Central Hospital (Caracas, Venezuela)

I turned off my computer and glanced at my grandma, who was fast asleep on the sofa bed next to my hospital bed. I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened, about saving the world... Why me? And what about that freaky book... I remembered that the old man insisted on it being a purely voluntary mission, I could either accept it or reject it, which meant that I could say no. Yeah, that'll be my way out! I'll say no and this crazy nightmare will end.

I picked up the book and opened it. I was astonished to see that the previously blank pages were now full of pictures, just like the first time I flicked through it. A chill ran down my spine when I saw the first drawing: me, dressed in my futsal uniform. I leafed through the book; every illustration in it depicted what had happened so far, including my brother laying on the grass after hitting his head. I froze, noticing a picture of me in the ambulance, threatened by wild felines. The next page showed me how a winged man wearing a white armor and a huge dog fought three black cats and saved me. Salazar and Aciel!

Salazar hovered about a foot from the ground and was hitting several felines with a rod, preventing them from getting close to my defenseless and passed-out body. Sleep was overcoming me, but I was afraid to close my eyes... What if I travel again?

The sound of the phone ringing distracted me, but I picked it up, slightly afraid. "Hello?"

Suhail's voice came over the receiver, shaky and half-crying. "Something t-t-terrible hap-hap-happened."

"What is it?"

"My d-d-dad gr-gr-grounded me. They went out t-t-to eat and left me a- a-alone in my room."

Her voice was choked with emotion, and it broke my heart. "What did you do, honey? Why did they ground you?"

"Nothing b-b-bad. I went out f-f-for a walk in t-t-the park. My m-m-mom says my d-d-dad has been t-t-testy lately."

"Your dad's always being very relaxed. What happened? Does he have problems at work?"

"It s-s-seems the owner of the c-c-company where he w-w-works is un- un-under investigation h-h-here in London. He had n-n-never yelled at me." Suhail burst into tears.

"Did you leave the hotel?"

"Yes."

"What for? You've always said that London is too cold."

Suhail sniffed. "The d-d-day was b-b-beautiful and I w-w-wanted to go for a w-w-walk in the park. I met a f-f-freaky old m-m-man; he was w-w- wearing a white robe and had a c-c-cute Dalmatian."

"Salazar!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, that w-w-was his name. How d-d-did you know?"

"Oh my God, it can't be!"

"D-d-do you know h-h-him?"

"It can't be! He visited you, too? What did he say?"

"He gave me a b-b-book. Hold on a s-s-second, somebody's at t-t-the door."

"A book? Oh my God. Wait!"

"I'll call l-l-later. D-d-dad bought me a m-m-massage session, can you b- b-believe it?"

"Wait, wait—" The call ended and I stood, frozen, still holding the phone.

I pressed the button to call the nurse, and in a matter of seconds, a tired- looking nurse came in.

"Excuse me, but how can I make an international call?"

"An international call? Where do you think you are, a hotel?" she said, mocking. "No, boy, you can't make international calls. That's what you called me for?"

"Yeah."

The obnoxious nurse turned around and left me talking alone. Why would Salazar visit Suhail? What does he want from her?

Suddenly, a bright light filled the room. I felt a shiver down my spine and I saw that my book was magically shining. God, not again! I opened it and followed my story until I reached a picture that showed me, scared, while I was talking to Suhail. I flipped the page and found another picture that froze me to the spot: the old man, Salazar, was standing right next to my bed.

"Hi, Aníbal!"

"What the fuck are you doing here? How the hell did you get in?"

Salazar grimaced in disapproval over my choice of words, but that did nothing to calm my anger. "Why are you pestering Suhail? And did nobody tell you that coming without an invitation is bad manners?"

"The moment of truth is here. You have to decide."

"I already made my decision! I don't want to save the world, that's your job."

Salazar held out his hand and smiled serenely. "Come with me, I have something to show you."

"Where're we going?" I hesitated. "You'll see when we get there."

"I'm sorry, but I'm not going to play this little game anymore. I already made up my mind!"

"I thought you wanted to know why did we invite your friend, but I can see that your decision is final, so I'll be leaving now.

"Wait! What did you do to Suhail?" I asked him with a firm voice.

Salazar turned his back on me and the book lit up again. "Wait... OK, I'll go with you."

"Very well, but before we go anywhere..." He came closer and touched my head. Suddenly, my eyelids grew impossibly heavy and sleep dragged me down.