Michael S. Hackley
Mike and his two best friends grew up together exploring and going on adventures that seemed as if they would last forever. The three friends’ bond grew stronger than steel itself, a friendship that some people search for all their lives. Then, one day, Mike ventures into the darkened mysterious attic: leading him into a journey of riches and mystery that will change his life forever. He becomes something he never thought possible. Is it a dream? Is it really happening?
Michael S. Hackley is a freelance writer. He was born in a small town called Harrison City, just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in mid-February of 1964. Michael grew up playing and enjoying all sports and received his BS degree at Salem College, West Virginia where he played wide receiver on the football team. He has been teaching middle school education for the past 16 years and recently received his Master of Science Degree from Nova Southeastern University. He currently lives in Florida with his wife and 4 children.
Chapter 1
SMEAR THE SCHMUCK. WHAT A game!
One player known as the schmuck, for teasing
purposes, runs with the football while two hungry
predators chase after him. One of the attackers hikes
the football to the only offensive player. The player
with the ball tries to out-move his evil opponents
and make a touchdown so he can brag about his
accomplishments and stop being the schmuck, for
now. Skill and brains are the only way to score;
sometimes luck helps, but not always. It’s a brutal
game to play even for a “real man” but boys have to
come up with something to do after school.
Chapter 2
THE TASTE OF MAGIC
Scratching my chin and gazing upwards my eyes
caught site of the attic steps. Maybe I could go to the
atticand find something neat to play with up there.
That’sit! I will start at the top of the house and work
my way down until I reach the garage or find
something interesting along the journey.
Smiling, I leapt from my bed and headed in the
direction of the attic stairs. Still smiling eagerly, I
headed up the spiral staircase over the frayed carpet
that covered the familiar narrow stairs.
Chapter 4
As they flew through the midnight sky, Santa beckoned Chestnut to hand him the box.
“What is in this box?” Chestnut asked Santa.
Winking, Santa explained. “This is the magic star-dust that is spread throughout the world.”
“Magic star-dust,” Chestnut still wondered, what ever did Santa mean?
Skillfully Santa opened the box and carefully reached inside the bag. When he pulled his hand out, the little elf saw that Santa had a fistful of the magic dust. What was this dust for, Chestnut still wondered. Making a silent wish, Santa flung the magic powder in a gentle arc over the side of the speeding sleigh. With not a speck of dust wasted, the snow-like powder drifted gently downwards. As the magical dust was released from Santa’s gentle grip, Chestnut noticed that it became invisible and yet it seemed he could smell a distinctively sweet scent. The smell twitched his nose and gave him a wonderful thought of warm fresh baked sugar cookies with vanilla icing heaped evenly on top of them. The aroma was mouthwatering and he felt as though he could taste them. He licked his lips and his mouth watered as he swallowed his thoughts about the cookies, and looked inquisitively back at Santa.
As the dust encircled the earth below, Santa explained to the little elf, it would fall on all the true believers of Santa Clause. As the people below slept, the dust would creep through any crack or crevice in their house and work its way magically onto its unwary assistant. The recipient of this powder would then volunteer to help me out without hesitation. They are the people that would assist him in the malls and parades. Even the
store bell ringers will be dressed in my traditional red costume. As young children visit and talk with these assistant Santa’s, their wishes are transported into the dust specks, which will remain on them until we collect it the night before Christmas.
“But Santa,” Chestnut cried, “I thought you were the one at the mall sitting there talking and laughing with the children and taking in all the important information that all the good little boys and girls have to share.”
