The Unbreakable Code

A person referred to as “The Phoenix” leaves a mysterious cup of water on a park bench, then boards a bus. The water will soon seep into the white chemical cube he left in the cup, causing the whole thing to explode. He would have stayed to watch, but he is running late for a book party.

Emily urges her family to hurry up as they get ready for a fancy event at Hollister’s bookstore. Emily wears her Book Scavenger pin and a fancy dress that represents a break from her usual, casual style. Emily’s best friend James lives upstairs, and their two families begin their walk through the hills of San Francisco toward the bookstore. Emily remembers the dark sky and bright stars from when she lived in New Mexico. Here in San Francisco, the city lights muddle the view of the stars.

Emily feels nervous and excited for the event, where she, James, and her brother Matthew will be honored for having found a previously unknown Edgar Allan Poe manuscript several months prior. Most adults at the store are dressed in fancy clothes, but a few wear Poe costumes. Emily notices that nearly everybody wears a Book Scavenger pin.