8 Chapter 7
David's hands started trembling. We just stared at the book for a few minutes hoping that at least one of the pages would burn. To our disappointment it didn't.
"How long are we going to sit here staring?" David asked.
I moved towards the fire carefully and tried fishing the book out with a stick. With a clutter it fell on the floor steaming. I pried the pages open with the stick. David looked behind him, and I saw Derora approaching. She looked confused at our pale expressions.
"What's going on?" She asked.
David opened and closed his mouth like a fish on land.
"The... b-book... doesn't burn," I stuttered. Derora looked at the steaming heap with the clean pages. Her eyes widened slightly.
"Who brought the book to you?" I asked David. He looked around the room as if it had ears.
"We need to have a talk. Coffee?"
Derora and I exchanged a glance.
"Something stronger," I smiled, "Whiskey."
David looked shocked back and forth from me to Derora.
"No, at least not here," he said. I gave David a cold stare, and he rolled his blue eyes. "Fine."
David walked into the staff room, and returned with three mugs filled halfway. I wondered why he or his Dad actually had Whiskey inside of their shop. I didn't think that David would actually bring us Whiskey, but I needed something to calm my nerves. I swallowed it quickly with a disgusted face. The burning of the alcohol only made me think of the last time I had something to drink and got very sick. Drinking wasn't really my thing, I tried it at a party once and it felt horrible to be drunk. I just sat and cried about the tree outside losing it's leaves. Derora wiped her mouth on her sleeve, waiting for me and David to finish. I took the last sip and already felt my nerves to calm.
"I remember the person bringing the book, because he acted very strange. He looked young and old at the same time. Walking like an old person, looking like a young adult. He told me to take the book, and left without receiving his money. I didn't think much of it, until now." David stared at his hands, which has stopped shaking. Derora tried to stifle a giggle. Maybe I should've just accepted the coffee offer.
"Maybe the man just wanted to get rid of the book as fast as possible," I suggested, biting my nails. It made sense. The book was written like a journal.
"Do you think the Time Portal could actually exist?" David asked me. I nodded my head, What else could be the cause of all this strange weather.
"I guess the only way to find out is to finish reading the book and decide for yourself," Derora giggled picking up the book and handing it to me. I took a deep breath and clutched the book against my chest.
"Maybe you are right," I said. Derora stopped giggling and stared at me with a look that said I-Was-joking-this-is-all-a-load-of-nonsense. I stood up and started walking to the exit again.
"David I will see you once I am finished reading, then I will let you know what I believe. Derora you are welcome to come with me and stay your second night," I said swinging the door open. To my surprise it wasn't snowing anymore.
***
Once I made it home I told Derora to climb through my bedroom window, because my Dad might be waiting for me. I was right. He stood in the kitchen looking at the TV and the door occasionally. When I entered he looked relieved.
"Leo where were you?! I was worried since the weather is so out of control!" He exclaimed while giving me a hug. My voice got muffled in his shirt that smelled of ketchup and cologne when I said: " I went to the pharmacy to pick up something for that time of the month..."
"Ok I don't need to hear further," My dad said looking uncomfortable. That excuse always worked on him.
I glanced at the TV to see that the news was buzzing with reports of the strange weather. The scientists predicted it to be global warming, and the conspiracy theorists believed it to be the government doing weather control. I felt guilty that a problem I caused was now displayed on the news. Trying to forget about that, I walked upstairs to go read further.
Derora was already back in the basement. I made myself comfortable on my bed and opened the book to where I last stopped.
"There are enormous wooden doors in the ground where the Portal is placed. Gold coated handlebars, shaped like a lion's head, are guarding the entrance. There is a golden key however that you should have in your possession in order tho unlock the heart to Time. That key ruined my life. I made sure to get rid of the key. This time portal comes with a cost. You can travel wherever you want, however one day in the Time Portal equals to one year on earth. I was gone too long, when I got back earth wasn't the same as it used to be. All my friends and family were dead, and I was surrounded by complete strangers. I didn't have a place to stay and I was completely alone in the world. I am not writing about what happened inside the Portal or how I got back, because it is too secretive. If this information lands in the wrong hands, it could be the end of the world. In that case I will only write about all the strange nature phenomenons. They include roses that turns into ash when you touch them, Real fairy circles (I accidentally stepped in one, and i barely escaped alive), Tree's growing into their self, Plants with berries that would make you hallucinate, plant stems growing out of the flowers, Human eating squirrels and wisps. If you ever find the Portal, DO NOT go in there for anything can enter or escape, even mythical things..."
That was the last page in the book.
I saw my curtains move slightly, and knew something wasn't right.
