The Invitation Read Online Free PDF Page A

Tim began to relax under its weight. Not quite like a parrot on a pirate’s shoulder, but the bird somehow felt right, sitting there. “Now about this door you mentioned,” Tim said to the Stranger.
    â€œThe past is always knocking at the door, trying to break through into today,” the Stranger said. “We will see the past, but we cannot influence it.”
    â€œKind of like in that Christmas story with all the ghosts,” Tim said. “Christmas Past, Christmas Future…”
    Constantine chuckled. “But with better special effects,” he said.
    Tim grinned back. But then his smile froze. Behind the Stranger, blocking out a boarded-up billiards hall, a gigantic rectangle was materializing.
    â€œWalk with me through the door,” the Stranger invited him.
    Tim was surprised. That was a door? It was a big block of…nothing. Just a large shape. It had no substance, no structure, only blankness.
    The Stranger took a few steps toward the empty-looking rectangle. It was now at least three stories high, bigger than the building it blocked. Tim couldn’t make his feet move.
    â€œI—I’m scared,” he whispered finally, knowing that the four men were waiting for him to do something. “I’m really scared.” He ducked his head in shame. After all his bravado—his smart mouth that his teachers always complained about—after standing up to the these weirdos, and worst of all, after choosing the tempting possibility of learning magic, he now found himself unable to take a single step.
    As if it sensed Tim’s fear, the owl took off,fluttering away. Its departure made Tim feel worse. Even his toy yo-yo was disgusted with him.
    â€œYes,” the Stranger acknowledged. To Tim’s relief, the man didn’t sound angry or even disappointed. “You are afraid. There is nothing wrong with being afraid. It is not your feelings but your actions that matter.”
    Tim nodded. He didn’t want to humiliate himself by backing out now. How could he live that down? For some reason, he wanted their respect. Particularly the blond one, that Constantine guy. Tim could feel his narrowed blue eyes on him.
    One step at a time , Tim told himself. He moved his foot a few inches. His other foot followed. One step followed another until he found himself standing beside the Stranger at the edge of the “door.” This close, Tim realized the Stranger towered over him by a good two feet. He hadn’t seemed so large a moment ago. He also noticed that the Stranger’s eyes were pure white! He had no pupils. Tim took a tiny step backward. What kind of being was he?
    â€œIf it is any reassurance,” the Stranger said, “nothing can harm you. At least, not in the past. Ready?”
    Too late to back out now . Tim nodded, shut his eyes, and stepped through the door.
    â€œAgh!” He doubled over, his stomach twisting up inside him. He felt as if he were falling at a great speed. His entire frame felt stretched out and squashed, centrifugal force trying to flatten him like a pancake.
    After what seemed an eternity, Tim abruptly felt like himself again. He could sense the Stranger behind him. They were floating in what seemed to be empty space. There was no sound. Nothing. Nothing but dark and silence.
    â€œWhere are we?” Tim asked. At least, he thought he asked, though he wasn’t sure if he’d said anything out loud or just in his mind. In any event, the Stranger answered.
    â€œThis is no place, child. This is the void, the space before there was any where to travel to.”
    Tim tried to wrap his mind around that concept: We’re at the beginning of time?
    Then—Tim covered his ears. That sound! It was awful! Enormous! “What is it?” he cried.
    â€œIt is a cry of pain, child. The pain that comes with birth.”
    â€œBirth? Who’s being born?”
    â€œNot who,” replied the