shimmer expansion

8/4/2019 Shimmer Expansion

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Cortez 1

Michael Cortez

21st Century Mythology

12 December 2010

Summary/Expansion of Shimmer

In the novel,Shimmer by Dallas Reed, Justin, the party's host, doesn't know that

the box in his dad's study contains a shimmering dust that has the power to transform all it

touches. Emma, the new girl, doesn't know she will spend the next twenty-four hours running for

her life through a freezing blizzard. Russ, a local snowboarder, doesn't know that the person heloves most is about to betray him. And Tess, the queen of the school, only knows she wants to

see what's in that box. At the end of the book, the box is returned to whence it came and just

idles to be found again.

Chapter 37

After several years of the box being sealed off, Leif kerstedt , an independently wealthy

Swedish Archaeologist /Anthropologist, found the box symbolic to that of Pandora and it was

about to be reopened.

As Leif ventured into a seemingly man-made cave, he came across something

unexpected. He and his assistant discovered what seemed to resemble a stone box.

Leif, said his assistant, John degrd. What do you suppose this is?

Im not yet sureit looks as if it is an ancient box similar to that of Albanian

construction based on the markings. said Leif

Surveying the area then turning to John.


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Well, from where Im standing, it seems to have some sort of phosphoric dust particles

which aid in the shimmering, replied John.

John brushes some of the dust off and reveals it is made from stone.

Its made of stone. How old you suppose it is? questioned John

Its too soon to tell. This phosphoric dust may be an advanced form of radiation for all

we know, said Leif.

Perhaps, maybe we should open it? said John.

I think not JohnId rather have it shipped overnight to my lab in Stockholm for further

analysis.But Leif, it may contain an important find from the Jastorf culture!

That is highly unlikely due to the Jastorf culture being a material culture to the

Scandinavian Iron Age in what is now North Germany spanning form the 6th and 1st centuries

BC . said Leif

Quite correct, however, it is still plausible. said John

Later on Leif had John go to have the box shipped to his lab. I must determine what this

box contains! said John. As John opens the box, he is surrounded by the contents in the box. As

this happens, Leif catches John and quickly closes the box.

No! What have you done? This is not to be opened again! commanded Leif

I-I-I was justI wanted to see what was in the box myself... John said with some

apprehension.

As your boss, I should fire you for taking initiative, however, besides the phosphoric

dust, what did you find in the box? Leif asked.

It-it was empty, replied John.


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Cortez 3

As John said that, Leif observed Johns demeanor and tone; trying to determine if is the

truth or if he were hiding something more.

Well that seems likely...Given the condition of the box and the location, I am not

surprised that whatever was in there simply deteriorated. said Leif

Pardon, but that would have taken thousands of years. said John

As Leif is about to answer John, Emma walks by the lab and notices the gentlemen having a

discussion. Hello, you must be the researchers from Sweden, is that correct? Emma asked.

Why, yes, we are from Sweden replied Leif.

As the two gentlemen replied, Emma looked around.Wow, you have a very nice lab here Emma remarks.

It is actually rented; my actual lab is in Stockholm. said Leif.

Very interestingOh! Im sorry, my name is Emma.

Im Leif kerstedt and this is my assistant John degrd

Well, nice to meet you both. said Emma Have you found anything interesting?

Actually we have, it was hiding in a cave in the mountains. said Leif.

Oh neat, what is it? said Emma in an intrigued tone.

It was a gray, stone box with some foreign markings on it which, have yet to be

analyzed. said Leif.

Oh, well congratulations on your find! Oh, and Welcome to Winter, Colorado Det

var ett nje att trffa bde av er Hej d said Emma in a articulate tone.

Hej d Wow, a very nice andcosmopolitan girl indeed Said Leif

As Emma left their lab, Leif seemed a bit suspicious

Get that box to Sweden commanded Leif.


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Right away said John.

They said they cant do overnight delivery due to hiemal conditions, however, they can

ship it in a few days and will send someone to pick up the box...a courier of some sort. Is that

OK? asked John

That is fine...just get that box to my lab. said Leif

Chapter 38

Emma became a bit concerned and decided to call Russ, a guy who was her friend in high

school and was living in Winter at the time of the chaos due to Tess and the box.Emma is at

home and decides to call Russ who is at home.Hello? answered Russ.

Its Emma, you know those researchers from Europe?

As Emma mention them Russ contemplated and remembered that they arrived in the

Summer.

Yeah, I think ive heard about them. Why? What did they do? asked Russ.

I think they found that box. said Emma nervously.

What? What box? said Russ.

Dont you remember when the people of Winter were under mass chaos because of the

box from Justins party? asked Emma

You mean when all that animosity and confusion happend because of Tess? said Russ.

Yes! She was taken over by whatever was in that box and now, those researchers have

found it again. said Emma.

Oh man! Oh man! Should we call Justin? said Russ.


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Cortez 5

No, no remember after the whole ordeal he and his family moved to Connecticut so, it

wouldnt matter to him. Actually, many of the residents of Winter left...It was one weird and

very cold winter. said Emma.

As Emma waited for a reply she went over to get her yearbook which was when she was

in high school her senior year.

Alright. You call Betina and ill figure something out. said Russ

Ok, but what do i do afterwards? said Emma.

Just call her and then I will call you as soon as I figure something out said Russ.

Alright said Emma.Emma receives a phone call later on. From looking at the photo ID she answers it.

Hey, the only thing that ive come up with is we need to steal the box from the

researchers. said Russ.

