𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 || yanderes x f. reader ||

𝐱𝐢. pathfinder

pathfinder - a person who goes ahead and discovers or shows others a path or way (noun)

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My burning eyes scanned over the confusing words of each page, my brow furrowing as I tried to decode the meaning before giving up, slamming the book on the table full of half-read books, which caused Gabriel to jolt, who was half asleep.

"This is pointless," I complained, slouching in my cushioned chair. Gabriel spared me a look of pity before his eyes snapped to our three piles of books; unfinished, or not read, which was still very full, unhelpful, which almost every single book was placed in, and helpful, which currently held a total of two books.

"Hey," he started and my eyes met his large brown ones. "At least we've found two helpful things."

"Right," I mumbled and glanced at the books. One was a book filled with detailed spells and incantations to travel to other worlds, which was probably all bullshit, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. The other was titled Arcane Pathways, but instead of words it contained illustrations of rituals and experiences, but what caught my eye was a few of the places in the drawings looked vaguely familiar for reasons I couldn't put my finger on.

A sigh of frustration left my mouth as I rubbed my eyes, which were sore from the mass amount of reading I was putting myself through. I noticed Gabriel give me a look of pity in my peripheral vision before he lit up suddenly.

"I just remembered," he began, excited. "On the first day of the full moon, the highest church has a prestigious ceremony of worship, where nobles and even royalty attended." My ears perked at the sound of royalty enticing me to listen closely. "And every moon, my father is invited to intend, but he always denies because he despises the High Church, for reasons that would take too long to get into, but I'm sure he would be fine if I went this moon, with you as my pupil."

"That sounds interesting, but why would this be helpful?" I asked, raising an eyebrow and sinking back in my chair, although I was already excited thinking of how large and beautiful the High Church would be, especially if royalty attended.

Gabriel smiled at my question, looking at me with anticipation. "Because Y/n, the High Church has one of the most exclusive libraries in the town; filled with old prophesies and forgotten religions. I'm sure if there's something to help explain your predicament, it's in that library."

My eyes gleamed as new hope flooded my body. A smile spread across my face. "Ok. I'm in."

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It was a long walk back, but it took even longer as the sun sank below the horizon, leaving the streets dark with little light to guide us through narrow alleys and passages. My mind wandered to Henry, and how mad and disappointed he'd be that I escaped his humble abode; I bit my lip at the thought. My fingers played with the material of the satchel that Gabriel gave me, which contained the two potentially helpful books. We weren't supposed to take the books home, but the person at the front desk didn't seem to mind as he awed over his new gold coin.

"This is where we part ways," Gabriel announced, pulling me out of my mind.

"Thank you for everything," I said, giving him a small hug as we exchanged our goodbyes. I watched him walk off into the night and reluctantly made my way back to Henry's clinic. I gulped as the building neared closer, and I wondered if I could sneak back through the second floor balcony again, but I gave that thought up remembering it lead to Henry's bedroom, and was way too high.

I walked up to the building, a sigh leaving my lips as I clamped my hand down onto the door and impatiently waited. The sound shuffling pricked my ears and my hands began to shake, my heart racing as the door eventually unlocked and opened, revealing Henry's tall figure looming over me. His black hair and clothes were a mess, and I noticed he was still in his work attire.

Henry's eyes widened when he noticed me, his mouth slightly parted as an unreadable expression graced his face.

"Henry..." I started, biting my lower lip in attempt to reduce the quiver that left my mouth. "I'm so sorry, I just-"

"It's fine," he interrupted and I stopped my sentence at his words. A drawn out breath left his red lips as his veiny hand combed through his hair. "I was worried, Y/n," he spoke after a while of silence, interrupting the soft chatter and chirps of the night. "I thought something happened to you."

"I know, I shouldn't have left like that," I mumbled, ashamed of my actions, although I didn't really regret them.

"I shouldn't have tried to contain you in my home. You should be free to explore and talk with who you want, even if it's that," he seemed like he was holding back something as he pushed a lump down his throat, "church boy."

"So you're not mad?" I asked, my hands enveloping each other.

He shook his head. "No Y/n. Just.. don't do it again. Please." Guilt ran through me as I nodded, knowing I definitely would not be keeping that promise.

"Come on," he beckoned me inside, opening the door wider. "Let me look at your injuries." With a smile I entered the place, my mind running wanders as I began to think about the High Church ceremony, and all the possibilities the library would hold.

Excitement and anticipation coursed through me. I was one step closer to reaching home, well, I thought I was.

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