Chapter Three - The Stranger

The Stranger

"Man, you look awful."

Brushing the rain drops off my new jacket I give my boss a dark look. "Thanks."

Holding up her hands she shrugs. "Sorry, girl, but you do. Why you here so early anyway?"

I shrug, slipping off my coat and hanging it on the coat rack beside the double doors. "Rough day."

Picking up a stack of books she asks casually, "What happened?"

"Nothing to worry about," I dismiss.

She gives me a knowing look. "Did you have an attack?"

I give my new coat one last lingering look. It's dark green, with white fluffy wool around the collar. It's too big for me, hanging nearly to my knees, but I love it nonetheless. "It was nothing."

She snorts. "Liar."

I ignore her, brushing my fingers through my wet hair. Serenity Rose was the only person in this whole town who knew me well enough to call my bluff. She's a few years older than me and I would almost call her my friend, except I don't have any friends and she's simply my boss. We don't hang out or grab coffee together.

Then again I can't recall ever seeing Serenity outside of the library. I'd long since come to the conclusion that she lived in some secret room behind a bookshelf.

Giving her a quick glance I smirk. Serenity certainly looks the part of a librarian. Her strawberry blonde hair is always pulled back into a neat bun, red rimmed glasses perched low on her nose. Her white blouse and black pencil skirt fit her slim figure like a glove, her legs going on for miles. She's naturally tall, even more so in a pair of red heels. She loves the color red.

Plucking at my still wet sweatshirt I cringe. I'm such a mess.

Heading for the counter I search around for a rubber band to tie my hair back with. I still feel strange from my encounter in the woods. My stomach is a bundle of knots and butterflies, and it has nothing to do with my earlier panic attack.

I feel...elated.

Serenity is watching me, a curious look on her face.

Not good.

I hate when people pry.

"You look...strange," she comments.

Finding a pink rubber band, I quickly tie my hair up into a messy bun. "How so?"

"I don't know. You look giddy...but sullen...as usual."

I give her a look. "I have never once in my life looked sullen." She made me sound like a child or some angst teenager.

She rolls her eyes. "You are the definition of sullen. Which by the way, is not a desirable trait in anyone."

Got to love her honestly.

I don't reply, knowing she's only just getting started. I've heard this all before.

Serenity continues, absently stacking more books into her arms. "I mean, really, you could try smiling once and awhile. You're too pretty to be sulking all the time. What seventeen-year-old goes around moping all day?"

"All of them?" I offer, half-joking.

"Oh, shut it." Going to a bookshelf she starts putting away the books in her hands. "Seriously, you look like you've gone through hell and had the best day of your life all at the same time."

"Well, I have had an interesting day," I reply absently.

She waits expectantly for me to say more. When I remain silent she rolls her eyes again. "You are such an enigma," she states with a shake of her head.

Me? Abigail Williams? An enigma?

I'm not anything. Just a girl trying to get through her senior year of high school.

And then what?

Hell, if I know.

Leaning against the counter with arms crossed I reflect on my life. Outside I can see pedestrians walking briskly through the rain. The leaves are changing, oranges and reds coloring the maple trees planted along Main Street. It's a beautiful sight, like a painting or something you'd find on a post card. The world could be so chaotic but you'd never know it living here.

Nothing ever happens in Stillwater, Vermont.

Boring.

Rolling my eyes, I ignore my conscience. I love this town. I don't care how cruel my fellow students are. Just one more year until graduation and they would leave. Their cruelty is a passing moment in time. But the peace I find in Stillwater is forever.

Sighing, I gather up a group of returned books, making my way through the shelves. The work is mindless, quieting my thoughts.

The library is perfect for me. Tucked away towards the center of town in an old steeple church. It was charming and warm. There's no judgement here. No nasty preps bullying me relentlessly. Best of all I've never once had a panic attack here. My body is always relaxed and content.

This is my sanctuary.

Taking a deep breath, I let the smell of new and old books fill my senses. I love that smell. If I could bottle it up and take it with me I would.

Putting a few books away on a shelf by one of the windows I notice a moving truck outside. Watching it curiously I ask, "Hey, is there a new family in town?"

Serenity blinks behind her glasses, glancing up from her laptop. "Uh, I don't know."

Turning back to the window I stare at the moving truck curiously, watching it turn left and head towards the outskirts of town. "Huh. I think some one's moved into that old estate on Oak."

"What? No one is going to live in that relic." Standing, Serenity peeks out a window. Another moving truck drives by, following the same path as the first one.

"See. They have to be going to Oak," I say.

Serenity stiffens, a deep frown on her face. "I wouldn't worry about it," she dismisses. I don't miss the harsh edge to her tone.

Raising a brow, I eye her curiously but don't press.

Shrugging, I return to the counter to check in more books, frowning at the cartoon face drawn on the cover of a recently returned historical novel. No respect.

I hear the door open, the little bell dinging pleasantly.

Looking up my eyes widen slightly. Standing in the doorway is a tall stranger dressed in all black. His coat is wet from the rain, the hood hiding the upper half of his face.

I feel a strange tenseness in my body. There's something about him...

Danger.

Serenity's eyebrows perk up, glancing over at me.

I return her look with an 'I have no idea' expression.

With a bored sigh he pushes back the hood of his jacket, revealing shaggy jet black hair styled into a ponytail. He's wickedly attractive and I'm guessing of Asian descent. His coal colored eyes are intense and mesmerizing. He's wearing a pair of white headphones, the large earpieces covering his ears.

