Johnny Dash and the Doral Flower (Johhny Dash Series Book 1)
Johnny Dash and the Doral Flower
Jay Lion
Liam Sky
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When I said I wanted to be a writer, my friends told me I was a “fool”; and my relatives, to devote myself to something else. Despite of all that, I continued writing. When I showed them my first story, they drifted away because they considered me too weird. They all thought that I was a complete loser, so I felt like that for a long time. No one ever understood the passion that books made me feel. Disappointed of everything, I stopped writing and focused on studying, but I was not happy. I abandoned my dreams, my stories and an incomplete adventure novel in my computer's hard drive for many years. Time went by like this until some day I, by chance, saw an ad on the web: “Publish your book for free with KDP.”
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing gave me what I had been looking for so long: an opportunity. Driven by the idea that any person —regardless of their race, social background or country of origin— could write a book, I finished my novel. And if now, when I see it published, I spill some tears on my keyboard, it is because of the excitement of achieving something which has cost me such effort, time and sacrifices.
As a token of my appreciation, I will only publish on Amazon, and with no other editorial: the exclusive digital version with KDP Select, and the physical with CreateSpace.
I hope my story serves as an example to all of those who chose a different path to the rest: musicians, writers, dreamers, and misunderstood entrepreneurs. You are not alone; there is always someone out there to help you. Never stop dreaming! Because your dream can come true.
Jay Lion
Contents
Prologue
Mini-Chapter 1
Mini-Chapter 2
Mini-Chapter 3
Mini-Chapter 4
Mini-Chapter 5
Mini-Chapter 6
Mini-Chapter 7
Mini-Chapter 8
Mini-Chapter 9
Mini-Chapter 10
Mini-Chapter 11
Mini-Chapter 12
Mini-Chapter 13
Mini-Chapter 14
Mini-Chapter 15
Mini-Chapter 16
Mini-Chapter 17
Mini-Chapter 18
Mini-Chapter 19
Mini-Chapter 20
Mini-Chapter 21
Mini-Chapter 22
Mini-Chapter 23
Mini-Chapter 24
Mini-Chapter 25
Mini-Chapter 26
Mini-Chapter 27
Mini-Chapter 28
Mini-Chapter 29
Mini-Chapter 30
Mini-Chapter 31
Mini-Chapter 32
Mini-Chapter 33
Mini-Chapter 34
Mini-Chapter 35
Mini-Chapter 36
Mini-Chapter 37
Mini-Chapter 38
Mini-Chapter 39
Mini-Chapter 40
Mini-Chapter 41
Mini-Chapter 42
Mini-Chapter 43
Mini-Chapter 44
Mini-Chapter 45
Mini-Chapter 46
Mini-Chapter 47
Mini-Chapter 48
Mini-Chapter 49
Mini-Chapter 50
Mini-Chapter 51
Mini-Chapter 52
Mini-Chapter 53
Mini-Chapter 54
Mini-Chapter 55
Mini-Chapter 56
Mini-Chapter 57
Mini-Chapter 58
Mini-Chapter 59
Mini-Chapter 60
Mini-Chapter 61
Mini-Chapter 62
Mini-Chapter 63
Mini-Chapter 64
Mini-Chapter 65
Mini-Chapter 66
Mini-Chapter 67
Mini-Chapter 68
Mini-Chapter 69
Mini-Chapter 70
Mini-Chapter 71
Mini-Chapter 72
Mini-Chapter 73
Mini-Chapter 74
Mini-Chapter 75
Mini-Chapter 76
Mini-Chapter 77
Mini-Chapter 78
Mini-Chapter 79
Mini-Chapter 80
Mini-Chapter 81
Mini-Chapter 82
Mini-Chapter 83
Mini-Chapter 84
Mini-Chapter 85
Mini-Chapter 86
Mini-Chapter 87
Mini-Chapter 88
Mini-Chapter 89
Mini-Chapter 90
Mini-Chapter 91
Mini-Chapter 92
Mini-Chapter 93
Mini-Chapter 94
Mini-Chapter 95
Mini-Chapter 96
Mini-Chapter 97
Mini-Chapter 98
Mini-Chapter 99
Mini-Chapter 100
Mini-Chapter 101
Mini-Chapter 102
Mini-Chapter 103
Mini-Chapter 104
Mini-Chapter 105
Mini-Chapter 106
Mini-Chapter 107
Mini-Chapter 108
Mini-Chapter 109
Mini-Chapter 110
Mini-Chapter 111
Mini-Chapter 112
Mini-Chapter 113
Mini-Chapter 114
Mini-Chapter 115
Mini-Chapter 116
Mini-Chapter 117
Mini-Chapter 118
Mini-Chapter 119
Mini-Chapter 120
Mini-Chapter 121
Mini-Chapter 122
Mini-Chapter 123
