Lynn tried her best to be calm as she stared at the book in front of her. That book, that certain book with a black and white cover. There's a girl in white dress dancing on the cover. She narrowed her eyes.
'It looks exactly like her. She also had that kind of hair,' she thought as she looked over the girl with red hair.
She could still remember clearly what happened back then. Their supposed to be 'field project'. Her other colleagues would probably feel nostalgic when they thought of their field project, but not her and especially not her teammates. Her gaze softened.
"I wonder how they're doing right now..." she mumbled as she turned on her heels away from the Novel section.
Her mood suddenly became worse after coming here. Had she thought that 'that story' would be novelized, she would never confide in that person. Now she was willfully regretting it.
She strolled to the Comic section of the bookstore and looked over the comics and mangas currently on sale. Tomorrow is her cousin's birthday party, and she wanted to be nice once in a while. That devil likes shoujo mangas even though he's a teenage boy, so she was thinking of getting him one. But the problem is...
"When the Love Starts..." she mumbled, trying to read the title. "The cover is good. Should I buy this one?" she asked herself.
She didn't know which shoujo manga he was currently following. They only met once in a while, but he helped her in overcoming her fear of... That, so it would just be like repaying a favor.
"I'll just buy these," she said. She took some mangas which covers she liked the most. Like good graphics, matching fonts, or ikemen... She may not read much about mangas, but she knew ikemen when she saw one. She knew it was one-sided, but would betray the purpose of surprise if she called now to ask for his preferences. She would buy these and hoped that he had not read any of them.
"That would be $50.20 cents," the store clerk said after she scanned the things she bought.
Lynn took out her wallet from her purse when a woman came up to the line next to her. As she paid for her things, she was attracted to one of the books bought by the woman. It was 'that' book. Her gaze wavered and she hurriedly left after taking the things she bought.
That book again. That damn story. Why was it being novelized and sold all over the country? Did they not have the agreement to keep it a secret? Lynn could not stop thinking over these things as she walked on the sidewalk. She told that person her past because he promised to help her get over it. That person promised not to share it to others, and yet what she just witnessed?
A droplet of water fell onto her nose and made her stop and look up. The sky was filled with grey clouds and seemed to rain any second now. She realized that she forgot to bring her umbrella with her today. It would be a very cold night if she were to dash home now, cause her house is still about 8 blocks away from this street. She looked around for a place to stay for the time being and found a café across the street. She went to the café and entered with a jingle.
The café was not very crowded, and she could smell the fragrance of coffee and fresh pastries. A waiter welcomed her.
"Welcome, madam. Please enjoy your stay at 'Crescent Croissant'. I recommend in ordering our Honey Caramel Coffee. It will light up your world, free of rains," the waiter said calmly with a smile.
Lynn fought the urge to smile and instead, frowned, at the waiter's ridiculous attempt at promoting the menu.
"World free of rains?" she asked, her eyes narrowed a bit.
The waiter smiled wider this time, and resumed his poem, "Like the wise ones ever said. One coffee a day keeps the rains away. My name is Maggie, and I will serve you with my soul," he bowed.
Lynn could not hold back and laughed. Where does this buffoon come from?
"You are so ridiculous," she said while smiling.
'Maggie' stood up and smiled back. "I am a ridiculous man. This way, miss."
He then led her to a single table by the window and pulled out one of the chairs for her.
"Your throne, your highness."
Oh now she's a queen. How nice and exaggerating. She might be sarcastic in her mind, but she couldn't stop smiling at his remarks.
The waiter gave her a menu and stood obediently like a puppy. She scrolled her eyes through the menu while starting a conversation.
"Was that how this place greets their customers?" she asked.
"Not really. You just seemed upset, miss. And I happened to notice the manga you bought from the bookstore across the street," he answered.
"How do you know it's from across the street?" she glanced at him.
"I've been working here for a year. I know what the stores in this block sells, dear little friend."
"Okay, that's too much." She went back to the menu.
He peeped a small sorry with a chuckle.
