Extrait du livre Charlie and the New York mystery
Charlie and the New York mystery by Maisie Fiesch and Annalisa Ferrari ABC Melody publishing
Charlie and the New York mystery
Charlie and James are at Heathrow Airport in London. – This is amazing, says Charlie. We’re flying to the United States… without our families! Are you excited? – Actually, says James, I’m a bit scared. The boys are going to visit Charlie’s pen-pal, Lily, in New York. It is their first big trip alone. They wave goodbye to their parents. – We are going to miss you, says Charlie’s dad. Please call us every day. – And stay out of trouble! says James’s mum. The boys board their plane. The adventure begins. After eight hours of flying, Charlie and James arrive at JFK Airport in New York. – We need to find Lily’s Uncle Phil, says Charlie. He’s a taxi driver. He will take us to Lily’s house. Lily sent me a clue to help us find him: “He’s wearing a hat, it’s shiny and new, it’s a primary colour but not red or blue.” – Over there, says James. That man has a bright yellow hat. Yellow is a primary colour. The man is holding a sign with Charlie and James’s names on it. – You must be Lily’s friends, says Uncle Phil. Are you ready to see New York?
Charlie and James are in Uncle Phil’s taxi. They are driving through the city. – Lily lives in a neighbourhood called Brooklyn, says Uncle Phil. But first, we will drive through the Manhattan neighbourhood — it’s worth seeing! The boys look out the window. There are tall buildings, flashing lights and giant television screens everywhere. – This is Times Square, says Uncle Phil. It has many theatres and street performers. James points out the window. – There’s a giant mouse! And space soldiers! And a blue monster! – New York is crazy, says Charlie. – We’re crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, says Uncle Phil. Can you see the giant green statue in the river? Do you know who she is? – It’s the Statue of Liberty, answers James. – That’s right, says Uncle Phil. France gave her to the United States as a present. Both countries had revolutions so they are close friends. – That’s a very big present! says Charlie, impressed. The biggest present I ever got was a bike!
The taxi stops in front of a big house. – That’s Lily’s place, says Uncle Phil. I can’t come inside with you because I have to pick up some other passengers. Charlie and James get their luggage and wave goodbye to Uncle Phil. – Charlie, whispers James. I think this house looks… strange. – You’re right, says Charlie. It is very dirty. – And there are cobwebs and big spiders everywhere! Charlie knocks on the door. It is already open. – Lily? calls Charlie. There is no answer. The boys enter the house. – Oh no! cries James. What has happened? The living room is a big mess. There is rubbish everywhere. – Do you think they were robbed? asks Charlie. – Yes, or worse, says James. Look at the floor. Is that blood?
Charlie examines the “blood”. He smells it, then he sticks his finger in it and licks it. – It tastes like raspberry, says Charlie. I think it’s just sauce. James goes to the table. – Look, Charlie! I’ve found a map. It says: “FIND LILY” but there are no directions. – That’s Lily’s handwriting, says Charlie. She must be giving us a clue. Suddenly, the children hear a terrible noise coming from the staircase. – Urgghhhhhhhhhhh… – Is that you, Lily? asks Charlie, his voice trembling. There is no answer. Something is coming down the stairs. – It’s not Lily, whispers James. It’s… it’s… – A ZOMBIE! shouts Charlie. Run!
Charlie and James run as fast as they can out of the house. The zombie chases them. – Come back! shouts the zombie. – No way! shouts back Charlie. Charlie and James run very fast, too fast for the zombie. They are on a street that they do not know. But at least there is no zombie there, and they still have Lily’s map. – What’s next? sighs James. Are you okay, children? asks an old woman. – No, says Charlie. New York is crazy! We just got chased by a zombie! – A zombie? The old woman laughs. That’s normal. It’s Halloween Night tonight. That’s when all the monsters come out to play. – This monster is not playing, says Charlie. It has taken our friend Lily with him. We have to find her. – All we have is this map, says James. Do you know what it’s showing? The old woman puts on her glasses and looks at the map. – That’s Prospect Park, says the old woman. I will tell you how to get there. I hope you find your friend.
