A Tangled Web Indeed
A Middle School Novel - In progress - looking for a publisher.
What can possibly go wrong next? Russell McPhail is having trouble adjusting in his first year in junior high school. In a desperate attempt to become more popular, Russell unleashes a series of disastrous events that get him in trouble with his mom, the school principal and the school bully. None of this is his fault, of course.
Chapter 3
Disaster at Nakiska
(excerpt)
The line for the chairlift was short and in no time, Sean and Russell were swept off their feet and settling back in the swaying chair. They rose higher, over the treetops, and soon Russell was looking down on what seemed to be the whole side of the mountain, with miniature skiers weaving their way down the different trails. It was so exhilarating that his spirits were immediately raised, and he even forgot any anxiety he'd initially had about how to get off the chair, until they were at the top. There was a brief moment of panic, but Sean grabbed his arm, pulled him forward and held him upright as they coasted over to the top of the run.
"Just remember to keep turning from side to side so that you don't get going too fast," Sean warned as he pushed off.
The hill looked awfully steep, but Russell forced himself to begin. The first few turns weren't too bad, but as he picked up speed the pressure against his toes became worse until it felt like his toenails were being pushed right back into his big toes. The pain was becoming unbearable and soon he couldn't force himself to turn if his life depended on it. Worse, he was still picking up speed. Soon he would be totally out of control.
Suddenly the hill took a sharp drop. This was it. He was going to die. By now he was going so fast that he could hear the wind whistling past his ears and he could feel his skis wobbling as he started to lose control. He crouched to keep his balance, but with horror, he realized that this was only making him go faster. He thought about just falling down, but it was way too late for that. It would be like jumping out of a speeding car.
Then he looked up. Directly ahead was a line of skiers waiting for the lift, and behind them loomed the rental shop. Russell just had time to let out a horrified scream. The line of skiers dissolved into a mass of jumbled arms, legs and skis as they dove to get out of the way. The only thing left in his way was the solid cement wall of the rental shop. Russell collapsed. As he hit the snow, his skis bounced crazily up and struck the shop while Russell disappeared out of sight between the support posts and under the shop.
There was a stunned silence for a moment then a melee, as anxious skiers, led by Sean raced toward the rental shop to pick up the pieces of Russell.