Hello Felix!

Hello Felix!: Part 2

Jackson looked back into the depths of the abandoned library, seeing all the scattered paper and worn books lying on the floor. The shelves, once filled with knowledge and stories, now stood empty and forlorn. "Let's do some exploration here... rumors be told there were some valuable items in here and hidden passageways that lead to secrets."

Jones felt a wave of reluctance, but the thought of spending time to shake off his devastation with his friends ignited his flames of hope. He shook his head with a low murmur, more to himself. "Alright... let's see what we can get ourselves into."

Jackson's smile grew wide as he felt Jones's tentative acceptance. "We can start by digging up some of these books before we head back."

They quickly immersed themselves in scavenging the fallen books, for each book, dust was smeared across the hard leather covers and carrying cruel stains of disregard. Jones wandered to his right as Jackson parted in the opposite direction and Jones found himself in a state of flow, relinquishing any lingering tension, pondering on the mysteries of the library's past. 

Jackson ripped off the strands of moss and pushed off books, revealing an object that widened his eyes, and called out to Jones who was two aisles away. "Hey, Jones! I found something here."

Jones who was crouched down picking up some quarters underneath the book he found, quickly scooped the rest before pacing over to Jackson. "Yeah?" He asked. "What is it?"

Jackson arched a brow and furrowed the other one, ripping off the remaining vines. "I... don't know," He squinted his eyes, trying to make sense of the mysterious object. "It... looks like an encyclopedia."

Jones furrowed his brows slightly, a hint of incredulity slipped into his tone as he approached. "Did you really call me over for an encyclopedia?" He looked over Jackson's shoulder, with weary yet curious eyes.

It was a red velvet leather cover book seemingly drawn to Brobdingnagian proportions, with golden ornate patterns dancing along the edges of the massive book, with iron incoherent ancient symbols embroidered onto the cover, projecting a sense of enigmatic reverence.

Jackson curled his fingers around the book before attempting to lift it with a strained grunt, slowly hauling it from the ground, wrapping his arms around the book that seemed to cover his chest entirely.

Jackson huffed as he stumbled back, regaining footing as his chest heaved, his arms burned in protest. "This is a cinder block!" He mustered as he gasped for air, holding the massive book. 

As Jones narrowed his eyes as he stared at the book intently, muttering something unintelligible, Jackson stared at Jones with wide eyes of disbelief, his muscles straining with effort. "You're doing a great job staring, you know that?! Tell me what you see! It must be captivating!" He hissed, as his legs wobbled slightly.

Jones snapped out of his hyperfocus and his expression turned sheepishly as he held the book as well, "My bad Jackson," He apologized, "I wasn't paying mind."

Jackson sighed in relief as Jones pitched in. "Don't worry about it." He reassured Jones before turning his attention to the book. "We have to figure out what we are going to do with this..."

Jones opened his mouth to respond but felt a piercing stare burning into the side of his face, before quickly pivoting to the balcony to steal a glance at the perpetrator. It was a silhouette, casting a long shadow across the room with fox-like ears atop its head and golden striking eyes, but in a swish motion disappeared behind the wall with a muffled chuckle. 

Jones's heart dropped and his eyes widened. "What the F*** is that?" He silently whispered with adrenaline pulsing through his veins.

Sensing Jones's sudden distress and tension, Jackson glanced at Jones with concern etched into his expression. "Jones, are you alright? What did you see?"