Chapter 1

A little blue book fell of the shelf it had resided for more years than anyone cared to count; that's how it all started. That's how I met Et, and that's how I discovered the rest of universe.

School had been hectic, as usual, and I was glad when the bell finally rung, releasing me to lose myself in a book. Friends were not really in existence when it came to my life. The best I got from the other kids was a lopsided, pitying smile, and the worst, well, I had my fair share of humiliation. Walking home on this particularly wet day, my nose was buried in a science fiction paperback I hadn't had the chance to finish. In the distance, Big Ben rose above the fog and watched over London like a protective father. Glancing at it, I saw that the construction work on the face was nearly done. Nearly three years ago, a ship of some sort crashed into the tower, sending its whiskers flying halfway across London. There were some people who would swear the ship had been extraterrestrial, but I passed that off as rubbish. What else could it be? Sure I would love to believe somewhere among the stars little green men with antennas rode in disk-shaped ships, I mean, that's why I read so much science fiction. But come on, it's in the name, science fiction.

I walked down the road, my feet creating ripples through many puddles. Without noticing any of my surroundings, I didn't see the woman until she burst through the doorway of a used bookstore. Shouting in surprise, she moved too quickly to stop herself and ran directly into me. My cry echoed hers as the woman's coffee spilt on my arms and stomach.

Losing my balance, I found myself on my bottom, a thoroughly soaked book thrown from my left hand. The woman gasped, "Oh! Are you alright? I came out so quick I didn't see!"

I nodded my head, shaken but otherwise alright. My thick winter coat blocked most of the hot liquid from my skin.

I looked up at the petite woman, who extended a hand to bring me to my feet. She had short dark brown hair that framed her face in an appeasing and gentle way. Late thirties, I decided. She looked kind and very sorry about knocking me over. "I'm alright, it's just my-"

"Oh, no!" interrupted the woman, leaning down to pick up the soiled story I was staring at. She frowned sadly at the blurred ink covered in coffee. After inspecting it for a few minutes, she sighed and handed it back to me, "I'm always sorry to see a book thrown away, but I'm afraid that one's quite irredeemable."

I nodded in agreement, wordless.

The kindhearted woman seemed to sense my disappointment, and gave me a half-smile, an idea lighting her eyes. "Well, I'm not a bookshop keeper for nothing, and I can't let you go out like that," she gestured to the brown stains on my coat and jeans. "Come inside for a moment. I'll fix you up."

"It's ok, really."

"I insist," smiled the woman. She grasped my hand gently, and there wasn't much I could do but follow her, "Was on my way out, but I'm glad to have an excuse not to go." she continued, leading me inside the old shop.

"Where were you going?" I asked, curious. A few lounge chair were set in the corner, a place for a bookworm to hide away. She sat me down and gave me a few paper towels to wipe myself off.

"Oh, no where important, really. Just an old junkyard."

I glanced up, not sure if I heard her right.

The woman saw my perplexed look, and smirked. "It's a place I use to go when I was younger, much, much younger…" a sad look clouded her eyes, "you know when you hold off something, and the longer you do, the harder it is to look back?"

I nodded hesitantly, not quite sure what she meant.

The woman sighed, "I don't want to go back, but I do, you know?"

"I think so,"

The woman chucked, "Sorry, I'm not sure why I'm telling you this."

"It's alright." The woman had my curiosity aroused.

She smiled, "I suppose I'm just afraid. After all these years, how can I expect it to be there? I mean, he locked me out to keep me here!" running a hand through her hair, she looked lost. "Of course, I really did want to stay at the time, but after my husband passed away I started looking for my home again."

"Why? Don't you know where it is?"

"I do, but now that the War is nearly upon us, they've blocked any travel inside."

I frowned, as far as I was aware, there weren't any large wars going on anywhere.

"He was never one to stick to the rules, but I doubt he could manage to get me in. It's dangerous for any of us to be outside, but they've sealed themselves up tight, I don't think he can even get himself in, not that he would." A small smile lit her lips.

I was wondering what on earth the woman could mean. Who was this man she was talking about? However, she interrupted my thoughts by scrambling to her feet with a sigh and a stretch. I rose, looking about the bookstore. It was definitely old, but in a quaint, cozy way that made me feel safe. Actually, I realized, the store reflected the woman who owned it, although she didn't look too old, her eyes were that of a person who had seen more that anyone could in a single lifetime.

"So," said the woman, after I finished drying myself off. "I've got a ton of books, and you've got a soiled one, how about we trade, your book for one of mine?"

My green eyes lit up, "Really? Awesome!"

"Of course!"

Scurrying off into an isle at random, a small giggle of delight escaped my lips as I rapidly scanned the rows and rows of books.

"I'm Raina, by the way," I offered from across the room; she was probably the nicest woman I had ever met.

"That's a pretty name," the woman replied from the front of the store. She was leaning against the desk. If I had turned I would have seen a look of pleasure and delight on the face of that woman, who had spent so many years alone. "I'm Susan, Susan Foreman."