Mini-Chapter 124
Mini-Chapter 125
Mini-Chapter 126
Mini-Chapter 127
Mini-Chapter 128
Mini-Chapter 129
Mini-Chapter 130
Mini-Chapter 131
Mini-Chapter 132
Mini-Chapter 133
Mini-Chapter 134
Mini-Chapter 135
Mini-Chapter 136
Mini-Chapter 137
Mini-Chapter 138
Mini-Chapter 139
Mini-Chapter 140
Mini-Chapter 141
Epilogue
Prologue
The members of the crew looked at the quick sand: they did not seem as dangerous as the tornado trailing them. They could not move forward; going back was not an option either: they were in a really critical situation. Johnny Dash felt bitterness because he could do nothing to help the people he loved. Meanwhile, the tornado drew closer by the moment. They could hear its terrible sound. Some members held onto the vehicle to avoid being blown away. Taylor slipped and was about to be devoured by that whirlwind, but Johnny held her by the arm. Then, he hugged her. He felt, in his chest, the desperate heartbeat of that girl he liked so much. Would that be the end? He was afraid and hugged her more tightly. When the twister was too close to be avoided, Taylor looked at him and told him: “I love you!” He just replied: “And I love you!” Then, they closed their eyes and waited for the worst. Would they survive to enjoy their love?
Mini-Chapter 1
Once upon a time, in a place far away from normal human beings, a small and pacific village where many of the citizens had a very special characteristic in common. The village was called Happy Town and it was filled with houses that their citizens had carefully built with things they brought from the City of the Humans, such as: tuna fish cans, milk cartons, plastic bottles; in short, everything people threw away.
The people who lived in the village performed different tasks: There was a settler who directed everything, he was called Midas and he was the
mayor, there were also merchants, physicians, workers and warriors. There were many; however, there were two citizens who always attracted everyone's attention: one of them was Freeman Wise, who had lived for more than one hundred years, and gave very valuable advice to people who came to solve their problems; the other one was Johnny Dash and he was the happiest of all. In addition, he had two special abilities that made him superior to any normal human being and a great disadvantage, which was the same everyone had in Happy Town.
At nights, when they went back to the village after working, all the citizens got together in the central square to eat and tell merry stories. They smiled in spite of their poverty and the great physical defect they had. What they did not know is that everything was about to change.
Mini-Chapter 2
There was in Happy Town, a plant which was more beautiful than any other plant known to humans. This plant had an even more beautiful flower: The Doral Flower, which petals glistened even at night. It was not only special because of its beauty, but also because that little flower fertilized the land; besides, it gave warmth and light to the whole village. How it had come to the village, as well as where it had come from or who had brought it had always been a mystery. They only knew it was a very ancient plant, since, when the citizens were born —even Johnny Cash's grandparents— the Doral Flower had already been planted in the center of Happy Town. From an early age, they were taught to take care of it and protect it, since they had to keep it alive so it would help future generations, just like their ancestors before them. Therefore, everyone watered it daily and took care of it with lots of love.
With each new dawn, Johnny would get up very early to go to work, he greeted everyone very kindly and he tried to paint a smile on their faces. After all, he had learned that from Laura, his mom.
