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Chapter 2

In the next few days Zara spent much of her time reading in the book room. There were many creative stories, ingenious even. She couldn't believe that people had made up such wonderful worlds, or thought of things that could happen to there own earth. It was beautiful what people could think of! How strange it was that the government hadn't allowed such things.

Zara especially enjoyed some books that seemed to be imagining the future from the past. They were serious, but it was funny to think that the world could have taken such different turns. Some of the books were about what seemed to have been the truth, hundreds of years ago. Not once had Zara heard about what had happened before Catror and Alva had been formed, but based on what the stories agreed upon and the reviews, a much different world had existed long ago.

In a few days Zara had finished about fifteen books, and all of their characters seemed more creative and curious than anyone she had ever know. Girls jumped from buildings and saved lifes for love and friendship. Boys set out on quests and protected or destroyed magic things to help worlds they barely knew. Their bravery and curiosity was amazing!

One day after school Zara was preparing to go to the book room when she found her path blocked by her mother. "Oh, hello mom." She said, slightly put off by this.

"Hello Zara," Mrs.Evans said, "where are you going?"

"I'm going out to walk with Silvilius. Why?"

"You are out of the house rather alot these days. I want you be safe. I miss you."

"I'm sorry mom" said Zara, "but I very much enjoy these walks. I find them refreshing and helpful. Also, Silvilius enhances my learning with his ideas." And with that Zara slipped past her mother towards the woods.

In a week, Zara had read many more books. They were all very different, but all of them showed beauty beyond anything Zara had read before. She and Spark were walking to the book room after school when she heard the sounds of footsteps. This was strange, since this walking path was so far from the bus routes that carried children from school to home. And these were not a child's, but a man's. Then again, he might have just been walking farther then the average person. Zara pulled Spark behind a tree. "What?" said Spark, who's ears weren't as keen as Zara's, "What are you doing?"

"Shh," Zara whispered, "there's a man here, listen."

"What?" Spark said "why would anyone else go so far?"

"I don't know. Be quiet!" The footsteps were getting louder. They watched in silence as a man walked into there view of the path. But this man was different from other people. He was covered in dirt and was wearing what could only be discribed as a robe. He looked more tired then the government allowed anyone to be. But it was his eyes that caught Zara's attention. They were very alert and slightly fearful. They looked much more kind then the eyes of almostanyone she knew -but she couldn't place who. They were more intelligent. They were gold and sparkled slightly, as if his eyes were lit by a warm and inviting fire. His eyes are the color of magic. Zara thought. The man walked towards the hole which was entrance to the room. Zara gasped, and held her hand to her mouth to stifle the sound. He knew about the room! The man did look kinder then people in the city, but if anyone found out she and Spark had been there, they would be in very serious trouble. The man bit his lip and looked around. Finally he jumped into the room, out of their sight.