J.S. Frankel - The Menagerie

The Menagerie

ISBN # 978-1-78651-752-4

Copyright J.S. Frankel 2016

Cover Art by Posh Gosh Copyright January 2016

Edited by Jamie D. Rose

Finch Books

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the authors imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Finch Books.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Finch Books. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2016 by Finch Books, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Finch Books is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

THE MENAGERIE

J.S. Frankel

Taking care of a pet is one thing, but when orphaned teenager Karen Fox is kidnapped to service an interstellar zoo, she gets more than she bargained for.

We do this for they bring us happiness.

We do this because they have no defense, nowhere else to go and no one to care for them.

We do this in order so that they may teach us what it means to be different, and for us to embrace that difference.

Karen Fox, sixteen and recovering from a terrible car crash that claimed the lives of her parents, dreams only of becoming physically able once more. Hearing a strange voice that comes from somewhere near her hospital, she investigates and is kidnapped by an automated ship transporting interstellar animals to a safe haven. Knowing nothing about how to take care of them and disliking animals to begin with, Karen learns the value of caring for interstellar life. And when a marauding band of poachers attacks the vessel, intending to seize all the animals, Karen is forced to fight for her own life as well as the animals she has come to care for.

Dedication

To my wife and children, for they make every day of the week my greatest adventure, and to animal lovers everywhere.

Trademarks Acknowledgment

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

iPad: Apple, Inc.

Joker: DC Comics

Frisbee: Wham-O Toy Company

Girl Scouts: Girl Scouts of America Corporation

Endor: LucasFilm Entertainment Company

Yoda: LucasFilm Entertainment Company

Star Trek : Paramount Pictures Corporation

Olympics: United States Olympic Committee

Enterprise: Paramount Pictures Corporation

Chapter One

Memories of days past

Karen Fox rubbed her right legthe bad onesighed, and figured that she might as well get out of bed. Hospital beds werent all that comfortable, so she turned over onto her left side, slid out of bed and stood up. She gripped the cool tiles with her toes while she teetered unsteadily for a moment. Once she regained her balance, she limped over to the window. Scents of summerfir and pine trees, hollyhocks and azaleasdrifted in through the window along with the sounds of shouting. She muttered, It would be a nice day today.

Today was the middle of July, the time was around noon, and although the Portland weather was hot and dry, a cool breeze swirled around her. It was different from the air conditioner. It was natural and pleasant, whereas the air-conditioning unit put out a steady stream of dry air that made her cough. Pleasant or not, it didnt matter. Instead, she shifted her gaze to the sky and prayed for rain.

Since being brought here roughly two months ago, Karen had grown to despise sunny days and hate the summer season. What she hated more than anything was the idea of people going around in shorts and tank tops and riding bikes and everything else sixteen-year-old kids did when they were fully capable.

Now, all the fun of life had been taken away and she just wishedselfishly sofor it to rain and dampen everyone elses fun. Let Mother Nature do her worst and not just rain but storm. Bring on a flood, a volcanic explosion or something else equally dire. If she couldnt enjoy life, why should they?

Dont be selfish, she whispered a second later, and took back her wish. Thinking about it, it was just plain mean. Even if life didnt work the way she wanted it to, she couldnt go around blaming anyone for what had happened. Part of her said that it would be fun. Everyone deserved a little misery in their lives. However, the other part, the rational and decent part, said no.

Hey, whats up, Megan?

The question floated up to Karens position, and she followed the source. There, a few people she knew from her school rode by and she moved away from the window, flattening her back against the wall. Doubtful they saw her, as she was on the second floor, and who looked up while riding along, anyway?

After sneaking a peek, she saw their bicycles disappear down the road and breathed a faint sigh of relief. The breeze blew some strands of her long, dirty blonde hair around her face and she brushed them away with an impatient flick of her hand.

Letting out a series of grunts as she moved back to the bed, she winced with every step. The accident had been a bad one. Shed been in the back seat of her fathers car, enjoying the ride and thenthen the bright light had come from the onrushing car. Shed heard her mother screaming, her father yelling Get down! and the sound of metal being crushed

* * * *

May fifteenth, two months ago

Youve had an accident, one of the nurses told her in a kindly voice. A middle-aged woman, heavy with a tangle of dyed black hair, she wore a strained smile.

What happened?

Karens first wordsaccident victims always said that, didnt they? This had been her first real accident. Biking and running and roller skating had always been part of her life. Bruised knees and elbows came with it, but now, this was major, so she asked the obvious question.

The lights in the room were dim and shadows lurked in every corner. Moonlight came through the drawn shades. A smell of antiseptic hung in the cool air and stabs of pain lanced through every fiber of her being. Her right leg hurt and had a heavy cast on it, suspended by a sling that hung from a support bar attached to the bed. Thick bandages had been wrapped around her right forearm. An intravenous tube ran from a bag in an overhead support and fed into the vein in her right arm.

She didnt take much note of that, though. Instead, she focused on the pain. Her right cheek hurt monstrously, and bringing her good arm up to feel her face, her fingers encountered more bandages.

You were in a car accident, the nurse gravely intoned. You dont remember it, do you?

Not much, said Karen, struggling to think. Where are my parents?

Im sorry.

Just two words, but they carried a lot of meaning, and the meaning knifed into Karens head with all the immediacy of a thunderbolt. A second later, the tears began. I want to see them, she sobbed out. Where are they?

As she struggled to get off the bed, the nurse gently pushed her back and said, somewhat reluctantly, Theyrein the morgue. You just had an operation and you need to rest.