"Why?" he whispered. "What's the point of a library no one can see?"

"Probably a virus from a 2010 meme archive," he muttered, clicking the link out of professional curiosity.

"It’s terrifying, isn't it?" Elena whispered. She had stopped fidgeting. Her youthful energy had dampened, replaced by a genuine reverence for the object. "It feels... warm."

"Digital files can be corrupted," Arthur said, handing her the velvet pouch containing a pair of white cotton gloves. "Paper endures. Put these on. And brew some coffee. It’s going to be a long night."