Following the Leader

Confused? This is for the Inter-blog Choose Your Own Adventure! The story begins here. The previous branch of the story is here. Enjoy!

1) Listen to Bach to get directions.

* * * * *

The man quickly retrieved the Bach album and, hands trembling, set it to play backwards. It started with a scratching and cacophony of instruments that made Michael’s ears hurt, but soon the weird burbly noise receded into the background and was replaced by a soft male voice.

“To combat the alien menace: Begin at the corner of Madison Lane and head south. Turn right on Lake Reynard Drive. Turn left on Kingsbridge Street. Look for the building made of red bricks with the sign that reads ‘AADLTF’ and knock three times, then once, then four times. Good luck.”

The message was repeated twice more and then there was only the backwards music.

“I know those streets,” Latoya said. “Those are in our town!”

The man nodded. “I thought it was incredible myself, but I was so scared that I never dared investigate.”

Michael rehearsed the directions in his head so he would remember them. It made sense that this would be meant for their town; after all, with the number of pickle silos cropping up, they may very well be at the center of the invasion. “We have to do what it says,” he said. “We have to find this place!”

Latoya shook her head. “What if it’s a trap?”

“None of the other recordings have been traps,” Michael replied. “This is our only hope to stop the aliens.” He turned to the man, who was watching them nervously. “Would you like to come with us?”

“Oh my goodness!” The man shook like a leaf in the wind. “I’ve been too afraid to go outside. What if the aliens find us?”

“I’m scared, too,” Michael said. “But we may be the only ones who have these directions. If we don’t do something, who will?”

“You’re right.” The man stopped shivering and stood up straight. “Okay. I’ll go with you.”

“Awesome!” Michael exclaimed. “What’s your name, mister?”

“Toby Brown,” the man said. “Let me get my stuff.”

Toby disappeared into the back of the store, where he’d been hiding before. He came back with a messenger bag bulging with stuff.

“These are the other albums that I think might help us,” Toby explained. “And a player so we can listen to them.”

Latoya tapped her foot impatiently. “Are we ready now?”

Toby shook his head. “It might be a good idea to stop at the grocery store to get more supplies. I hear that tinfoil can stop aliens from reading your mind!”

“No way!” Latoya said. She looked at Michael. “We need to go straight to this place as fast as we can so the aliens don’t catch us.”

Michael thought about it. “Supplies might be good, but you have a point about getting there quickly. I think we should…”

1) Go to the grocery store for supplies.

2) Head right for the mysterious red brick building.

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9 Responses to “Following the Leader”

  1. Tony Noland says:

    You’ve got the dialogue done perfectly, it sets the scene very well.

    And these two choices are great – the logic can drive in either direction.

    This is fun!

  2. One of the great things, besides reading these marvellous instalments so gratifyingly leading on from what I began, is meeting all these new writer people and finding such beautiful blogs as this.

    Can’t wait to see how big this thing gets, and I hope a thread loops back around this way at some point in the tree, I’d love to read more from your pen.

  3. Valerie says:

    Well, I’ve already volunteered to write another installment if anyone is in need, so that may happen. Glad I’m doing the story justice… this has been too much fun! Tony, I had great material to work with, which made things easier. 😀

  4. The tinfoil bit was great, I really liked this installment too! Good writing Valerie 🙂

  5. Valerie,

    Nice to meet you – it is great to meet other writers on this adventure. I like your installment and that is good dialogue – I hope they get to wear tin foil – hehe!

  6. Erin Cole says:

    Great new branch you’ve started here! I like the secret codes and knocks in the music, very YA SF stuff – and the tinfoil…I’ve actually heard that too 🙂
    Thanks for keeping this one going Valerie.

  7. Valerie says:

    Thanks so much, you guys. Glad my part is up to snuff, and glad to meet new people as well!

  8. I’m (finally) catching up on all choices, and I’m having so much fun! Great installment Valerie!

    I second everyone who says that you have a great dialogue here. You certainly made me want to see what’s coming up! 🙂

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