• the lbrynth

    Chapter 1
    Wake up call…

    Arn… Arn… Arn, the alarm clock screeched in Jason’s ear! He started to roll over; he swung out his arm to try to silence the clock! He missed and plummeted to the ground! Suddenly a wave of barking flooded the room, as Molly, his stepmother's evil Chihuahua, started barking her head off, shivering in her pool of pee!

    "Jason! What are you doing up there?” His stepmother boomed, as she stormed up the stairs. Jason hopped up from the floor with his straight brown hair standing up in all different directions as the step mother burst through the door. Her frizzy red hair was almost as poufy as an afro, and her revolting reddish brown lipstick was smeared over her pasty skin. It looked like a two-year old had gotten hold of their mother’s lipstick. She started screaming at the top of her lungs, “Jason! Look what you’ve done! Do you have any…” she went on and on. The morning light that streamed through the window making his normally pale complexion even paler, while the chaos escalated. Jason was infuriated by everything that screamed at him. He couldn’t take it!

    “SHUT UP!” he roared! He slammed his fist on the clock, and everything was quiet, till Molly started to bark.

    “Jason, did you wet the bed again?” his step-mom shrieked as she started to examine the room wondering what would cause such chaos.

    “NO! How many times do I have to tell you? It was your stupid dog, Molly!”

    “Jason how dare you say such things about my Princess!” She hoisted up the dog and said, “The nasty boy didn’t mean it my snoofoowooffoo.”

    “I meant every word of it you idiot!” Jason retorted.

    “How dare you! That’s it mister you’re grounded! That means no TV, no computer…and no soccer practice.”

    “What? We have a game on Sunday!” He wined.

    “Well, maybe you’ll be smarter next time.” She hissed.

    “How will I be able to help the team?” he said. While the quarrel continued, Jason’s seventeen-year old sister came in and seethed, “Be quiet you two! I’m trying to relax this weekend, if you don’t mind.” Her black hair was all messed up, with her neon blue and hot pink high lights going everywhere.

    “Don’t talk to me like that you little snot!” the step mother ordered, “You know what, I think your father found another library for you to check out. If you don’t go to the library I’m going to kick your butt out of the house for a birthday present! Of course that means I’ll take everything you’ve ever had back! So do it!” The Step-mother stormed out of the room. Jason’s sister, Megan, glared at him. “I’m going back to bed.” She grumbled. Jason looked around and sighed. Man well I’m up now. Why not finish getting ready for the day - he thought.

    Half an hour later

    Jason mounted his bike; it was an ancient rusty hand-me-down. The brakes started screaming like banshees, the seat was barely more than a worn out stump, and the handle bars were loose. Not to mention the fact that the chain threatened to come off constantly. Even when his dad rode it when he was Jason’s age, but even then it was an antique!

    He quickly pulled the heap of medal out of the driveway. He could bike as much as he wanted, it would always go the same rate. He still had no chance of cooling off. As he turned the corner, Ritchie was biking down the road when he called out, “Hey, runt, you better go back, because this is your cut off.” He snickered. He stopped his glistening, silver, mountain bike.
    It was the best bike ever! The gears changed smoothly, it was fast and seemed to glide over the ground! It was great with rough terrain too. “Well, what does the pee brain have to say for himself?”

    “I don’t have time for this.” Jason mumbled.

    “Oh yeah tough guy?” Ritchie zoomed forward and rammed into the old bike. Jason tried to get up, but Ritchie pushed him down, “Next time, make time…” Ritchie sneered, nailing Jason in the groin. Jason was paralyzed on the ground, in a tight ball rolling back and forth. “This is only the beginning.” Ritchie disparaged as he backed up and rode away.
    A few minutes later, Jason’s good for nothing sister rolled up in the old mini-van. Jason just was getting up when she called “Get in the car.” Jason furrowed his brow and asked “Why should I?” she rolled her eyes then she said “Do you want a ride or not?” Jason loaded his bike and got in the passenger seat.

    “You okay?” Megan asked.

    “Yeah, it’s just Richie.”

    “He still hates you?” She asked

    “What do you think?” he said sarcastically

    “Why did you guys stop being friends anyway? I mean, you two used to be best friends till third grade. What happened?”

    “I don’t know. His dad got a promotion, and then Richie got popular. He thought I held him back from making friends.” Jason said making a mocking laugh “It didn’t really help when I told him the reason everyone liked him…”

    “No wonder you idiot.” Megan scolded, “You always tell them what they want to hear.”

    “The truth is better though.”

    “As if, just look how you’re treated!” There was a long moment of silence, till Jason asked, “So what’s the real reason you picked me up?”

