Ep 1: Asher finds the hidden journal in the library.

Asher stood before the large, oak bookshelf, the smell of old paper and dust filling the air. His fingers brushed against the spines of countless forgotten tomes, each one whispering tales of ages past. The library had always been his sanctuary—this old building that stood in the heart of the town, shrouded by the dense woods that seemed to guard it from the outside world. It was a place that felt both timeless and out of place, as though it had been left behind by history itself.

Asher was a man who lived more in the past than the present, and his obsession with forgotten stories and mysteries was something that had both isolated him and fueled his creativity. He had come here to escape the pressures of the world, hoping the quiet of the library would help him finish the novel that had been languishing for years. But so far, the stories eluded him, no matter how many ancient books he poured over.

His eyes scanned the titles, most of them centuries old. They didn’t interest him—not today. He needed something new, something that called out to him. He wandered deeper into the labyrinthine aisles of the library, the distant echo of footsteps fading as he moved farther away from the main reading rooms.

Turning a corner, Asher came across a narrow hallway he hadn’t noticed before. It was tucked behind a stack of weathered crates and had an air of secrecy about it. A single beam of light filtered through a narrow window at the end, illuminating the dust motes that danced in the still air. Without thinking, Asher stepped into the hallway.

The further he walked, the darker it became. He had to squint to make out the details, but then, something caught his eye. A small alcove, hidden behind a half-open door. Something glimmered within, almost as though it were waiting for him.

His curiosity piqued, Asher approached. Inside, he found an old wooden chest, covered in layers of dust, tucked away in a corner. It was a curious thing—unlike anything else in the library. The lid was adorned with faint, intricate carvings, their meaning lost to time. The chest was locked, but that didn’t deter Asher. His fingers traced the patterns, his mind racing with possibilities. What could be inside? A rare manuscript? A long-lost treasure? The answer was out of his reach—until now.

He knelt down, his hand reaching for the rusted lock. A strange sensation crawled up his spine, like a whisper in the back of his mind urging him to open it. For a moment, he hesitated, as though the chest itself was daring him. But he couldn’t resist.

Asher found a small metal key lying beside the chest, almost as if it had been waiting for him all along. The lock clicked open with a low groan, and the lid creaked as he lifted it.

Inside, nestled between yellowing sheets of parchment, was an old journal. Its leather cover was worn but still intact, and the pages were delicately inscribed with faded ink. Asher's breath caught in his throat as he reached for the journal, an inexplicable pull drawing him to it. It felt ancient, as though it had been forgotten by time itself.

Without thinking, he opened the first page.

Asher reads aloud the first entry from the journal, his voice barely above a whisper:

"There is a love that transcends time. A love that cannot be forgotten, no matter how many lifetimes we live. This is our story, and though we may never meet again, our hearts will always find each other."

Asher’s heart raced as he read the words. A chill ran through him—he didn’t know why, but he felt as though the words were written for him, as though they were meant to be his. He flipped the page, unable to stop himself. The next entry was dated centuries ago, yet it felt immediate, almost like a whisper in his ear.

Asher reads the next passage, his voice trembling slightly:

"I met him today, in the same place where we met before. His eyes met mine, and I knew at once—this time, we would be together."

Asher’s pulse quickened. Who were these people? Why did their words feel so familiar?

A noise broke his concentration—a soft rustle of footsteps behind him.

“Can I help you?” a voice asked.

Asher turned, startled. Standing in the doorway was a man, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. He was tall, with dark, disheveled hair and a warm smile that seemed out of place in such a mysterious, forgotten corner of the library. His clothes were simple, yet there was something captivating about him, something Asher couldn’t quite place.

“Uh, sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I found this... this chest,” Asher said, holding up the journal as if it could explain everything.

The stranger stepped closer, his gaze immediately fixing on the journal. There was a flicker of recognition in his eyes, but it was gone in an instant.

“That chest hasn’t been opened in years,” the man said, his voice low but inviting. “I’m Ethan, by the way. I work here... mostly in the archives.”

Asher nodded, still in a daze from the journal's pull. “I—I didn’t expect to find something like this. It feels... strange. It’s almost like it’s meant for me.”

Ethan gave him a curious look. “Well, the library has a way of showing people what they need to see, even if they don’t know it.” He stepped closer, his eyes lingering on the journal. “What’s it say?”

Asher opened the book, and together they read the next entry aloud:

"He doesn’t remember, but I do. Our love has been lost and found in every lifetime. This time, I will make sure it lasts."

Ethan's expression changed. For a split second, his face flickered with something—something deep and knowing. But just as quickly as it appeared, he masked it with a smile.

“Fascinating,” Ethan said, his voice unusually soft. “That’s... quite a story.”

Asher met his gaze, but the words caught in his throat. Something about Ethan’s presence felt familiar, too, like a missing piece of a puzzle he hadn’t even realized he was trying to solve.

“Well,” Ethan continued, “I think this journal has chosen the right person to find it.”

Asher frowned, unsure of how to respond. “You really think so?”

Ethan smiled again, a small, enigmatic smile that seemed to suggest he knew more than he was letting on. “I’m sure of it. The question is, are you ready to find out what comes next?”

......................

( To be continued)

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***