Oakley sat with his children on the couch, telling them the story of his past. The story of Billy, Mia, and the magic sketchbook. He watched as their eyes widened with wonder and amazement. They were enthralled by the tale of the creatures that he had drawn coming to life, and the adventures that he had been on.
As he spoke, Oakley's youngest child, Lily, began to doodle in a sketchbook. Oakley watched as she drew a small bird, her eyes lighting up with excitement as the bird came to life on the page.
"That's amazing, Lily!" Oakley exclaimed. "You're a natural!"
Lily grinned and continued to draw, her imagination running wild. Oakley watched as she drew more and more creatures, each one more fantastic than the last.
As the night wore on, Oakley began to feel a sense of unease. He realized that the magic sketchbook was still out there, somewhere. He had destroyed it years ago, but he knew that it could still be found.
Suddenly, it hit him. Lily's sketchbook. It was just like the magic sketchbook that he had used all those years ago.
"Stop, Lily!" Oakley cried out. "Don't draw anymore!"
Lily looked up at him in confusion. "Why not, Daddy?"
Oakley didn't know how to explain it to her. How could he tell his own child that the sketchbook she was drawing in was capable of bringing her drawings to life? He couldn't take that risk.
"Because it's getting late, sweetheart," he lied. "Time for bed."
He took the sketchbook from her and tucked her into bed, his mind racing. He knew he had to do something about the sketchbook, but he didn't know what.
As he left Lily's room, he made a decision. He would destroy the sketchbook, just as he had destroyed the magic sketchbook all those years ago.
Oakley went to his studio and retrieved the sketchbook. He flipped through the pages, looking at the creatures that Lily had drawn. They were so innocent, so full of wonder.
But he knew what he had to do. With a heavy heart, he struck a match and set the sketchbook on fire. As the flames consumed the pages, Oakley felt a sense of relief wash over him.
He had put an end to the madness. The magic sketchbook and the sketchbook were both gone now. He could finally move on with his life.
As he watched the flames die down, Oakley couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. He had loved the magic sketchbook and all the adventures it had brought him on. But he knew that it was for the best.
Oakley turned away from the ashes of the sketchbook and went to bed, his mind finally at peace.