    “Well Jordan’s throwing a party and all my friends will be there…” Morgan said

    “So what does that have to do with me?” Jason asked skeptically.

    “Well, I don’t want to go to that s*** of a library, so I’m hoping I can make a deal with you. So you’re going to go to the library.”

    “So what’s in it for me?”

    “I’ll take you to soccer practice tomorrow. Is it a deal?”

    “What about the game on Sunday?” Jason persisted

    “I’ll take you there too. Now is it a deal or not?”

    “Deal.”

    “Only thing is I can’t drive all the way, you’ll still have three miles to go.” Megan said

    “What? That’s not fair!” Jason interjected

    “Too bad! Now I’ll drop you off in ten minutes, you can bike the rest.” Megan said as she turned off to a decrepit road. The pavement had turned to dust and gravel. The gravel flew away scraping the finish off the car. Soon she booted Jason out the car. He grabbed his bike and started pedaling, but what he didn't realize was that the journey he was taking was much longer than a mile or two...

    Mid afternoon

    He squeaked up to the bike rack and descended off the rusty mess taking out his bike chain. After securing the bike he walked up the cool, marble steps. Jason stepped through the massive, ominous door that towered above him. It was heavier than it looked, and it was at least a foot thick.
    Jason gawked at the high glass ceiling. The walls had black aberrant lights that were protruding out in sharp torches. The yellow haze seemed to be the main source of light. But they drew attention to the huge medal support beams out lined the granite walls. Smaller beams framed the glass ceiling, and even though it had a glass ceiling, no light got through, because the ceiling was like the reversed side of police glass...

    “Excuse me.” Jason recoiled at hearing another man's voice. Jason turned around and saw a young man sitting behind a desk. It had a small gold desk plate that said directory & checkout.

    “Can I help you?” Jason looked the young man up and down he had slicked back blond hair, a starched white shirt and tie, it all seemed very formal. He also wore jeans and dress shoes. It just didn’t fit.

    “Um, do you have any rare books?” Jason pondered.

    “Yes of course, why do you ask?” the man sighed. He sighed in waiting without budging an inch.

    “My dad’s a scholar and he probably needs more books. Why is that any of your business?”

    “I need to know why you needed them. Just follow me.” The man slowly stood up and walked to a gap between two book cases. Built above the gap was an archway of books and there was a small white picket fence in-between the shelves. “Just inside there,” he said reaching for the gate. After Jason crept inside, the gate was shut and the man said, “All the rare books are down stairs.”

    “Where are the stairs?” Jason asked

    “No worries you’ll find them.” With that he walked away, and Jason headed off.

    The pathways between the shelves twisted and turned. Some actually cut off into dead ends. After a while, Jason lost all sense of direction. He wondered around, confused and bewildered. Finally when he was about to give up, he found a huge opening. There were four couches, loosely encasing a medal, spiral stair case.

    Down he went; soon he focused on the vibrant colors that graced the walls. Each step he took revealed a new story. Time flew by as he crept down the stairs, admiring the murals on the walls. He saw King Author’s court and all sorts of myths and legends. He whirled through the stories untold and all ever written.

    Jason saw more stories than a person could ever hope to read in their life time! As he wound around the stairs he found he was almost out. As he took the last step, he found himself looking at his reflection. He quickly passed it off as a joke, and stepped away.

    Jason found himself in the same circle, except this time the couches were facing the shelves. People were shivering. Some small children were weeping in rags by the shelves, while most of the older women were gawking at the couches with a strange assortment of people seated on them, mainly men. Jason started walking out of the circle; when a boy about his age called out, “Stop! Don’t walk out of that circle!” but it was too late…

    Chapter 2
    Roger

    The scrappy boy flew off the shelves and landed a few paces away from Jason. His piercing green eyes glued Jason to the spot as the boy walked forward. They were face to face.

    “You idiot!” He bellowed “Get away from there!” He grabbed Jason by the collar of his shirt and dragged him to the shelves.

    “Dude, what’s your problem?” Jason growled as he pushed him away.

    “I just saved your life!” the boy retorted

    “From what, the couches?”

    “Exactly!” he exclaimed

    “What the heck? Those people are fine! Why are you so scared you lunatic?”Jason howled

    “Look at those people! Do you see them breathing? Do you see these families sitting together? Did you once think that if there was a better place to sit these people would be on the floor?”
    Jason peered at the bodies, slowly examining the glazed eyes and their statuesque appearance. There was a haunting stillness, and the mocking smile spread across their faces.

    “What happened to them?”

    “These are the people who tried to return to the world above.” He responded with a resting sadness.

    “That doesn’t answer my question.” Jason said a little ticked off.

