"The Leval-Shelay Devices", Part 4

(Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)


Over the next four weeks that led up to the start of school, it was becoming more and more apparent that the devices were now a way of life in Turner Hills. Devin and Julienne persisted in trying to get the devices back, but to no avail.


By the first day of school, Devin had pretty much given up hope of convincing his parents to change their minds. They were adamant in their decision. At the Turner Hills School, Devin was starting 8th grade and Julienne was starting 10th. Julienne fit in well enough, but Devin had few friends. He was usually an introverted outcast who was tormented by other kids. Because he was already the only one who didn’t seem to have life easy, everyone knowing he didn’t have a device only made things worse. He walked through the hallway while some stared, others laughed, and many whispered. Devin had grown used to this treatment and didn’t react. As he scanned the crowd of the same hostile faces in a new grade, he saw Nick. The look on Nick’s face seemed to say, “I wish I could help.” Devin went over to Nick and told him that there was no way to help and that everything was fine. Neither of them believed that for a second.

Life went on as usual until one day in the middle of October. At about noon, when Devin was in school, all the devices suddenly deactivated. The citizens of Turner Hills had become so accustomed to the devices that people freaked out and society came to a standstill. A booming male voice announced that everyone needed to gather in the center of town right away. The first thing Devin saw when he Zapped over to Town Center was a large, mysterious building that had not been there before. It was a very plain, metal building with windows, a door, and a sign reading, “Leval-Shelay.” The voice announced that for the devices to be reactivated, everyone would have to crowd inside the building.

For some reason, Julienne went in too while Julien and Thelma chased after her, trying to get her out. Devin just stood outside the building staring at the Leval-Shelay sign. And then it happened- it was just for a moment, but his mind had rearranged the letters in Leval-Shelay to spell “Shale Valley.” Upon this realization, Devin knew that everyone was in extreme danger.

(Part 5 tomorrow)