Kaden stood in front of a shelf filled with what seemed like an endless stack of books, which was almost funny because right in front of him was a cart filled with a dozen more. His job was to restack the books on the shelf and make sure they were in alphabetical order, which he hated to do on a normal day. But today, his mind was clouded, clouded with the story he had heard from Jeena. The story about the crimson stone, about vampires and such, which was strange because he usually moved on from the stories Jeena told, always ready for the next one.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecs0omvo6P
He never believed such a story could be real, but Jeena's eyes—so serious, so full of sadness—filled him with curiosity.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CCZFLpoL3
While doing his job, he found himself taking a few glances at the crimson necklace that hung around Jeena's neck. He didn't know why, but he wanted to know more about it for it wasn't every day that one would see a supposedly world-ending artifact?
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInzSB5rFqA
"A power that doesn't belong in human hands," he thought. "That's what she called it."
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUboydHoix
"You seem distracted," Jeena said as she walked toward him. She stood beside him and began grabbing books from the cart and placing them on the shelf, not saying a word a she waited for Kadens answer.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ1B1T9LBE
"Distracted, me?" Kaden said with a smile. "I don't know the meaning of the word," he added, unwilling to share his thoughts with her.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7049zHPFz
"Oh, of course you don't," Jeena laughed.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRcpMssof9
Kaden smirked, loving to see Jeena's smile. But as he looked at her, he found his gaze drifting downward to the crimson necklace that gleamed in the light.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACTAWxJW9F
"You said that this little necklace has been passed down in your family, right?" he said, returning to his work.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyqUD648jp
Jeena looked at him, her face confused at first. "Yes, that's right," she said with a smile. "It wasn't always a necklace, but whatever form it took, it was always in the hands of my family," she said, looking down at her jewelry that she grabbed ahold of with her fingers.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2kuv87K11
"You also said it had the power to destroy the world?" Kaden asked again.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV7qqQBGzW
"Indeed I did," Jeena said, once again returning to the task of organizing the books. "Glad, you were listening."
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxJnhYFQ9H
Kaden smirked, "Then I guess that makes you the most powerful person in the world, doesn't it?" Kaden asked with a small laugh.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd9BxtXdYs
Jeena halted in her task, thinking hard about what he had just said.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGqfpP6BKJ
"No, I wouldn't say that," Jeena simply said as she looked straight ahead at the book shelf.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEvcQ13S9I
"Why not?" Kaden asked, curious. "A world-ending power—shouldn't that make you number one?" he asked.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcIt0anUGt
"Power, especially strong power, usually comes with a big sacrifice," Jeena said, her tone serious. She looked at him, no longer smiling. "Don't be so quick to seek out power, Kaden. You won't always like where it leads." She said.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaKCJLpLtR
Jeena got up and began to walk away, seemingly ready to end the conversation between her and Kaden.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VET5wi3Lj
Kaden stood up and looked at Jeena as she continued to walk away. "Is power really such a bad thing?" he asked clenching his fists together. "Is it really such a curse?"
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXLEd2F2da
Jeena stopped walking and looked back at Kaden, her smile returning, but the look in her eyes seemed to be pity. Quickly, that look disappeared and Jeena began to laugh out loud.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMDDkFp6QC
"Come on, Kaden!" she yelled between laughs. "You know it's only a story." She continued, "Honestly, this is the first time I think you've ever taken one of my stories so seriously."
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5juBAMUby
"Um..." Kaden said, his cheeks becoming bright red with embarrassment. "I'm not taking it seriously," he said defensively. "I'm just a little bit curious about your family history." He looked away. "After all, I believe this is the first time you've ever talked about your family."
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXra9RVoVY
Jeena sat down in her chair behind the front counter. She turned and faced Kaden as she crossed her legs. "Well, honestly," she said, resting her face in the palm of her right hand. "There's not much to say, really. My family and I don't get along very well," she explained. "So I guess it's a good thing we don't see each other very often, huh?" She laughed.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOcnAmCel6
"I guess..." Kaden said in a low voice, seeing how bothered Jeena was about the topic. "Well, uh... who needs them? After all, you've got me," Kaden said with pride as he fist-bumped his chest.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpgVC3r0uJ
Jeena looked at Kaden, surprise etched on her face. Soon, she began to laugh. "Indeed I do," she said.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs64pEBQ36T
Kaden felt a warmth spread through him at her words. He watched as Jeena leaned back in her chair, her laughter dying down but a genuine smile remaining on her face. For a moment, the weight of the story and the world outside seemed to lift, replaced by a comforting sense of comfort.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6SwHbVL9j
"So," Kaden said, trying to lighten the mood further, "any new stories up your sleeve, or do I have to wait until tomorrow?"
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbjoctWQTH
Jeena chuckled. "Oh, I'm sure I can come up with something to entertain you," she said, her eyes twinkling. "But for now, let's finish organizing these books. They won't shelve themselves."
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgAMNW8owu
Kaden nodded, feeling more at ease.
***
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s67OYKSXH
The hours of the day moved forward until the sun began to set, and day turned to night. It was in this newfound darkness that they stood perched on top of a building, looking down at the storefront labeled "Backward History."
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws4hj7U3zz
"Is this the place?" one of the shadowy figures asked, his face hidden completely in the darkness.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87UtLXCqVF
"Yeah, it matches the description perfectly," the other shadowy figure replied.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuF5ws2NLf
"Do you really think we'll find it here? Find her?"
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYk8cEkwvT
"Who knows? We're here anyway, so we might as well check it out and eliminate anyone that gets in our way."
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUg2RrRoGk
The two figures exchanged a nod before silently descending the fire escape, their movements smooth and silent as they disappeared into the darkness surrounding the alleyways that led to the small bookstore.
***
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0RXB8Xm1s
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns216.73.216.33da2
and then Add to home screen.