    “It's easier if I show you.” The boy reached and plucked a book from the shelves 13th century death sentences.
    “We don’t need this book...” the boy said as he threw the book over the couches. Jason couldn’t understand why he had such disrespect for books. Then in mid-flight it froze directly above the couch. The book started expanding. Poof! It was dust frozen in one place, it was over the couch for only a matter of seconds, but it was long enough for Jason to comprehend the phenomenon. Without warning all the dust funneled to the couches. It slowly it reformed on top of a man’s lap open!

    “What the hell?” Jason barked.

    “I told you so.” The boy said

    “Who are you? What’s going on? Where are we?” Jason’s mind flooded with questions that couldn’t be answered quickly enough.

    “Okay first things first, I’m Roger,” he smiled “who are you?”

    “My name’s Jason.” Jason said a little perplexed

    “It’s nice to meet you Jason.” Roger replied.

    “So, Roger… where are we?” Jason asked

    “We’re in a place without a place; it travels through time without having time. Since it’s in all time we live in none of them. We are in the spider that weaves its way through the time space continuum; shifting to capture its next victims.” Roger informed

    “Dude, English please.”

    “This place is a giant death trap! It’s in all different times. We, on the other hand, don’t age. No one knows why or how, it just is. It changes to whatever you need. It goes wherever you need. Do you understand?”

    “Yeah, so when and where did you come from?” Jason questioned

    “Here.”

    “What do you mean?” Jason asked bemused

    “I mean I was born here.”

    “How did you age? You’re about 14! Don’t expect me to believe you popped out that way!” Jason said even more befuddled.

    “Whoa, bad image! Your body doesn’t recognize it till your mind finds out. After that, time doesn’t have effect.” He paused but Jason was still lost so Roger continued, “See mom and my brother were trying to get to a hospital. They came in here while mom was in labor. We were halfway to the safe zone when I popped out.”

    “And how did get to be fourteen?” Jason asked

    “Let me finish. After she recovered they whispered it in mom’s ear but she was so afraid that I would stay too young to take care of myself that she didn’t let me leave the house till I was eight.”

    “Yeah I bet she was worried that she would haves to wipe forever. Ha.” Jason joked

    Even then she didn’t let a lot of people talk to me. So I was oblivious till I realized no one else was getting older… by the way it’s not nice to joke like that. My neighbor still has to get his but wiped…” Roger said sadly

    “Oh…”

    “Hey I’m starving! Are you hungry?” Roger changed the subject

    “Sure so where do you get food around here?”

    “One second, let me finish what I came here to do.”

    “What’s that?”Jason asked

    “To count all the mourning people so my brother knows how much food to bring.”Roger replied

    “Oh.”

    “Fifteen people, help me remember that.” Roger scaled up the shelves, his small pack bouncing as he bounded up. “Aren't you coming?” he questioned

    “Up there? You're insane!”

    “I wish I didn't have to do this.” Roger reached on to the shelf and pulled out
    Ten Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
    Jason was amused and thought-What can Roger do with a book? Throw it at me? Roger threw the book down three shelves away. Creeping up from the book, was a tentacle slithering and pulling its way up to the surface of the pages. Water started bubbling out! Soon a massive body rose out of the book! The giant squid knocked down shelves and flooded the floor! Jason felt the cool water sink into his sneakers. He looked up and the squid glared at him and came charging for Jason! He didn't need any more persuasion to climb the shelves! He was up the shelf a bit later with a surge of adrenalin; Roger hopped to the next shelf. Jason was reluctant to join Roger, but he had no time to think! The beast hit the shelf and Jason barely was able to jump to the other shelf! Like dominoes, the ripple of shelves collided but just as the beast was about to destroy them, a ship emerged from the water and killed the beast! Roger and Jason hopped way the flooded mess held in place.

    “Well I guess my brother won’t need to come here today.” Roger dismissed

    “What the hell was that?” Jason shrieked

    “I told you I didn’t want to do it.”

    “Just answer me!” Jason commanded

    “Jason this isn’t your average library. There’s nothing normal about this place. You saw the couches right? Well books are spelled too. Whatever page you flip to pops out of the book. They can kill you or they can help you. But all the books here are magical and the only way to put whatever thing that came out back in the book, you have to close it. And even then the book will try to defend its self; anything it brought out will try to kill you.” Roger was looking down and tried avoiding eye contact. “They tried to destroy the safe zone.”

    “You okay?” Jason asked.

    “Yeah just wish Joseph was here.”Roger said

    “Who’s Joseph?” Jason asked

    “He was like a father to me. He gave his life to save the safe zone. He promised me he’d return” Roger croaked “but he was a hero” Roger turned around hunched over then uttered, “Let’s go. The safe zone is about ten turns away.” They walked on in utter silence but slowly Roger straightened out.

