1 Prologue: This Is How It Was

September 30, 1849

A little boy stares into the glass. His eyes shine as he looks at the latest steampunk books. The boy reached into his pockets. He took out about £20. It was enough to buy it and have extra. As he entered, the bell on the door rung. The boy took a few looks at some other books. " Let me see... oh, there it is!" He said, reaching out to the book. He grabbed it and took and looked to make sure it was the book he saw. It matched how it looked outside. He went and took it to the counter.

The man at the counter looks at him as he puts the book down. " Let me guess August, your here again to buy another steampunk book?''

" Yep!'' August said excitedly, giving him the book and money.

" You must be the brightest kid in Britain, giving you always buy the newest books when they're out" He told him as he gave the book back. " Have a good day, August!"

" You too!" August told him as he left with the book tightly in his arms.

August walked down the street with the book. He took a turn left and headed for the nearby cafe. He opened the door and reached the counter.

" May I get a hot chocolate, please?'' He said to the woman there.

" Sure, It'll be done it a minute." She told him as she was making a drink for another customer.

August sat down and got out his book. As he started to read, he heard a small thud on the table. He looked up to see his friends Jasper and Ruby sitting down with him.

" Hi Jasper, Ruby. What are you guys doing here?''

" You left your bracelet at Ruby's house." Jasper put the bracelet onto the counter. The gears shined in the light.

August had gotten the bracelet from his father, Erin Hooper, for his 8th birthday. His father had noticed he started to bring home books and motivated him to read more by buying him things every 10 books he read. He had read 40 books that week and his birthday was coming up, so his father had hand-made the bracelet for him.

" Thanks for bringing it!" He said, smiling. " My break isn't very long, but you guys can stay if you want." He put his bracelet on as he spoke.

" Sure, since we haven't seen you since you started working at your dad's shop." Ruby said, getting up to buy some tea. " What do ya want? " She asked Jasper.

" I'll get some myself, thank you." He said, waiting for her to leave the seat.

" Here you go, there's your tea, August." The waiter, Alison, handed his tea to him.

" Thank you, Miss Alison." August thanked her and took his tea.

A few minutes later, Ruby ran over toward August quickly, very out of breath." Sorry August, we gotta go!" Our moms need both of us. Maybe we can talk tomorrow?" She asked him.

" Sure, that's fine!" He smiles at her as he sipped his tea. " My break is about over, so I gotta go anyway."

" Goodbye, Ruby! And say Hi to Jasper for me, will ya? " August said as he got up.

" Ok! Bye August!" Ruby said as she hugged him.

" Thanks, Ruby." He said as he hugging her back.

They stopped hugging and Ruby left. He left a bill of £8 on the table. He went, took his book, shoved it into his bag, and left the cafe. " Have a good day, Alison!" He waved at her as he left.

His life was going to be normal, as least until he's 24.