Chimera Book 1 / Chapter 14 – The Souvenir Society

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It’s time to keep your next appointment with the weird and wonderful world of Chimera, the realm of lost things…

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Last time in Chimera Book 1:

To the two boys, the carousel stallion said, ‘You’re not welcome here. Go, and do so quickly.’

‘Go where exactly?’ asked Jamie.

‘I don’t care.  Just leave before you’re seen.’     

‘Too late,’ said Kyp.

The cave was filled with movement.  Hat stands that moved like stick-insects dropped down from above to investigate the two boys with inquisitive prods. A grubby armchair-ape shuffled forwards to sniff them.  A plump, pink soffalo with tiny pointed feet blinked at them from beneath tassel-like eyelashes.  Knitted glove squids shimmied above their heads, propelling their colourful bodies through the air in fits and starts.  Comb centipedes scuttled between their feet.  

Kyp looked down to see a small knitted clown holding his hand. 

‘Give it to me!’ the clown implored, tugging Kyp’s fingers. ‘Just a little piece, that’s all.  The Picaroon Widows will do the rest.’

A yellow glove squid grabbed Kyp’s other hand, its short stubby tentacles enveloping his fingers.

‘Don’t be selfish,’ it squealed. ‘Give it to me! Give it to me!’ 

‘I asked first!’ snarled the clown. ‘It’s mine.  Mine!’

The carousel stallion reared up on his hind legs, scattering the crush of creatures to the edge of the cave.  

‘Silence!  You have forgotten yourselves!’

‘Then tell them to leave,’ demanded the clown.  ‘Their presence here mocks the Jetsamelite Decree!’

 The crowd jeered in agreement and Kyp began to fear the metamorphs would attack.  

Suddenly, the whole cavern shook.  The ceiling slumped. Squirts of smelly water gouted from the walls.

‘Heap-quake!’ cried the metamorphs.

‘The shovelisks have returned to the Plummet Pit,’ said the carousel stallion. ‘To the safety of Flotsam Potshole.  Quickly!’

Chapter 14 – The Souvenir Society

Listen to all previous chapters at anchor.fm/chimerabook1

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Keep your eyes peeled for the next instalment, Chapter 15 – Whirlitzer – coming soon to Red’s Kingdom!

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