To Catch An Element

chapter 3

"If I was paying you to sleep you'd be getting a raise" lizzy said sarcastically "sorry, I didn't mean to I just been having trouble sleeping lately and it won't happen again" I stopped quickly as I saw the scowl on her face start to grow "as you can't be trusted to stay in here without falling asleep take the boxes on the counter and stock the shelves" and with a sigh she turned and left.

seriously Avery sleeping, I'm lucky I wasn't fired although it wasn't necessary to poor water down my back she could have just shaked me but God forbid she does anything kind
I found the boxes on the counter just as lizzy said and I stared placing the trinkets on the shelves this shop was very popular for tourists as every item was meant to have a myth or story that went along with them I always loved finding out what they were as I was placing a beautiful crystal necklace (that once belonged to a queen that was rumoured to be able to read minds)

the bell above the door rang I didn't look around as I didn't want Lizzy to be mad at me for not finishing this work so I continued to place the contents of the box onto the shelves
I started to think about the dream I had what did it mean? Aren't dreams messages from your subconscious it could just be because I've been stressed alot lately but that doesn't make sense why would I associate stress with colours and what's with the woman and the screams and don't even get me started on that weird message does my mind have nothing better to do than create cryptic messages I'll probably never solve and the coughing... wait coughing?

I looked away from the shelf which  I was currently restocking and was met with beautiful Hazel eyes of a boy around my age taller than me with short brown hair very handsome a book clutched in his hand a quizzical look on his face and that's when I realised I was staring at him like an idiot

I cleared my throat and looked away from him I could feel the heat rising into my cheeks I could see he was fighting the urge to smile yep he definitely noticed I was staring at him
"I'm sorry to bother you, but I was hoping to buy this book" he held up his book for emphasis, book right his book words Avery words
"Um, right this way the um counter is this way" I started walking over to the counter telling myself to get a grip what am I twelve? I smiled like I do for every customer and jestured to put it on the counter which he did it was a pretty worn book as I picked it up I read the title "The tale of the two sisters"

I remembered reading this a few years back "Have you read it?" He said clearly seeing the look on my face "yes I have a few years back I actually really enjoyed it" I answered
He put his elbows on the counter and he peered at me a sly interest in his eyes "what is it about?" He replied "if I told you that it would defeat the whole point of reading it, and if you didn't read it you  wouldn't buy it, and if you didn't buy it I wouldn't get paid" I couldn’t help the nervous laugh that escaped me after I said those words he had a full blown smile on his face now "well I better read it now won't I? I'd hate for you not to get paid, but I'm pretty sure I can guess the ending" He said confidently  I raised an eyebrow which he took as an invitation to continue, honestly I didn't care about the ending but he clearly liked the sound of his own voice, him not me.

"First of this book was in this store which means it clearly has a mythical background, but it's also a kids story so it'll have some sort of lesson in it. The title is pretty self explaining its a sto-" He cut of suddenly and looked me dead in the eye

"I'm boring you aren't I?" He questioned I'm not proud to admit it  took me a few seconds to realise he stopped talking
"No of course not" I really tried to make that sound sincere I really did but it sort of kinda came out like I was mocking him, don't you just hate when that happens? He reached for his wallet and pulled out a twenty in one last ditch  attempt to somehow salvage this conversation "is the book a gift for someone?" I asked
He looked up at me and smiled "because you said it was a kids book" I explained "no its for me" He answered "it's funny I had no intention of coming in here today, but fate always seems to find a way to intervene"

"Um" was the only answer I could come up with. "I could have kept walking down the street but I decided to come in here instead and I was rewarded with meeting you" He paused "you should make up with your mother too. You shouldn't be afraid to take a leap of faith, you never know what your reward will be"

An uncomfortable silence settled  between us brocken when he handed me the twenty "I'll get your change" I said at last I turned away from the counter wondering what the hell I was going to do I didn’t even know the guys name but when I turned back around him and the book were gone
What the bloody hell is going on? This is by far the weirdest day of my life

how did he leave without me hearing the bell on the door? Maybe I was just so distracted I didn't hear it, take a leap of faith. What did he mean by that? I take leaps of faith all the time... Well I suppose I haven't been doing anything spontaneous lately I mean I've been busy with exams, work and a number of different things I'm not like I was when I was younger getting in trouble every other day solving every mystery I could and really having fun with life creating a unique memory everyday

I looked across the room at an antique mirror hung up at the wall but people change over time I told myself forcefully everyone grows up I reminded myself  as I looked at my reflection I realised, I didn't like the person I was becoming

I couldn’t take my eyes of the clock and I ran out the door as soon as the clock stroke five I couldn’t shake the feeling like I was being watched all day it could be paranoia but with all the crazy things happening today I wasn’t taking any chances it took longer than usual to get home but I may have doubled back a few times, what it's only safe don't judge! I ran straight up to my room determined to sort through everything that happened I also didn't want to see mum again and get lectured on the importance of college

once in my room I began to pace I got a serious sense of deja vu what am I even worrying  about sure some weird things have happened today I'm sure it didn't mean anything, A boy that handsome is bound to be a bit um strange . I mean nothing interesting can happen to someone like me but as I looked at my bed my stomach gave a flip I wasn't sure if it was out of fear or excitement

I walked slowly towards my bed and I simply stared on my bed lay a book "The tale of the two sisters" for one terrifying moment I thought it was the one I sold to the boy earlier but the cover was new and decorated with the most beautiful colours I slowly picked it up there was something about it something so captivating, I opened it to the last page

"Left never to return" was the last line but what was odd or odder cause this whole situation is odd is there was more  pages in the book they were all blank
I swear my heart stopped but I think I almost died a little when writing suddenly appeared one simple sentence
"Do you Dare?"

I knew this decision would decide Everything who I was who I was becoming. I didn't even realise I was holding my breath this entire time not daring to ruin this moment I reached for the pen on my desk my hands shaking time to be the person I want to be, take a leap of faith Avery after that thought I didn't think twice I wrote one word under the sentence

Yes.
A blast of wind
A blinding light
A beautiful sirens song
The world sped up and slowed down all at once
Everything started to become a blur
DARKNESS...