"Um, can I help you?" I ask.

He doesn't answer, giving me a look of complete disinterest. Instead he turns up the volume on his headphones. Then he ambles towards a bookshelf without a word.

I watch his every move, rooted to my place at the counter. Serenity has a strange look on her face. Almost...angry.

After a moment he picks up a book and brings it to the counter, laying it down in front of me.

The Werewolf of Paris.

I stare at it before glancing back up at his face. He's gazing at me intensely now, his eyes moving over my features. He looks almost curious...almost.

"Do you want to check this out?" I ask, totally confused by his behavior. Reaching into his pocket he pulls out a stack of cash, tossing it down on the counter. Picking up the money I give him a perplexed look. "This is a library, not a book store."

His eyes narrow and a stab of fear shoots down my spine. Picking up the book he gives me a hard look, as if daring me to say something more. I don't say a word, my voice lodged in my throat. With a smirk he turns and starts to leave.

"Hey!" Serenity barks suddenly.

The stranger stops, not bothering to turn around.

Standing behind him with arms crossed Serenity states angrily, "Your kind isn't welcome in this town."

My eyes widen to the size of saucers. I look between the two of them, shocked by Serenity's behavior. What did she mean by that? Was it because he's Asian? I never pegged her for being a racist.

"If you don't leave there's going to be trouble," Serenity warns.

If he was at all concerned he doesn't show it. Not so much as a flicker. Waving a hand in the air he leaves without a word.

I watch him through the windows as he replaces his hood and walks around the corner with his new book under his arm.

"What the hell," Serenity mutters. Spinning on her heel she stalks over to the counter and picks up her cell. I watch her quietly, unsure why she is so upset. Catching my gaze, she sighs loudly, "Go home, Abby, you look tired."

"Are you sure?"

She's already tapping furiously on her phone. "Yup."

Picking up the wad of cash on the counter I count it out quickly. "Holy crap, there's almost a hundred bucks here."

Serenity eyes the cash with menace. "Typical."

"Do you know him?"

"Nope. Go home," she dismisses.

Liar.

Scowling, I fetch my jacket. "If you say so..."

Serenity waves her free hand towards me, her eyes fixed on her phone.

Shrugging, I slip on my jacket and open the door. The brisk fall air blows wisps of dark brown hair across my eyes. I take a deep breath, letting the cold air fill my lungs. Autumn is my favorite time of year. It makes me feel awake, as if I've been in a deep slumber all summer.

Shoving my hands in my jacket pockets I quickly walk the few blocks home, enjoying the scenery. The northern old mill town is full of character, nestled beside a river in a valley surrounded by mountains. I fell in love the moment I saw the historical brick buildings, cobbled walkways, and Victorian homes.

The chill breeze picks up, rustling the fallen leaves. My body starts to shake a bit from the cold. I should really buy a car, but cars are so expensive. Too expensive on my measly salary working part time at the library.

Reaching my apartment building I fumble with the main door. The damn thing always sticks. With a grunt I give the knob a hard yank. With a loud creek the door flies open, nearly knocking me off my feet. I mutter under my breath in annoyance. How long before the landlord fixes the damn thing?

Slamming the door shut I head upstairs to my apartment. The building is old, like the town, with dark molding and dingy walls. My studio apartment is nothing to brag about either, small and cluttered. My double bed nearly takes up an entire wall. The pink wallpaper is faded and torn, the old plaster underneath crumbling in places. It isn't exactly a high class motel but it's all I can afford with the small inheritance my parents left me.

Shutting my apartment door, I navigate my way through the clutter of clothes and knickknacks, dropping my jacket on the bed.

"Jesus, it's cold," I mumble. Shivering, I tap on the thermostat.

Nope, still not working.

The radiator broke weeks ago and the damn landlord still hasn't fixed it. I'm sure there's some sort of law against forcing your tenants to freeze their asses off.

Rubbing my hands together for warmth I head to the bathroom. The neon lights flick on with a hum, the glare harsh on my eyes. I run the faucet, water sputtering out of the tap before flowing steadily. Splashing warm water on my face I frown at myself in the mirror. A disheveled pink cheeked girl with large green eyes stares back at me.

I'm not an ugly girl. In fact, I'd say I'm rather pretty. My lips are naturally pink and full, little dimples forming when I smile. My hair is too long, the dark brown locks hanging nearly to my waist in thick wavy curls. It's a pain to maintain but I was loath to cut it. My mother always used to tell me how beautiful my hair was.

Funny, the things you remember and hold on to.

Yawning, I feel the exhaustion from the day seep back into my bones. Going to the kitchen I heat up some left over spaghetti in the microwave, then snuggle into bed with the covers over my shoulders. I eat my dinner in quiet, watching the sun set through my one tiny window.

When finished I set the bowl aside and lay down, my eyes feeling too heavy to keep open. I need sleep, but it's the one thing that always seems to allude me.

Nights are the worst for me. During the day I can keep busy, keep my mind occupied. But lying in bed there's nothing to focus on, nothing to stop my mind from thinking horrible thoughts or dredging up dark memories. Those rare nights where I do fall asleep my dreams are plagued with nightmares. I often jolt awake in the dead of night with panic ripping through me.

Reaching down my fingers wrap around the jacket. Pulling it close to my chest I bury my nose into the collar, breathing it in. The masculine scent seems to spread through me, calming my body and mind. My eyes drift shut, the sleep I need overtaking me.

For the first time since the accident I don't have nightmares.