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Copyright
1983 - 2010
by
Dan Brady The manuscript is in the form of
a diary written by a 10 year old, Jan. Throughout the story,
Jan's gender remains a mystery. After a brief introduction, in
the form of a cover letter to Jan's mother you learn Jan's
father was killed in a car accident and Jan's mother moved
back to San Francisco's east bay where she grew up. Jan
tells about Vince, the stepfather, an abusive alcoholic with
a violent temper who has a hard time earning a living. The
mother is acquiescent for the most part; both he and Jan's
mother like to drink and party. Jan has also lost a best friend,
Joey. They had an extremely strong bond; they shared common
dreams with each other. In their magical dreams, they
traveled the world seeking and finding adventures as well as
some ancient mysteries. Jan also loves nature and enjoys the
wind, the world's free toy. The situation at home is matched
by a difficult situation at school where bullies target Jan.
Jan also daydreams in class, has no friends, and is
"different" School problems are exacerbated because Jan
changes schools whenever his stepfather looses jobs or wants
to find a more inexpensive place to live.
Ultimately communications from
Joey, dreams and visions have Jan become has Jan learn Vince
is planning murder and runs away. Jan is happy wandering hills
because the stars are always there and the wind is a joy. It
is on this journey that the Jan and Wind learn to
communicate with each other. Wind forewarns Jan of an
approaching ranger and so a tale of pursuit
begins Wind's interventions rescue Jan
several times but the communication is not perfect. Wind is
able to bring papers and money to Jan and so Jan learns that
there is a "manhunt" for him, that his parents are "doing
better" and somehow are able to offer a large reward to
anyone helping to bring Jan home, Jan travels but Wind is never
that far away. In San Jose, Wind saves Jan's life when a
drug addict attempts to kill him. Jan travels to a coastal redwood
forest park and succumbs to illness. Here Jan's cover story
is found out and park officials try to contact Vince. Then a
severe forest fire breaks out, threatening the park, its
rangers and the compound where Jan is being kept. Jan breaks
free, contacts Wind and has it put out the fire, even if in
a bizarre fashion. Unable to escape without using Wind, Jan
does just that and, in so doing, leaves a record of what the
wind can do. In a dream, Joey, Jan's
imaginary friend, and Jan into the titanic ruins of a lost
underground city. They bring back a jeweled and inscribed
ring. The ring allows Jan to see just as in the dream world
but while awake. This is how Jan learns about the American
Indian tracking him. Jan sets up a trap and captures the
man, whom he met actually, after the forest fire and they
talk. This man tells Jan the government is after him and
that his life is in danger. Their plan is to leave
California and make for Arizona where the man has relatives
who will protect them both. The pursuit crosses hundreds of
miles and is ultimately futile Trapped in a desert wilderness,
the chief unveils a last ditch effort. Using chants and a
magical salt he creates a time shelter. To those outside it
looks like an ordinary boulder, to those inside it is a
shadowy hideaway, which prevents contact or capture. Jan
convinces his partner that the satellite photos or those of
aircraft would see this "new boulder" and connect it with
their disappearance. Jan's friend then unveils the further
mystery of traveling into time and they leave this world
behind. The novel concludes with three
entries. The first is by Jan; the next by Jan's mother and
the final entry is by Jan's friend who prefers to be called
Mr. Fish. In the new world there are many
such "boulders", each holding their own travelers. Jan and
his friend stay in this new world for years before Wind
comes to them in a raging storm. They understand from this
that it is in trouble. Jan goes back to find out what has
happened. It is 2012. The records of Jan's talent have
provided science with a basis for creating a weather control
device and a powerful conspiracy has been using their
control over the weather to enhance their power and
profit. Upon Jan's return, when Wind
speaks, there is an immediate reaction and pursuit begins
anew. Ultimately, Jan holds up in the VistaView, a massive
hotel complex on the eastern face of Mount Diablo. It is
there that Jan, Wind, Jan's mom, the Chief, or Mr. Fish, and
the animal kingdom fight a chaotic, pitched battle with
hardened military units. The humans are able to distract
Wind, disperse the clouds of insects and slaughter the
animals, which answered the Chief's call. It is not until
the birds help Jan locate HYDRA, the device used to effect
Wind, that the battle ends in victory. After the carnage is cleared,
Jan stays on with a dwindling number of friends. The world
is changed. Nuclear weapons are removed from the earth and
