"The Blank Book" (Part 3)

by Joseph Linhardt, ©2003  

(From Part 2 ...)

The thieves had taken Jake's wallet and watch. One of the muggers knocked him over the head and threw him into the street. Free from the smothering hands, Jake managed to yell for help, as the footsteps of the muggers faded into the evening. A nearby man heard Jake's desperate shouts and came out of his house. He immediately ran to Jake. 

"Are you okay, son?" he asked. He quickly dialed 911 on his cell phone.

Jake picked himself up slowly, and looked down the street. His attackers were already gone. 

"I think so," he said. Jake looked down at himself. He was a mess. He had minor scrapes and bruises from being manhandled. 

As Jake brushed himself off, his gaze fell to the book that was lying in the gutter. The man saw it as well and picked it up. 

"Well, here's one good thing, son," he said. "They missed this." He handed the book back to Jake. 

Jake took it. A nagging suspicion came over him. Was it the book that had caused this? He had to look. It was too dark to read, but before Jake could move under a streetlight, he heard police sirens and stopped. The book would have to wait. 

The police had arrived in less than five minutes, and immediately took Jake home. When they arrived, Jake's mother, whom the police had called before they had arrived, was so upset, she could only cry and hug Jake until the police assured her that Jake was not injured badly. His father was on his way home. His little brother, Sam, thought it was cool to have the police in their house; he had no idea why the police were there. 

Once things had settled down and his mother was sure Jake was fine, the police asked him some questions. They quickly found out from Jake's answers that he couldn't tell them very much. He had been attacked from behind. It had been dark. He only knew that there were two men and that they were tall and rough. The police officers took his report and left, promising to try their best to catch the culprits. 

The rest of that evening Jake spent with his parents. They wanted to be completely sure he really was all right. His little brother, Sam, kept asking him what it was like to ride in a police car. 

Jake thought for moment, and said: "The seats are hard." 

Eventually Jake's parents let him go to his room. And there, in peace and quiet, Jake was able to organize his scattered thoughts. 

Things are getting really weird, thought Jake. They had been ever since… 

Since Aaron and he had found that book. Jake thought hard and carefully went over in his mind what had happened since that afternoon. 

First he and Aaron had found the book. It had been blank. Jake was sure of it! Then, it started recording what they had done, ever since they had picked it up. And now, Jake had been mugged! Jake slowly stood up and walked over to his nightstand where he had placed "the book." He slowly reached out and opened it. He flipped the pages carefully, looking for any new writing. 

It didn't take him long to find it. There, on a page that had been blank when he left Aaron's house earlier, was a detailed account of what had happened to him! He stared at the pages, trying to establish some kind of connection. There was something strange about what had happened. Something was not right. 

The book, blank pages…muggers, police…ugh. 

Jake flopped onto his bed. He couldn't make any connection. It was late and his brain was tired. He had a full day of school was ahead of him. Jake closed the book and set it carefully on his nightstand. He fell asleep so fast, he didn't remember turning off the light.

* * *

The next day, September fourteenth, was a usual school day…almost. When Jake saw Aaron after school, he asked him if anything unusual had happened to him last night. 

Aaron looked at him, surprised. "Yes…" he said. "My father…" his voice trailed off, and he swallowed hard. "My father's business was robbed last night." 

Jake was startled. "Was he injured?" 

Aaron shook his head. "No, but the thieves took all the money in the registers!" 

Jake almost staggered when he heard that. "You're kidding!" he said unbelievingly. 

"No way!" said Aaron, completely serious. "Why would I joke about that?" 

"It's just that… I was mugged last night," replied Jake, trancelike. 

Thump! Aaron dropped his backpack. "What?" he said falteringly. 

"I'm serious," Jake said. He told Aaron everything that had happened to him the previous night. Aaron sank down to the floor, his back to the lockers.

"This…this is unbelievable!" he stammered, looking at the floor. 

"Look," said Jake, slowly opening the book. "Right here." 

Aaron took the book and read what he and Jake had just told each other. When he had finished, he slammed the book shut and struggled to his feet.

"Jake," he said, his voice shaking, "I don't know what's going on here, but let's get rid of this!" He handed the book back to Jake. "You know…I think everything that happened last night happened because of this book!" 

Jake agreed wholeheartedly. 

"Let's go to the police right now," Aaron said, "before anything else happens!" 

Minutes later they were on their way to the police station. They walked down the busy streets, heading toward the station, both of them apprehensive. Each looked carefully around, neither wanting to admit he was scared. 

As they walked, Jake read some of the newly appeared paragraphs. Every small detail was recorded, even his and Aaron's fear! Everything they did or felt was recorded! 

"This is unbelievable!" muttered Jake. Aaron was so nervous that he nearly yelled at Jake. 

"What!" then more calmly, "Uh…what?" 

"This book!" said Jake, quietly. "It's unreal! Look!" 

Aaron read the words that had appeared moments before. 

"It's like…we're in a…" he stuttered. 

"Story?" finished Jake. 

Aaron looked at him, totally serious. 

"Yeah. And…" his voice held a foreboding tone, "I don't think there's anything we can do to erase it." 

"Well," said Jake, swallowing, "Whatever happens, we're about to get rid of this book." 

"If nothing happens," said Aaron, looking over his shoulder as he did.

Continue on to part 4...

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