Paper Walker

Chapter 12

That, Isla has to see. But before we can commence with our experiment, my mother comes home and when the lasagne is ready, we eat it in the living room. Spending the day on a terrace caused my leg to swell a bit, so for now it has to stay up.

After dinner we go back to my temporary room and I pick up the first book I see. It's Jane Austen.

"And what, you just vanish? When you open the book?"

"Shh, don't talk so loud, my mum's next door." I sit on my bed. "I'm not sure if I actually disappear, because I can't see myself and it doesn't work when someone else is in the room."

"You can record yourself, have you tried that?"

Surprised I look at my friend. "No, that's a good idea. I'll try that sometime, not right now. Shall I get a dress? Or something smaller, that's easier."

Isla still watches me as if I'm about to pull a prank on her.

"You have to wait outside, or else it won't work. I'll call you when I'm back, won't take long, alright?"

With a shrug, she leaves the room. I hear her say something to my mother about getting something to drink and I open the book.

I appear in the same spot I was in two days ago. My eyes roam around the room, but except for Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, there's nobody there. Of course not. I jump up from the sofa, search the room and then suddenly flash back.

The door opens ajar and when Isla peaks around the corner I yell: "You have to wait outside, it won't work that way. The door has to remain shut."

She widens her eyes, makes a face and closes the door.

With a sigh I refocus on the letters and flash, there I go again. This time I grab the first thing I see and say the exit-words.

"Isla, you can come in."

The door opens right away and with a sullen look, Isla carries two glasses juice inside. She stiffens when she sees me standing in the middle of the room, with in my one hand the book and in the other a newspaper.

"Where did you get that?"

"From the book", I laugh triumphant.

The newspaper is a good catch, for not only did I not have one in my room earlier, but it's also a newspaper from Jane Austen's time. The year 1813 is in the upper right corner.

Slowly I see Isla's expression change. She can't really comprehend it yet, but the 'proof' I took couldn't possibly have been in my room. Unless she thinks I staged it all.

"I can get something else if you want. Whatever you choose. I've been in Charlie's chocolate factory."

"With all the candy?" Her eyes begin to shine and utterly relieved I burst out laughing.

"Wow." With the newspaper still in her hands, Isla plops down next to me on the bed. "This is freaky. But ... you never read, not even in front of others. Like you were allergic to books. That wasn't necessary, right?"

"No, true. But I didn't know that back then. I thought I would disappear in all books, even if I only read one word. Not until I had to read the little booklet you forced me to borrow," I grin, "did I find out it couldn't happen with others around. Man, the trouble I could have saved myself, had I known sooner."

Isla is still staring at the newspaper. "Hey, here is the message that Mr. Bingley rented Netherfield Park. Oh I can't wait to show this to the girls."

"No!" I cry at once. "You can't tell anyone. Promise me."

Isla is a little disappointed, but she obediently nods. "I promise. Too bad, but you're right. But ... you said Sorley can do it too?"