He lived in a small and humble house made of carton, with his two parents. His father, Jared, was a middle-aged man. Additionally, he had some problems walking now, he could no longer visit the place where he had worked all his life: The Happy Town’s Whole Foods Factory. Johnny had replaced him at work and, every time he went back home, he said to him that it was a really hard and tiring task, and that, sincerely, he did not understand how he had managed to work there for some many years. On the other hand, as a reward for his work, Johnny Dash only received, sometimes, a little money and, when there was not any, he received his payment in the soy, flaxseed and wheat they made daily.
His mom was called Laura, and she made exquisite dishes with the food Johnny brought in. She worked in the Happy Town’s Vegetable Garden, sowing and harvesting vegetables. She did not care much about being poor, she just wanted her husband and son to be happy. Also, in her free time, she made clothes with sheep wool, which helped to endure the winter. She gave them away for free to the citizens. They were unaware of what was going to happen.
Mini-Chapter 3
On a quiet morning, a worker discovered a large oil field when he was digging, and immediately told Mayor Midas who, after crying, sent more citizens to the place with the only mission of starting a new project: the extraction of the oil. Before they set off, he told them they were rich, he told them to leave all their other occupations aside, and to devote themselves to extracting the resource. They obeyed their leader and, when they continued digging, they realized that the oil field was way bigger than they had imagined.
After spending some whole days working on the mine, the citizens sold the oil, and they started to make a lot of money. When they had more profits, Mayor Midas increased the salaries of all the citizens of Happy Town, especially the ones of those who worked in the extraction project.
The men stopped using recycled products, and they started to use precious metals to build their houses. Almost all the citizens bought luxurious cars and clothes made of silk. The women bought earrings and diamond and pearl necklaces. They spent more time in big shops, which now were part of Happy Town. Every girl wanted to make known that she was prettier than the other. On the other hand, everyone started to eat fast food. The citizens were not upset by the great change that had taken place; on the contrary, they were all very happy: they had the best of the best.
Despite all of this, Johnny Dash was one of the few who realized something which made him really worried.
Mini-Chapter 4
He went to see Mayor Midas and told him: “You know, Mr. Mayor? No one takes care of our Doral Flower anymore, I am the only one who waters it every day. They are all working to find more oil. I really need help. After all, the Flower is the most valuable thing we have.” The Mayor replied: “That is nonsense, the Doral Flower is better than ever. Besides, now we are rich. Don't you see how happy everyone is? There is no poverty, and least of all, sadness. Without a doubt, oil is what has really filled Happy Town with joy. So, please, let me work and do not bother me again with your trivialities: I have to watch our income and plan what we will buy with all the money we are making.” Johnny Dash went back home. Although he had a lot of money, he felt like crying.
Despite all of that, Johnny was very persistent, and promised himself he would take care of the Doral Flower like anything else in the world. He did not care if he was alone, he would work a lot harder than before.
One morning, when contemplating the wonderful plant, he realized that its brightness was weakening. This worried him a lot, since he perfectly knew that if the Doral Flower extinguished, Happy Town would disappear.
Mini-Chapter 5
After seeing this problem, Johnny Dash decided to talk to the Mayor again. He arrived and, although the guards did not let him through at the beginning (since there was a lot more security than before) he manage to convince them. When he saw him at his desk, Mayor Midas demanded: “What are you doing here? Do you come to bother me with your small problems again? And, how did my bodyguards let you pass?” Johnny replied: “I apologize, Mr. Mayor, but I have something very important to tell you. Really, you have to believe me... The Doral Flower is extinguishing, it will not last long. We have to do something about it. It is not too late yet. If we all work together, we can manage to save it...” The Mayor looked at him for a moment, in silence. Then, he told him: “Look, Johnny, I have been very considerate with you. The first time you came in I did not say anything because I did not want to be rude, but this is too much. I will not allow you to come and bother me in this way! I am the most important member of the whole Happy Town. I am the Mayor! And I think I deserve respect. The truth is I don't care if the Doral Flower extinguishes. Moreover, we don't need it to work our lands anymore. After all, we can buy fast food, isn't it the same? In the end, we are all happy, truly happy. And I warn you: If you interrupt me again and evade my bodyguards to bother me with your trifling, I'll send you to prison for being a rebel, understood?” The young man nodded, apologized and left. Definitely, he could not rely on Mayor Midas's help, so he went back home. He told his problems to his parents. But they were old, they were tired and they already had enough obligations each day; so they could not help him either. Now Johnny was alone, completely alone, for sure. What would he do now? How could be prevent the Doral Flower from extinguishing?