"This is my first time here. So I think I'll just go by your recommendation. A honey caramel coffee, please." Lynn finally decided after closing the menu.
"Very well. Would you also like to by our famous Banana Croissant? The outer layer is so crisp and the banana inside is very soft and sweet."
That made Lynn's eyebrows rose. She loves banana. And at that point, the sound of rain pouring down could be heard outside. Well, it seemed that the rain finally descended to the earth. It will take a while before she could go home, so she might as well enjoy it.
"Alright. I'll take that too."
"Very well. I'll be delivering it in a few minutes. Meanwhile, enjoy the scenery," the waiter said as he excused himself to the counter.
Before he walked away, she caught a glance at his name tag and it was indeed spelled 'Maggie'. That made her thought what male name could possibly end up with the nickname Maggie. She couldn't get the answer. She ended up looking to her right and stared to the rain drizzling down on the window glass.
She sighed. It took her years to get this far. She used to fear rains so much because... not anymore. Or at least, she wasn't as scared as she was before. At least she wasn't afraid to drink anymore. Her mind felt more at ease now while watching the rain, especially when the rain wasn't pouring down on her.
Damn. All this rain watching only made her gloomy again. She turned her attention to her phone to see the time. It was 7:34 p.m. and the date was 29th of October. Right, she just realized tomorrow's Halloween, which means she had to put on a costume and play along. Oh man.... She turned off her phone and put it back in her purse.
She turned her head the opposite way and looked at the table not far away next to her. There were two women sitting across each other, talking while laughing over grocery store matters and what's for dinner. One of the women seemed familiar to Lynn, and she remembered her as the woman in the bookstore. She remembered the woman through her clothing and that certain black and white something that was currently lying on the table.
The book.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at that book. She could feel her rage bubbled up, and she was sure if looks could kill, that book would already be turned to ashes. Her line of view was suddenly halted, and she looked up to see Maggie with a tray on his hand.
"I know housewives are sometimes savage in discount days. But you don't have to get worked up like that," he said while putting down her order.
Looking at him somehow made her rage subsided. And she sighed as she raised her cup.
"It's not them," she blew her coffee lightly.
"Oh? Then what would make you seem so angry?"
Lynn only glanced at him before sipping lightly at the coffee. It's sweet. She loved this already.
Feeling him being ignored, he bowed. "I apologize for the inconveniences I've caused you. I will be by the counter. If you need anything, please ask."
Lynn sent a smile and he smiled back before leaving just like he said.
Lynn waited until the rain was over around 7pm. She bought two more croissant for midnight snacks as she was too tired to buy anything else. She still had a burger in the fridge for dinner. Alas, she went home.
"Have a pleasant night, miss," Maggie followed her out of the café.
"Thanks. The coffee was amazing," Lynn said.
Maggie smiled confidently. "I'm looking forward to your stay at the Crescent Croissant in the future."
----------------
Lynn pushed the bell and it sounded with a ding-dong. She hoisted the box in her hands and waited for the door to open. She had just arrived in her cousin's place, and she was a bit nervous about the present. What if he had read the manga she gave him? What is he didn't like the manga she brought?
"Owh... What am I worrying over...?" she muttered to herself.
The door swung open and her aunt popped out. "Password please."
Lynn's face became hotter and she hid her face behind the present box. "Trick or Treat...?"
The lady laughed heartily. "Oh Lynn~ Come in, baby girl! Come in!" she grabbed her hands and pulled her in.
Lynn immediately settled in and put the present in the living room.
"You are a very cute zombie, Lynn," said her uncle on the couch.
Lynn scratched her neck out of reflex and ignored him.
"Will there be friends coming?" she asked her aunt. She helped her aunt in preparing the candies meant for the kids in the neighborhood.
"Of course sweetie~ That is the fun of it all! Children coming over, spoo~king us..." the old lady giggled, crinkles brushing her face.
------------
The party now in its full swing and Lynn felt strangely calm yet uncomfortable, like the calm before the storm hit. She pinched her thumb repeatedly, a nervous habit she hasn't managed to grow out.
