Descent

Chapter Five

Bream looked into his mirror, through which he could see the shadow fading away from George. He slammed down the glass he was holding "while the shadows may be useful as followers, it seems they have no use in bringing me what I need." He looked to his bed, where the fake letter lie in torn pieces from an earlier rant that he'd succumb to. The letter, when not in torn pieces read;
To whoever reads,
If you are reading this and were looking for the three treasures, then I have either immense intelligence, or you happen to be brain dead. I'll let you pick which I think happened (probably both). As it seems, or at least as I hope, you do not have anything that would make you a threat besides your ability to be a thief and I wish you no luck in finding what you need.
Toodles,
Jonathan James
Bream chuckled "well, John... I guess I'll have to send something stronger."

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I eventually ended up across the road from the building I was headed to. Mind you, it took a bit longer due to the paranoia in me, making me look around myself every street corner. I would have hidden at some points, but I felt it was probably better to stay out in the open. Unless I'm going crazy. Then I have no idea what to do.
I crossed the street and stopped in front of the building. "Beautiful" I thought aloud.
The building was made of brick that was weathered and faded. Along one of the sides, a long vine was growing up the side, framing the large window on the side of the building. The vine continued to the top part of the building to"the watchman's peak." The tower-like structure that let you could see the entire city. The inside of miniature tower was lined with books that were located along a stairwell. If you weren't winded by the first flight like I first was, then you could grab all the books you want and hide in the room at the top of the tower.
Luckily, few have access to it. I pride myself on being one of the few that are allowed in the top room.
I pulled open the large door and made my way inside. As I stepped in, I was greeted by the familiar feeling of peace. Light filtered through the front windows and the circular window far above me. My eyes moved onto what seemed like endless shelves of books. The walls on each side of me were shelves as well, all filled with endless adventures and knowledge on just about anything you could want. In the middle was the counter that Sean was usually sat at.
I started walking to the front desk, listening to the sound of my steps mingle with the silence and wondering where Shaun was. "In this place, he could be anywhere." On the front desk was a sign that read;
RING BELL FOR ASSISTANCE
(unless you're George. You know where things are)
P.S. keep the nest clean, thanks.
I chuckled. "Very clever." I looked around the large room and my eyes stopped at the circular window. When I squint, I could easily see Sean's outline lying on the edge of the windowsill. Whether he was with a book or sleeping, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious. I rang the bell.
"Coming." He rolled off the windowsill and walked to the staircase. Sean was a larger, dark man with a shaved head and glasses almost as thick as bifocals. He walked down the stairs wearing a black and grey sweater vest. "Welcome. We have a variety of books and sections for you to look through. Most people start in nonfic-" He stopped at the bottom of the stairs when he saw it was me. "Oh. Nevermind then." He slumped his shoulders, probably relaxed he didn't have to give another introduction. He walked over to the desk. "Long time no see, George. How was seeing your family?"
I shuddered thinking about being back in Evesville and seeing my uncle's house taped up. I told Sean what had happened and he was silent for a moment.
"I... I'm sorry George. I know you weren't the closest to them, but still.."
I hadn't seen them since I was a child so I guess not, I thought.
"When's the funeral?"
"This Sunday." I sighed "I guess my aunt thought it would be best to do it closer to here instead of Evesville." He nodded.
"Would probably be easier for everyone including her since she's staying with you. By the way, why you?"
I shrugged "I guess I was the only one who was willing. Everyone else thinks she's crazy. Talking about ghosts and demons like it's a normal thing. Guess it scares everyone off."
I thought about what had happened earlier and debated telling him. I chose against it."Do you think she's crazy?' Rather him not look at me the way others look at her.
"She probably is." He sighed and rubbed his eyes But I'm sure she means well. I mean, last time I met her she seemed nice enough" I looked up to the large spiral staircase that lead upstairs. "I'm gonna head up to the tower. I'll see you in a bit." He pat me on the back and started back to his spot by the window.

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I woke up in a cold sweat. My stomach was in knots and I was gasping for air. Everything hurt and I felt a horrid sense of fear. It felt like I was drowning. The same dream had been haunting me since I returned from the library earlier. It hurt to think about, but it wouldn't leave my mind. It's almost like I could feel it taped to the inside of my eyelids. Weird, but fitting. I sat up in bed and hunched over, placing my hands on my knee and trying to focus on breathing.
"Just Breathe George.. Breathe." That's what my aunt would always say to me when I had nightmares as a child. The warmth of the blanket around me and her soothing words would lull me into a deep slumber every time.
Unfortunately, I'm 23. Even if she was alive, it would be a bit strange for her to do that now. I walked to the window and opened it. There was no breeze outside as I had hoped, but I felt a little less boxed in.
I got up and left my bedroom for the restroom. I flipped on the light and shut the door and turned to face myself in the mirror.
I guess throughout my life I've never been one to pay attention to how I looked. I had a few curls on top of my head with the sides shaved down so I wouldn't look as messy as I would otherwise. My eyes were blue and eyelids puffy from exhaustion and littered with freckles down to my nose. My jawline was. . . well I never understood that craze. Sure, mine was angular and prominent, but I didn't follow the craze. I tousled my disheveled hair and rubbed my eyes. I could only imagine what time it was that I was standing in my bathroom admiring myself. I felt like a writer giving a description of myself.
I left the bathroom and walked back to my room and to my desk to see if I could get any work done. I was supposed to write an article a week ago but had writer's block. I sat down and read what I had written so far;
With the world becoming darker, it seems like a miracle for those who are less fortunate that Albert Einstein, long time inventor, has finally created a more efficient way to light the world, but mostly our homes. Einstein has been working for who knows how long to bring this state of the art bulb to life and has finally done it. It will sell to be cheaper than current bulbs, will last longer and shine brighter."
I read my words over and over again. While I know that I can write, some part of me feels there is just no way to continue this without delving into the man's personal life; and while I have no problem doing this, he has specifically said to "focus on the invention" and "this is all to be written." Put it all together and you get a story that is informational, but not something that anyone, including my boss, would be interested in reading.
*Vwoom*
"What the hell?" I looked to the direction of the sound only to find the envelope softly glowing on the corner of my desk. I debated whether or not to pick it up, but realized I was being paranoid. It probably isn't really glowing. You're just tired I told myself. A couple days ago, you were tired and being crazy. There was no monster. I reached out and picked up the envelope. It was.... Warm.
Suddenly, the envelope became brighter. I wanted to look away but my attention was held. All I could see was bright light that turned to white within seconds. I felt my body being taken, lifted. I couldn't feel the chair under me and nothing around me felt real.