"Your Grandfather's Clock," Ravi read aloud to himself, frowning and stifling a chuckle. It was a strange name for a bookstore, but again, it was not surprising since he had found himself in the shadiest part of town. He took a few steps towards the shop, taking in its appearance.

It was antique-looking, but nevertheless beautifully decorated. An ancient bell hung over the door, the creak of the door drowning out its chimes as Ravi entered the store.

Inside, stale air and old-fashioned furnishing enveloped the room. Shelves of books filled with yellowed pages occupied the walls, and Ravi thought he might have seen a rat scurry past the dustiest corners of the room. 

That was when he caught sight of a dimly-lit corner, where there was just enough light for him to make out a silhouette of a small old lady, hunched over the desk and peering through a pair of round glasses at some papers.

"Oh look who we've got here. Welcome in!" she chimed, her excited tone of voice not matching her expressionless face as she finally looked up at Ravi. "Take a look around. Everything's at half price today, young man."

Ravi noticed her cat-like eyes and small, delicate features. Despite the lighting, he could see her aged, tanned skin wrapped around her small face. 

Margaret, he read to himself as his gaze fell onto the name pin that sat on her green woollen sweater.

"Ahh, yes Margaret it is," she smiled, startling the man. "It's nice to meet you, Ravi."

She moved past him as she headed for the shelf behind them, and Ravi stared, mouth agape, at her petite frame. How did she know my name?

"Would you fancy some recommendations?" she called.

"No, it's fine-"

"There, take this," she shoved a heavy book into his hands, brushing off the dust from the cover. Ravi frowned in disgust at touch of its dusty exterior. "You'll like it, young man."

Ravi thought otherwise. The book cover was a plain shade of faded crimson with not a single text.

"What's it called?" he asked, inspecting the front and back sides, before finally flipping open the book. Fortunately, there was text inside - tiny words in old font that filled the book's three hundred yellowed pages.

"Dunno," the old lady replied. "But it's only a dollar. It's a good buy," she whispered, returning to the desk and looking at Ravi expectantly. 

He scoffed inwardly, glancing around the room. It felt as though all the books in the here were all the same, inlcuding the one he was holding. He could not explain it, but he was drawn to the store, and even to the strange mysteriousness the book emanated.

He had nothing much to lose if he did not like it. Besides, he had run out of books to read back at home, and remembered why he had even stepped out of house in the first place - to look for more. 

A small smile crept across the old lady's wrinkled face as she watched Ravi reach into his pockets. "So?" she questioned.

"I'll take it."

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