three

''Where? I see no one!'' Xia frowned as she looked in the direction I was staring.

Even I was surprised not to see the man, '' But I swear he was standing next to the tree awhile ago,'' I insisted.

'' Forget it! Im sure you just think of him out of annoyance,'' Xia stated and pulled me towards the janitor.

Although curious, I put aside the man and concentrated on the interview. My birthday party will depend on the janitors answered, so I need to focus.

'' Mr. Conor, thank you for your time, '' I said.

Conor smiled, '' I'm not sure if my knowledge is enough, but maybe it can help a little, ''

Xia and I started to ask questions, and Conor answered them quickly. We could not believe the extent of the old man's knowledge, so Xia and I were amazed while listening.

'' Mr. Conor, thank you for your help, now I'm sure my birthday party will continue this weekend!'' I extended my gratitude while shaking the old man's hand.

'' Ha Ha Ha! Your overreacting; even if it's not in the lake, your birthday celebration will continue,'' Xia asserts.

'' The mystics lake?'' Conor asked, seemingly incredulous.

'' Yeah, Claire wants to see the lake because she hasn't seen it yet,'' Xia answered.

'' I know a legend about the lake. Want to hear it?'' Conor utters as he prepares to stand up.

Xia and I nodded while excitedly smiling.

'' The story of my ancestors - the place of the mystic lake is mysterious because it is where the history of witches began. It is said that under it there is a very mysterious cave,''

''I don't believe in witches,'' I announce.

Conor just smiled, '' Then, is it safe to say this to you. There is a prophecy that the elders have been waiting for a long time-The birth of the chosen one,''

''Wow, I didn't know there was such a thing in our Town!'' Xia state.

''Yeah, me neither,'' I agreed.

''Ha Ha Ha! Because both of you are too young and normal,'' Conor answered.

"It's better to know nothing for our lives to be quieter," I asserted and smiled at Conor and thanked him again before leaving.

A mysterious smile flashed on Conor's face while looking at me.

------------------------

Xia and I went straight to the shade of a tree, and that's where they started preparing the report.

While Im occupied, Xia left to buy their snack.

Busy, I was unaware of the man who suddenly appeared behind the tree and stared at me intently.

'' If you add witches in your report, I'm sure your teacher will give you zero,''

In shock, I threw away the notebook and pen I was holding.

'' I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd be surprised, ''

''You're the dude earlier! The crazy guy who almost ran over me!'' I exclaimed and watched the man pick up the notebook and pen on the ground.

'' Crazy? Im not crazy; Im Ian Gabriel, and you are? ''

My eyebrows rose as I stared at the one who introduced himself as Ian Gabriel. I couldn't reach out my hand because I believed the guy was crazy.

''Told you I'm not mad-man. I'm new in this town, and today I'm officially a student in this school,'' Ian Gabriel explained while showing the admission slit.

''Fine, Ian Gabriel, but it's not okay that you suddenly show up!'' I preached and took the notebook and pen he was still holding.

'' I'll remember that. Anyway, I was saying don't include prophecy in your report, ''

''It's not a prophecy! It's an urban legend believed by the elders here in our Town. Youre new, so you don't know anything about our place!'' I answered and scolded him for interfering.

I frowned, hearing him utter an unfamiliar word while staring at me.

''You're saying something?'' I asked.

'' Interesting,'' Ian Gabriel murmured and stood up-Not saying a word left.

''Weird guy, suddenly show up then leave without saying anything,'' I whispered while watching the man walk.

''Who's weird?'' Xia asked as she showed up carrying a plastic full of snacks.

''The guy I'm telling you earlier. He's a new student here,'' I explained while getting the snack from the plastic.

''Oh, the mad man? I thought you were just making up a story,'' Xia responded snickering,

''What?! Why would I do that?'' I asked in disbelief.

'' Because you're turning eighteen and excited to have a boyfriend!'' Xia answered teasingly.

'' Yes, I want to have a boyfriend, but I don't want a crazy boyfriend!'' I spoke and threw a small stone at her.

''Crazy boyfriend is better than no boyfriend at all,'' Xia state.

I shook my head and continued writing. Talking to my friend is brain-draining because Xia's thinking is not usual.

After a few minutes of writing, we decided to part ways.

'' You still want to go to the library?'' Xia asked.

'' Yeah, so go ahead. I'll call you when I get home,'' I said and walked to the library.

''Okay, take care and don't stay too late,'' Xia reminder before walking out of campus.

Because the class hour is almost ended, few more students are in the library.

And I prefer that to speed up my writing.

I immediately went to the history section and searched for the legends of the different tribes.

As I looked at the books, my attention was called by the end of the shelf. I immediately walk into the rear of the rack.

''Wow, is this new?'' I murmur while checking the cover of the book. The design is strange because the snake is engraved on the front, which seems accurate. After all, it has red eyes and fangs.

''How can I open this?'' I asked since the serpent's body is wrapped around the whole book, which prevents the book from being opened.

Trying to open it, I was injured by the fang on the front of the book.

''Ouch!''

''Ms. Anderson, the library will be close!'' Please leave now!''

I immediately returned the book and hurried out of the library.

Meanwhile, in the library where the mysterious book is placed. Suddenly the snake's eye in the cover lit up, and dark smoke came out.