6 Being A Writer Or A Lover (2)

Afterward, they clean the dusty bookshelves.

Esther asks, "So, do you still want to learn about story writing?"

Asher answers, "Yes, I won't stop until I succeed in making a good story."

"That's good to hear. Is she still sulking?"

"Yeah, the short joke is still in her head."

"Come on Parker, we did say sorry."

"You two made fun of me for no reason!" Parker doesn't turn around to face them.

Esther told her, "You do know that it was the guy who was about to leave that made fun of you."

"And you did want us to smile, so I guess it's a mission accomplished then, right?" Asher adds.

Parker said to herself, "I'll grow someday, just you wait and see! I'll look down on all of you literally!"

They continued their work for the whole afternoon, but Asher seems to forget something.

"Oh no, I didn't do the Humor-Horror story."

"Do it tomorrow," Esther said to him.

"Thanks, Esther."

"No problem."

That night

"Hey Jennifer, are you sure we should do this? The library is open, it might be a catch."

"Of course! That witch thinks that she could come between us! She's got another thing coming. We'll just burn down the library as a message that she should never mess with me. Go and pour the gas inside!"

Her cheerleader friend tried to pour the gasoline, but they said to Jennifer, "Umm... Jen, I think there's something inside."

"Are you serious? What are you, five!?"

"I just saw something moving, over there. Between the shelves..." Her friend points inside the library.

"Lemme see... There's... Nothing! You girls are a bunch of scaredy cats! How did you even join my cheerleading team in the first place? Now..." Then she heard something as well, she's starting to shake and felt a dark, cold, and creepy vibe.

"Get... Lost..." They heard a voice.

Jennifer asks in a panicked tone, "W-w-what t-that you?"

"N-no... I-I thought it w-was you."

As they look closer, a mysterious figure appears inside the library and it said to them, "Get... Lost..."

Much to the cheerleaders' fear, they all said in unison, "Run." While running away in terror.

"I haven't even chased them yet..." The mysterious figure said, though it was only Esther, "Their plan was not even close to perfection, although they would've succeeded if it weren't for me. Do they even know that this place isn't locked yet?"

"Esther? Did you say something?" Parker comes out of the supply room.

"Some pranksters left their materials behind."

"Let me guess, they ran away when they saw you?"

"That sounds about right."

"Well, let's take it before they come back for it. But first, we need to finish organizing the old books."

"Right. Is Asher done?"

"Not really... Because he's the one who does all the work."

"Tell him to hurry, we need to close the library after getting the stuff those pranksters left for us."

"I think we spoiled ourselves too much."

"No, just you. I'm doing all the scolding and chasing, while you just sit and check out books in the counter."

"ISN'T THAT HARD TOO!?"

"Really? You only use your hands, how is that hard?"

"Hmph! You just don't appreciate the work I do around here."

Suddenly they heard crashing in the storage room, they looked inside and saw Asher buried alive by books.

"Help, I think I compared these books to sacks of cement..." He complained.

"I think we should really help him this time," Esther said.

"Agreed."

After they went back to their houses, Asher looks out of his window one last time before he goes back to bed.

He said to himself, "Uncle, I think I took your advice too seriously. The fact is that I may be good at writing stories but a friend of mine told me that there's something more than just writing a story, I hope I can write a good story soon. Because I already found a good inspiration and new friends."

Meanwhile, Esther sips her tea when suddenly the handle from the teacup broke off. She thought, "This is a bad omen and a hassle."

Her maid noticed, "Oh my goodness, miss let me get that for you."

"Thank you. Please get me another one."

"Right away miss." The maid left.

"Ugh. Of all times, why now?" She thought to herself.

Next day

Asher is walking to the library when his cousin catches up with him.

"Asher, I haven't seen you yesterday. Where have you been? I thought you were planning on working on the farm again." His cousin asks.

"Mercer? I thought you were busy reading those fantasy novels?"

"I'm already done with those, I heard from mom that you're writing stories again!"

"Yeah, but I still got a lot of learning to do. I never knew I made so many mistakes in just one story."

"You sure about that? Because your stories are flawless! I mean, remember that project you did for me while I was sick? My teacher gave me a high grade, she said it was an original!"

"You're just exaggerating, and I was there, she didn't say anything like that. That goes to show that not everyone agrees with you."

"Ha! We'll see about that! You seem to be going somewhere, where are you going anyway?"

"Library. That's where I'll be taking my story writing lessons."

"Wait. The library? Like, the library!?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"That place has a reputation. Haven't you heard the rumor about a demon lurking in there? It chases you if a book is not placed back properly or just leave it in the table, that rumor started for like, several days ago."

"You mean Esther? That does sound like her."

"You confronted the demon! Does it have a name? And it's a she!? Are you telling the truth right now!?"

"Yes, and I appreciate it if you don't treat her like some savage demon. She's a person like the rest of us, it's just she doesn't like ignorant people."

They continued to walk until the road was blocked by crashed vehicles. They both ran to see what happened.

Both drivers were bleeding, Asher and Mercer pulled each one out. They both tore off their clothes and used it to cover their wounds, other people also noticed the incident so they immediately called the hospital.

Asher asks, "How long until help arrives?"

"Don't worry it won't be long!" A man answered.

"How did we get into this?" Mercer asked Asher.

"By chance, we need to help these guys first! Alright, help us carry them!"

In the library.

"Esther, why are you acting like a savage demon so early in the morning?" Parker asks.

Esther answers in a stressful manner, "I sensed not an anomaly but a bad omen last night. I don't feel like working right now, but I have to help Asher. Is he here yet? Because I don't want to deal with an ignorant person right now."

"No, but don't worry. He'll be here soon enough."

"I just hope he's hurrying up right about now."

"You're just stressed from what happened yesterday, just take a break and it'll pass away."

"It better be."

What they don't know is that some shady person is hiding from the shadows watching them. Esther already knew that shady person's presence.

"Get out." She said, "Get out or I'll make you."

The shady person walks out and said, "I'm impressed. You managed to know where I am, but of course, I want you to notice me since you have been ignoring me lately."

"Of all people who came, why you?"

"Because... I'm your future husband, I'll do anything for you except for killing myself."

"Go to jail."

"That I won't also do."

"Then you can't do anything for me, you're not my type. I can point out your flaws in seconds."

"Really? Name one."

"You're idiotic, obnoxious, greedy, lustful, prideful, quick-tempered, not a good listener, lazy, unmotivated, flirting with other women, and you always talk about yourself."

"Sheesh, I said name one. But of course, I do talk about myself, it is one of my hobbies."

"That's one of the most stupid things I've ever heard."

"Say all you want but nothing's going to stop me from loving you."

The person tries to kiss Esther but she slaps him with a book, "Also you're a pervert, stupid."

"My name is not stupid. My name is Xander Finseth. And soon you'll be known as Esther Finseth, wife of Xander Finseth, eventually."

"Do you want to how hard I can punch?"

"Ooh, I'd like to see you try."

Esther thought to herself, "Good grief, I knew that I sensed a bad omen last night, I didn't think it would be in human form. Asher, where the heck are you? Wait, if Xander is here, and Asher will get here... That means I should kick out Xander right now, or something bad might happen."