Folded in the pages of time

(Chapter 6) Meanwhile, back in the sunbeam where things are warm, the pages of time have turned. Five pages and five strangers. Each about to embark on a journey. Some will be together. One will work alone. And in this way, it begins.

The old building is still hard to find. Today it is sitting in the sunshine looking large. The windows are shuttered, and the place looks abandoned. Yet the very essence of the structure says otherwise. For example its landscaping is pristine. Every detail is immaculate and spot on.

With this in mind it’s the inside of the building, that counts today. The main floor of the old structure houses many thousands of old and unusual books. It was once used as a library, however it wasn’t for a school. Furthermore, the vast collection of books didn’t belong to a government, or institution of any kind.

Folded in the pages of time

It is a private collection. One of the books is laying open. Upon the exposed page are two words only. Incipimus iterum. The hands that close the book are large. They are worn and calloused. The book is carried carefully to the drawing room and placed on the lectern.

It will remain on the lectern while the story unfolds. Even if it takes one hundred years. Time is different in these books. It took one hundred and twenty two years for the story to break, the last time the book opened. Furthermore, it is inevitable once it has begun.

This book, this special story, always begins with the one who works alone. This is the way of the book. It is how the story unfolds every time.

With this in mind, the custodian watches the book on the lectern, solemnly. It is important that he be ready. The fifth is as yet, unrevealed. This is why the story always begins with the one who works alone. It would be up to the custodian to find the fifth stranger, once the book reveals the name. As he watches the book, a small unnatural breeze stirs about the room.

The fifth

There is a feeling of an electric field being pushed outward from the book. Now the custodian watches very closely. It would be any moment. Furthermore, the opening of the book would be quick. For some reason this part of the story always is. As though it is sentient.

The room seems to hold its breath. The custodian watches. And the book opens. It is brief, but long enough for the custodian to see the fifth. Now the story will begin in earnest. It all begins again, the custodian thinks, as he leaves the room to go and find.