Crescent Moon

A Boy and a Book

Mathias Engleborn was, in every sense of the word, a dreamer. His father had surmised as much from the get go, when his son had opened his eyes for the very first time. The swell of pride and emotion had enveloped Mark Engleborn completely the moment he became a father. But even in such a moment, the spark in his new son's eyes could not be mistaken. His wife had soon agreed, both knowing without knowing how or why. Their lives would never be the same, for they now had Mathias to share a new chapter of life together.

And hardly ever was there a dull moment.

From the moment he could walk and talk, young Mathias explored all that he could. He was a never-ending fount of questions, much to the joy and dismay of his parents. And always did Mathias wish to be read to, up until the day he could read it himself, of course. Such things made him sharp, but more importantly it sparked within him a near limitless imagination and curiosity. Truth be told, it often made him quite the handful. Yet through it all, Mathias was an earnest kid and a good son.

Now at the age of twelve, Mathias and his imagination offered no signs of slowing. With sports only a minor interest, father and son had contented themselves in sharing their common interest of the library. Mathias, or Matty as his father sometimes called him, could spend hours exploring the fiction, always ready to be whisked away on a new adventure. His appetite for it was voracious, often much to the disbelief of his waiting father and the annoyance of the old librarian Mr. Dackett. Every visit to the library was met with a disapproving remark or stern scowl from the ancient keeper of books, for the elder man had grown weary of the endless enthusiasm Mathias brought with his visits.

This of course, didn't trouble Mathias in the least as he scoured the shelves for the next great undertaking.

Mathias's most recent visit still rang heavy in his mind as it was the basis of his current troubles. Now back at home, the young man laid on his bed with his head draped over the end. With his arms crossed, Mathias stared sternly at the book sitting upon his desk. He had fully intended on spending the rainy Saturday reading to his heart's content, yet this new acquisition was giving him fits. Currently, Mathias was replaying his time at the library, where he had procured his newest book in record time.

Still staring, Mathias growled at his quarry. "This is it, book. You and I are going to have to come to some sort of an understanding. I know you have a story in there and I intend to find it. And yes, I just might be crazy talking to you, but it's just you and me here," he said, never taking his eyes off the ancient-looking book before him. He couldn't help but feel like it was taunting him somehow. Or at the very least whispering "try harder."

Frustrated, Mathias rewound the library visit in his mind yet again. The drive there with his father had been slow and steady through the pouring rain. Mark had asked his son to not dawdle. Complying, Mathias had rushed right for the fiction section, much to the aggravation of Mr. Dackett. The old man had teased him with his usual manner, crossing his arms and focusing relentlessly through his battered glasses. To Mathias, Mr. Dackett had always felt like a grumpy guardian of books who had sacrificed his humor for miles of wrinkles somewhere along the way.

"You're back. Again. I would like to say I was somehow surprised. So what rubbish shall you be exploring today? Will it be a foray with dragons and wizards? Perhaps you wish to galivant with some unicorns or storm a castle with a loathsome bunch of druids once more?" That had been Mr. Dackett's greeting. He adjusted his sweater vest as he spoke, never taking his piercing gaze from his target.

Mathias had offered an honest smile and shrug, unaffected by the librarian's jeering. "Well you will be the first to know when I find it, Mr. Dackett," he said, his enthusiasm easily deflecting the librarian's assault.