tossed into the sun, armies can no longer march nor can
navies dispatch ships. War is certainly over. In the passage
written by Fish, several tales are told which clarify how
and why the wind came to be Wind. Finally, the two friends leave
the VistaView. They walk into a nearby town. No one
recognizes them and they eat in peace before they separate
promising to meet again. I am making a diary. I had to
wait a long time to do this, really long. Mrs. Ray at school
says I am way beyond my years. She says I can write very
well, indeed. I like that word, indeed I do. This makes me
laugh almost out loud. On the way home today, I felt I could
run like the wind. I was so happy. I had made up my mind to
buy this book, this one right here. Last summer Tim told me
about the kind of book with blank pages inside - ever since
I wanted one I had to save from my lunch or
milk money for weeks and weeks. Vince said he would get me
one of them for my birthday. Then, when my birthday came, I
did not get the book, of course, he said he forgot. I was
disappointed mostly like always. He got mad when I asked
about it. He gets mad easily. I am learning all the things,
which get him angry so I can avoid doing any of them. Tim
said I could write anything in the diary. That is what they
are for. He said you have to give your diary a name. I do
not have a name for mine yet so maybe tomorrow I will get
one My name is Jan. My mom's name is
Marie Ann Real and my stepfather's name is Vincent Real; he
tells everyone to call him Vince. I live in Alamo,
California in the United States, on the world, which goes
around the sun, Sol. I am 10 years old. I like to read. My
real dad is dead. He died in a car accident when I was only
almost six. We lived in a real big city, way back east, New
York City. My mom told me a drunken driver hit dad when he
was getting into his car. She took me back to California.
She always said she wanted to come back here to live. She
loved the low brown hills of the East Bay, hearing the ships
and foghorns as well as listening to train sounds which fade
off into the far country at night. She told me how she loved
the wind, even as a child. She said it was a toy the world
gave for free. It could whistle tunes around corners, make
music with chimes, fly kites and worked to sail ships. I
have always loved the wind just as she did when she was a
child. I was born in 1973, August 16.
Summer is my favorite season. I like to go swimming. I am
good at pitching a baseball. I am a good reader
too. 3/18/83 I am naming my diary Joey. Joey
was my special friend. We used to play all the time; now he
is gone moved away, far away. His family moved out all of a
sudden. He was absent from school for a few days, I felt, I
saw in a dream, his dead eyes. I used to dream with Joey. We
would go to play in our dreams. He said he dreamt of me too;
it was our forever and ever secret. We swore on it.
Sometimes, we would talk about the times we had in our
dreams together. It got so we could not tell whose dream was
whose. I sure wish Joey were here. He taught me basketball
and handball. He showed me how to catch lizards, snakes as
well as other small animals out in the hills. He got money
by selling them to other kids. I would not do that now; most
kids do not know how to take care of them. Some feed them
one time, let someone do bad things to them, or put them in
a jar then forget all about them. My mom found my diary today.
When she cleaned my room, top to bottom, she found it. I had
put it way under my bed. She told me it was auk to have
though Vince would not understand. I knew, from the way she
said, it would make him angry. I think it is because he
writes real sloppy - even I know he cannot spell or talk the
way my teachers say one should. My mom would not say that,
of course. She said he is my stepfather; he likes being
right all the time. She tries hard to not get him upset. She
made me promise to keep it hidden. I keep it in a space
under the drawer of my dresser; I will not even tell HER
about that. Tim says to write every day. I
will not. I do not want to use up the pages faster than it
would take to save for another book; I did the math, believe
you me. I am already starting to save up for the next one! I
guess I will say goodnight to you diary, goodnight Joey, see
you in my dreams. 3/14/8 Dear Joey, It feels good to write to you.
You understand about all the dream things or ways. I wish
you were here. Do you remember the colors? You know I still
like to go to them whenever I can. When I can not I will
still go to a quiet place not far off somewhere but away
from people, their houses then sit down, face into the
sunlight listening to the sounds of the world around me. It
could even be traffic, the other kids playing or the sound
of the wind. I like it when the wind brings things, the
smell of wild flowers, somebody's barbecue, lightning air,
grass, or piles of leaves burning - you remember! I know you
do. Do you know what happened today?
