A battle I won't lose

Chapter 3- now wtf?!!

Swipe— and swipe. This window would have been a goner if not for my amazing, awesome, mind-blowingly great skills.

Now I just need to sort out the mess from the spilled trash bin, then assemble everything back together. Only then can I figure out the cause of what felt like an earthquake in my room? Okay, maybe not an actual earthquake, but whatever that pressure was, it shook all the furniture. One moment, I was having a panic attack while sitting on the floor, and the next, I opened my eyes to find my entire room in disarray. I had to pretend I was gathering cleaning supplies for a project in front of Maa. Can you believe she bought it? No treats for this Halloween! Haha.

You know what's weird, though? I felt an intense connection with whatever just happened. I mean, did I do that?! If I did, it would have been way more convenient to discover this seven years ago. Why now?! It would be so cool to be like a superhero, but don't they usually get their powers when they're being tormented? Anyway, it's time to stop talking to myself and finish these new chores.

Chores are finally done. Window cleaned? Check. Water spill cleaned up? Check. Furniture put back in place? Check. Did I figure out what caused all this? No, no, and no. I still have no idea. Now what am I supposed to do? I mean, I've finished everything else. I can maybe rest for now- or just plan the rest of my day and continue living my life normally and not have any struggles, Except maybe that's boring to me or I am just crazy but that book is just so exasperating, so...so just very luring. I get too drawn to it. Which is never good. Do I want more? ...Yes I do. That book is like a sea from the start. Full of secrets and fear but that does not stop me from drowning in it....

I get up from the couch where I was resting and start pacing around the room. "If I go downstairs and just slip out the door, there's no way I won't face an interrogation from my mom later. But then again, if only I could go and come back before anyone even notices..."

I stop near my study table and scan my small room. The walls are thick enough that no one can hear the commotion from outside. But Then again where do we even find a lost book that randomly disappeared from a room? 

I take a deep breath and try to think logically. The book must be somewhere. Maybe it fell behind the bed or got mixed up with my school stuff. I begin my search, lifting pillows, checking under the bed, and rummaging through my backpack.

After what feels like an eternity, I collapse back onto the couch, frustrated. The book is nowhere to be found. "Great," I mutter to myself. "Just what I needed."
Then, a thought hits me. What if the book didn't just disappear? What if someone took it? My mind races through the possibilities. My mother? She told me she didn't even see a book.
Ava? She usually comes to my house often...but that has the odds of 1 to 1000, she has no liking for books whatsoever.

That leaves... no one.

Feeling a bit paranoid, I decided to search the rest of the house. I quietly slip out of my room, making sure to avoid any creaky floorboards. If I can just find that book and get back before anyone notices, I'll be in the clear.

As I creep down the hallway, I can't shake the feeling that I'm being watched. Every shadow seems to move, every sound seems amplified. But I just need to get any leads on it but......Little did I know, this was only the beginning of a much bigger adventure.

I start with the living room, carefully scanning the area for any signs of my book. The usual clutter is there – newspapers, magazines, the TV remote – but no book. I move on to the kitchen, checking the countertops and even the cabinets, though I know it's unlikely it ended up there. Still, no sign of it.

Next, I am going to head to the kitchen. I pass through the hallway looking at the many tapestries taped on the wall, making me feel like I am some kind of ancient mage living in her home. A mage who's supposedly cursed. Mirrors on the wall showed the face I always disliked. Too much like a person who I knew too well in the past. I pass through an open-door room. My mom's room. She's sleeping peacefully unlike me whose disturbed since morning. 'Finally' The smell of freshly oven-baked cookies.....probably with a bit of protein powder in them. I stepped into the kitchen where the aroma was rising from. I go through the places I would often be at. So, The front of the fridge...no book. The front of the pantry...no book. Inside the pantry?? Again no book. OKAY, This plan is a lone goner. I can't fucking find anything that even has a sorcery called pages... Fuck. This stupid plan. I am heading outside.

