—Thank you!—The two boys shouted in unison as they saw the men retreating towards hexagon 3.

The pirate head didn't reply thanks, just looked at Adam for a few seconds and disappeared into his bookshelf.

Adam was stunned for a few minutes by what had just happened in the corridors. The boy did not know whether to go home or not, he was very scared by what had just happened, but Franco seemed to gain confidence and said:

—Come on Adam! We students have nothing to fear on this floor!

—But those two almost robbed us!—Adam yelled, somewhat innocently because they almost got killed.

—With the shelves on our side they won't dare to touch us!—Franco shouted with even more confidence, infecting Adam a little with that desire to go on an adventure—We're close, it's through these corridors. Just a couple more twists and we made it! We can't give up being so close!

—So close?—Adam asked doubtfully.

If it was just two more laps, the boy could always run towards this pirate head. It was pretty cowardly to turn now from a few steps away.

—Yes, two corners, and we made it!—Franco answered happily—I'm already waiting to see what treasure we get! I hope they are one of those magic books that lets you throw fireballs!

Adam was quite nervous, even two corners at the moment seemed like a chasm he couldn't cross, but luckily his friend took him by the hand and confidently led him forward saying:

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

—Come on, Adam. Do not be afraid!

Adam, infected by Franco's confidence, followed his friend who was holding his hand, pulling him forward. The first corner was crossed without problems and there seemed to be no one in the aisle of shelves at which Adam smiled, besides this area was familiar to him.

It was the area where they came to celebrate the readings of their first 30 pages. Adam was able to recognize the 4 white wooden shelves stuck next to each other. But there was a difference: now the first three shelves were full of dust, and only the last shelf was dust free. Also, this last bookcase seemed to have a few books left on its shelves and its shelves were broken and crooked.

Adam passed by the 4 shelves, when he passed the last shelf he noticed that the old man's head came out to greet him, he seemed to be much older than before and with many wrinkles on his face and some scars. The old man didn't say anything, he just looked at him and Franco for a long time.

Adam and Franco didn't say anything to the old man either. Adam continued walking towards the mission destination, while the old man watched from behind as if he was pleading for help, but unfortunately Adam was too young to understand the look and kept walking to the corner.

But when he was about to cross the corner to reach the corridor at the end of the mission, the old man who was looking at the back of the two young men said in an authoritative voice:

—Kill the orc.

One of the other three white wooden shelves suddenly lost all its dust and Prince Charming's head came out and looked at the back of the two young men with eyes thirsty for a fight.

Adam and Franco turned around at the noise.

*Puff* Franco's head exploded like a watermelon and a book was in its place.

Adam watched in terror as his friend's head was replaced by a book. Hot, sticky blood bubbled from Franco's neck; staining Adam's white robe and his face. The boy noticed how his friend's clothes began to distort and the books on the shelves moved strangely.

*Puff* Adam fell unconscious to the ground. Unfortunately, his young mind could not tolerate such an unexpected scene, so Adam fell to the ground, unable to flee for his life.