Mary's day began like any other, filled with a sense of purpose and community spirit. She eagerly embarked on her rounds of chores in the small town she called home, a place she cherished deeply. There was nothing she loved more than helping her neighbors and lending a hand whenever it was needed.
One of her regular stops was at the town library. The librarians always appreciated her assistance in restocking the shelves and organizing the older books for storage. While this usually occupied most of the day for others, Mary was remarkably efficient and completed her tasks in just a few minutes. She then found herself with an hour or so to spare, which she often used to immerse herself in the world of books, her favorite pastime. She had developed this routine partly to avoid drawing suspicion from the librarians, who might wonder how she accomplished her tasks so quickly.
As Mary bid farewell to the librarians, they showered her with praise and gratitude. "Such a wonderful young girl you are. You're welcome back anytime," they beamed at her. "We can even give you a few pointers," they added with a wink and a chuckle. Mary didn't fully grasp the implication behind their words at the time; perhaps it was some kind of inside joke. She decided to dismiss it and carry on with her day.
Today, Mary had special plans after her chores. She was headed to the local café to meet her new friend, Jess. In her thoughts, she admired Jess for being three years older and already having a job, with driving lessons on the horizon. "Jess is so cool," Mary thought, excited about their impending meetup.
However, as she walked towards the café, an unsettling feeling washed over her. She felt a palpable sense of fear and unease, as though something ominous loomed on the horizon. Her hands trembled slightly, and she wished her loyal companion, Eva, were by her side.
Mary knew exactly what to do if she ever needed Eva's assistance. The tiny fairy still resided in her bedroom, accessible with a simple whistle. Without hesitation, she pursed her lips and let out three sharp whistles into the air. Eva would hear the signal and swiftly make her way from the window gap where she dwelled, providing both fresh air and an escape route into the woodland if necessary.
Lost in thought, Mary entered the café, her mind preoccupied with the strange premonition that something was amiss. Her distraction even caused her to momentarily forget how to open the café door in the usual manner. It was only when she reached the counter and waited for her friend that her reverie was interrupted.
A boy, slightly older than Mary, approached her. To her surprise, he knew her name, and this unexpected familiarity made her cheeks flush with embarrassment. Her shyness took over, and she wasn't sure how to respond. Thankfully, he merely left her with a smile, leaving her both relieved and bewildered. Her friend, Jess, encouraged her to follow after him and even suggested sharing her phone number.
Summoning her courage, Mary ventured outside to find the young man. He was standing at the café's corner when she approached him. "Hi," she greeted him, ready to inquire if he wanted to exchange numbers. However, before she could speak, something within her urged her to run, to flee from this stranger. Her legs felt as though they were rooted to the ground.
"I'm so glad you could join me," the young man said, his voice taking on a sinister tone. "Follow me closely, and you might just survive," he added, though it was a lie intended to instill fear in her. Mary's instinct was to scream, but an inexplicable force seemed to hold her back. The man before her possessed a formidable, otherworldly power that far exceeded her own.
With every step he took, Mary involuntarily mirrored him. When he jumped, she jumped as well. "Come, walk by my side," he instructed, and Mary complied, unable to resist his command. Unbeknownst to them both, Eva had caught up to them and was trailing closely behind. The tiny fairy sensed that something was amiss but held back, waiting for the right moment to intervene. She had to learn more about who this mysterious man was and why Mary was in his company before making her move. Nestled securely in Mary's pocket, Eva rubbed her leg reassuringly, silently conveying that she was there to protect and provide solace during this uncertain journey.