    Ten minutes later

    Roger and Jason made the last turn and found themselves engrossed in the franticness of the zone. People were bumbling through the confined passage of a street in the safe zone. The architecture was a mix between stacked books and old shelves that have been taken apart. They all had different builds and some built off the other creating make shift houses. There was nonstop movement. “What are those men with the books doing? Why aren’t things popping out?” Jason asked with his focus directed at the two men who were writing in books.

    “Those are the elders….well the lucky ones. You see the founder of the safe zone found a blank book. With that he was able to create the safe zone. He found 6 more books and gave them to the most trusted elders. After he passed two of the books disappeared. And now we have a council where the five elders guard the books. With the books you can write what you want and it will happen.”

    “Really? That’s so cool.”

    “Yeah, hey here’s the house.” Roger said as they turned to a basic cabin with an a-frame roof. On the four corners was a tall stack of books. Wood planks made up the walls and roof. “Come on, come and meet my family.” Roger said as he slid through the door.

    The room was very sparse with a modest table a crude hearth with a black caldron.

    “I see you’re admiring my pot.” A woman smiled warmly towards Jason. “It came from the black caldron.” She stated. She was wearing along red dress that covered to her feet. She wiped her hands on her apron and said, “Roger I’m not getting any younger. Come and give your mom a hug.” She giggled and Roger went and hugged her
    “You’re not getting any older either, but it’s good to be home.” He retorted as he backed away and then said “Mom this is Jason. I found him today.”

    “Hello nice to meet you Jason I’m Mary.” She greeted but then Mary turned to Roger, “Sweetie do you mind getting your brother, he needs to come have dinner before blackout. I don’t want to have to worry about him again tonight.”

    “Alright where is he?”Roger asked

    “He’s at the new expansion site. You know I think that boy is just trying to think up new ways to make me worry. I mean he knows how dangerous it is. You just make sure you bring him back Rogie. Make sure to keep yourself safe.” Mary said

    “Yes mom.” They left the little house and went to get Roger's brother. About half way there Jason asked “So what’s the expansion thing?”

    “It’s a project to make the safe zone bigger. Our population is way too big for the zone. So we’re making preparations for expanding the shields that protect the city. But we must spell more shelves to stay in place. It’s a very hard process. We have to hunt the shelves not on our side and then we take them apart then put them back together again. Then nail them to the ground. But we also have to enforce the boundaries. Of course if you don’t build the homes or test the boundaries how will you know if they work? Well we haven’t gotten to that step yet. So people are working outside the boundary, dying and being captured every day.” Jason quiet for the rest of the journey.

    At the camp

    Clink ... Clink … clink the sound of hammers nailing boards together filled the clearing.

    “Roger!” a burly man exclaimed “How are you my boy?” he smiled. His callused hands reached down to give Roger a pat on the head. Roger smiled and shrugged him off “I’m good,” he said, “Have you seen my brother?”

    “Yes, he’s building a new shelf. Right over there.” The man pointed.

    “Thanks.” Roger said. The man turned around and bumbled back into the boundaries. As soon as the man was out of site Jason asked “Who’s that?”

    “He’s the strongest blacksmith we have.” Roger informed

    “Yeah I can believe it. But how do you know him?”

    “Oh I use to play with his son, when I was younger, we were best friends. All though, these days he’s too busy working to help the town. That’s because he’s the only other blacksmith in the zone. But since he’s eight, he isn’t good with heavy labor.”

    “Okay.” Jason said. They walked up to a tall man crouched over some boards. He looked up, “Oh hey bro? How you been?”

    “I’m good.” Roger smiled

    “Do you mind introducing me to your new friend here?”

    “This is Jason, Jason this is Cole.” Roger introduced them
    “It’s nice to meet you Jason.” He said taking Jason’s hand firmly then he addressed Roger, “So Roger what are you doing outside of the border?”

    “Mom sent me. It’s almost dinner time and you know as well as I that the blackout will start. If we leave now we’ll get there in time” he said in the most urgent of voices that sent a shiver down Jason’s spine. Cole nodded and stood up. They turned and headed for the zone. They walked on. The two brothers were joking and making small talk. They laughed and chided each other. Jason followed a few steps behind. It was during that walk that Jason realized just how similar they looked. They both had the same wavy black hair, strong cheek bones, and smile. But Cole was a bit taller and Roger had pure green eyes instead of Cole’s hazel eyes. Roger was wearing a faded blue long sleeve shirt that was way too big for him. He also wore a loose, black vest and shabby worn jeans. Cole was wearing torn jeans and a button up shirt. After awhile they made it to the house.

    “So you finally decided to show up now did you Cole. Well it took you long enough. Thank you Roger.” Mary said embracing her two boys.

