Kindle Edition
Amazon
Category:
Young Adult/Teen
Publisher: Pumpkinhead Productions
Pages: 213
Copyright: Jan. 5, 2014
Price: $1.99 (eBook)
Filled with plenty of action, adventure, and ancient Maya mysticism, Site Q: The Lost City, the sequel to, The Fifth Codex is a fun read for the young adult audience and the young at heart.
Only weeks had passed since well-known archeologist, Richard ‘Woody’ Woodson, returned to his home in Chicago from the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Exhausted and recovering from wounds suffered while searching for The Fifth Codex, an ancient Mayan book of dark magic, Woody had decided to take the summer off before returning to the Yucatan.
Jon Panzer, a well-known collector of Mayan artifacts, had found evidence of a “Lost City” deep in the jungles of Guatemala. Stolen artifacts were turning up that came from no known Mayan archeological site
Discovering a lost Mayan city had always been Woodson’s dream. Accompanied by Woodson’s girlfriend Blue, Panzer, and his secretary Carla Jamison, Woodson and Pedro head for Guatemala to meet up with their good friend and mentor, Professor Lyons and Keh, an elderly Mayan shaman hoping to discover the ‘Lost City.’
The dangers of the wild Guatemalan jungles and rainforests were not the only obstacles in their way. The expedition had to battle a dangerous gang of smugglers. These villains would stop at nothing to keep Woodson, Pedro and friends from finding the ‘Lost City.’
Excerpt
CHAPTER ONE
The Call
The old man had awakened suddenly. Was it a dream? He glanced at the window to see the light of the full moon as it poured into his small but tidy hut. He slept on the floor just as his ancestors had for over a thousand years. Was it a vision? His mind turned back to the strange images that came to disturb his rest.
The years had been kind to him, he thought as he sat up. The old man thanked the gods that at his age he could still move around without pain or effort. Now fully awake, he moved from his mat and stood. Again, the old man thanked the gods. Picking up a long stick, he poked at the smoldering wood in his fire pot. It took a few minutes, but the embers began to glow. Soon the old man felt the gentle warmth of his fire as it covered his wrinkled face and hands.
Pulling on his coat, he walked outside to fetch wood for the hungry fire. As he stood before his hut, the moon bathed him in a shimmering pale blue light. It was very bright on this night. He stopped and just stared at the mysterious disc that hung so gently in the sky. He wondered what his ancestors felt a thousand years before when they viewed this miracle in the sky. The old man stared up into the heavens. It was difficult to resist thinking what had awakened him on this night was more than a dream. He had no doubt that there was a reason for this vision. He thought of how odd it was. The woman, the island, what did it all mean?
He decided it best to sit down in the night air and let the light of the moon guide his varied thoughts. Remembering this vision was not a problem. Now deeply etched in his memory, it was very real—much too real. What could it mean? He decided to replay the images in his mind So many times he thought about the vision, but found no answer. One thing he did know was that some day, he would meet the one. The one who would help him understand what had invaded his thoughts. The thoughts that would, undoubtedly, haunt him until he met the one.
The summer was hot— about as hot as Woodson could ever remember. He had spent so many years in the Yucatan Peninsula that he had forgotten how darn hot Chicago summers could get.
Built like a fireplug, his face was narrow with strong deep features that ended at a handsome square jaw. A well-known archeologist, Richard Woodson was an expert in ancient Mayan culture, including the mysterious ruins that the Maya had left behind. Woodson sat on the patio looking out over the mirrored lake. He thought of how he longed to return to Mexico. He missed Pedro and Angel and the wonderful sights and smells of the Caribbean.
Woodson was currently on a leave of absence from his archeological duties. The University thought it best that he rested after his ordeal at Chichén Itzá. So he and his girlfriend, Marilynn Trotter (whom he called Blue because of her brilliant blue eyes), were back in the Windy City for some rest and relaxation.
