“Place me in the center then I’ll have you recite a few words. You won't need to do anything else because your blood will be enough to form a temporary channel.”

Once he was inside the circle, I stepped back and waited. I wrung my hands nervously, hoping. I muttered a prayer to whatever God or Gods were up there. Was God real? Could the book tell me? Another question to add to the already large pile I’d pushed to the back of my mind. There was a lot I wanted to know, but I’d wait until later to ask. I hoped there was a later, and this wasn’t just an elaborate setup on the book's part to take my soul or something.

“Ok, now just repeat what I say when I say it,” the book said. “You might feel some discomfort, but no pain.”

“Got it,” I said.

Nothing happened for a long moment, then slowly the book rose into the air until it was floating just at chest height. It opened, and there was a sizzling sound. I glanced down to see the blood boiling. Red mist rose and in streams moved towards the open book. It didn't move into the pages, just remained above.

The temperature of the room dipped heavily, and I shivered as a chill swept over me. The mist coalesced into an orb that swirled slowly above the book. A bright blue glow began and I looked down to see the symbols had been burned into the floor and were now glowing with a faint blue light.

“I, do solemnly swear, upon my soul.”

No going back now

I repeated every word the book said. My voice shook slightly, but I didn't falter.

“That I shall uphold my word made and signed in the essence of my flesh. That I shall seek not to break this bond made, of master and mage. I open my soul, and offer up my flesh to agony should I test this agreement so deeply made and sealed. Till bond broken by both or death do us part, we shall remain bound.”

The symbols flared and the mist vanished into the open book. I felt an odd tugging sensation in my chest, and a rising heat began. It started off as a pleasant warmth, but soon was surging through my body. Despite the heat, there was no pain just as the book had promised. In just seconds, the heat encompassed all of my body, and the tugging increased until it felt like my soul would rip. Then, a shock ran through me. The breath was stolen from my body as I gasped. It was as though a truck had hit my chest.

For a long moment, I gasped for air as raging heat turned to icy cold.

Breathe.

I took a deep breath, and sensation vanished all at once. I fell to the floor in a heap.

I did not fall unconscious, but might as well have. No thoughts passed through my mind, and my body was completely still. Nothing came or went for long moments. Then slowly, starting at my finger and the edges of my mind, control made its return. My fingers began to twitch, and I felt relief that I hadn't died.

I don’t feel dead.

It took minutes but I was eventually able to move myself into a seated position, though, only with the help of my arms. “Did it work?” I asked, turning to look at the book which had settled back down into the center of the circle.

Yes, it did.

“What the— Book?”

Book no longer. Now that you are my master, allow me to introduce myself formally. I, Carsadiaz Meldon Magicae Liber Ve Rexs Rydenis Boblas, welcome you, Master.

I blinked. “I think I’ll just call you Bob.”

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Really, I was sort of thinking Rex.

“That sound like a dog's name, and are you talking telepathically?”

Yes, and you can too. Just think what you want me to hear. And before you ask, because they always ask, no I cannot read your mind. I only hear what thoughts you wish for me to hear.

Testing, one two three?

Hearing you loud and clear, Master

The book's tone was full of joy, and relief. I didn't know what its previous masters had been like, but from the little it had said, none had treated it like much else but a tool. Like someone would treat Siri on an iPhone. Maybe even worse. I couldn't really imagine what it would feel like. Probably awful.

I’d prefer if you don't call me master, I said, pushing myself to my feet. My stomach growled, and I was reminded that I never did make that call for pizza. Well, I could do it now. Celebrate this success and my not dying. I just had to find my phone. As I walked past Bob, it floated up and took up a position above my left shoulder.

“Did you clean yourself?” I asked aloud. Talking telepathically was something I was going to have to get used to. Thought I could already see the benefits. If I went anywhere with Bob, then I wouldn't sound like a crazy person when I talked to it. Him?

I did. Now that we are bonded and your spark has lit a flame, I can pull on some of your mana. It only took a drop to get myself clean.

