The Book That Shall Not Be Read

There is a book on your shelf. If you read it, it would undo everything in your world.

It looks interesting, and you’ve thought about picking it up many times. With no strong aversion, some small thing has always prevented you from cracking it. You’ve pulled it out a few times, but a noise, a friend at the door, an interruption has come and you’ve slid it back into place.

There is sits. Proud, unmoved, powerful. It does not impose itself on you or draw you to it. Nor does it repel you. It’s just there. Somehow, it cannot – will not – be read.

What would happen if you tried to read it?