The bell above the door chimed a hollow, metallic ring, filling the otherwise silent store. As it closed, a customer stepped inside, the floorboards creaking as they walked. As they continued throughout the store, pausing at shelves abandoned and left in dust, the air around them seemed to change, as if the grasp the world barely had on them had slipped off. 

Behind the counter, Silas barely glanced up from behind the magazine on his lap. The flicking of the page seemed to be the only sign of his presence. His hair fell over his eyes, which seemed hallow and expressionless, only the shadow of boredom hinting at any emotion. 

However, when the customer came up to the counter, and their eyes met for the first time since entering, Silas' eyes sharpened, and his fingers froze mid-flick. His eyes flickered of recognition- or unease- as he stared at the man before him. 

The man was by no means normal. His hair, greyish-white, contrasted his dark outfit and striking yellow eyes. As he stood there, it seemed to Silas as it the air grew colder, and the lights began to flicker. 

"I was hoping you have some cigars," the man said, his voice low, almost a whisper. 

Cigars? Of course, all that drama for a pack of cigars Silas thought, the tension in his shoulders easing up as he grabbed a pack and set it on the counter. He was relieved; he thought the man was there to steal, or was a collector from the loan shark he owed money to. 

However, as the man was paying, he placed down a small, torn book; it seemed to have been used for a while and had strange, metallic symbols and foreign writing on its cover. This book, though the first time seeing it, felt oddly familiar to Silas. It was as if he was drawn to it, as if some voice was telling him to open it. 

Silas was too focused on the book to register the man's low voice, saying " Be careful out there; there are things that are out to get us". 

As the man walked out, Silas took as seat back and began to read his magazine again. However, he noticed a glimmer from the corner of his eye. As he looked, he realized what it was: the book! Silas, surprised, jumped from the chair and quickly grabbed it. 

I have to give this back to that man! He thought, and began to run. 

However, right at the door, he hesitated. He didn't know this man, but he definitely knew there was something wrong about him. He also knew that, for some reason, he felt drawn to the book. If he chose, he could go back, sit down, and read this old book. 

It was all pointless, as he knew what he had to really do. And thus, he stepped out the door. 

A step that would change everything.