    “No problem mom.”Roger said after being released from Mary’s tight grasp

    “So Jason” she said, “Are you going to join us for dinner?”

    “Sure.”

    “Good, I got plenty of it.” She smiled “now you boys head up stairs and wash up.” Mary smiled
    Roger pulled down a small ladder like the one that lead to Jason’s addict. Roger zipped up the ladder. Cole headed behind a curtain of beads Jason didn’t notice before but he turned and followed Roger in hot pursuit.
    Once up there Jason found that he was forced to duck for the a-frame roof. Once he made it up, Jason saw Roger washing his hands in a bowl with lye soap. Roger dried his hands then beckoned Jason to wash his hand. After they finished washing they headed down to the main room. She served piping hot stew. Right when they were about to dig in their world went black.

    Chapter 3
    Black magic

    Nothingness filled Jason’s mind. He could feel the rhythmic pulse that beat in his chest he could hear Roger’s breathing become almost nothing.
    “Ahhhhhhhh!” woman screeched outside the rickety door as a dark light passed the window and the scream grew fainter. Mary’s head rested in her hands and she started sobbing.
    “You need to be quiet.” Cole said attentively “I don’t know what I’d do if they took you.”

    “Who are they?” Jason asked not trying to keep the agitation out of his voice.
    “Please be quiet.” Roger begged

    “Who are they?”

    “The bat books,” Cole replied blandly “they are the books that serve the evil one.” Another purple light flew by the window. There was silence for a moment till Cole continued. “They take people to serve the evil one.” A scream rang clear through the air! “If we don’t shut up though we will be caught!” a book burst through the window glass shattered through the room as Cole was stripped from the table and flown through the roof!
    “Cole!” Mary screamed as another flew in and stole her. Rogers’s cheeks streamed with tears. There was a lasting silence that haunted the air. Roger sat in silence as the screams passed by.

    “I-I’m sorry.” Jason stuttered after the lights flickered of.’ I-I didn’t know that they… that they would...”Jason was lost for words

    “Be stolen! That they would be forced into slavery or maybe worse? You didn’t realize that since you are such an arrogant c**k that doesn’t know when to shut the hell up, that I will never see them again!?”Roger sniffed keeping back the tears.

    “How, was I supposed to know that?! I’m new here!” Jason stated

    “You should have just shut up and listened to me! You pompous, arrogant fool!” Roger beat the table “you know, I’ve lived here all my life and yet when I tell you to do something you ignore me! How old do you think I am?”Roger screamed

    “I don't know, about fourteen, why?”

    “Well guess what I’m sixteen! I’m almost seventeen! You can’t imagine how it feels! I can’t even sympathize enough with the little blacksmith! God you are such a ….. You know what I’m going to go to bed feel free to disappear.” Roger jerked up knocking his chair down he wiped his tears on his sleeve and went behind the beads.
    “I’m sorry.” Jason sighed.

    *****
    “Jason, get out of the car.”

    “What?” Jason mumbled as he opened his bleary eyes. “Morgan? What are you doing?”

    “Don’t you remember our agreement?”

    “Yeah?”

    “You didn’t think I’d back out on my part did you?”

    “Wait what about Roger and Cole? What about the safe zone and…”

    “Man Jason you had a weird dream.”

    “What, you mean it wasn’t real?”

    “Reality check, dude we’re going to the soccer game!”

    “Oh I see.”

    “Yep now get out or you’ll be late!”

    “What about my uniform?”

    “Wow you’re really out of it.”

    “Hmm? Oh! Ha I’m wearing it. See you sis.” Jason hopped out and ran to his coach.
    “Jason, you made it just in time…” the coach started to strategize, Jason would’ve paid attention except but he just couldn’t believe that the library was just a dream…
    “Jason… Jason”

    “What?”

    “You’re going to be stationed at the other end of the field with Timmy to try to score. Okay? Break!”

    They ran to the field! In the first round Jason’s team headed for the goal, and the ball was passed to Timmy! Timmy kicked it to Jason! Richard almost intercepted it Jason caught it and made a run for the goal! Richard charged at Jason running Jason over! Richard kicked the ball to his team!
    “I told you it was only the beginning.” Richard hissed as he spat in Jason’s face. A whistle shrieked and they started again. Richard and Jason were sent back to their bleachers. Jason’s shoulders slumped over as he plopped down. His green and white jersey was now smudged with mud. He tried to avoid Richard’s glare. He was sitting on the opposite side of the field with his red and black jersey still looking clean and new.

    “Coach, why was I called to the side? It should have been Richard not me! I didn’t do anything wrong!”

