SCHOOL LIBRARY – LATE AFTERNOON The library is nearly empty, since it was the last day. Dust motes drift through slanted beams of golden light. Somewhere, a distant clock chimes. Leo, still wearing his hoodie from the morning, wanders between the shelves, fingers trailing along spines of books planning to get a book before going to Jace's place.
He stops. A book sits crooked on the shelf—old, leather-bound, and out of place. Its cover is cracked, the title faded into nothing.
LEO (thoughts) "What's that..?"
Leo pulls it free.
LEO (thoughts) "Why does this book feel rusty? like nobody has touched it for centuries.."
He opens it. A slip of paper flutters out, landing softly on the floor. Leo picks it up. Symbols—twisting, glowing faintly— across the surface. The ink pulses once, then vanishes beneath his touch.
LEO (whispering) "…What the..?"
A pair of curious eyes peered at him..
??? (thoughts) "Really? A kid?"
Dramatic sigh
??? "Guess I better make an entrance.."
A sudden rustle.
??? "Oops.."
Leo spins around. Silence. Then—movement. From behind a stack of books, a small figure emerges. Brown fur. Twitching nose.
A squirrel, Its tail flicking with purpose.
SQUIRREL "About time. I was starting to think humans forgot how to read."
Leo nearly dropped the book. Was he hearing things? He rubbed his eyes, but no—there, standing on the desk, was a squirrel. A talking squirrel.
LEO "Who are you?! And.. You… you talk?!"
SQUIRREL (nods) "Name's Whiskers. And you? You've been chosen, Kid."
Leo backs up a step, heart racing.
WHISKERS "Oh and Kid, you just opened a door you can't close."