h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Only last week, she had found the book in the corner of the garden, flapping its cover to attract her attention as she explored the mysterious shadows.

Crossing her legs, and resting now the book upon them, she studied the ancient writings once again.

It didn't have the lines of words that filled the pages of her parents' books, but loose groupings of curious symbols, each of which evoked a shadow of an idea in her mind.

If only Kamal was with her now.

Kamal was the one friend she missed, since her family moved away to this house in the beautiful garden.

Kamal had inoculated her with a delicious sense of adventure, and she longed to see him again.

"Kamal would like you, Book," she whispered -- and the symbol in the centre of the page shifted to form an image of his grinning face.

A strange feeling coursed through her veins, and she felt her hands tremble.

That was the most peculiar thing she had ever seen, yet also the nicest.

She turned her attention back to the symbols, wondering what message they were trying to give her.

She softly touched her fingertip to the symbol that had briefly been Kamal.

It had a very distinctive shape, almost like a sharp 'P'.

She traced the rune, and felt a tingle from her fingertip, coursing up her arm.

Suddenly she heard a light tap on the small window.

"Kamal? is that you?"

She laid the book on the bed, and hurried over to the window.

She opened it cautiously, and saw her friend standing there with a look of joyful amazement on his face.

Caught by surprise and completely thrown by his appearance, she didn't know what to say.

"Wow, Delia, I was just thinking about you! Where is this place? Wow!"

"I knew you'd love it," she said smiling softly.