Mini-Chapter 6
The next day, Johnny Dash got up earlier than any day before, he got dressed quickly, and went out without even taking breakfast. He had barely slept. When he arrived to the place, the Doral Flower was about to extinguish. He stood there contemplating it for a while, and he realized he could do nothing to save it. He felt useless. Slowly, the wonderful flower lost its shine until it completely extinguished and its petals were lost to the wind. The young man went on his knees very slowly and, with tears in his tender eyes, said: “Good bye, my friend! Thanks for everything you gave us! I tried to save you... I really did, but my efforts were not enough. Good bye, my beloved Doral Flower! I'll always remember you.”
***
Considering that situation, Johnny decided to visit the most ancient citizen, who lived in a tower, apart from everyone else. Johnny used his spec
ial abilities to get to the highest part of the tower quickly. There, he found that Freeman, as usual, was meditating about great philosophical questions of humanity. After greeting him, Johnny explained the complex situation. Freeman Wise listened carefully, then looked at him for a moment, with a deeply saddened face which soon turned into a disappointment gesture; then, he told him: “To rule over others, it is necessary, first, to rule over one self. He who rules over himself does not become defeated by ambition, or any other vice. It is a shame that our esteemed friend Midas, who now is the Mayor, has acted in such way. He has shown that he is not worthy of having the power of Happy Town. If he had thought better, you, my little friend, would not be looking for answers to problems which may have been avoided, but there is no point in crying, since tears do not give nor take. I will not lie to you, Johnny, I cannot find a positive perspective. However, this does not mean that there isn't a solution, since everything in this life has one, it's just that, sometimes, it is hard to find it; nevertheless, having reached this point, I can only think of one way to save Happy Town from extinction, but it is extremely risky.”
Mini-Chapter 7
“The only solution is to find the new Doral Flower.” Johnny Dash could not believe what he was hearing. The new one? Was there, perhaps, another Flower like that? For a long time, he had thought —just like everyone else— that it was the only one in the world. Freeman Wise added: “This is something very few people know, but the Doral Flower grows only once every one hundred years. The one we had was already very ancient. If my calculations are correct and if my memory does not fail, a new one must have been born and it must be somewhere...” Johnny interrupted him: “Where is that place? Where is the new flower? I will go to the end of the world if necessary to return the joy to my town.” The wise man etched a smile on his wrinkled face, while he replied: “Brave, as brave as your grandfather Maverick Dash... The new Doral Flower always grows in the same place. We keep it a secret so humans don't steal it, or search for it, but it is in the deepest of the jungle. It is a very beautiful place; however, is it filled with hazards, there are many predators who would devour you in one bite if you are not careful; therefore, it is necessary that you are cautious and, most importantly, that you never go on your own.” Johnny Dash had regained the hopes he had at the beginning. He now knew he had another chance: “But, Wise Freeman, almost no one in the town pays attention to me. Who will come with me to this expedition?” The old man looked at him, filled with hope this time, and said: “I am sure that there are citizens as brave as you in Happy Town, it is just a matter of knowing how to find them. It depends on you, Johnny. Choose the strongest, fastest, and especially, the most intelligent. I can do nothing more to help you, I am very old, and I have almost no strength for anything. The only thing I have left to do is give you this.” The old man produced a very old map from the bottom of a secret place in the tower he lived on; then, he said: “This map was given to me by my father, it contains the exact location of the new Doral Flower. As I told you, I picked the flower which shed light on Happy Town for a hundred years. Now, my small and brave friend, it is your turn.” After thanking him, the young man promised he would bring the new Doral Flower. The only thing Freeman Wise replied was: “I trust you, Johnny, I trust you.”