I inhale the crisp, invigorating scent of autumn air, a blend of damp earth and fading leaves. As the wind picks up unexpectedly, I tuck rebellious strands of my curly auburn hair behind my ears, only to have it whip around my face again, a chaotic dance only my curls can lead. I laugh softly to myself, a sound lost in the rustling of leaves, as I attempt to tame the wildness of my hair, giving up in favor of enjoying the moment.
My footsteps take me leisurely along the winding path to the local library, the heart of my existence in this sleepy town. Kingston is quaint, a far cry from the electric pulse of city life. Some might find it stifling, a gilded cage, but I've come to cherish its simplicity. For six years, I've immersed myself in the pages of countless stories within the library's walls, where reality blurs and the extraordinary beckons. While friends my age chase the thrill of new opportunities, I find solace in the familiar scent of old books and the comfort of my routine. Here, in this sanctuary of words, I've carved out a world of my own.
As I approach the bustling square, a swirl of activity greets me—tiny shops line the marble pathways, each one a quaint gem of Kingston's charm. My gaze drifts to the town bulletin board outside Billie's, my favorite coffee shop, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the crisp air. But today, the vibrant energy is overshadowed by a haunting sight.
"Missing Person" flyers cover the board like a dark cloud.
Angel Thomas. Another young man, lost to the shadows that seem to lurk in this town. A chill creeps down my spine as I read the details, my heart heavy with a sense of foreboding. Six young men have disappeared in just five years, each case dissolving into whispers and unanswered questions. The local sheriff's routine feels almost scripted: gather the community, plaster the town with flyers, organize search parties, and then, inevitably, fade into silence as the families retreat into their grief.
When Kai vanished, I fought hard against that silence. I stormed through the town, shouting his name into the empty streets, desperate to wake the townsfolk from their apathy. But as days turned into weeks, I became the village outcast, the girl who couldn't let go of the boy who had seemingly walked out of her life.
"Crazy girl," they whispered, pity lacing their voices as they turned away. But what did they know? The ache of loss doesn't fade; it burrows deep, a constant reminder of the life that once was.
I shake my head, trying to dispel the memories that threaten to swallow me whole. The weight of the past lingers like an uninvited guest, and I can't help but wonder—what is it about Kingston that devours its young? Each disappearance feels like a thread pulled from the fabric of our lives, unraveling the very essence of who we are.
I tuck my hands into my pockets, fingers brushing against the familiar texture of my library card, a talisman of my refuge. As I walk on, the town square hums with life, but a shiver of unease dances along my spine. I can't shake the feeling that something darker lurks beneath the surface of Kingston—a mystery waiting for someone brave enough to confront it. And I know, deep down, that I can't just stand by anymore.
Hey, Darling," a soft voice pulls me out of my swirling thoughts. I turn and collide with a hard chest, the warmth of it sending a jolt through me.
"Wow, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to get a feel," Sebastian teases, his tone playful, a glint of mischief dancing in his emerald eyes. Sebastian King, eldest son of the mayor and the generational founder of our town. At 6'7", he towers over me, forcing me to crane my neck just to look up at him. I feel the weight of attention on us, especially from the women nearby. With his tousled dark hair, striking features, and that jawline carved from stone, it's no wonder he draws so many eyes.
I muster a smile, trying to play it cool. "Oh, sorry, Sebastian."
"Hey, hey, it's Seb to you, remember?" he playfully bumps my shoulder, his touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary.
"Are you grabbing something from Billie? My shout?" He asks.
"Oh! No, that's okay. I'm just on my way to work. I got distracted by the bulletin board," I reply glancing back towards the café entrance.
"Oh yeah, tragic, isn't it? Angel Thomas was a good kid," he says, his voice dropping a little. "But hey, my dad's putting together the search for tonight. If you'd like to join me, we could organize it now over coffee."
I open my mouth to respond, but before I can gather my thoughts, he gently guides me into the bustling café.
"Ah, well, I don't want to be late for work," I mumble under my breath, barely audible.
"What would you like, darling?" he asks, his smile dazzling as he leans closer.
"Just your usual?" he askes, making my heart race a little.
"Oh, yes, please. But how do you know what my usual is?" I laugh, my eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Well, don't judge me, but I may or may not have asked Billie what you typically get… should the opportunity ever arise," he admits, his cheeks flushing.
"Just my usual is fine," I squeak out, nervous butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
"Just our usual, Billie!" Sebastian calls over, his voice warm as we make our way to a cozy booth in the corner. He pulls out my chair like a true gentleman, and I slip into the seat, trying to appear composed.
"So, Delilah, how have you been lately? You seem… lighter, more like yourself," he observes, amusement dancing in his tone.
"I've been good, just the usual cycle of stacking books, sleeping, and repeat," I joke, trying to keep the mood light.
"How are you? I hear you're taking over from your father soon; that must be exciting," I shift the conversation back, genuinely curious.
"Mm," he hums, leaning back with that devilish grin. "You heard right. Soon, you'll be calling me Mayor Seb." He winks, and I can't help but laugh.
"Oh, really? Soon-to-be Mayor Seb? I can't wait to see what you do with the place," I tease, enjoying the banter. His gaze is intense, and I feel butterflies flit around my stomach again.
"I've wanted to say this since we sat down, but you look incredible, Delilah," he murmurs, his voice dropping to a softer pitch. His leg brushes against mine under the table, sending sparks through me.
"Oh, thank you, but you're just saying that," I reply, a laugh escaping my lips, though the heat creeping up my cheeks betrays my nervousness.
"I'm really not; you're stunning," he insists, his eyes locking onto mine with a sincerity that makes my heart race. "I know things haven't been easy for you these last few years, especially after Kai… but I've always felt like we had a connection, and I'd really like to take you out sometime."
I stutter, caught off guard by his boldness. My heart pounds in my chest, and just as I open my mouth to answer, the waitress sets our drinks down. I take a sip as Sebastian gives me a devilish stare.
To my embarrassmemt I start choking on my latte as some of it splatters just below his lips. Humiliated, I scramble for a napkin.
"I'm so sorry!" I gasp, my face burning.
The roar of his laughter fills the tiny café, a sound that somehow makes my heart flutter more. His eyes gleam with mischief as he licks the latte from under his lip, and my stomach flips.
"If you taste this good, I'm in trouble," he rasps, grinning cheekily, his expression
As the remnants of my coffee spill glistened on Sebastian's crisp shirt, I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. "Well, Delilah," he said, a playful smirk dancing on his lips, "now that you've covered me in your drink, I think you owe me the pleasure of taking you out."
I opened my mouth to respond, my nerves tangling my words, but before I could stammer out an awkward excuse, he squeezed my hand gently. "Or we could just go searching together tonight and see how you feel tomorrow?"
The idea sounded good, almost like a lifeline. "That sounds good," I admitted, my body starting to relax. I squeezed his hand back, sighing in relief.
"I'll pick you up after work; is 8:00 okay?"
"That's perfect." Just as I was about to let myself revel in the moment, my phone erupted with a blaring ringtone.
"Shit! It's my boss, I'm so late!" I scrambled to gather my things, feeling like a fish out of water.
"8:00, don't forget, darling," he called after me, his voice laced with charm. I glanced back to see him wink, and my heart fluttered.
As soon as I was out of sight, I took off, my sneakers thudding against the pavement. I sprinted toward the library, ready to face my furious boss, Patricia Mills.