Chapter 6: Chapter 6

“Pardon?”

“Indeed. Ignorance is bliss in my situation. But nothing more dangerous than being unaware and not having the freedom to choose an answer with the situation that you never heard of, “ the old man mumbled and turn his back.

Grayson grabbed his hand to stop him from leaving. But the old man was startled by his sudden move, so he unconsciously slaps his hand.

Elijah appeared behind Grayson. He pats his back and asked, “Why did you go here?”

Grayson looks at him and gets his eyes back on the old man but he’s already gone.

“I talked to the old man here. He said there would be a disaster and we should leave.”

Austen followed too, “What’s the matter?”

“I saw an old man standing and glaring at us when we are talking, so I followed him but he immediately runs. When I reached him, he mentioned something that I don’t understand.”

“That’s the man who arrives here 6 years ago. Ignore him if ever you saw him again. He keeps saying we should leave because there would be a big tragedy that is soon to happen,” he chuckled and joke, “maybe, he bumped his head somewhere.”

Elijah pinched Grayson and gestures to leave. He is still uneasy and looks back to see the man but there’s no trace of him.

“Austen, is there a book story about history here?” Grayson inquired.

“Yes. You should’ve asked the librarian when you went there. Why?”

“It just crossed my mind. Can we see it?”

Elijah watches him for thirty seconds, “Are you okay?”

Grayson didn’t hear him since he’s lost in his thoughts.

“Should we go to the library now?” Austen asked.

They are back to the library now, this time with Austen. Austen draw near the librarian, “Hi! We would like to enter and read history books. Is it available?”

The librarian lowered the eyeglasses into her nose, “Just the three of you? I want to remind you before you enter and go down, that part is private. What you saw and read will remain in that room. When someone spread or leaks any information outside this library, would receive penalties and punishment.”

The three are silent, so she keeps going and gets something under her table, “This is the agreement that shows you are agreeing to all the conditions that we provided. Sign here.”

She gave each of them a copy and let them sign. Grayson volunteer that he will buy snacks, During the time of walking, he saw a child sitting at the edge of the playground. Children are playing while he is just watching.

He walks towards him and asked, “Why don’t you join them?”

“I don’t enjoy playing,” he whispered and play the sand.

“What do you like then?” He smiled and followed the child’s hand with his eyes.

“I love listening to books. Grandpa who lives in the forest loves reading them to me,” he said with a distressed look.

“Where he is now?”

“He doesn’t go out to the woods anymore. People said he is crazy.”

Amazingly innocent—baby blue eyes lift. Examine him and utter, “You have the appearance like him.”

“He must be good-looking then?” He joked.

“His eyes resemble the dusk, it so warm but has no life. He always pairs it with a smile but they were not a match,” the child describes.

“Do you want to visit grandpa? Maybe he misses you too,” Grayson encouraged.

The child shook his head, “Grandpa said he needs to pray for the death of his lover, so I won’t bother him.”

Grayson checks his watch and saw that it took him 20 minutes to talk with the child.

“May I know your name? If you can wait, I can read your books!”

“I am Daniel! Really? Really?!” he answered enthusiastically and jump.

“But I have to do something in the library first. I will come back here after I finish,” he said, waive his hand, and left.

Grayson saw the vendor and bought Latiao – spicy gluten and baked potato. A lady sold her green bean cake too. Next, he went back.

“What took you so long?” Elijah asked.

“His body is heavy, he can’t lift his legs, let’s understand him,” Austen pretends like crying and hug Grayson to annoy him more.

“HA-HA-HA! Let’s understand him,” Grayson mimicked and make a face, “I should understand too that you have a deficiency in your brain.”

“I hope you did not forget that you are still in a library,” the woman said and stand up.

Elijah gets what Grayson’s holding and followed the woman. She walks to the most secluded part of the library and clicked something behind the bookshelf. The floor has opened! They move forward to see what’s inside but all they see is a staircase and everything is black.

“There is only one table when you get there and will find a button under it. You just need to click it if you want to leave or do other things. The door will automatically open. And for the light, there is a bookshelf there, beside it is a switch,” she explained and turn her back.

They start going down, everyone is quiet. Until they reached the bookshelf.

Grayson released a long sigh, “I thought I’m gonna die with the silence. I feel like a prison that uses the tunnel to escape.”

“So, what we gonna do here?” Austen said and open the switch.

Elijah sets the table while Grayson scans the books.

“We’re going to find the history of your province,” Grayson said and pulled one book.

“Ah… W-wait! Wait! What? Why?” Austen surprised.

“I thought dogs are intelligent, why did you not become one?” he raised his eyebrows.

“You!!”

“That’s enough,” Elijah interrupts, “why are you looking to the past of Pinyin?”

“Don’t ask me. I’m just feeling that there is some information here that connected to us.”

“Excuse my ignorance but may I ask what’s happening here?” Austen asks with a confused expression.

Elijah detailed with Austen everything.

“Oh! So, that’s what happened.”

“Does a dog know how to wonder? I can’t believe it!” Grayson teased.

“Where will we start digging information?” Elijah asked.

“Can I dig Grayson’s grave first please?”

Grayson stops responding and starts reading books too. He suddenly closed the book and go to the table.

“I forgot to buy drinks,” he stated.

“I can go,” Elijah insists.

“No. I will, I have someone I need to see too.”

“Who?” Elijah questioned.

“The child I met on the playground. I told him I let him listen to me while I read books. I promise him,” he answered.

Elijah clicks the button under the table, Grayson left.

Just after he exits, a carriage stops and reveals Abriella Johnson.