“Hey Woody,” said Blue, from just inside the patio door. She carried two tall frosty glasses. “Could you get the door? My hands are full.” Woodson jumped up to assist her. As he did, he accidentally dropped a string of small green beads.
“Are you still playing with those silly beads?” Blue asked.
“I guess so,” he answered, looking into her big blue eyes. “I just can’t get Guerrero out of my mind.”
“Look, Lyons told me to keep an eye on you. I know what an emotional roller coaster you were on last month, but you’ve got to let it go!” Blue sat down next to Woodson and placed her hand affectionately on his. He looked at the beads in his hand and then deeply into her eyes.
“I wish I could,” he said softly, “but I miss Pedro, Angel, and the professor. If it weren’t for them and the mysterious woman that Pedro said helped pull us to safety, the Sacred Cenote would have swallowed us up.”
“I know,” said Blue thoughtfully. “But that whole mess is over and done with. The Fifth Codex is lost forever and all you have left are those green beads that you found with Guerrero’s journal.” Blue grew impatient. “Need I remind you that you’re supposed to be resting?”
Woodson stood and walked near the grassy shore. The lake appeared as smooth as glass, rare for a usually windy time of year. Standing at the water’s edge for a moment, he paused, looked at the beads, and then quickly stuffed them in his pocket before turning around.
“You’re right. You’re absolutely right,” he agreed. “The Codex is gone. Guerrero’s journal is in the museum and Aguilar is in jail—” He heard the phone ring.
“I’ll get it,” shouted Blue. She ran into the house. Moments later, Blue stepped back outside with the phone. “It’s for you.”
“Who is it?” he asked.
“He said his name was Jon Panzer. Said that it’s really important that he speak with you,” Blue frowned as she handed him the phone. “Do you know him?”
Woodson shrugged his shoulders and snatched the phone from Blue. “This is Woodson… yes… I’m the one… University? No… yes, I can… tomorrow… yes, I know where that is… two o’clock… sure… okay. I will see you then. Goodbye Mr. Panzer.” Handing the phone back to Blue, Woodson turned, and without so much as a word, walked back toward the lake.
“Who was that?” Blue inquired impatiently. “Who’s Panzer?”
Woodson stood quietly by the water’s edge. He did not answer.
“Woody! Who is this Panzer guy?” she pressed on, now sounding very annoyed. “What does he want?”
Woodson turned back toward Blue and shot her a half smile. “Only the largest collector of Mayan artifacts in North America… It seems that he wants me!”
“Now what would he want with you?” inquired Blue suspiciously.
“I’m not exactly sure, but it sounded like he wants to hire me.”
“To do what?”
“Consulting, more than likely,” replied Woodson. He skipped a stone across the surface of the lake. “I’ll find out tomorrow at two o’clock.”
“Look Woody,” began Blue, waving an accusing finger, “You promised Lyons that you would take it easy—”
“Relax Blue,” Woodson tried to reassure her, picking up another stone to skip across the lake. “I’m just going to talk to the man. He probably wants to ask some questions about Gonzalo Guerrero. I’m sure that’s all.”
“Well I’m going with you.” Blue continued to wave the menacing finger.
“Not this time.” Woodson shook his head. “He just wants to see me.”
“What the heck?”
“Panzer wants a private meeting,” he quickly interrupted. “Even if you come, I’m sure he’d have you wait in another room. From what I’ve heard, these collectors are supposed to be quite eccentric.
Blue dropped heavily into one of the chairs, and with both hands pulled her long brown hair away from her tanned face. “I just know you’re going to get yourself into trouble. I just know it.”
Woodson did not answer. He just stared out over the water. The sun was beginning to set and the clouded sky shrouded the lake with many different shades of orange and pink. Woodson watched the sun slowly set making sure to conceal his smile from Blue.
“The Mr. Panzer,” he said under his breath. “I think this is going to be very interesting!”
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