The Neighborhood
The Neighborhood — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
The colossal Emotion Observatory hummed with untold energy, a beacon against the jagged peaks. Inside, starlight filtered through crystal lenses, casting rainbow patterns across humming consoles. A young woman with vibrant eyes adjusted a dial, watching as emotion-maps shimmered across the panoramic display. "Another shift in Sector Gamma," she murmured to herself.
Page 2
"Elara, sector reports are flooding in. A massive surge of joy, emanating from...the Old Town district?" a voice crackled over the comm system. Elara frowned, adjusting the focus. "Impossible, Commander Icarus. Old Town's been a dead zone for decades; only shadows and whispers there."
Page 3
"Negative, Elara. The instruments don't lie," Icarus replied, his voice firm. "I'm assigning you to investigate. Find the source of this anomaly and report back immediately." Elara sighed, glancing at her younger brother, Orion, tinkering with a smaller console nearby. "Looks like my night just got...interesting," she muttered, grabbing her coat.
Page 4
Orion looked up, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Old Town? Seriously? People still live there? It's practically a ghost sector." Elara shrugged, adjusting the collar of her coat. "Someone's feeling really happy, apparently. And as my favorite philosopher, Plato, said, 'The beginning is the most important part of the work'. I'm off to find out why."
Page 5
The hovercar screeched as it landed in Old Town's deserted plaza, the vehicle rocking from the sudden stop. Rusting metal skeletons of buildings clawed at the sky, casting long shadows in the dim light. A lone cat darted across the street, its eyes glowing in the gloom. Elara stepped out, pulse rifle slung across her back, and the air hung heavy with the scent of decay.
Page 6
Suddenly, a vibrant melody filled the air, a joyous tune played on a battered old piano. Elara, startled, drew her pulse rifle. "Who's there? Show yourself!" A young boy, no older than twelve, peeked out from behind a crumbling building, a wide smile on his face. "Oh, sorry! Didn't mean to scare you. I'm Leo," he said with a wave.
Page 7
"Leo? What are you doing here?" Elara demanded, lowering her weapon slightly. "And what's with the music?" Leo grinned, gesturing to a group of children gathered around the piano, laughing and dancing. "We're making Old Town happy again!" he exclaimed. "Music makes people happy."
Page 8
Elara scanned the faces of the children, a flicker of recognition in her eyes. She suddenly remembered something her brother had said, years ago. 'Emotions aren't just feelings, Elara; they're energy. Harness them, and you can power anything.' With the realization that he had said it she gasped.
Page 9
"The children...their joy...it's not just happiness, it's power!" Elara exclaimed, her eyes shining with understanding. She recalled her brother Orion's recent comment: "The Observatory's energy matrix...it resonates with emotional signatures. If the Old Town's Joy can be harnessed...". The possibility hit her.
Page 10
Elara activated her comm. "Icarus, Orion was right. Sector Gamma isn't just joy, it's a power surge. Their Joy is usable energy; it can power the entire Observatory! Time to make Old Town the beating heart of a new emotional neighborhood." She smiled, already planning the energy matrix upgrade. The old neighborhood was about to be born anew.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
Read Wonder Books on your phone
Wonder Books is available on Android and iPhone and iPad. Get Wonder Books on Google Play · Get Wonder Books on the App Store.