The Mystery Files: The Journey to find the songbird

Epilogue

"Well, that's it! What did you think? Good huh?" The old man closed the book and waited eagerly for your answer.

Lost for words you just nod your head for it was one of the best, if not THE best book you had ever heard or read. One though did cross your mind though, even though this story was written down in excruciating detail, it seemed like this man was recalling a treasured memory! That couldn't be true if it was then that could only mean...

"Good, I'm glad that you enjoyed it! I wrote it myself don't you know!" The old man announced proudly.

You got ready to get up, thank the man for a good time and leave to complete your chores for the day but before you could, a door in the far corner of the room suddenly appeared and opened wide.

"Hey John! You're not using my room to trick unsuspecting citizens again, are you?!" There came a curious but fearful voice from just past the doorway.

"Aww Man! How could you tell it was me!" The old man suddenly started speaking like a much younger man and their whole body started to shimmer and ripple. The old man's body seemed to flicker and fade to reveal a handsome young man in his 20's, dressed in a pirate costume and with a drum strapped to his side.

"You and Jen are always sneaking in here to cause who knows what chaos to the other world! That and the fact that you never clean up after yourselves, always leave my room in a complete mess and... Oh, I didn't realise that we had company!" The stranger stepped through the threshold and revealed themselves to be... Boris, one of the royal knights from the story! Could that story all have been real?!

This Boris was a little less chunky than the one in the story and he looked a little older and more experienced too. Quite a few years must have passed since the adventure in the story but nevertheless this was the real Boris from the story!

"Oh look, you've traumatized them! Here, let me get them some tea..." Boris stepped towards a switch on the wall, but before he could do anything, a large grandfather clock chimed the hour. 6 o'clock.

"Oh shoot! Wasn't tea at Joeys grandmas at 6 o'clock!?" John panicked.

"Oh no, your right! We better get going! Hey uhm you, you can help yourselves to a drink and some snacks and stay as long as you want but make sure that you leave by 12 o'clock midnight as that is when this place resets so get out of here by then okay?!" Boris, who was equally as panicked, took John by the hand and rushed out of the door he came through and just after he closed it the door became invisible as if it was never there in the first place.

You were just left sitting there for a few minutes, stunned as to what had just happened. You had just been told an amazing story in an amazing old library, by a wonderful storyteller and now that was over. You had so many questions: What was that story? Did it really happen at some point? Was that two of the musicians just now? What did Boris mean by this place will reset at 12 o'clock midnight? What would it be like to be invited to the conductor's house for tea?

Wait a minute... That clock had just chimed 6 o'clock... As in 6 o'clock in the evening?

Oh no! If that was true, then you have been out for waaaaay too long. You hadn't even had any time to complete the errands that you meant to today! You quickly placed your teacup back on the table, got up, gathered your things, and swiftly made your way to the door.

Looking over your shoulder for the last time, you smile as you tell yourself that even though you are not entirely sure about what had just happened, the memories about this place and the story that you had heard would stay with you for years to come.

As you open the door you, the bell above it chimes for the last time and you step out onto a busy street, one lined with different shops and full of people going about their business.