    “It’s the rules we can’t change them.” Jason sat out the rest of the game. Even when his team won he couldn’t help but sulk around because he couldn’t help. He closed his eyes and then felt some one nudging him…

    *****

    “Get up.” Roger sighed as he nudged Jason, who was slumped over in the chair.” Jason are you okay?”

    “I’m fine coach it’s just that…what?” Jason opened “wait I’m back?”

    “What do you mean you’re back, you never left…..” Roger said giving Jason a questioning look. “Anyway, I wanted to let you know I’m going to leave to find my family. So you’re going to need to look after yourself. I told mother goose that you are new and she said she’d take you in besides she needs someone to help her.”

    “Take me with you.” Jason called

    “No, it’s out of the question! You’ve caused enough trouble.”

    “Come on, I promise I’ll be good. Besides it was my fault in the first place, so if you think I’m not coming you’re crazy. Would it be that bad to have someone help you?”Jason pleaded

    “I guess not, but you’ve got to do EVERYTHING I tell you to. Do you understand?”Roger ordered

    “Yeah don’t worry.” Jason promised

    “Okay I’ve got a few errands to run. Stay here. We’ll leave at mid day.”Roger said

    Mid day

    “I got a pack for you. It’s got a pocket knife, a recipe book, a blanket, flint, and some clothes shoved in a pillowcase. I don’t think that we’ll need anything else. Do you?”

    “Um I don’t know? What are you bringing?” Jason asked

    “A book, my knife kit, some tools, and water.”

    “Well what about a map? I mean how else are we going to get their?” Jason suggested

    “I got a way. Just trust me. Now, is there anything else?” Roger retorted

    “Sounds good, so where are we going?” Jason asked

    “To save my family, don’t tell me you forgot.” Roger moaned.

    “Sorry, I was just wondering where we’re going to headfirst.”

    “God you’re annoying! We’re only headed in one place! So just shut up and we can leave.”

    “Oh hey wait!” Jason called

    “What!?”

    “Um, what about when we need to pee?”Jason whispered

    “You’re seriously going to bring that up? Wow, really dude?” Roger blurted out

    “Um it might be a problem.”

    “Just pee on a shelf.”

    “Okay.” Roger glared at Jason. How could he be so ridiculous? Roger thought. “Let’s go.” Roger said.

    Jason watched as the time passed by.

    “Hey you see that statue?” Roger asked. Jason gazed towards the direction Roger was pointing. There was a bulky wooden man standing with an open book in his hands. The plaque that held him had a message carved into it The Destiny Giver “he was the founder of the zone. He was really awesome.”

    “He ‘was’ awesome? What happened to him?”

    “There was a battle, the same one my dad was in, bat books where in the zone, and the couches were breaking in. you see it all started….” Jason tried to focus on the words but the carved eyes seemed to steel his mind, and suddenly he felt he was a hundred miles away…

    ~~~~~

    Boom! Jason shuddered as he faded into the vision. The invisible barrier blocked the ongoing attack. Jason was in the middle of something he never knew, yet he wasn’t there. He was forced to watch the story unfold…

    “We can’t hold them back much longer!” the second founder, Gretel, screamed, “Elisha, we have to retreat! The couches are breaking through!” she shouted as she furiously scribbled in her book.

    “No I won’t give up on the zone! What will happen to the people? Hansel, help your sister with strengthening the shield!”

    “What about the books?” Hansel asked.

    “David you know what to do!”
    “But Elisha,” David screamed, “Natalie’s hurt! She won’t be able to protect the kids! Mary is barely protecting the weak! We have to pull back!”

    “No! We can’t give up! We can only survive if we stand together. Now I’ll be back.”

    “But Elisha,”

    “No buts!” Elisha boomed as he ran to Mary and Natalie’s area. “I need every able bodied man and woman to take up arms. We can’t win without your help so who will stand and fight? Who will protect the dream?”

    “I will.” A man said

    “Who do I have the pleasure of meeting”

    “My name is Joseph; it will be an honor to fight for our future.”

    “No daddy.” A young boy cried walking over grabbing Joseph

    “I’m sorry Rogie, I’ve got to” Joseph said picking Roger up. “I’m fighting for you.”

    “Don’t you love us?”

    “Of course I do, that’s why I’m protecting you. Now I don’t know about the other men,” he addressed to the others, “but I want to defend what I love. And if you want a better future you’ll fight for it! Now who’s with me?” a chorus of people cheered and rose to fight. As people started to get ready Elisha went to Joseph “you know that was a brave thing to do, you know, to leave your boy like that.”

    “Well if I didn’t what life would be have in the future?”

    “I don’t want to think of it. I mean the monsters are getting stronger every day. A week ago couches could only shred when something went over them but now the can walk and eat! I fear if they get stronger, nothing will be able to stop them!”

