Gifts, Good And Bad

"Hmmm...?", Edward rises up one eyes and turns his head to wher Jake was pointing at. As soon as he managed to pinpoint what he was pointing to, a slight shock is seen in his eyes. His brows crease in worry, before settling down again. With a slight anise of hesitation, he lumbers his way to the bookshelf. Gingerly, he takes the rusty book from the shelf, and stares at its a slight sense if nostalgia is seen flashing through his eyes, before he finalises his decision.

He picks up thee book, and wipes it clean with his shirt. Curiosity gets ahold of Jake as he sees the old man muttering something, before turning his head towards him. The book is handed to him, but without a warning from the old man.

"Be careful, my boy," began Edward, "I do not know how this book entered the shelf, as it's one of my most prized possessions. But no matter what, this book is now yours. Take care of it with honor and dignity, and whatever happens, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT TELL ANYONE YOU HAVE THIS BOOK!" At the end of his tirade, the old man began to yell at Jake with solemnity and caution written in his face. Though perplexed, Jake just noted robotically, nodding his head up and down.

Edward heaved a sigh of relief, before going g back to normal and clapping his hands, "Let's get the party started!" Balloons and venofetti papers were seen coming from the roof of the shop, holographic catna's and dragons flying through the sky. Food was constantly being churned out from the energy combinators, each more magical than the last. Jake's favorite was the gummy pizza candy, each slice tasting link gummy cotton candy, mixed with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese (something which Mr. Edward made. The stretchiness of the cheese made it all worth the effort).

The door of the emporium opened. Out came Jake from the shop, tired, yet giddy with joy. He did not know when was the last he had ever been this happy, not since the catastrophe on his tenth birthday. He drunkenly went back to his home, fueled by happiness within him.

As soon as he entered his house, he immediately beelined for his bed. Wasting no time in changing clothes, he rushed to his bed, only to stop by the mantle, where a photo hung. In it where two adults, a 37 year old man and a 35 year old woman, along with a young boy of 6 years of age. They smiled happily in the picture, radiating peace and hope. Jake took one last look, before laying down slowly, and drifting into sleep.

Outside the house, watching the last light turn off, an old man is seen watching. After an hour of standing in the front of the window, he turned and went back into the store. He contemplates one last time, whether or jot it was the right thing to do, to give him the book.

Meanwhile, beside the box, the book started to tremble. Rust slowly shedded itself from the covers, returning its former glory to the surface. A slight shimmer is seem from the front, as words floated from the cover, drifting ever so slightly from the surface, before disappearing into the sunset. The box, in anticipation or in fear, shivered in response.