BOOK BANDIT - TIMELINE UNKNOWN

(Timeline Tuesday #59)

Book Bandits are a humanoid species with ghostly pale skin and enormous eyes. They resemble humans in many ways, although the large size and perfectly spherical shape of their heads is a dead giveaway to their true nature. It is believed the unusually big eyes of a Book Bandit allow them to see in low lighting, perhaps even conditions of total darkness. This serves to help the creatures as they sneak through this timeline.

It should be noted that the Book Bandit species is not necessarily a reference to all who steal books. These creatures are very specific in nature.

Book Bandits always appear on this timeline in the same uniform, featuring black and white striped clothing, along with a black cap and eye mask. The bags they carry can vary in hue and material, but are usually made with a sturdy canvas. It is unknown whether or not Book Bandits arrive on this timeline through some natural reality jumping ability, or if they manifest this effect through advanced technology. Regardless of the method, Book Bandits use this ability sparingly, suggesting it is either difficult or costly.

Book Bandits arrive on our timeline with a singular goal, to steal as many books as possible. Once here, they will sneak into libraries or bookstores in the dead of night, sweeping clean the shelves. Often they do this carelessly, knocking the shelves over. The book bandits place their stolen good into bags and carry them to the next location, preferring to hit three or four targets in an evening.

What Book Bandits do with the items they steal remains a mystery. Typically, their thefts will feature a specific genre, subject or author. There are even cases of Book Bandits stealing only books with a particular color.