    “Why are you telling me this?”

    “I’ve watched you from the time you first ventured to this land. You have a good heart and a sound mind.”

    “What does that have to do with anything?”

    “I have found something I think you would find useful.” Elisha lifted a book out of his bag. “Do you know what this is?”

    “It can’t be.”

    “Oh but it is. You must swear to me you’ll use it honorably in this fight.”

    “I swear it.”

    “Then take this book and fight with honor. It will do as you command, but be weary of what you write, for this book senses your intentions and if they are ever unworthy, out of spite or anger, the book will go to a new writer.”

    “I understand.”

    “Now I need you to take care of the demons that approach. If everything fails know that I will have to sacrifice my life to help protect the people. Though it will only strengthen the border.”

    “I will do what I must.”

    “You do not understand boy! If all hope fails I can only sacrifice to protect. You must for food.”

    “But sir….”

    “This is how it must be.” Elisha ordered.

    They marched into the field of battle. David threw the thunder to blast the book bats away. The turned to ash in the spot. Hansel and Gretel tried to keep the shields strong. As Gretel became entranced in her work a bat book dove down to grab her!
    “No!” Elisha cried as the creature beseeched her! Joseph ran forward as she was lifted off the ground! He barely was able to unleash the power of the book fast enough to bring her back! She collapsed to the ground being knocked out! A woman ran out of the small shield Mary had made, to fetch Gretel.

    “Hey Elisha” Joseph called, “let’s beat the stuffing out of those couches.” Joseph ran to the barrier shouting flames through them roasting the couches! But then he realized there were more than just couches out there as he heard the screams of the slaves that had been… “broken in”. He stepped back in shock, but to his dismay one of the bat books had flown down and captured him! The zone was falling apart the shields had grown weak in spots where Gretel had protected. The couches were in! That’s when Elisha realized he had to be the ultimate sacrifice...

    Whoosh! Fog poured from the book swallowing everything in its path! Bright light streamed from the pages, as the light built up, it expanded in to an effervescent pulsing orb of light that constantly expanded soon stopping all sight. All was quiet and still. Time slowed down. Slowly the fog dissipated and all that was left bloody bodies that carpeted the ground. Death and despair weighed heavily in the air. Mary collapsed in astonishment. What happened? She asked herself.

    “Elisha!” David screamed. He was a few paces behind her. He ran to Elisha who was laying on the ground his eyes furiously blinking. David crouched down next to Elisha as Elisha whispered; “I don’t have much time left” he coughed as blood splattered out of his mouth. Elisha continued talking breathlessly “He… will… come…”

    “Who?” David hastily interrupted

    “The one… who will…destroy…this place…” he uttered

    “What? Who would destroy this place? Would somebody get a doctor?” David ordered in distress.

    “Listen to me!” Elisha rasped “you… must find…him… before… it’s to…late” he sighed as the numbness of death took over, and the book faded away into light. Hansel staggered over.

    “What happened?” Hansel huffed

    “He’s, he’s dead” David croaked. He looked down not able to look at his fallen comrades that littered the floor. The survivors looked for life. A survivor walked over and said, “David, before Elisha died he found the last book.” David jerked his head up towards the local blacksmith and greedily asked “then where is it?”

    “He gave it to Joseph.” He mumbled.

    “Where is this Joseph from whom you speak?”
    “Well,” the blacksmith sighed “he was taken.”

    “What?!” David cried in outrage. He struck the ground so hard that Jason started falling backwards and found starring up at Roger’s freckled face and astonishing emerald eyes.

    “Dude you okay?” Roger asked

    “What happened?” Jason inquired.

    “I don’t know I started to talk to you and got a weird look on your face and you collapsed.” Roger reported.

    “Oh, I’m sorry to cause you trouble.”Jason sighed. Then he remembered the vision then asked, “Hey Roger, did you ever wonder if your dad, Joseph is still alive?”

    “He’s dead.”

    “Wait, how are you so certain? I mean he was taken by the books! He could be with your mom now!” Jason said

    “No he’s dead! And how did you know about the bat books taking him?”

    “You told me remember?”

    “No I didn’t!” Roger interjected

    “Yeah you did! How else would I know?”

    “Let’s just go.”

    Chapter 4
    What a way to live…

    Roger and Jason slid out of the zone and were ambushed with silence. Roger flew up the shelves and this time Jason did think twice about following.

    “Hey Jason, look at what type of books this shelf has.” Roger ordered. Soon Jason had scuttled down the shelf and had looked at the books.

    “I think it’s um fiction.”

    “What type?” Roger urged.

    “Um fantasy I think.” Jason informed

    “Okay, I’m finished. Get up here.”

