The Underground Book Trade

Chapter One

The silent shelves sit forebodingly, rimming the room. Markus flips through the dirt caked pages of the volumes as Roseline stares unflinchingly forwards, a slight fear hidden in her eyes. "This are all in relatively wonderful state." Markus complimented. Roseline beamed as a sheepish grin skipped across her brother's face. With a satisfies glimmer in his eyes Markus gathered the books and walked them gently to the shelf lined wall.

Markus gestured to the great clunky wooden chairs as he himself remakns standing.  "The laws are forever pressing in on us, suffocating this society. I'm sorry but I cannot garuntee your safety." A certain sadness gleams within the man's eyes as he says this. "Do you understand?" Roseline nods with fear and uncertainty waging  a war across her face. Joseph's eyes were burning bright with danger. "Very well," says Markus with a slight sigh escaping from his lips.

He turns and walks swiftly to a large cabinet sandwiched between two shelves. He drew out a large hand drawn map onto which were the rude drawings of the city's streets and tunnels. "You will make runs for us," the pale man says as he spread the map across the table. "The routes are dark, dangerous. You will be carrying books to our confederates across the city, who will spread them to those of the public who aren't already puppets of the government."

His bright eyes glance up at this statement, ensuring that the children understood. Roseline was staring intently at the map as Joseph took notes in a wet notebook. "We have few in number. If you are caught, you are not to reveal this place. The lives of many depend upon this. You are to tell no one what you are doing." A great worry kindled within Markus' eyes.

"We can do it." says Roseline firmly with annoyance flicking across her face which she hurriedly tried to hide. Markus seemed taken aback, but nodded all the same. "If you say so," he replies quietly. "You will take this route" he traces an inky road with one long finger. Joseph writes hastily. "You will take two bundles of books to the basement of this building," he tapped a black rectangle. Roseline couldn't help but notice that his fingernails were bitten raw. "Our colleague will meet you there. The leaves fall. That is the code. Whisper it through the door and you should be admitted. There isn't such a thing as being too careful."  Joseph scribbles, flipping a torn page.

Markus glances approvingly at the younger boy. "You will begin tomarrow, six o'clock. Can you do this?" "Of course." Roseline replies, jutting out her chin in an effort to appear confident. "Very well," Markus says as he stands. "Thank you for these." He gestures towards the shelf of books. "You're welcome." Joseph speaks for the first time. "Remember to tell no one," cautions Markus as he leads his new conspirators down the dark hallway.   "We won't" Roselines annoyance returns and lies on the edges of her voice.

The teens are led to the front steps. "I am trusting you." Markus says with a slight concern bubbling in his voice. "Tomarrow, at six." he reminds, then shuts the door promptly. Roseline and Joseph are left staring at the thick wooden door. After a moment Roseline turns and starts down the stone steps."That was exhilarating. " she says to her brother who was in tow. He was still trying to wrap his head around the situation. "It was dangerous." he says with a slight smile.

Roseline turns. "Just think, we're changing this place, this city." Joseph nods with  a broadening smile, hands fidgeting with his notebook. "That Markus was strange though." Roseline adds with a thoughtful frown. "I think he was just cautious, " her brother adds. "Yeah" replies his sister, remembering the bitten fingernails.

The two teens hurry cross the cracked tarmac of a street. "We've been gone for a while,  Dad will be angry." the girl continues. Joesph nods silently, then after a moment of silence, he begins, "If we bring inspiration back," he whispers,  "Do you think Dad will....?" he trails off as they enter the more crowded streets. "I don't know." Roseline returns with a certain amount of sadness in her voice. She looks at her brother with zomber eyes. "I hope so." Joseph smiles a small smile in the most reassuring way that he could.

The two teens dart through the gray city as a light drizzle falls, past the racing cars and on their way to the humble shack of their home.