They will eventually figure out that the box is missing! yelled Emma hysterically

Its alright! I know a friend who is very good at replicating art and well, anything

really. said Russ

How can he do that if we dont have a picture let alone, the actual box? said Emma.

Well, then I guess we need to get that box. Didnt you take a Swedish class in

college? said Russ.

Yeah, but only a semester. said Emma.

That will do. said Russ.

What does my knowing Swedish have to do with anything? said Emma.

Foreigners cant resist when they hear their native language said Russ.

So? said Emma.


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Cortez 6

So, they will be distracted! Just speak some Swedish when we visit their lab so I can

take the box. Okay? said Russ.

Oh! I get it. But, do you really think they will leave the box sitting out in the open?

Oh my gosh! screamed Emma

What?! What is it? replied Russ with a confused expression on his face

When I called Betina, she said that they were going to have the boxed shipped to

Sweden. replied Emma

What? How does she know? and why Sweden? Questioned Russ

She said she had her friend who works in the same department of the Institute spy onthem and thats what she heard them say. Theyre probably shipping it to Sweden because Leif

has his lab in Stockholm. replied Emma

I dont like this one bit...we cant let that box leave the country let alone Winter! Who

knows what they would do with it. said Russ

Alright...I will call you in the morning and we will get with the plan. said Emma

OK...you do that while I Google this guy and create a dossier. said Russ frantically

OK! Bye remarked Emma

Early next morning, Emmas phone rings.

Hello, this is Emma.

Ok, so I figured out who this Leif guy is and apparently he is one of the most wealthy

and powerful men of Sweden said Russ

Ok, so? Sweden is a small country...being affluent and having influence doesnt go

very far in a small country like Sweden. replied Emma


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He has like trillions in the bank plus, he has very good relations with our political

icons. replied Russ.

I know who he is.. replied Emma sharply

Then, if we mess with a guy like that he would probably sue us and declare us terrorist

to lets say to the SecDef! said Russ

Perhaps... Im going to the lab to see what theyre up to. replied Emma hastley

Then im coming too! said Russ

No! Because then they may figure something is up! replied Emma cogently

Alright... Just be careful...I dont trust them one bit. said Russ

Chapter 39

Mr. kerstedt and Mr. degrd, my boss sent me all the way down here to see if you

need any assistance said Emma cunningly

Why yes, but have you had any experience inspecting Bones? asked Leif

Bones are what Emma fearedsince she was a Law student she had no prior experience.

Afraid not replied Emma seeming sad

Very well. Then, I dont need you. Another question, what do you do here? asked

Leif

What do I do? I-I work in the Biological Warfare department. replied Emma hoping

they would believe her and not see right through her

Ah, then perhaps you can assist Mr. degrd in examining our new find to determine if

it is radioactivity? asked Leif

Emma with a shocked expression replied W-w-why, yes of course!


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Cortez 8

Go get the box from the valt! commanded Leif

Right away! replied John

so that s where they keep it! Thought Emma

Here it is said John

There it i s Still l oo ked the s ame a s it did when I fir s t s aw it at that party and it ha s that

s himmering du s t o n it Thought Emma

What is that shiny stuff on it? asked Emma who already knew the answer

Were not yet surewe were hoping you could tell us. said John

Why would I be able to tell you? asked EmmaYou are the biological warfare studentare you not? asked John

Yes, its just Ive never seen any chemical or powder that is shiny. Said Emma

Ah, yes, even our scientist were puzzled. said John jokingly

How did they analyze it? asked Emma

Knowing the possibilities to her question but was just attempting to distract and stall.

We had a conference with them over the webcam on the computer and we also sent

them samples. replied John

Oh, very interesting. So, what do you think is in the box? asked Emma already know

what was in there

We dont yet know. Replied John

Emma about to open the box was quickly stopped by John

Do not open the box! Just analyze the exterior! yelled John

Ok said Emma frightened

As Emma just analyzed the outside of the box, John observed her.


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Cortez 9

I dont believe youre what you say you are said John

Huh? Why do you say that? asked Emma as she looked for an exit

Because according to the University here in Winter, you got a masters in Law not

Biological Warfare.

Emma raced toward the cold window with the box and as she drew near, Russ was out

waiting and helplessly she tossed it out and he came and got it.

Run! shrieked Emma

Then, all of a sudden, Emma was goneshe was locked in a room awaiting for the

investigator.Chapter 40

After seeing Emma being taken, Russ decided to get rid of the box once and for all and

then deal with Emmas ordeal.

As Russ went back up the mountain, he found the cave but decided to not just leave it

there; he looked for a hole to toss it into and had no luck. He searched and searched and was

about to give up when he decided to make a hole. As he was digging, he found another box but

this one was made of diamond and had blue dust on it. He opened the box and out came the

chaos.TO BE CONTINUTED.

Reflection

I didnt really change the ending, but more so expanded it. I wanted my creativity and

imagination to shine through. I extended my novel to make it more interesting and sort of create

a more modern take as in, in the original novel the kids were in high school but in this extension,


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they are grown up and you get to see how Ive made them different and what new obstacles they

must face.

What my extension provided that the original was lacking is my own creativity. It tells

when the kids are grown rather than in high school and how Ive made their character a little

different.

What I found challenging about this project was honestly the time frame in which I was

given and also, I wasnt all that sure of how to format the expansion and how to establish the

background information between dialogues.

Am I happy with my final result? No, I mean I am in sense of getting my plot andcharacters across, but as most people know, writing can always be improved not matter how

good of a writer you are but generally speaking, yeah I suppose I am. I just need to work on

understanding how to format and establish the background and descriptions between the

dialogues.


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Cortez 11

shimmer expansion

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