Friends Unite

Chapter 2- Following the Book

As he turned his back and left, Edwin knew that life would never be the same again.  His home was gone forever, and so were his parents. Oh, how he would miss them! Every time he thought about his wonderful, loving mother and father, his heart ached terribly and his eyes welled up with tears. Smoke was still rising from the ashes, but Edwin dared not look back. He was afraid that if he did, he would burst into a flood of tears and never be able to stop. He blushed bright red at the mere thought of it, even though no one would be there to see him cry.

Edwin had had everything. His home had been large and luxurious, and his parents had adored him and given him everything he could possibly hope for. Now all he had was the small book that his Grandmother had given him for his birthday two days ago. The brown leather cover felt rough under his hands and he felt comforted when he touched it. The thin white pages were empty. It was, he supposed, a book for recording events and other things of the sort. Well, since Edwin had no pen, it wasn't much use to him. But still, it comforted him to know it was there in his pocket, for him to take out, run his fingers over the rough leather surface of the cover and flick through the empty pages. The book was all he had. Without it, there was nothing.

As he absentmindedly flicked through the pages once more, something caught Edwin's eye. He stopped in his tracks and looked down at the book lying open at a place almost halfway in. The page wasn't blank anymore. There were words, and when Edwin read what they said, hisjaw hung open as he stared at them in astonishment.

Head west along the grey stone path.

He stood as still as a statue, staring at the book in his hand, his feet rooted to the ground. Should he do what the book said? And what would happen if he did? But then, the words faded away and new ones took their place.

Hurry along now and follow the directions. You must make haste or it will be too late.

Without thinking once about what this could mean, Edwin made his way towards the stone path. He had not walked on it for long before he came to a fork in the path, at which it split inthree different ways.

"Which way shall I go?" he wondered aloud.

At this, the words in the book changed once more.

If you continue straight, then all will be well.

Edwin took the path that continued straight and didn't encounter any more difficulties. He had walked all day and night before, at sunrise the next morning, he saw the words in the book change again.

Now you must stray from the path and approach the little brown cottage.

Edwin did as the book said, and he was standing on the front doorstep of the cottage, about to knock on the door, when the words changed again.

No, no, do not knock. Find the attic window, make yourself comfortable outside it, and wait for your Love to arrive.