Chapter 27: Connecting the dots

Comic books have been my thing since I was a child. I got into it because of the creative world which is woven into the stories it delivers. It is like a different world where your imagination runs wild, which lets you experience something truly different from the things we are used to in our day-to-day life.

It was the start of the weekend and I was excited to pick something new to read it over the coming few days. I went to the book store after my school hours. As I entered the store; shopkeeper called out to me--

" Well Brian, good to see you again. Here to pick up another one? " he said. I got acquainted with him through all these years. He was a middle age man who loves comic book and decided to make his living through investing in his passion.

" Yes, Uncle. Show me something new, I have already read all the old and classic ones." I said.

" I understand, there are some new books in the back. You can take a look freely. I know you like to read some pages to gauge out it's content. " he said, and smiled.

I went to the back and, as I was browsing through new editions of comic books, noticed something from the corner of my eye. It had a colorful cover page but was placed in a box in the back. I dont really like books, but still I was attracted by the cover page.

I went to the box and looked at the art carefully; it had an old man holding a staff, probably, a magician, and a much shorter man doing some exotic pose. I was intrigued; I looked at the title " The Hobbit ", it sounded interesting, and the art matches with this Hobbit description.

I flipped to the back of the book to see a small summary written which said---

" A great adventure awaits you, Join Bilbo baggins on an epic fantasy adventure. " It was very short and simple. I looked at the author's name, " R.C. Abel" It doesn't ring any bells, probably a rookie author, but I could see the name of the publisher, which was well known in the book industry.

I casually flipped through it and started reading.

I was finishing the first chapter when I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder.

" Boy, I know you like reading a few pages, but its been half an hour already, and whats with this book in your hand; It will be on sale tomorrow. It's not even out yet." he exclaimed at the last sentence.

" I don't know. I saw it in the back of the shop, where you keep your boxes. But it is amazing, even without any picture, the world feels vibrant. I have to buy this, Uncle." Brian said with gusto.

" Don't play with my business boy; I cannot sell you in advance. If word goes out, publishers will definitely sue me. Come early tomorrow morning, I will sell it to you. okay? "

" Uncle please. I will not tell anyone, I promise. " Brian said with pleading eyes.

But the shopkeeper Uncle refused it out-right. He could only return with an empty hand and wait for tomorrow. It was getting late already and he would definitely get a scolding when he reaches home.

With it doesn't matter to him; he was hyped up about tomorrow. He promised to come early to snatch the book. He was clearly too invested in the story after reading the first chapter.

He even forgot to buy the new edition of the comic book. It is going to be a long night for sure.

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[Two days ago]

Hannah is Olivia's best friend. They would always be together whenever they were in school. Just a few months ago, Hannah was so depressed about her sister's condition. She couldn't imagine what Hannah was going through at that time; she would always be quiet, staring outside the classroom's window. But recently Olivia noticed that Hannah was in a good mood, which led to Hannah explaining about the big brother who lived in a huge mansion.

She also became famous for her new story which allegedly came from said big brother. Everyone was excited at first and listened to the whole story; they said with their own month how much they enjoyed it. But after some time seeing the popularity of Hannah, other girls started to disrespect her brother trying to discredit him. All they knew was that this brother was only a few years older than Hannah; also Hannah doesn't have any male siblings.

They all turned on her; only me and a few others stood up for Hannah, but they started demanding books where the story came from, trying to put Hannah in a tough spot. Hannah already told me that the book would be published soon, but their behavior was getting erratic with each passing day.

It all changed today; Hannah came with her mother carrying a dozen books breaking the vicious cycle. It was a slap in the face of the instigators. Their faces were distorted unpleasantly, but on the other hand, Hannah's popularity shot up to the sky.

Everyone got a book; it was not enough for everyone, but still they organized among themselves to hold group reading with a few adults who would help them with certain difficult words.

As her friend, I directly got the book and went home happily; I must ask Dad to read it to me.

Rhys O'Brien was a renowned critic in book circles. His good or bad reviews easily changed the outcome of new books, which was the worst nightmare for any publishing house.

He is a stout man who valued fair-play to the top, but his standards were also nothing to scoff at.

He who was a giant to the outside world, was currently sitting in front of his daughter facing a dilemma.

His daughter was requesting him to read a children's book, which she brought home from her friend. He had recently received the same book from Penguin Books. He was not very optimistic about the book; Penguin books were once renowned, but no new best-sellers emerged from their house for the last two years. It was even more unlikely through this book, which was written by an unknown author.

"R.C Abel" He had never heard of such a person, his whole life; not even an article could be found on that name. Some no-name author getting contracted by a big publishing house; It seems that the company was not doing well. He was going to give it an average review after reading some content to understand the plot and called it a day. But now it seemed to be impossible.

" Ok, sweetheart, lets read it later, but where did you get that book. It is not out yet. Is your friend Hannah related to any publishing house?" he said.

" No daddy, I already told you many times, Hannah's father has a restaurant. Let me tell you something amazing. Hannah's older brother, who is not very young, wrote this book. Hannah said He met him in a mansion which was so big she couldn't explore it all and it also had huge statue and and-----" Olivia went on and on about the subject spilling all the beans.

Rhys listened to it carefully, young boy wrote this? Big mansion? Statues? Butlers? Big cars? Old men playing chess? He started to connect the dots. He was not worried about the surety of the story, especially from enthusiastic little girls who love to gossip.

Penguin Books belongs to Rothchild; it was public knowledge. Donald Rothchild is a famous person in the literature world; he has not released new books in over 10 years, but still he has significant weight and several best sellers. All the description sounds awfully like the Rothchild estate.

He analyzed all the details and concluded that Donald had taken a new protege under him. Old man Donald was a monster, so his protege will be on the same level later or even greater. I will have to take things seriously after a long time. He shook his head and focused on his daughter again.

" Come, Olivia, I will read it to you."