A Novel Rejection

Chapter 1

          Psychopath. A person dealing with or struggling with a mental disorder in which causes them to act out of hand. In this case, Kathryn was sought out to be one. But, the truth always comes out.

                                                                       ***

          A brisk breeze ran through the city of Manhattan, New York. The buzzing sound of traffic filled the ears of passing pedestrians walking to their next destination. One, however, drowned out the commotion circling around her.

          To the eyes of passer buyers, Kathryn looked average. Long dark chocolate hair. Blue eyes that fit her complexion. She looked happy, but they don't know what on the inside.

           Kathryn's heart ached with every step she took. Her mind was focused on one thing. Not something, but someone. There was only one reason why her heart was ripped apart, and torn to smithereens. Robert Park. A novelist who is known for his suspenseful stories. To Kathryn though, he was the man who made her crumble.

          Robert wasn't a runaway one night stand. He was a man who liked to see Kathryn follow him around like a lovesick puppy. It was those five words that caused Kathryn's world to shatter. "I don't love you anymore."

           Kathryn's pace quickened as she could see her destination in her peripheral vision. Scampering across the street, she waved at cars who slowed down for her. Reaching the other side, she finally had reached her favorite place in the busy city of Manhattan. Aladdin's Lamp. A quaint little home to many shelves of books.

           The chime of a bell signaled Kathryn's emotions to simmer down. She was finally in a place where she could relax.

           "Well, look who we have here. May I believe it is the one and only Miss Kathryn?" A chuckle escaped Kathryn's lips at the old man's humor.

           "You say that every time I come here, Charlie."

           "My dear, you just so happen to be one of my favorite customers! There also was a new shipment of novels today, there in the back if you want to take a look," Charlie said with excitement.

           With a smile on her face, she nodded in happiness. Reading was one of the ways Kathryn learned to help fill the empty hole in her heart. Romance novels were a particular preference. She loved the world the fictional characters were written in and how perfect the characters were written. The idea of a perfectly loving relationship inticed Kathryn, but that was fiction. Kathryn was in the real world where there's no such thing as perfect.

           Strolling past the many wooden shelves filled with wonder, her fingers skimmed over the spines. They all seemed so familiar. Though she suddenly stopped at the feeling of leather grazing her fingers. Unfamiliar. 

         The book was covered in a beautiful crimson leather. The spine felt freshly made. A new book. Deciding to take a gamble, she grasped the book in hand.  

          "Among Us by Robert-" she cut herself off. This was Robert's book. This was the one thing that always came first in their relationship. Didn't matter the day or event, the book was the number one priority. 

                                                                         ***

           "Robert?" Kathryn asked while knocking at his study door. Silence. She knocked again but was cut off by a loud grunt.

          "How many times have I told you that if the door is locked, then its locked for a reason?" Kathryn has heard this statement multiple times a day, but today was different.

         "I was just wondering if, you know, maybe want to go out to dinner later?" she asked in a mousey voice.

         "Why would you ask that? Today's not even significant." 

           Kathryn's heart split in half. Today wasn't just some insignificant day. It was her birthday. All she wanted was a day where she could feel loved, but she knew. The book always came first. 

                                                                         ***

         Turning the book in her hand, she noticed that the novel was based on a real-life experience. 

         "Well, lets just see if this situation was more important than your girlfriend." This was it. In her hands lied the essential key to her world-shattering. Was her life worth just as much as a 100,000-word book?