Crooked Man

S I X T Y F O U R

I shake again. The crooked man in an underwater cave with Mary the dead girl.
Whoah

"You work?" I ask, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"Yeah. I was actually just about to tell you about that. You might have to be on your own for a few hours today. I'm late for work already." He shrugs, smiling. "Will you be okay?"

"Yeah! I'll walk around a bit. Explore the town. Learn more about this Mighty Chad." I smile back. "I'll be fine."

And just like that, he runs towards where we just were. He looks back at me as he runs and he winks. I wave.

What kind of work does he do? I wonder. Maybe he is still a banker like my mom told me he was. I'll ask him later. (Although I'm pretty scared of asking now)

I walk into Clemonte's Cornwall Library. There's an old lady sitting in her chair, looking so caught up in the pages of her book. She doesn't hear me come in. She's probably half deaf anyway.

"Hey Miss!" I say, trying not to startle her and give her a heart attack.

She finally looks at me. Now I can see her face. She has beautiful blue eyes and white cotton candy looking hair.

She smiles. "How may I help you young lady?" She asks.

"I'm just exploring the town. Thought I'd come in here. It looks very interesting." I say looking around.

Dusty boring shelves which have books no one wants to read anymore.

"Oh that's great you like it! Not many people come in here anymore!"

I get ready to open the door and leave but she whispers to me.

"Wait." She says. "I saw you with that man."

"Yeah...so?"

"He isn't to be trusted my dear. If you don't know him well, please be careful."

"O-okay Miss..."

"My name is Gloria." She says, going back to her happy mood. "Call me Gloria.
And beware. Because not only the past of this town dark. But it's future is, too. You don't want to be a part of it. At least....not with him."