Ghost town

chapter twenty-three: revelations

Yvonne Meyers ran as fast as she could to the library. She had not realised that she was late. She had been daydreaming in her garden,trying to understand her emotions.

She had been in charge of the shop ever since Ms. Lila has been sck. It has been a since since Ms. Lila had fallen ill. Yvie was beginning to get scared, for Ms. Lila was old and her immune system was not as strong as someone like herself. The doctor had confirmed multiple times that it was just a fever. Ms. Pricilla had also told Yvie not to worry.

However, that made her even more anxious, if it ws just a fever, why was Ms. Lila getting progessivley sicker? She was no sort of medical professinal , but she had logic. She had eyes. She knew Ms. Lila was not doing well, at all. She just prayed that Ms. Lila got better.

When she arrived by the library, she tried her best to push back her thoughts of Ms. Lila as she opened the library. Matthew Williamson had been waiting for her. He smiled at her politely as he entered the library. Matthew did not ask why she was late, he just immediately went to work.

One thing that Yvie has come to realise and appreciate about Matthew is his ability to know when to talk or ask something and when not to. He was slightly different to his sister Tracy whom had no filter and never could figure out when to stop talking. 

The more time she spent alone with Matthew, the more she felt comfortable around. She could understand him and read him better, the more she was around him.

However, she did notice that there was a certain disconnect and distance aura around him. He always looked uncomfortable. Like he did not belong in Harrisville. Yvie found it a bit strange, he grew up in Harrisville and it was a lovely place. She always wanted to ask him why he seemed like he hated living in the ghost town, but she felt like it was inappropriate of her to ask him such a question. He did not know her well enough to tell her his inner most thoughts.

As Matthew unpacked some books that arrived the day before, Yvie's mind drifted towards Steven Tarintino. She had not been alone with him in weeks. Ever since Ms. Lila fell ill, Yvie had to work more hours at the library. The less time they spent together, the less she missed Steven. She felt her feelings for him evaporate the less she saw him. She was not sure if her mind was playing tricks on her, or if she really no longer had romantic feelings for Steven.

Yvie was so ensnared with trying to understand her emotions that she had not heard Matthew call her. It was only when he tapped her on her shoulder, did she enter reality once more. Smiling slightly she said, "Sorry about that. I zoned out for a moment. What did you say?"

Matthew laughed lightly and said, " I asked where must I put these books? These are the private collections. I am not sure if they go on the book shelfs or on a separate area in the library."

Yvie nodded her head and showed Matthew where the books are placed. When she returned back to her little office, she made a promise to herself that she would not think about Steven. Yet, as the day went on, her mind kept drifting back to him and those blue eyes that used to enchant her. 

Matthew seemed to notice her inability to focus and asked her when they closed the library if she was okay. Yvie looked at Matthew and smiled.

She said to him, " Yeah, I am just worried about Ms. Lila. She seems to be getting sicker." She felt slightly terrible for lying to Matthew, but she could not trust herself to tell him the truth.

"Yeah, me too. Seeing Ms. Lila so weak, is truly heart breaking." Matthew said as they turned down the street to walk Yvie to her house. Matthew had insisted on walking her home ever since they worked together. Normally, Yvie would feel it was not necessary, but , they were leaving the library late at night, so she agreed. She never liked walking alone in the middle of the night. Harrisville might be a safe place, but she still felt uneasy walking alone home when it was dark outside. 

They walked most of the way to her house in silence. It was only when they arrived at her house, did Matthew speak. He looked at Yvie and said, "You know, I was going to leave for the city. The same day Ms. Pricilla called me and asked me to help you work in the library. If Ms. Lila had not gotten sick, I would have left."

His voice was tinted with sadness and Yvie felt like she was being told something that was not meant for her to hear. Thus, she remained silent. She was not sure if Matthew was going to say something else, so she waited for a few minutes. They stood in an awkward silence. Yvie felt like she was in her examination venue,  for she felt tense and weird. Just when she made up her mind and wanted to ask Matthew to leave, he spoke up.

"I hate this dead town. It just reminds of what happens when you waste your life away. Nothing  happens here. I only stay because of Tracy. When my father died, he left the mechanic workshop for her. I was not upset, I never wanted to be a mechanic , that was Tracy's dream. I wanted to study business and leave this place for good. So I did. Then my father died and Tracy had only started her studies. So, I had to step in as her advisor. I made Brandon in charge of the workshop, but I still have the signing power , since Tracy has not yet qualified to be a mechanic. She is busy with her training. By the end of this year, I will be free. I know it must come off as being selfish, but I just need to leave this hellhole. That's why I leave and go away for months, I need to cleanse my soul form this place sometimes. I was surprised that night we met, when you were on your way to Harrisville and you got a puncture. I thought it was strange, for you looked so young, yet you were heading to this decaying place. I always wanted to know, why move to Harrisville, if you do not mind me asking?" his tone was very frank and Yvie was slightly taken a back by his tone and statement.

Yvie was not sure if she wanted to reply to Matthew. She was still trying to take in what Matthew had said. However, she felt like she needed to. He had tod her some personal views, so she felt it was necessary for her to answer his question. She looked to the ground and truthfully said, "I really do not know why Harrisville. I saw Stevens advertisement and thought it would be perfect. I guess it would not be every nineteen year old's wish to love in a ghost town, but I just, I do not know." 

When she was done, she looked up and saw Matthew looking at her . He seemed surprised at her answer , but tried to conceal it. He simply replied with a "Mhmm" before greeting her and going to his house.

Later that night, when she was getting ready for bed, she thought about what Matthew asked her, abut why she moved to Harrisville and the more she thought about it, the harder she found it to figure out a proper reason for her moving to Harrisville.

That thought , troubled her that night as she fell into an unsettling sleep. 

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