Adam and the old man could see the surroundings of hexagon 0. Several people were walking around this hexagon, going from one place to another as if it were a market. This was one of the busiest areas on all floors since this path was the largest and most comfortable access to move from hexagon to hexagon.

As Adam didn't like drawing too much attention, he preferred to use the farthest aisle, which was located on the other edges of the main hexagons, right next to the secondary ones.

When Adam and the old man reached the vicinity of hexagon 0, the guards in the aisle looked at them but didn't act. In fact, their gazes seemed to show respect for the old man in tatters.

Everyone in the aisle also stopped and stared at Adam and the old man. No one spoke, and the crowd just looked at them with doubt in their eyes, creating an impressively uncomfortable silence. Gradually, more people joined, observing how the child and the old man approached hexagon 0.

—We've arrived, old man— Adam replied, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the situation.

The boy didn't understand why everyone stood in silence to watch them; there were nearly 20 people looking at them, and that was a lot of people in this area.

—Just a little more to go— the old man answered slowly—Bring me closer to the railing that surrounds hexagon 0, boy.

Adam wanted to say that no one was allowed to get close, but there were nearly 40 people watching them, and no one said anything. So, feeling compelled by the sight of so many people, Adam helped the old man get closer to the railing of hexagon 0.

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This was the first time that Adam could see the grandeur of hexagon 0 up close. His father had never allowed him to approach this railing before.

Hexagon 0 was not like any other hexagon; as Adam had mentioned, it was empty: there were no bookshelves, no lamps, and, more importantly, no walls, no ceilings, and no floor. Hexagon 0 wasn't just empty; it was hollow.

From the railing, Adam could see the lower floor and also the upper floor. Looking down, he could see the other librarians moving like ants in the giant aisle leading to hexagon 0. And looking forward, Adam could see the librarians on the other side, but they were very far away, and only their outline and movements were distinguishable.

Adam approached the railing and bid farewell to the old man:

—We've arrived, good luck.

—Wait, help me cross; I am blind and cannot do it without assistance— the old man said with a monotonous voice that irritated Adam at this moment.

—But it's forbidden...— Adam replied, looking at the nearly 70 people around him, silently watching.

—Trust me; nothing will happen to you if you cross it— the old man insisted.

Adam glanced around, feeling the stares of the people compelling him to help the old man. So he decided to cross the railing along with the old man.

After crossing the railing, the boy and the old man ventured into the wooden ring that surrounded hexagon 0. There was still a long way to go to reach the hole in the middle.

Adam noticed that the old man wanted to keep walking, so he accompanied him. The ring surrounding hexagon 0 wasn't small; it could easily be 1 km / 1000 yd to reach the hole, so there was still a long walk ahead.

The entire ring was completely empty, so there was nothing, only a wooden floor extending to the hole in the middle. But as Adam observed the floor attentively, he noticed a yellow line painted with paint on the ground, forming a yellow circle all around the wooden ring of hexagon 0.

Adam crossed the yellow line without understanding its purpose, but as he did, he realized why the ancient librarians had drawn this circle, as a wooden head was starting to form on the ground.