in Florida
September 25th, 2004
Mark pulled himself up onto the path wondering if even he—would be able to answer the question that he had just posed. Old Bruiser nudged Mark’s face with the tip of his long snout. Mark smiled.
“We must move on…” father said as he grabbed Bull’s saddle, and swung his leg over.
“Perhaps we should ride backwards,” Mark suggested.
“Never,” father started, “I would never take that passage again, lest I die.”
Mark nodded his head agreeing. “I suppose so.” Mark replied as he tugged the reigns. Bruiser started into a slow trot. After more than two hours of riding, Mark saw something, which brought him great relief.
“SMOKE!” he shouted. This was something that neither he, nor his father, had seen for quite some time. Bruiser now broke out into an all out gallop. When they came to a complete stop, Mark sighed. There was no food, not even the smallest pea. All he saw was a sizzling fire, a man named Noah, and a glass of powder. Every few moments the man would throw some of the powder into the fire. There was one more strange thing, an old book resting in the man’s lap.
“What’s that?” Mark asked curiously, as he pointed toward the book.
“Oh, do you mean this magical book?” The man said raising the book above his head. “Long have I been expecting you. I have had this book for ages now! You can have it if you wish, for you are the appointed one. It has brought me much wisdom, but much grief as well. Beware! It’s secrets are dangerous.”
Mark took the book. He felt its spine in his palm. He was afraid to open it, but then again, afraid not to…
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