The Book

“Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!” rang the digital alarm clock beside Riley. Coming to, Riley reached over to disable the racket. He stretched and yawned, then looked over at the game console yelling his name. It was 5:30 am on a Monday and he knew if he started to play he would easily be enthralled all day. Instead, he headed to the bathroom to prepare for school.

As he finished up in the bathroom. He remembered he still had one piece of homework to complete. Scurrying back to his room, Riley rifled through his backpack trying to find the folder he kept homework assignments in. Luckily, it was his favorite subject, Science. His teacher wanted the students to describe what part of the washing machine did the cleaning. To Riley, it was a no-brainer: the agitator.

For an unknown reason, he was agitated this morning. Maybe it was the fact just the day before, Kevin had lost his job driving the bread truck due to his drinking problem. Or possibly he was nervous about going to school to hear another joke about his step-dad and be picked on. Whatever it was, Riley concluded today he would skip school. There were woods to explore, and rails to grind.

Peddling slowly, Riley admired the sunrise and the excitement of the birds and grasshoppers. Who unknown to many were waging war. Riley was the kind of kid who took notice of things not many people bothered to pay attention to.

Approaching the church grounds. Riley scanned the area to see if the Bishop's car was parked in the parking lot. He seemed to be the only one who did not appreciate Riley's shenanigans on the church grounds. The coast was clear no one appeared to be at the church oddly enough today. Pulling his board from behind him. He dropped his leather bookbag and began skateboarding.

After a few hours, and his water bottle empty. He began searching for a spigot to fill up his water bottle. “Aha!” Riley exclaimed. He finally located one on the east side of the building, hidden behind some shrubs. Setting his board down. He headed over to the spigot. Reaching over the shrubs, the pointy leaves scratched at his belly. He gave the valve a turn and the aroma of eggs wafted out of the water. His green water bottle now starting to over-fill, he closed the valve. As he stood back up and gained his balance. He took a large gulp of the egg water, “Aguas Frescas!”.

Just as he said that. A crow in the shrubs began cawing. Though it did not sound like a normal Crows yell. It sounded weak. Closely listening to gain a sense of the direction the bird was in. Riley got on all fours looking through the shrubs attempting to find the Crow. The cawing grew louder. He must be getting close. Tilting his head to the side and laying his ear on the ground. Riley looked under the shrubs hoping he could see the Crow.

He could see a black object, but. It was not a Crow. Dropping down to his belly Riley reached out to grab the object. The cawing suddenly ended. Riley could feel it, it was a book. Pulling the book from underneath the shrub he pushed up off the grass and dusted the dirt off of the book. Examining the cover it had no markings, no identifiers. It was a small notebook with a rather worn cover. His curiosity now piqued. The curious kid removed the elastic band keeping it closed and thumbed through the pages. Not understanding a single word in it. He went back to skateboarding.

After several hours passed. Riley began getting tired. Looking up at the sun, he figured it would be a good time to head home now. “Anyone home?” Riley called out as he stepped in through the front door. Kevin hollered back, “I'm out on the patio. Come here”. The fact Kevin wanted to see him could only mean he was in trouble. As the only time, they got along was when they talked about boxing or cars. Throwing his backpack on the couch and leaning his board up against the backside he headed out through the sliding glass doors.

Stepping out on the patio he caught a waft of cheap beer and cigarettes. “How was your day boy?” Kevin asked. “It was good”. “Your mom picked up an extra shift tonight. So I will be ordering a pizza for dinner tonight. Your brother will be off with some friends tonight. So it is just me and you”. Riley was never a fan of cheese, and he was quite certain he was lactose intolerant. Though that never stopped Kevin from pushing it on him. “Great! Well, I have homework to do. Just shout when it gets here.”

With the book in one hand. Riley took his index from the opposite hand and pulled back the elastic band as he collapsed into the old office chair in his room. He splayed the book out on his desk and began to re-create some of the characters inside of a blank document on GIMP. He chose 5 characters that stood out to him the most. Just as he finished up, Kevin hollered “Dinner!”. Saving the file he reluctantly got out of his chair and headed for the dining room.

The aroma of dough and cheese filling the room. His stomach began to curdle at the thought of eating pizza. Though with his mom not home. Riley knew if he were to refuse to eat the pie. He would end up grounded or some other over-the-top punishment. Fighting his urge to rebel. Riley went to the kitchen and grabbed another soda out of the fridge to wash down the nickel taste of the cheese.

