Devil's Oasis

Chapter 1

My eyes trace over the old worn leather cover, its deep brown color marred with wrinkles of use. The familiar smell of an old book greets me and I close my eyes. A smell that reminds me of my childhood; I spent weeks on end in this old bookshop. Every day after school, I'd come here and pick up a book I could only ever dream of purchasing. Old literature enthralls me; I've always been fascinated by the tales written by literature legends. Carefully my hand opens the cover, afraid that any quick movement could destroy what's left of the age old masterpiece.

'Grimms' Fairy Tales' will forever be a favorite of mine. I've read the book millions of times. The tales will forever keep me mesmerized; the good bargain is a favorite of mine. A countryman who's portrayed as an imbecile, trumps everyone and comes out victorious. The simplicity behind the tale has always captivated my imagination. Mr. Walters, the previous owner of the shop, introduced me to the tales. I'll never forget the day I came in with tears in my eyes, ashamed of what the others at school thought of me. I was eight, a ward of the state after my parents decided that they no longer wished to love me.

Kids in school picked on me mercilessly; every day, no matter who it was, harsh words were always thrown my way. I never spoke up, told them to stop; instead I accepted their words. The first day I came in here I was crying, I wanted nothing more than to hide from my tormentors in a fictional world. To be buried beneath another's tragic tale of reality. Mr. Walters offered me a kind smile as he leaned on the counter heavily. 'What can I do for you, young lady?' His deep withered voice added to the warmth of the old antiqued store. For its age, it still holds a vitality that's scarce.

Just like Mr. Walters did; some days I still hear the faint tap of his wooden cane as he moved around the store, working to put away fresh stock. For ten years, I've grown accustomed to his grandfatherly appearance, his kind and knowing smile. It always warmed my heart, made the tears that glistened in my eyes vanish. Three months ago his health declined, he had me running the store for him when his wife walked in. Her tears have seared holes into my heart; when I saw her, I knew he was gone. That he had finally passed on, his work on earth had finished.

She gave me the keys, crying as she relayed the news. 'He wants you to have it; you love this place just as much as he does.' My throat had constricted, blocking any sound from passing my lips. She nodded and smiled before she turned and vanished just as quickly as she came. This place held too many memories for her. It wasn't long before she passed; when you're with a person for seventy years, it's only natural to be drawn to them after death. They were the grandparents I never had; the family that I had always dreamed of.

The small bell that hangs above the door chimes its greeting. "I'm sorry, but we've closed for the day," my eyes are glued to the tale of Cat and Mouse in Partnership, a short tale that drives home its point simplistically.

"Then you should lock the door; how many times must I warn you to lock the door after dark? It's not safe around here after nightfall." I lift my head and blush at the cool and calculated stare of Dominic Walters, Mr. Walters' grandson. His aluminum gray eyes create a piercing stare with sharp features that always carry a masked expression. Dominic is always careful to keep his expression blank, emotionless as he watches you like a hawk. It used to unsettle me to have him watch me, his eyes slightly narrowed on me as I'd move around the shop.

"It's a bookstore, an old one; do you really think someone will waste their time trying to loot a cash register?" I pull the old worn jumper back up onto my shoulder; the hand me down has never fit me correctly. It's deep gray color splotched with bleach; it was cheap and it was comfortable. A good bargain in my opinion; with a pair of skinny jeans that have had their fair share of repairs and my comfy slide on slippers. Every day after the store has closed I change from my sneakers into these to enjoy my reading.