The secret in Ecrin

Chapter 4: The book

I let my fingers slip through the letter a few times, thinking about what had happened earlier. How did he know my letter, why was there two black birds over his head, why did he help me when his eyes were so cold and what does he want! I ran to my computer and searched the address, and found it surprisingly easy. I printed out the destination and thought that tomorrow I would go and check out the address. As I went to sleep I really couldn't get much sleep because I was scared.

Next day before leaving I packed some stuff with me. I remember from all the movies that you always had to take with you stuff you feel are important. I decided to take with me some food, mostly snacks, water, a flashlight with extra batteries, my cellphone, of course, a notebook and a pen. Oh, and let's not forget the letter and map as well. ''There we go, ready to go on an adventure!'' I said to myself, but suddenly stopped. ''adventure?'' it came right out of my mouth as someone told me to say that. As I ran out I heard mom asking where I was going. I didn't want to tell her what I was up to, so I told her I was going to meet my friend and have dinner at her house. ''don't be late, you have to be home by 8 sharp!'' ''fine fine'' I answered. I kept on following the map to the right place, and surprisingly it was very close to where I lived. ''woah.. I've always walked past here, but I've never seen this place before'' I said to myself. There was a huge sign saying Bookshelf Edwardson on it. I thought everything was mysterious and that at least it would be harder to find it. But it really wasn't. it was an old looking store, and the door was made out of old oak wood with a smaller sign saying 'open'. I opened the door slowly and entered. The place was dark and very cold, there were books everywhere. ''hello'' I said while my voice was shivering. No one answered. ''anybody here...'' BAM suddenly one of the books fell down and made a loud scary sound. As I jumped back, I heard a familiar voice in front of me ''Oh hi young woman, you came after all'' it was the same old man I saw in my dream and at the park. Before I could say anything else two other voices came to the room. ''Who is it, who is it'' they said at the same time. Young cute boys with pitch dark outfits came in and looked at me, and smiled. I suddenly got a flashback on the two black birds flying over the man at the park. No, that couldn't be I thought. That's impossible. They had warm eyes unlike the old man. '' who are you guys, and what is this letter I got, what is happening!'' the two boys stared at each other and laughed. The older man shushed them and told them to be quiet. ''we've been waiting for you.'' Waiting for me? What does he mean by that. ''come, sit here'' he said and pointed at a large chair. Without arguing and quite scared I sat. He went to one of the shelves and took out a large yet old book. He blew on it and you could see the dust and dirt everywhere. He gave the book to me. ''Ecrin'' it said, with a large picture of an old town. ''I want you to read this'' ''me read?!'' I yelled. I don't want to read that! ' I promise you, once you start reading this book you cannot let it go. And I will guarantee that you will finish this before midnight'' ''well I can't stay here till midnight! I need to be home before eight o'clock!'' I stared at him and saw the two guys looking at each other with a funny look. ''don't worry, you will be home by eight.'' I didn't understand what he meant by that but thought I should give it a try and really because I didn't want to argue.

It was true when the clock rang at midnight I finished the last sentence'' It was a book filled with information on this town called Ecrin, its people and different things that had happened the past year. I could help but feel sad. I looked up and they were all standing looking at me. '' why did you want me to read this?'' the man looked and pointed at me. ''you young woman, is someone special. There are many people in this world. And a few are special and a few are gifted. Yet we don't know what you can do I know that you are a part of our world'' his words gave no sense yet I felt excited. '' I want you to come the same time tomorrow, and bring this with you'' he said pointed at my bag. Did he know what was inside of it? I looked at them and suddenly realized it had rung midnight and I had to get home as soon as possible. Before I left the old man gave me a card. ''my name, and what I do'' he said and smiled. Mr. Aiden. Wizard of Ecrin.. I looked up at him, but I didn't have time to ask anything else because I had to get home. As I opened the door I was surprised. It wasn't dark outside, it was like the time had not passed at all. I turned around to ask mr.aiden what this was all about but it was gone. The store was all gone, nothing left of it. Right in front of me now was a bakery. My heart dropped, and I couldn't believe what I just had experienced. I shook my body in case of me being in a dream, but no. This was a reality. I ran as fast as I could back home, and right there my mom stood in front of me. ''didn't u say u were going to your friend? did u change your mind?'' I stood there looking at her and turned around to see that the sun was still up. I ran so fast that I didn't even notice it. I checked the time and It has been only fifteen minutes. FIFTEEN MINUTES! '' I changed my mind'' I said and ran up and closed my bedroom door.