The paper of the book felt old and wilted beneath his fingers as he thumbed through it once more. Of course, that could be because it was at least sixty-five years old; so old that he feared the pages may rip at his touch. The sloppy handwriting that filled the pages recounted tales of family and friends and girls and films, before slowly transitioning into stories of the war, of battles and pains and woes. The only page that stuck out from the rest was the loose page that had fallen out that day when he'd found the journal in his late grandfather's attic. That page was tucked into the back of the journal, folded in half.

Nathan wasn't looking forward to this. He wished he had never mentioned the loose page in the first place, that he had simply stuck it back in and kept it his own little secret. He had started this, and now he had to stop it.

From above he could hear footsteps. It was long after midnight and he couldn't think of anyone else it could be. He carefully tucked the journal away in his tool box before the footsteps reached the door.

The door creaked open, the light from the hallway shining on Nathan as he stood in the cold, dark basement. The person slowly descended the stairs to where Nathan stood. "Where's the book?"

"It's at home. I didn't think I should bring it."

"Are we ready?" the voice asked. When Nathan didn't answer, the voice added, "You're not backing out, are you?"

"I just think we should forget about it," Nathan said softly.

"Forget about it? Are you nuts?" the voice exclaimed. "We're talking about millions of dollars here."

"We don't know what we're talking about! It's a page from an ancient journal. For all we know the money's gone."

The voice was eerily quiet for a moment. "So you just want to walk away from it?"

"I just think we're getting into something we don't need to."

"Fine," the voice said curtly. There was no missing the malice and anger in the tone. "You don't have to be a part of it. If you want out, you're out."

"I don't just want out," Nathan replied. "I want the whole thing dropped. I don't want anyone getting hurt and I don't want you to do anything you'll regret." Nathan made for the door, but his companion blocked his way.

"You can't stop me from doing anything."

"No, but I can go to the authorities and report you." Nathan hoped he sounded threatening to some degree.

"You wouldn't," the voice said uncertainly. "To a friend?"

"I don't want to. I just think you're getting in over your head." He pushed past the person and made for the stairs. He'd only made it to the fifth step when he felt a hand grab his elbow.

"You're making a mistake!" the voice hissed, trying to pull him back. "Let's talk about this."

Nathan shook his elbow free. "There's nothing to talk about." He went further up the steps, telling his companion, "I'm just going to forget that this ever happened, and I hope you do the same." A moment later the object struck his head and all went black.

Nathan's body fell limply onto the steps. His companion shoved the body with a foot, sending it sprawling to the bottom of the stairs. The person then ascending the stairs and gently closed the door, leaving the lifeless body alone in the basement.