“So mana. That's like the magical energy we use to cast spells and things right?”

It's a bit more complex, but basically. I can explain things while you eat. We’ve got a lot ahead of us.

“By the way, are you male?”

Bob remained silent for a long moment. Master... I’m a book. I could tell he trying his hardest not to sound exasperated.

“I know that. I'm just asking. Would you like me to refer to you as a He or a She? And you can talk aloud when we’re alone.”

“Whichever you wish, though since you’ve decided to call me Bob, He? I can change my voice if you want?”

“No this is fine. From now on, you are Bob the Book.”

“I’m not the book, just its guide. But ok.”

I eventually found my phone underneath an empty bottle of Cola. I ordered myself a large pizza, a drink, and some chicken wings. The place was local and I ordered regularly there. It would only take a few minutes for it to arrive.

Before it did, I wanted to take a bath and get refreshed. That was something unusual for me, but I felt like it now. The bathroom was the one place not a complete mess, just very dusty in certain places. Lucky the shower-head still seemed to work. The book settled down on an empty shelf that a normal person would put shampoo and conditioner and other items on. I, on the other hand? Well, I only showered once every full moon, if that.

It was unhygienic, I knew, but I could never bring myself to care. I didn't have anyone to look good for or smell good for. I’d sort of stopped doing anything after my adopted parents died. They were the only thing pushing me to do anything. It was the desire to make them proud and pay them back for everything. Even if I didn't like sports or academics; I put the effort in.

Then they died and I was alone. I stopped faking everything. I let my supposed friends see the real me. It disgusted them, and we were friends no longer. I stopped going to practice and stopped putting in effort for things I didn’t care for.

They had left me enough money that I could live comfortably until my 40s if I lived normally. With the way I lived, it would last until I died which would be sooner with all the junk food and unhealthy lifestyle choices.

“Not anymore.”

I didn't know what was going to happen next, but for the first time since forever, I felt eager to do something. Truly interested. I actually cared. A lot of people talk about how video games, movies, and other fiction are escapes for them.

For me, that was all too true. It was the only escape I had from the endless boredom and grayness that was my life. At least, until now. That fiction was reality. Magic, other worlds, and bloody talking books. Maybe I was getting ahead of myself. But why not allow myself to feel excited?

As I stepped into the small shower space, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I was tall, probably 6ft 2 or 3. At one point I’d had a fairly muscular figure. A linebacker's figure. Now it was just rolls upon rolls of fat. My chin had a chin and my face was round and made me look like an overgrown baby. My arms were thick, but with fat, not muscle. My legs oddly enough were the thinnest part of me, though still obese. My eyes, a dull brown, stared back at me over a nose that was too small, lips too big. And then there was the acne.

Someone had once told me, that it was hard to look at me. I didn't blame them. It looked like I had multiple skin conditions, and who knew? Maybe I did. It's not like I ever went to doctors or anything. The last time I’d had a checkup was years ago. I smiled and my rotten teeth showed themselves.

Years of sugary drinks had degraded them. A memory came to mind. I’d been at a local supermarket. I usually ordered everything online, but, this one time I went outside. I’d been in the candy section and a kid tripped. I’d helped her up and smiled. She'd screamed and ran back to her mom who’d looked at me like I was the most disgusting thing she’d ever seen. I probably was. I hadn’t gone back out since.

We can fix it.

“Hmm?” I turned to Bob.

Your physical problems. We can fix them, better than any mundane method. Remember… magic?

I nodded and pushed away the dark thoughts and negative emotions that had started creeping in as I’d looked at myself. I’d let this be a new start. I had something to look forward to, and like Bob had said just hours ago ‘Let the past remain the past.’

It took a moment for the water to warm, but soon I was standing under the falling water. The pleasant warmth washed over me, taking with it more than just the physical dirt that stained my skin. It felt like it was cleansing my soul, and though I wouldn't admit it aloud, at one point, a few tears joined the water.