Creepy Tales

The Bookstore Enigma

It seemed like the best day of my life, but it was really the worst. The thing is, I, Melanie Becker, had no idea what was coming. It was the day of the open house for my book store that I had just opened. All of my friends and most of my family were coming. Everything looked just perfect, and I thought nothing could ruin it. Oh, but was I wrong. When it was time for the open house, everyone started piling in. There was so many people that I almost didn't notice when a woman attempted to steal a book right from the table at the front of the store.

       I ran through the crowd, excusing myself as I went, and finally found my way to the shoplifter. "Ma'am, I'm sorry, you'll have to pay for that." I told her, kindly. "I was told to come in here and take this." She said, staring at me. "You're being watched." She added, with a serious look on her face. I was waiting for her to burst out laughing, but the laugh never came. "She can't be serious, what a joke", I thought. "You'll have to pay for this, or put it back, Ma'am." I reminded her. "Pay?" She questioned.

       "I really don't have time for this," I thought. "Yes, if you want to take this book home, you'll have to pay for it at the desk. The desk is this way, follow me." I told her, then headed to my desk. Once I reached my desk, I turned around but she wasn't anywhere in sight. I heard the bell on the door chime as she dashed outside. "This can't be happening, she didn't just do that. Well it was just one book...as long as it doesn't happen again," I thought. I just didn't want to deal with that, I just wanted to not have to worry about anything.

      But after everyone left my book store, after I had gotten home and into bed, I couldn't stop thinking about that woman. I should have called the police. I shouldn't have just let her get away like that. Then, I started thinking about what the woman had told me. "I was told to come in here and take this." "You're being watched." I also thought it was strange that she seemed to not know what paying is. "Pay?", she had questioned. "What if I actually am being watched?", I asked myself. "No, no way. Who would be watching me, anyway?" Why would someone be watching me? I almost even thought I was a suspect in a murder case.

      Why else would someone watch me? All of these questions were keeping me awake. I feared that if I slept, someone would break in. Or maybe they were already in the house. Maybe they could see me right at that moment. I didn't understand how someone could be watching me without me knowing it. I wondered if someone was watching me, how long they'd been doing it. I shuddered at the thought. I finally fell asleep around 3:00 a.m. But, around 4:00, I awoke to the sound of glass shattering.

      I instantly sat up in bed, breathing heavily. My heart was beating wildly. I couldn't allow myself to believe that something just fell, and that's all. Someone had to be in the house. I nervously looked around in the darkness of my room, trying to decide on what I should do. I finally decided on getting out of bed to see what had broke. So, I swung my legs over the bed and slowly rose to my feet. I walked out of my room, and walked down the hall.

     I cautiously peeked around the corner, my hands shaking with fear. I couldn't see anyone in the living room, so I slowly walked over to the kitchen, and grabbed a knife from the silverware drawer for protection. The next thing I felt was a hard hit to the head and then I collapsed to the floor. When I woke up, my vision was blurry. I could only make out a silhouette of a woman with long hair. She was holding a large book in her right hand.