Riley immediately began the cycle of taking a large bite. Then chase it down with a gulp of cola. As he reached for another slice. Bear, the family dog nuzzled her wet nose against the teenager's leg. She always knew she could score a few scraps from him. On top of his dislike for cheese. Riley was known to be a picky eater.

Attempting to strike up a conversation. He broke the silence. “Do you think tomorrow after school you can help me practice my jab?”. Kevin gave a nod as he chewed his pizza. He beamed a smile at his step-dad then continued his cycle of chew, sip. With one bite left to push through he looked up at the clock on the wall, 6:30 pm. He wolfed down the pizza to the crust and chewed it as fast as he could. "Well, I'm going to head out to the canal, Kevin". His step-father looked up at him and gave him a nod of approval, "Just be home before 9".

Hopping on his bike he left beside the house. Riley quickly peddled to the canal. The C-24 was a service canal that snaked up the state and connected with Lake Okeechobee. It was brackish water that fed out into the Indian River so it was filled with everything from Water Moccasins to Alligators. Though that never stopped Riley from taking a swim in it. As he reached the large berm which was created for the event the canal overflowed. He hopped off his bike and walked it up the steep hill.

At the crest of the hill now. He scanned the area noticing a black SUV parked on the service road. Someone must be out doing some late-night Snook fishing he figured. Walking his bike down the hill he headed over to the lock where he liked to hang-out. Setting his bike against the rail that a lot of fishermen lead over and fished from. He threw one leg over the railing and pulled himself up and over the railing.

Perching himself on top of the railing. Riley felt the little black book poke him in his bony rear-end. He pulled it out of his back pocket and thumbed it to a random page. Reading the characters illuminated by the orange floodlight. He pondered to himself, “How could someone randomly lose this in the shrubs outside a church?”. He began to feel as though it was meant to be found by him. He spoke out loud, “The crow? What was that about”.

As soon as he finished his self-talk. Riley looked over his shoulder. He saw a shadowy figure at the opposite end of the lock. Riley was not usually one to be fearful. Though he was very put off by the presence of this figure. Leaping off the railing he felt it was time to head back home.

He pulled his bicycle up from the railing and began walking it. He felt that odd feeling again. Looking behind him. The shadowy figure was gone. He turned his attention over to the black SUV parked on the service road. He thought it was odd that he did not find anyone fishing on the lock. Yet, here was a vehicle.

Turning his head forward and preparing to hop onto his bike. The shadowy figure suddenly appeared before him. Stopping him dead in his tracks. Riley spoke out, “Who are you? Why are you following me?!”. Stepping forward the figure was now more discernible under the pale moonlight. “I mean not to frighten. Greetings. I am David Solomon. Who might you be?”. The man's voice somehow put him at ease, “Riley, Riley Monaghan”.

“Ah, Irish. I see.” the man replied. Riley squinted his eyes, “What are you doing out here. Why are you following me?”. “You, my Irish friend. You hold in your possession something more valuable than you will ever know.” Riley put his hand on his back pocket to feel that the book was still there. “Yes, that book. It's mine, and I have an offer to make. Riley scoffed, “It's just a book with a chicken scratch in it.”

David shook his head, “That's where you are wrong. The characters you see in that book? It is Cistercian cipher created by Catholic Monks.” The man pauses as he looks up to the moon, “Here is what I offer you. If you give me the book. Your family will be gifted with an abundance of wealth. Under one condition.” Riley's eyes grow wide, “Go on...”.

Mr. Solomon crosses his arms, “You must promise me that if you take my offer. You will never be like that man you call a step-father. There is greatness in your future. However, if you succumb to his ways. You will never live up to your greatness. Do we have a deal?”. Riley ponders what the man proposes for a brief moment. Ecstatic at the idea, he nods “Yes! I despise the man so that should be easy!”.

David gestures at the young man to follow him to his vehicle. “I have what you seek in my briefcase in the car. Come receive your end of the bargain, and please fulfill your end.” David opens the driver-side rear door and reaches in. Pulling out a black briefcase he extends it outwards to Riley. The boy pulls the book out of his back pocket and hands it out to the man. They exchange the black briefcase for the little black book. “It has been a pleasure, Riley. I trust you to hold up your end of the bargain.” Riley nods enthusiastically, “I guarantee you, sir. You have my word. Besides, I despise the man.”

David returns to the SUV and shuts the door and goes to open the driver's door. Riley couldn't help but wonder what the contents of the book were. As the man steps into the driver seat. Riley decides to ask him. “What is in the book anyhow?”. David smiles at Riley, “It's your story. Now good luck young man”.