A.L.E.N - Between Shadows (Chapter 2)

Act 7

Julie walked into the library and looked through the books, but she was a little lost when it came to looking for old historical books, but one book piqued her interest as she picked it up and took a closer look: "Fire written by A...." until she was interrupted by a handsome young man with dark hair and brown eyes, who approached her and asked if she needed help. "Excuse me, Miss?"

Julie was so scared, "Wow!" that she dropped the book, and the young man apologized, "Oh, I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to scare you."

Julie appears humiliated. "No, no, it's okay," Julie says as she picks up the book. "Sorry, I was a little distracted..."

Julie stood up and looked at him with an embarrassing smile. "Sorry, but you appear to be a little lost," the young man inquires. "I was wondering if you needed any help. This library used to belong to my grandmother before she retired and unfortunately passed away later this year.

Julie looks at him and feels a bit sad. "I'm so sorry for your loss, Adam."

Adam nodded and said, "Yeah... So, now I'm the library manager, so I'm always willing to help," the young man says, his fingers pointing at him and a smile on his face.

Julie looks at him, grateful for his assistance. "Yeah, I'm a little lost." "I'm looking for books about the town, or if you have any articles or documents about it, that would be great too," she says with a smile as she stands there and stares at him until reality returns. "Oh, sorry, I didn't get your name," the young man replied. "Adam, Adam Whitt. And yours is...?"

Julie says quietly and nervously, "Oh, it's Ju. Julie, my full name is Julie Rogers. My friends call me Ju."

Adam looks at her with a big smile on his face. "Ah, okay," Adam responds. "Julie, it's a pleasure to meet you." Julie smiles, "Likewise, Adam..."

Until Julie, surprised, asks, "Hold on!" Are you Aiden's brother or something?"

Adam laughed and said, "Yeah. I'm older than him... He's 15 and I'm 18, so there's a 3-year age difference."

Julie exclaimed, "Woah. So, you two are Hannah Whitt's sons, right?" and he looks at her with a smile. "That's right," he said. "My mother is now working at the diner. Wait, your surname is Rogers, so does that mean your father owns that place?" Adam realizes this as he looks at her.

Julie confirms with a nod, "Yeah, that's right."

Adam lets out a short laugh and says, "Uhm, interesting. She told me that six years ago, she saved a man named Robert Rogers who was shot and"

Julie is upset and looks down. "Yeah. That is something I recall. That happened when I was eight years old."

Adam looks at her and apologizes, "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

Julie shakes her head. "Oh no, it's okay."

"That much will be difficult," Adam said quietly. "When the hospital burned down, my mother lost her job as a paramedic. But, thanks to your father, she was able to get a job," Julie smiles.