    “What do you mean by you finished?” Jason asked

    “You’ll see.” Roger smiled as he helped lift Jason on top. “You might want to sit down and hold on tight.” Jason had enough time to get on top of the shelf when it lurched to the right!

    “What the hell?” Jason screamed as it lurched to the left

    “Isn’t it awesome!” Roger exclaimed as it moved forward, “I did it myself can you believe it.”

    “Dude, it’s amazing! How did you do it?”

    “It’s a secret!” Roger teased.

    “Come on tell me.”

    “No then it wouldn’t be a secret!” Roger yelled. The ride was getting smoother by the minute and they were gaining speed. “It will take us to the factory.”

    “What’s there? Is that where we’ll find your parents?” Jason interrupted

    “No but it’s where the couches and shelves are made. Whatever that created this place puts in direct orders somehow. If we can figure out where it came from I think I might be able to find them.”

    “Well I hope you’re right.” Jason sighed. He looked around the labyrinth to the shelves that flew by row after row of shelves of mahogany. They looked all the same to him; he started to dangle his feet when his foot hit a book! They were already five shelves away when the book hit the ground. Soon white steam rose out of the book. It started whirling about faster, aster and, faster! It spewed out of the book as Jason bellowed, “tornado!”

    “What?” Roger screeched?

    “There is a freaking tornado on our tail!” Jason said as it consumed the encompassing area! A huge path was ripped from the ground taking book shelves and everything else with it!

    “How?” Roger bawled

    “I don’t know! A book fell off I guess.” Jason shrieked as the tornado sped towards the shelf!

    “JUMP!” Roger bellowed. They dove off just in time to see the tornado rip their ride off the ground! “Hey, Jason, do you see that?”

    “See what?” Jason asked

    “The house in there.” Roger responded

    “Wait, where?” Jason asked befuddled

    “In the tornado, there’s a house!”

    “I see it!” Jason yelled, “what the… oh my god it’s heading straight towards us!” Jason and Roger scrambled away as the house came crashing down. The siding was white and it looked like a ranch style house. They ducked behind a shelf as a little girl wearing a blue and white checkered dress came out of the door. She was holding a small scruffy dog. She looked down and said, “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

    “Oh my god!” Jason whispered, not taking his eyes off the girl, “that’s Dorothy, from The Wizard of Oz!” he turned to look at Roger finding a vacant space. Jason looked around locking his eyes on Roger who was at the other end of the house by the book! As soon as he touched the cover Dorothy’s jaw extended as her teeth sharpened to a point!

    “NOOOOOOOO!” she wailed soaring through the air. Right when she was about to bite Roger’s head off the book was closed and she dissolved in two seconds flat! Jason sat flat on his butt in astonishment while Roger walked past Jason. He paused and said, “Are you getting up? We lost our ride and we have a long way to go. We should start making camp.” Roger said.

    two hours later

    “Wow this is pretty cool,” Jason said in the debris fort. “Dude, how’d you get the outside to look like debris?” Jason smiled at the work well done. The insides were smooth and box like with a little slit for a door. It generated the only light. Jason considered the colossal mess the one book made. It was amazing! Even that Roger could make this neat fort look like a pile of junk. The outside wood was scattered everywhere. It took a whole half hour to find full planks for the inside, and even then the fort was only big enough to sit comfortably in. It was about four and a half feet tall and Jason had a hard time standing.

    “I was taught.” Roger smiled. “Hey do you still have that cook book?” Roger asked.

    “Yeah, it’s in my pack,” Jason said pulling off his leather pack. He took out the book and started to pass it to Roger. “How do you know this will work?” Jason asked before he handed it to Roger.

    “Just trust me,” Roger ordered taking the book from Jason.

    “Okay,” Jason consented. Roger opened the book as the aroma of melted cheese and buttered toast wafted through the air. Slowly the toasted bread started to form out of the words. The golden toast rose out of the book followed by the melted cheese. Soon the sandwich cut in two perfect triangles lay flat on the book.

    “Go ahead, take one. They won’t bite,” Roger insisted. Jason moved his hand forward and snatched the grilled cheese. He took a bite. It burst with flavor from the scrumptious bread that was warm with butter practically melted in his mouth while the delectable cheese danced on his taste buds with a light mozzarella taste that smoothly blended with the American cheese. It was all so savory.

    “Wait. What will happen when you close the book?” Jason inquired, sad to think that his full belly would cease to sustain.

    “Nothing really. We already fooled your brain. Now we need to get some sleep, and be quiet,” Roger warned “We aren’t in the safe zone anymore.” Jason nodded taking out the blanket. He lay still for a while, till the lights went out. And when he woke up, the lights were on and Roger was missing…

    To Be Continued