped reading. "Look at me, boy."
Billy shuffled his feet, concentrating on a smear of manure. Suddenly he felt his neck twisting of its own volition, and his head snapped up with a click. He flinched as he stared into Wiltred's pale green eyes, and his stomach contracted as he imagined the dreadful spell the wizard was going to punish him with.
There was a swish and thud. "Ow, fug!" yelled Billy, as the book slammed into the side of his head.
"How many times have I told you to stay out of my workshop!" shouted the wizard, swinging the book again.
Billy ducked and ran for the door. As he dived through the book sailed overhead, neatly parting his hair.
