7 Chapter 6

"Do you think this is real though?" Derora asked laughing. I shrugged my shoulders.

"I don't know, some part of me believe it could be." I have watched way too many conspiracy videos.  I closed the book, and a cloud of dust aroused from the pages. 

"No! Open it again, I want to read further," Derora said staring over my shoulder. My eyes rolled back at her, but I opened the book again. A cold wind started blowing into the house from outside. I jumped up and closed the window, also making sure that the curtains were drawn closed. 

Taking my place back at the table, we started reading backwards again. 

"You might wonder where I have come to this crazy conclusion that this is indeed a time portal. There is a backstory on how it made it's way to earth. The King of space lived with his expecting wife. They soon had a daughter named Lactea. She was made from stars and her eyes reflected the milky way when she laughed. Lactea soon became very mischievous. She almost set Jupiter on fire, and removed planets from their orbit. The King went on a trip to find something for Lactea to keep herself busy. He came back with gold plated-and diamond encrusted asteroids. It kept Lactea busy, until one day... She threw the asteroids through the Time barrier that separates the earth from the rest of space. It made a hole in the barrier, taking a piece of Time with it. Lactea ran after her toys, also going through the time barrier. It messed her body up, and she didn't know how to function anymore. Lactea plummeted down to earth with the asteroids. The impact carved a cave underground, leaving a time portal.  Lactea shattered into pieces. She still hangs around the time portal, not being able to fix herself. Her space magic still impacts the earth, causing strange phenomenons in nature. If you see dysfunction or dis formation in nature, you know you are close to the Portal. I have been there. Nothing ends good."

After reading I realized that the air around us started getting chilly real quick . Derora shivered in her T-shirt. I went to my room to grab us both a sweater. She smiled a thanks. I grabbed the book and rushed towards the door, then grabbing the red umbrella David gave me. 

"Where are you going?" Derora asked confused. 

"I am going to return this bloody book! It is cursed, I am pretty sure of it! I don't want it anymore." I jerked the door open. 

What was outside made my jaw drop. Derora's face turned paler than it already was. I was flabbergasted. How on earth is it possible!? The haunting sight of cold white mass stared at me. Snow as white as paper covered the ground as far as I could see. It was supposed to be summer.  

"THIS IS WHY I AM RETURNING THE DAMN BOOK!" I yelled in panic. Grabbing Derora's hand, the book, and umbrella I ran towards the antique shop while snow seeped into my socks.

***

The shop's bell sounded eerie as I opened the door. Derora's teeth clattered against each other, and my lips were as blue as the ocean. The old man I saw the other day ran towards us. He wore a concerned look on his face. 

"Are you two okay? Come inside. The weather is crazy! I am telling you, the world is coming to an end," He said staring blankly out of the window.  We walked inside, Derora immediately looked scared again and walked towards the shelves. I didn't even bother going after her.

"Where is David?" I asked through clenched teeth giving the grey haired man a cold stare. He rubbed the back of his head and laughed uncomfortably. 

"Oh so you know my son! He is actually very sweet if you get to know him," he looked at my hard expression, "Even if he has some... uh... strange hobbies. He is at the back"

I walked through the crowded shelves towards the back, passing Derora who had her hood strung tight over her head, then saw David reading a book on another couch. The couch had enough flowers printed on to give me a headache. David looked up at the sound of my footsteps.

"Ah look who came to bring back my umbrella. On the worst day, when it looks like your eyelashes might freeze shut," he said laughing. I threw the book at him and dumped the umbrella on the floor. 

"I don't want the book. It's what causes this weather. It is cursed, and you should burn it, or sell it to someone else."

David's face dropped.

"No. We don't do returns, you could burn it yourself if you really want to."

Right there I lost my temper and threw the book into the fireplace next to the couch. Smoke escaped in huge clouds making me cough. The smoke became less and the flames consumed the book. I sighed in relief. All of this could be over now. I looked at David in satisfaction, but he frowned. A pang of embarrassment washed over me. He's going to think that I am a psychopath for acting this way.

"I'm sorry, you did say I could burn the book though," I started to apologize.

 David shook his head: " No that's not the problem, The book isn't burning."

With horror I looked back at the fireplace. The flames went over the book, but the cover stayed clean, not even a single soot mark. My hands started shaking, and I desperately grabbed my inhaler. I stared at David with eyes as big as plates.

"Believe me now?"