"Mom, I'm going for a stroll outside," I call out in a neutral tone, my voice carrying through the hallway to where my mom is. I adjust my purse, a practical canvas bag in olive green, slinging it over my shoulder. It's well-worn with a few frayed edges and a reliable zipper showing frequent use. , I carry just the essentials: a small wallet, keys, and a folded map.

Before stepping out into the cool afternoon breeze, I slip into a weathered denim jacket. Faded from years of wear, its sleeves are casually rolled up, revealing a simple gray t-shirt underneath. The jacket's pockets are slightly bulging with everyday items. I turn the familiar brass-knob and open the door reassuring my mom one last time.  I let the cool breeze of the air swallow me, evenings are always mesmerizing, aren't they? The sun is beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the neighborhood. The familiar scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers fills the air, and the distant sound of children playing adds a comforting background noise But not for me. The only thing comforting would be some answers perhaps.

I start walking down the street, my mind racing with thoughts. The neighborhood is quiet, with only a few people out and about. I nod politely to a couple of neighbors as I pass by, but my focus remains on my mission.

Suddenly, a movement catches my eye. I look up to see a figure approaching. It's a boy around my age, with messy hair and a mischievous grin. I recognize him as Jake, a classmate from school. He's known for his curiosity and knack for finding trouble, I despise him because of that.

"Hey, what's up?" Jake says casually, "You look like you're on a mission."

"Just trying to solve a little mystery," I reply, not wanting to give away too much.

Jake raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Mystery, huh? Sounds interesting. Need any help?

"Not so much, but thanks for offering." I end the conversation quickly as I speed my way to the back of the houses.

As I walk down the street, I pass by familiar sights – the old oak tree in the Andersons' yard, the small park where kids usually play, now empty as the day winds down. I head towards the edge of the neighborhood, where the streets meet a small patch of woods. Maybe the book ended up somewhere unusual, carried by some strange force. I feel a bit silly thinking this, but today has been anything but ordinary. As I walk, I keep my eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary. My thoughts drift back to the strange pressure I felt in my room. Could it have something to do with the book? Is it possible that I somehow caused that disturbance? The idea seems far-fetched, but I can't shake it. Maybe Google might help.......

"What if you lose a book randomly through a strange force that is also luring you, where to find the book??" I type in The website. I scroll through some of the answers, links, and Reddit answers, No everything that came is total bullshit. I plop my phone in my pocket as I head to the path that leads to a small wood-scrolling area. A narrow dirt trail flanked by tall trees. The sounds of the suburban street fading behind me were replaced by the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird. I would once in a while stop by to scan the road ahead of me. This is getting exhausting. The book has flown away almost.
"God, that book is a crappy distraction for me"
I cross the path as I spot in the back of my eye, a figure.
And a voice. That voice is so mesmerizing, I turn as I look to see a man dressed in all black standing in front of me. His eyes are full black with ovary essence, So luring that I can't avert my eyes from his. A smirk plastered on his face but his eyes were emotionless. 

"To speak badly of a book You just lost." He scoffed "That must be a very lowly work to do wouldn't it, ginger." He adjusted the hoodie on him.

"Gi-ginger? Excuse me what-" The infatuation of mine must be a long gone curse, as his words out his mouth are like shit. Discouraging me on my hair. This man must have had bad first impressions with everyone.

"And I thought, you may be smart. You're a fool aren't you" He ruffled my hair and messed it up."Well, farewell." He glanced one last time at me as he left me dumbfounded. His hoodie fell back as he walked ahead. His hands are in his pocket. His black hair overlapped his ears. Wait his ears, his Ears! They are abnormally long, too long.

"Hey! Wait up, come back" I quicken my pace as I stop before a car crushes me to death. I should probably look out for traffic lights. Okay, just a little longer. Finally green light. I pace forward scanning my south and north as I look for the familiar crappy man with long ears.
"Gosh, I can't find, that crappy goblin." The night has already begun leaving the once-fiery sun in someone else's service.