Suddenly, Simon bumped— quite literally—into her. "Hi, Lynn. Didn't see you there. How are you?"
"Eh, not quite there yet, but thanks to you, it is better than before," Lynn smiled. There are more familiar faces now, and even though she's feeling a bit uncomfortable because of the costume, it's better. At the very least, her aunt, uncle, and Simon were there.
"Come on, sis. I'll introduce you to my friends," Simon said, tugging her arm to the group of people near the table of foods.
The group was laughing at something about a donkey and a dragon when they come over. One of the dudes with a mask perked up.
"Hi, Simon! Time for spooks yet?" he asked, a cup of punch in his hand.
"Hahaha. Not so fast Richard," Simon turned to the others, "Hey guys, this is my cousin, Lynn. Lynn, they're my best buds."
"Hi..." Lynn muttered shyly.
"Aww, hi girl! I'm Richard. I like your make up. What are you?" the guy with the mask friendly asked.
One of the girls scoffed and extended her hand, "Don't mind the fool. He's always like that. I'm Genevieve," the girl had a costume of some kind of a princess, with a lolita type and ruffles in it.
Lynn shook her hands and returned the greeting, "I'm Lynn. And I'm a zombie."
The other guy with mask and an axe and a bloodied cape chuckled, "Not so fast. Which zombie are you, a mutant zombie, or a civilian-turned zombie?"
"Is there any differences though?" the other girl with blue ornaments adorning her white dress responded.
"They signified your status among zombie hierarchy, Janet. If you're a mutant, you are aristrocrat."
"I believe it's pronounced, aristocrats, George." Genevieve corrected.
"Right, my bad. Hi, I'm George. Nice to meet you, zombo," George grinned so wide and twitched his face like, imitating a kind of maniac person.
"Lynn shook his hand. "Hi... Um... What are you supposed to be? A demonic Thor?"
The other laughed at her question. This time, it was George who felt embarrassed.
"I told him to give away the cape. He didn't listen." Simon said.
George coughed. "Thank you, Simon, for the input. I'm honored." Then George turned his attention to Lynn and said, "I'm a bogeyman."
Lynn felt her breath hitched. Hearing that word felt like receiving chilling-icy spears flying towards her. She felt a bit drenched on the back, but she steadied her breathing so that the others would not notice. Now what should she respond?
"Uhh..." she voiced out. It went on for a few seconds before George raised his eyebrows.
"What, you're scared of bogeyman?"
Another strike. She felt something was tugging at her back, something long and distant. And... cold...
Simon seemed to have noticed something in Lynn's face. And he couldn't help but swear silently in his head. He feinted to the kitchen and tapped Lynn on the shoulder, "Hey, I think mom called for you."
His tap awoke her, thankfully, and she nodded confusedly while walking to the kitchen. In the background, George and the others spoke something but she didn't hear any of it as they were out of earshot.
"What's wrong man? She looked like she got cold feet," it was George who spoke first.
Simon sighed, "I should have asked you first who you're gonna be, man. I forgot. I thought you were Freddie with a cape."
Richard perked up, "Freddie like from Five Night's—"
"Hush," Genevieve stopped him. She turned to Simon, "Is she okay? She on bad terms with bogeys, isn't she?"
"Sort of," Simon answered uneasily. "Imma talk to her, kay? Maybe she shouldn't spook with us this year."
Janet nodded. "Go to her. I think she would need some chocolate milk."
"Thanks guys." Simon left for the kitchen.
He saw his cousin hugging a small red and blue tupperware while muttering something inaudible. He approached slowly and called, "Hey sis...? You okay?"
As he neared her, he could hear she muttered the word 'bogeyman' over and over, also some 'fine' and 'okay'. Okay, he broke her. Now what should he do? At that moment, his mom suddenly came into the kitchen, holding an empty bowl.
"Hey Lynn sweetie. Can you—" the beautiful lady stopped her words when she looked at Lynn. Noticing something weird had happened, and seeing her son standing by the door frame while looking stupid, Alana could roughly guess. "What, now." She turned to Simon.