I wanted to show Tim about the colors, dreaming or going to
the stars. He did not understand one teeny-tiny bit; he just
laughed at me then ran off. To make it worse he told the
other kids. Now they make fun of me. I trusted him. Now I do
not have one friend, really. Already, in a few weeks time,
the bullyboys think I am weird. Now Tim is "in" with them,
nice. I was going to show him how, up on the roof, it is so
quiet you can hear so much better. When I am up there, Vince
thinks I am not home. I wish we did not have to move so
much. I am always new everywhere. I sometimes go under
house, through a break in the foundation. I stay there
beneath the flooring. I dug a hole so can sit under there;
it is the coolest place on a summer day. I have a camp where
I read by candlelight! I wish you were still around. We
moved to this stupid place because Vince got a job he likes.
At least I have you. Ever since mom married Vince, we have
moved a lot. Mom says he has to go where work is. Now we
live in Alamo. It is a small place not at all like Oakland.
There, in a crowded place, I could be the way I wanted to
be. I could hide out in the open while being myself. This
place is different - everyone looks at everyone. There is no
hiding place. We are in a sub division with about 400
houses. It has its own elementary; it is bad - everyone
knows everyone! Vince got a bonus. He took us
all to see a movie. It was about World War II, a battle in
the Pacific war, Midway. Seeing the film made me want to
read about it. Vince promised to get me a book on it. I like
history. I want to know why wars happen so many times. In
school, all we seem to learn about are dates or places. I
want to know about why they happen; maybe things will
balance out, I guess. 3/18/83 Dear Joey: Today at school, I was staring
out an open window when the breeze came in. It was so hot in
the classroom. The teacher was talking about a story we had
read. I did not like the story, so I looked out the window,
closed my eyes. Suddenly I felt cool all over. It was nice.
The smells of all the trees were in it and, I promise you, I
could hear a stream, even smell water! I know there is no
stream for miles around. I started imagining where the
stream was. I looked for it in my head, you know the way we
do when find lost things or that kid one time. I followed
the wind's direction to the stream. Birds were singing
there; it was quiet. The sun was out. I closed my eyes. It
was calm and warm. You remember how we used to feel like we
were afloat and drifting, yet seeing some place we read
about? Well, that is when I heard the
teacher calling me. I had to come back. I did not care,
except the whole class was staring at me. I knew I was in
trouble for "disappearing" again. When I said I did not
understand the question, the whole class busted into
laughter; she got mad - first at them, then at me. I had to
see her after school. When I did, she went on talking and
talking. All I could think about was what would happen if I
got home so late that Vince would notice and get mad. It
would be worse, far worse if she called - I knew I would get
beat on. So, like you said to, I prayed and wished and
wished and prayed all while I looked like I was listening. I
kept on going back to that stream too, it was confusing.
Then, through the open window such a bluster came! All the
papers in the room started swirling around, books fell off
shelves along with everything else. She raced to slam down
the windows. The teacher got more upset, but not at me-
besides I helped her tidy up. I guess she forgot about
calling. Vince was mad when I got home
anyway - even though I was not too late. Like usual, I
peeked to see him, if I could, before I went in; he had real
mean face. He was scowling at the TV. The front door was
open. I stood there a while before I rushed in. He yelled
for me to stop. I only hesitated. He was bleary-eyed drunk.
He snapped into a growling rage, got up quickly then slipped
and fell. I ran for it. He managed to collar me before I
could get down the hall. He had a hard time keeping a good
hold on me as I squirmed twisted or turned as he tried to
smack my face, "don't you try to sneak on me,
boy" I was fending off blows when my
mom came up behind him hollering. He hoisted me up, shoved
me into her with such back hand that she nearly fell over
and bellowed, "Take care of him or I will!" He went back to
the TV, put it at full volume and yelled, "I hope I can
watch something for once in peace with G.D... quiet around
here!: She took me up. We cried
silently as she carried me to their room. She whispered
Vince had lost another job. Then she slammed the door behind
us. After nice face turned real mean. She told me through
clenched teeth - if I did not cry or howl she was going to
beat me for real this time. I screamed. She yelled and
banged things around before she went out, slamming the door.
He began to yell at her and she at him. This went on until
they left still loudly angry. He never even asked why I was
late. That night the phone lines went down due to a freak
storm. I considered it a lucky break. Before I woke up this morning, I
dreamt I was playing a musical instrument, a flute of some
kind. I did not get a chance to go to the library to find a
picture of it. There was not enough time, since I had to
read what I missed in class. I promised the teacher I would
always read the stuff. She said if my tests were ok, she
would be auk. Joey said he'd help. That made them easy as
pie. 3/19/83