“So we’ll be looking for four bodies down there if you get lost, or if there’s another worldquake, or if everyone simply forgets about you? Not five?” Orwell Bookend delivered this the way he delivered all his jokes: without any trace of humor. It was clear he did mean this to be funny, though: He didn’t really believe in magic, and especially not magical libraries. And how could something that didn’t exist be dangerous?

Effie sighed. “We’ll be fine. But yes, there’s only four of us.”

“Well don’t say I didn’t warn you,” said Orwell. “It’s vast, dusty, dark and full of things you shouldn’t be reading. If anyone asks, I didn’t give you this.” He gave Effie the key. “Now go.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Wolf was very hot by the time he reached the spot he’d marked on the map and cross-referenced with the coordinates on his yellow device. He was in the middle of a massive field with pale, dry grass. There were no houses or other structures. In fact, Wolf couldn’t see any evidence of human life anywhere. Just miles and miles of grass. What had he done wrong? There was nothing here. Had he just walked through the wilderness for nothing? He checked his coordinates again. And again.

Midday was approaching fast. It was now 11:40. Wolf felt like crying—although he hardly ever cried—or kicking something—although there was nothing to kick. This was his best chance of finding Natasha, and it looked like he’d blown it. Had he simply got the coordinates wrong? Very occasionally Wolf got something wrong in one of his sudoku puzzles. Instead of doing what he wanted—which was binning it and starting a new one—he always forced himself to go back, find the mistake and put it right. Sometimes this involved rubbing out scores of numbers.

He realized that what he was going to have to do now. Retrace his steps until he found his mistake. Realistically he didn’t know how he would even begin to do this. He could see in every possible direction, and there was nothing out here. Perhaps he’d gone wrong as far back as where the bus had dropped him off.

The sun was peaking in the sky. Wolf had to face the very real possibility of having failed his mission. And what then? Would he have to spend the night out here? If he was going to do that, he’d need to find water. And build a shelter. Wolf could see a tree in the distance, and noticed that the land sloped downward. Water was probably in that direction. He had his purification tablets, of course. Although for now he still had what was left in the old army canteen that hung from his knapsack. So he didn’t need to panic, or start gathering supplies just yet. He needed to think.