"Nothing!" Simon defended.
Alana pointed at Lynn, "That, is nothing? Why does my baby girl look like she was bewitched by a demonic demon?"
"Mom! It wasn't me!"
"You, me, later. Go away now." She shooed him away and went over to Lynn. Simon sighed exasperatedly and went back to the living room.
"Hey cupcake... I got a cup of sweet bubble tea in the fridge. Would you want some?"
Lynn was still in her panic attacks when Alana came and offered her that. As if working like magic, that made Lynn looked at her. She didn't know what to say though. She only looked up at the word bubble tea and forgot the rest of the sentences.
Alana smiled and opened the fridge, "Took that as a yes. Here you go." She poured some ice tea into a cup and gave it to Lynn.
Lynn sipped the tea calmly and seemed to calm down a bit. She took her time chewing the delicious boba in her mouth as she collected herself. Alana took a chair beside her and stroked her back softly.
After some minutes, Lynn looked up at her and bit her lower lip. "Auntie... Can I... Can I go home? I think I don't feel so good..."
Alana frowned, "Are you sure? You're still pretty pale."
"It's, it's okay... It's still pretty early, it's not going to be very crowded."
Alana wasn't assured, but she felt that it would be best to let her go home. Although not alone, no, she couldn't let her niece came home by herself.
"I'll walk you home. Let me get my coat," Alana went to get coats.
Lynn grabbed her bag from the counter and put her tupperware inside. It wasn't pleasant to trouble her aunt, but she really wanted to go home. She felt more at ease at her own house.
Alana returned with a coat and a jacket. "Here's your jacket."
Lynn thanked her and they left after saying goodbye to Simon. Simon looked like he felt bad, but there's nothing he could do, so he just waved her a smile.
The road was filled with decorations of jack-o-lanterns, small lamps, and bats—typical Halloween ornaments. Lynn could feel the wind brushing past her and wrapped her arms around herself. It's just her, or the wind suddenly become colder? Alana hugged her from the side and kissed her cheek.
"It's alright. I'm here to keep the wind away." Alana said, as if she read Lynn thoughts.
Her words made Lynn smiled and snuggled closer to her. They past some groups of children who went trick or treating, and she smiled.
"They're so cute."
Alana giggled, "Indeed they are. Look, that one looked like Sun Wukong!" she said as she pointed a boy across the street. He was in a monkey costume and holding a broom, looking left and right.
The both of them giggled to each other. "Looks like his friends left him to cross by himself. I'll help him."
Alana released the hug and Lynn went over to him. She was about to cross the street when she saw an apparition that looked all too familiar to her behind the boy. She could feel her heart raced as panic swept over her. No, not the boy. The boy's in danger!
"Hey!" Lynn shouted. No, she wouldn't let that demon get him. He's just a little kid. She wasn't thinking of anything else as she ran across the street.
She didn't hear Alana screamed at her or the boy yelling at her to stop. Suddenly, she was sent flying and everything went black.
She could feel her head ringing and her heart thumped faster than ever. She could also feel her body getting hot and her consciousness fade away. The last thing she remembered was the apparition grinning at her.
-------
Lynn woke up with a jolt and immediately felt her head pulsing. Her head hurt so much and she could feel her body being very weak.
'What just happened...' she thought to herself.
She turned around and realized she was lying on a bed. But when she looked over, it wasn't hers.
She looked at the digital clock on the bedside table. 08:43 AM. Wasn't it night when she was... Oh right, she was hit by a car. Wasn't she supposed to be in a hospital? Where is this?
She looked around her and she could feel her breath tightened with every gaze she danced upon the things in the room. She's here. She had ever been here. But... wasn't she in America?
She jumped down the bed and hurriedly went to the calendar beside the door, it was written in a language she quite familiar with. Her eyes widen as she realized where she is and what date is it.
August 27, 20xx.
Krakow, Poland.
She felt sweats drenched her face, "Did I just jump back in time...?"