Paige and the Lost Library of Atlantis

Paige and the Lost Library of Atlantis Chapter 7

Chapter 7

As her eyes adjusted to brilliant white light, Paige found herself in what looked like a park. Green grass, curving, clean sidewalk dotted with trees and flowers. The sky was blue, not a cloud to be seen. This place, unlike The Curator's description, looked perfect.

Waiting for her on the most adorable wooden bench, was Billie. She looked like a little pixie fairy, swinging her legs back and forth. Oh, and The Curator was there too, of course. She walked over to them, and as she did, sweet music began to play. The beat hit with each step she took. When she stopped, so did the music. She looked for the source of the sound but could find none. As she got closer to the bench, Billie got up and hugged her. As the girls embraced, the music swelled.

Paige pulled away, frustrated. "Ok, what the heck is with that music?"

Laughing, Billie tried to explain. "This realm is at the far end of the "good" spectrum. No bad stories are ever written here. Nothing bad ever happens. It's completely 100% good.

"That doesn't exactly explain the music and..." Paige started.

Interrupting, Billie continued. "There are governing forces at play here. Like gravity keeps you on the ground, these laws keep you happy. For example, there is always music playing, as if everyone is the lead in their own movie. Food is delicious, love is sublime, the weather is always nice. That was the intent, anyway."

"But doesn't the lack of contrast between good and bad kind of diminish the good?" Paige interrupted.

"I'm getting to that." Billie sat down on the bench again, pulling Paige down with her. "This realm started out normal enough, but with enough time, even the best things become boring. The best thing you've ever tasted will become awful if you eat it every day. So, wanting to protect the realm from The Erasers, the Protectors had to keep upping their game. This world is a safe haven for those on the run from The Erasers. This world is the epitome of 'too much of a good thing.' People here can't learn or grow or continue their stories, but at least they are safe."

Tearing up, Billie scrubbed a hand across her face and cleared her throat, trying to pretend she wasn't choked up.

"Hey, are you all right?" Paige caressed her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

Billie pulled away abruptly, laughing bitterly. She stood up and paced back and forth in front of the bench.

"It's fine, I'm good." Billie stuttered. "You are right, though. The people here tend to become bored with too much good. It may take months or even years, but eventually, everyone comes to the same conclusion. In fact, boredom is the lowest emotion permitted here by the protection wards put in place by the builders of this world."

Paige put her head in her hands. This had to be the craziest bit yet. The whole place was like something out of the 1950s. Looking around her, a few other people were in the park. They seemed apathetic. Children were playing, swinging on swings, and jumping rope. It was almost eerie, the way they went through the motions, without a smile or laughter. She saw a lone dog, lying under a tree. It looked blank, mindlessly chewing on a stick.

Looking at Billie, she said. "How do they get this way? I mean, how does the lack of bad really cause this? Every person I see looks almost depressed."

Billie sighed. "Almost is the operative word here. Being on the far end of the positive spectrum, this world was used to build a safe haven from The Erasers. Once the Protectors of this world noticed the apathy in their people, they decided to take extra measures as a precaution. Hence the music, the best of everything. Eventually, the residents here adjusted to these new precautions, rendering them neutral in their effects. This world had a consequence none of the protectors saw coming. Depression. Apparently, a lack of at least some adversity, some balance between good and bad, caused depression in some people. Knowing they couldn't let anyone's stories develop negativity, for fear of leading The Erasers here, the protectors decided to implement what you could call magical wards across this world, banishing any emotion lower than boredom and apathy."