The Enchanted

Chapter-19

It turned out the library was closed for the day. Sighing in disappointment, I started driving back to my house. It turned out the library was closed for the day. I would have to go back there tomorrow. I know I could have searched on the internet but I wanted to see this one for myself and maybe even talk to the librarian.

I spent the rest of the day catching up on work as I was going in late tomorrow. I wondered about Sabrina's odd call. It was probably nothing but she did say it was urgent, so I was pretty interested to hear whatever she had to say.

The next morning I drove straight to Barry's inn. The place had rooms for visitors to stay in at the top and a little restaurant downstairs. The place looked clean enough and two people were working in the back. I sat down, drumming my fingers on the table. After about ten minutes one of them approached me.

"What would you like to have Miss?" he mumbled.

"Can I order in some time?"

He nodded and shuffled off.

I waited for about half an hour and then ordered a salad even though I didn't feel like eating. It felt rude to be hogging a table all to myself and to order nothing even though the room was almost empty.

I spent another half hour picking at my salad. Still, there was no sign of Sabrina. Sighing in frustration, I called her but there was no answer. I began to feel angry. I had left work for this meeting and now she had set me up? Grabbing my bag off the seat, I walked out of the inn feeling angry.

I was at the office two hours later when I received this text from Sabrina - 'Sorry, couldn't make it. We'll talk later okay?'

I felt so mad that I wanted to hurl the phone at the wall. If I had enough money to buy a new one, I would have. Instead, I settled for a kick at the wastepaper basket beside my desk.

It was around four when I drove to the library. Thankfully it was open, though it didn't look very promising. It was small with only a single person inside and that was the librarian sitting at her desk. I went inside and asked her for the town's paranormal records. I knew there was a slim chance of them actually being there but to my surprise, she pointed towards a small stack of books at the very end of a far-off shelf. I went up there and pulled out the books.

They were less dusty than I had expected them to be and looked pretty worn out from being handled. I suppose every newcomer must have come here at least once. I didn't blame them- this town was way too weird.

Flipping open one of the few files I'd found along with the books, I riffled through a stack of newspaper headlines dating back to at least twenty years. There were a few instances where people claimed they had found paranormal traces and various proofs of vampires, though most of them didn't turn out to be anything.

"Adriana?" a voice said behind me, a voice I knew well. I whirled around in surprise.

"Ethan! What are you even doing here?"

"I suppose I could ask you the same thing," he said, smiling a little.

I frowned, crossing my arms. Was he following me now? He didn't seem to be a stalker but you could never be sure.

"Well, I asked first."

"I was just passing by and saw you going inside. I was curious so I came in too. Now, your turn to tell me what you're doing."

"I was just looking for something to read this weekend," I said, closing the files hastily and putting them back on the shelf.

A newspaper clipping flew out from one and was about to land on the floor when Ethan bent down quickly and grabbed it.

"There you go," he said, handing it out to me. He must have read the caption because his eyes darkened and he pulled his hand back.

"Why are you researching paranormal happenings of this town?" he demanded. In that moment, he looked terrifying, with his face contorted with rage.

"Um..."

"Is someone troubling you?" he asked through gritted teeth. "Pranking you?"

"No, it's just that! I am interested in such things," I said lamely. He didn't look like he believed me at all.

"Adriana, if you ever feel you are in danger, come talk to me. Or Elara if you are more comfortable doing that. But do tell someone. Do you understand?"

I nodded silently. His gaze softened.

"I understand both of us are strangers to you so you might be hesitant to do so. But I really wish you would."

I nodded again, unsure of what to say. I didn't know what to make of all this. He looked at me for another moment and smiled. I smiled back nervously. For some strange reason, I felt that I could trust him which was probably the worst idea I'd ever had.  

The librarian cleared her throat and Ethan stepped away from me.

"Well, see you around."

"Bye," I said attempting a smile. He was almost out of the store when he glanced back, making me remember something.

"Wait!" I said. "Ethan, the clipping you picked up- I've got to put it back."

He handed it to me wordlessly and walked out of the store. I turned over the old crinkling paper in my hand and felt my blood run cold as I read the headline.

'Woman murdered by fanatics claiming her to be a banshee.'

I scanned the rest of the article quickly.

'Azari Smith, 24... said she was an ill omen who brought news of death... had some psychic dreams... claimed she knew of murders before they were even committed...'

Below the article was a black and white blurry picture of a woman wearing a dark dress. I knew her- she was the creepy woman from my dreams.

                            ***
Hey! This chapter is dedicated to Wolfies_readtoo and alex1a- for guessing the about the banshee lore way ahead of time! Seriously I am very impressed😂❤❤❤.

Thanks for reading and do vote and comment if you like it!!
Xoxo
Lena❤❤