That was it. Somehow I knew. That’s what she wanted me to bring back.

Grampy, that’s the first time I felt fear over there—the thought of going into the house and taking the book scared me. But I knew I had to do it if I wanted to save you. So I walked around the house until I found the door and opened it as quietly as I could. It still made a slight clicking noise, and I stopped and held my breath. But the house stayed quiet. I stepped through the door and left it open behind me.

That’s when I panicked. I was overwhelmed with this feeling that I had to get that book and get out of there as quickly as possible. So I shoved my way through the house in the direction of the kitchen, and there the book was, still on the table. I darted in, but as I put my hand on it, I heard someone else walk into the room behind me.

“Hello, Pearl.”

I gasped, held my breath. My hand was still on the soft leather. I didn’t want to turn around. I froze.

“Dear Pearl.” The voice was so, so kind, and I had to turn and look just to see who it was.

Standing there was a beautiful woman. I could tell she used to have jet-black hair, but now there were glorious white and gray streaks through it, the kind that made me want to reach out and touch them. Those silver highlights reminded me of the lights in the underwater cave and of the silver-haired woman.

“Hi,” I said, my voice barely working. “How do you know my name?”

I could see in her eyes that she was nearly crying but also happy.

“You can take it,” she said, motioning toward the book with a nod. She sounded a little nervous, like she didn’t want to scare me off. “If you need it, you can take it.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I came here, like you, a long time ago, and I found this book. It’s what she wanted. I refused to come and get the book for her, but I died anyway, and I couldn’t go back.” She paused. “No matter how much I loved Paul, I couldn’t go back. I thought the woman would come for it someday. I thought she could take me back if she did, but it’s been so long. I know I can’t go back, not now. Not anymore.”

“She can’t come here. She’s tried to send others, but they all died and couldn’t go back.”

“I know. I’ve seen them come and pass by. I’ve told them which way to go.” She shrugged and gave me a sad smile. “Are you going to go back?”

I nodded. “I have to. I have to save my Grampy.”

“Will you tell him I said hello? That I still love him?”

She was talking about you, Grampy. I nodded again, not knowing what to say.