by Nathan Schwepler

Created on: July 01, 2008   Last Updated: April 27, 2009

The Great Fire of 2122 is a book about the past and the future. This excerpt takes us back to the beginning of a little Tennessee town. This family needed more than a dream to make them move.

Chapter Five Collinsville, PA

The only thing Harold liked less than getting up before the sun was getting up with the sun to work in the fields. Harold ducked out of the house before sun up and walked a half mile into Collinsville. He sat down on the steps of the first building he came to, the bank, and fell asleep.

When the town woke, almost everyone saw Harold Wellborn sleeping there in front of the bank. Chester and Drake saw him, and before they woke him, they made a plan to take the young, big-talking Wellborn down a few notches.
They squatted down on either side of Harold and yelled at him as they jerked him to his feet. "Mornin' Harold. Get kicked out your house?" "Nah. Just came for a day in town." "Harold," said Drake, "You gotta be careful spending the night in front of the bank. People are beginning to start rumors that you're scoutin' it out for a robbery." "Ah, shucks, this bank's nothing," boasted Harold. "I wouldn't have to scout or plan or nothin'. If I wanted to rob it, all I'd need is a gun and that money'd be in my pocket." That was what Chester and Drake were waiting for, and they were surprised that Harold walked into their trap so quickly. Chester's face lit up. "All right, Harold, come on. Let's do it." Before Harold figured out anything about anything, Chester and Drake started to run down the street. "Come on Harold we're with you. It's a great idea." Harold followed them into Drake's father's dry goods store. They dragged him into the storeroom where Chester and Drake talked so fast that Harold couldn't say anything or even collect his thoughts. Four minutes later the three of them walked out of the store and to the alley behind the bank. Chester gave Harold three pistols: two stuck in his belt and one in his hand. Drake tied a handkerchief over Harold's face while Chester talked. "Here we go, Harold. You remember your part?" "What? I guess." "No guesses," said Chester. "Your plan is great. You are the only one who could have thought of it. You've got the key part, because you're the bravest one. We'll go in the bank just like normal customers, but then we'll slip off to the side and cover our faces. When you now you're the hero in this. When you come in, they'll know it's a robbery, but they'll just see one robber at first. Then we'll pop out and

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