Meeting with Edmund Rottinwell (Flashback)

This was last year at highschool. The graduation had just occurred and Cyrill had many plans for the future, going to college and fulfilling his dreams but in the mean time he needed a job for the holidays: his parents were very clear about it, after college that's it no more money, if he'd want something he'd need to work for it, safe for the home cooked meals and a roof over his head at night, he was now alone.

Of course he went first to Edmund's bookshop, would be great to have a few month of spending time there, where most of his money was going anyway. At this particular time Cyrill had no girlfriend, his friends would prefer to have a good toptable game than go out to drink or party, so his modus vivendi was cheap to say the least. So, except for stuff for his games he had just books and coffee in his budget plans.

That day, the very next day after graduation party, he went straight to the bookshop. It was a sunny morning of Saturday, blue sky without a cloud. The kind of day that wasn't too hot or too cold. Perfect to have a nice walk by the streets of New York City.

The bell at the door dings announcing Paxton's presence as he walks down to Edmond's office. The old man had changed a lot with time. Now he welcomed Cyrill as part of the family, having him help even after closing hours in exchange for a discount or a free by.

The old Edmond looked at Cyrill from his sit letting his glass to drift to the point of his nose checking on the young me over the flat top border of the half frame couple of magnifying glasses he had of an excuse to read.

The Old Librarian spend many years as keeper of some of the most prestigious libraries in Europe, he was a book restorer and a very good one with twelve titles from three different universities on the wall of his office: from Antiquary to Archaeologist, Philosopher and Antropologist to mention just a few of his bachelors degrees along with four honoris causa PhD he was the closets to a living legend for Cyrill.

At some point he decided to retire from the academic world, he was of course a professor back in England with fifthy years of experience both theoretical and practical; and came here to America to make knowledge accessible: he had restored thousands of book conforming the the most impressive collection he had ever seen. Now in the last days of his life he didn't want those book to end is some basement to never been read again, or a collector's bookshelf somewhere, he wanted his life's work to be useful, as possible.

Mortimer on the other hand was usually called 'my most illustrious student', they had about forty years of partnership. Both have had the adventures of their life together and now share their old days as well.

They both are from a time where there were no photographs so the few photos they could have harness over the years was in an old photo album in Edmond's office. One time Cyrill stumble with it, so to speak, and they showed him some of the history there. From ancient expeditions to the Amazonas to exploration of egyptian tombs, they were like Indiana Jones and his sidekick, practically super-heroes.

Edmond has always been the brain of the operation and Mortimer the muscle. In those old pictures Mort was always shown with a rifle and he seemed quite muscular and fit athlete. Still he managed to have many titles along with his early years in the military at the service of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. After the days of adventure he started to help the old Edmond with his work at restoring books, so they now speak about it as their collection.

Most of their collection was already gone, selling book for over ten years to different parties but always one or two books at a time, except for the New Age crap they sold to pay the bills.

Edmond finally said.
"Good morning bachelor. How are you today?"

The old man stood up and went around his table and went to hug Cyrill like he was his grandson. Paxton felt an strong hug, encouraging and warm. Then he said.
"Dry those tears Cyrill. Big men don't cry. Com' on."

After giving him his handkerchief he said.
"Of course you're welcome to work with us. This is a lot of work, don't expect us to be soft on you, specially if you're really serious about learning this business."

Looking straight into Cyrill's eyes and holding him by his both arms Edmond said.
"You should be proud of yourself Paxton. You're a great young man and you'll be even a greater man than me when you come at my age. Just keep working hard, with discipline and wisdom and you will."

The Old Edmond yells.
"MORTIMER!"

After a few seconds Morti comes down to the office with a light expression, very relaxed and ready for action. He was wearing a black gymsuit with white stripes and jogging shoes in electric blue with black strips. Very classical exercise clothing.

Mortimer says.
"Good morning Paxton. Edmond?"

Edmond replies with a casual tone.
"Young Paxton will be working with us from now. Put him to be useful in the activities for today.

Paxton, you're late. We gather here at 7:00AM each day to distribute the activities, don't let it happen again. Now hands to it, we will discuss your salary later."

Mortimer pats Paxton's back as he was throwing a hook over his neck to get him along back to the shelves in the main floor. Then he says in his typical British accent
"Welcome to the team boy. I knew that someday you'd come forward and accept this adventure, we've been expecting this moment for a few years now but time is perfect and things have a moment and this is your moment, embrace it.

Now, regarding your job. Each saturday we do Inventory, specially down here books are stolen, lost or otherwise not where they're supposed to be. This are the lists from the computer, item name and number, make sure each book is where it belongs, usually they were changed of section, thrown somewhere, others they're simply not here. Write down a check if all is O.K. and comment your findings otherwise. Roger?"

The work with the Inventory prolongs for the rest of the morning and by lunch Paxton and Mortimer have almost done the check of all items, making the library slick again. Cyrill was tired and hungry but he looked back at Mortimer and Edmond fresh as full of energy, throwing jokes at each other listening to old acid rock songs and signing along having a blast at this.


Edmond ordered some pizza to celebrate Paxton's arrival assuming this would be of the young man preference. The Dominoes' delivery guy arrived right after the were giving the task of the inventory done and it was ready to be eaten after they had washed in the bookstore bathroom at the back of the main floor.

All sitting around the meeting table at Edmond's office Mortimer asked.
"So Paxton tell me, have you ever seen something supernatural? Ghosts? Vampires?" he was dead serious.

Paxton closed his eyes, suddenly the answer was a clear 'YES'. He remembered an old friend, Mr... Mr. Brick was his name. It was confusing, he didn't the fact straight but he did had an strange friend living in his furnace by that name, very strange, like no human kind of strange....

Cyrill was trying with effort to remember the details but the more he tried the blurred they became in his memory. It was almost like he had forgotten parts like Daemos face or general look... he just remembered shard of emotions he felt when he was with Mr. Brick, scared, estranged and captivated at the same time but he was certain he had to hide his presence of mom and dad, they'd not believe him or freak out about it and both possibilities were equally bad.

Peppermints... certainly an item of importance but WHY?

Mortimer repeated.
"Mr. Brick..." he looks at Edmond. There seemed to be a non verbal conversation between the two because it was Edmond who continued Morti's phrase.

"First of all, your report isn't isolated. What you saw may or not be real, we cannot tell because we weren't there and you haven't gave us enough information but there are many reports like yours that have been corroborated." he sentenced.

Mortimer said afterwards.
"Per haps if the boy had access to those reports he could refresh his memory and help us understand."

Edmond considers the idea in silence and then affirms with his head, letting Mortimer to do the honors.
"Come with me Paxton." said the old soldier, standing up from the table and going upstairs.

Once in front of the blue velvet curtain he draws a symbol with his ring finger that was drawn in the orientation the cloth's hairs contrasting with the rest of it, making it visible.


Pulling the curtain aside right after, revealing what used to be empty bookshelves but now were full with antique and valuable relics in ink and paper. The place was crowded with hundreds of books.