Planet X by Jamie Harbison - HTML preview

Chapter 9

The journey back to earth was thankfully without drama except for the peculiar way Mr. Hipobaum was behaving. Nick waved his hands in front of the teacher’s face but he acted as if Nick was not there at all. Bill even tried shouting in his ear but it had absolutely no effect.

When they finally landed, they found Mr. Winiger waiting anxiously for them. He was quite upset. He started shouting but then took one look at Mr. Hipobaum and rushed him to sick bay where he collapsed on a bed and fell into a deep sleep. Later in the Headmaster’s office, the boys recounted everything that had happened.

“You boys were very brave indeed!” said Mr. Winiger. “I would like to give you awards for bravery but I think it would be better if we kept this to ourselves. You were right to want to protect the creatures of Nibiru. I am afraid that if anyone else discovers the existence of that golden tower, they might too be blinded by greed and put the creatures as well as themselves in great danger. Mr. Hipobaum has been through a terrible ordeal today as well but I will make sure he never mentions this to anyone. He probably won’t remember much anyway!”

“Thank you sir,” said Nick. I think we should be going home now, our parents are probably very worried.”

“What are you talking about Mr. Taylor? You still have another three periods to attend before the end of the day. You have only been gone for about half an hour!”

“Half a what?” began Nick, very confused.

“Off you go now boys,” interrupted the Headmaster with a smile. “I’ll explain that to you another day.”

A few weeks later, they were discussing how it could be possible for only a few minutes to pass on Earth during the time they were away when the school fire alarm sounded. In the past, that usually meant that the whole school had to gather in the playing field, as they had practiced during fire drills. Over the intercom however, they could hear a rather worried Mr. Winiger ordering everyone into the hall.

As the children filed in, Nick snuck to the back of the hall. He looked out of the window and saw the reason for the alarm as well as why they were in the hall instead of on the field. He called Bill over and pointed out of the window to hundreds of massive orange toadstools that had not been there during break an hour earlier. Nick smiled at Bill who knew without a doubt that they were in for another incredible adventure.

THE END