Synan, Zoe, James, Veronica, Syrus, and

Kail stand around the cylinder in the center, hands

joined.

“I will now sent Synan, Zoe, James, and

Syrus to Earth. I will return Kail to the future.”

Before anyone knows what happens,

Synan, Zoe, James, and Syrus are in a grassy

field on Earth.

“We’re back!” Zoe yells.

“Yes! We survived!!” Synan adds.

“I haven’t been on Earth for years.” James says.

“Kids...” Syrus mocks.

They walk toward the city. The city is much

more lively this time of day. What time is it?

Synan and Zoe walk back into the Ideya Shop.

Syrus and James walk off on their own.

“Hey, James! Wanna come to my house?”

“Sure.” James replies.

James and Syrus go to Syrus’s apartment.

Syrus and his parents have a quick reunion and

then Syrus and James go to Syrus’s room to play

video games. Syrus has all the best video game

equipment. He has things that aren’t even out yet!

Systems more advanced than the

Playstation 2 or the Dreamcast. Syrus’s dad

works in the video game business.

Syrus and James are playing a fighting

game. A voice comes behind them.

“Welcome back, Syrus and James.”

They look back. There are two girls

standing here. One blonde, and one brunette.

The blonde speaks first. “Hi, I’m

Sarah Croft. I know all about your quest on

The Land of No Return, and I’m willing to

write a book about it.”

“And I’m Veronica Creel.”

Sarah continues, “So, Syrus. Did

you finish Cain’s Quest yet?”

“No, not yet.”

“Well, finish it. How much do you

want to bet that I’ll prove that Veronica

wrote that game’s script?”

“Maybe later.” Syrus says.

“Well, if you ever need to confess

your stupidity to me, I work in town now.

My Book Shop is at 3346 Fourth Street,

right here in Vatican City. Stop by if you

want to visit sometime, okay Syrus?”

“Okay.”

Sarah and Veronica disappear

with a flick of light. James comments,

“I think Sarah likes you.”

Syrus gives James a long,

blank stare. “Grow up, James.”

“I know it, you know it.”

“James. Seriously, stop it!”

“No. Come on, ask her out!”

“No!”

“Yes!” James pulls Syrus

off the floor and leads him out of the

apartment. James drags Syrus down

the street toward the address of 3346

Fourth Street. Sure enough, a Book Shop

is here.

The shop is entitled “Sarah’s

Book Temple.” They walk in.

“Hey, Sarah.” James says.

“Hi guys. What’s up?” Sarah

says.

“Syrus here,” James shoves

Syrus forward, “has a little confession to

make to you.”

“H-h-hi, Sarah.” Syrus says,

nervous.

“Hi, Syrus.” Sarah answers.

“Ahem... Sarah, umm, will

you go out with me?”

“Sure, Syrus. I’d like that.”

Syrus is suddenly relieved.

“Wow, Syrus, for being such a

tough guy, you almost choked back

there.”

“Heh, James: Leave!”

“Okay, hehe..” James quietly

leaves. A half-hour passes and then

Syrus comes out of the library.

“So, what happened?” James

says.

“None of your business,

James!” Syrus says.

Syrus looks down the road and sees

Synan and Zoe walking toward them, holding

hands.

“Hey, Syrus! Guess what!” Zoe says.

“Let me guess, you and Synan are

going out now, right?” Syrus guesses.

“Uggh! How’d you know??” Zoe asks.

“It was pretty obvious, but guess what!”

“What?” Zoe asks.

“I’m going out with Sarah, the Book

Temple girl!”

“Good job Syrus!” Synan says, “Maybe

now you can get FREE shipments of Hooked

on Phonics!”

Syrus punches Synan really hard in the

shoulder.