Rose's Library

I stood in front of the library playing with my hair, perhaps as a way to keep myself from going in. For some reason,

entering the small building made me anxious. This town’s librarian was one of my idols. The Chrysanthemum Rose, writer

of many of the well-known textbooks on magic. Her book on necromancy brought me where I am today, as a witch at least.

If she was the librarian here, then this place must be something special. I had to have a dignified and respectful

approach. But I was also a bit short on time. Rosie was probably eagerly waiting for my return with some sort of book

on healing potions. So without further overthinking, I took a deep breath and entered the library.

The library was a lot messier than I expected. I could see many stray papers scattered all across the creaky wooden floor.

Bunches of paper tended to pile up in front of all the bookshelves against the walls. The singular room was quite spacious,

with old wooden tables scattered throughout, among the imposing bookshelves brimming with texts. There was a faint musty

smell in the air. The unkempt nature of the place was comforting. I expected something much more grand. “May I help you miss?”

I turned to my right to see a girl sitting by a messy wooden desk. She was holding a quill and looked at me with curiosity.

She was also the only one in the room besides myself. Could this be Lady Rose? There was only one way to find out.

Night Watch

The air was cold that night. I was out on a short walk around Pillardly, paying close attention to the forest nearby. Walks

were enjoyable on their own, but they also acted as necessary measures. The forest housed dangerous things that came out around

this time. The incidents always happened at night.

After walking past the forest’s entrance for the fifth time I heard leaves crackling and saw the front bushes struggle and sway.

Something was once again escaping the woods and heading straight for the town. I tensed up a bit, preparing for the worst. But what

finally broke through the hedges wasn’t a wild beast or creature. It looked to be a young boy. He was limping while holding onto

his left arm. The faint scent of blood told me everything I needed to know.

I rushed towards him. “Hey!” I shouted. The young boy looked up at me as I got to his side. I crouched down to better meet his

eyes, but he immediately collapsed into my arms. He let out a pained groan. I held and analyzed him. He must have been attacked

by some sort of animal, or rogue familiar. His left leg was utterly mangled and bloodied by the deep cuts on his left arm.

The blood dripped off his hand, wetting the grass. The blood smelled so sweet. I hadn’t eaten in a few days, so for a moment,

the wounded person seemed palatable.

But it was obvious that I couldn’t act on my hunger, especially on the baker’s son. After I snapped out of my daze I realized

that the town baker was looking for her son earlier today. He must have gone into the woods on a dare from the other kids.

My guess, at least. I put the palm of my hand on the boy’s lacerated arm and whispered a healing spell. The results were immediate.

It was as if the cuts stitched themselves shut. Then I put the same palm on his twisted leg, said another spell, and the wounds

on his leg seemed to undo themselves.

Of course, being healed by such spells came with a cost. The boy’s body healed itself at such a rapid rate that exhaustion was

inevitable. He seemed to have fallen asleep once the wound on his arm was healed. I chuckled to myself when the kid started

snoring. It was time to bring him back to his mother. I stood up and carried him into town to the baker’s cottage. The baker

must have been awake at this hour because she opened the door before I could knock twice. She looked at her sleeping son in horror.

“Joshua!” she shrieked. She then looked up at me. “What happened to him?!”

“I found him as he got out of the woods, severely wounded. I think my spells fixed him up all right. They just made him a

bit sleepy,” I explained.

“Ugh, that boy just can’t stop getting himself into trouble! He probably took some stupid dare from one of his friends!

Give him here. I’ll clean him up and get him to bed. And first thing tomorrow morning he’s gonna get a good scolding!”

the baker frantically stated. I handed the lady her child and she lifted him easily. That woman was strong. She

looked at me for a moment again.

“Oh wait, you’re that vampire guy my husband keeps mentioning. He always sees you hanging around the forest entrance

looking around. He worries that you might be up to no good, but I always hoped that you were looking out for us.

Ever since you’ve been here, we haven’t been getting attacked by those ugly rogues. It kinda seems like you’re making

sure nothing gets out of those woods,” she explained. I was taken aback by her charitable reading of me. There

aren’t many people that would assume well of a vampire.

“Oh, yes, you’re correct. I’ve seen the problems those creatures caused to the town at night. So I started watching

the forest and taking down any beasts that came out. I don’t like seeing the people around here get hurt,” I said

tentatively. The baker laughed.

“Ha! I knew it! You always did seem like a sweetheart from the way you held yourself. I’ll have to let you take

some bread for free for everything you’ve done for us!” I couldn’t help but smile. Her kindness was such a rare sight.

“Thank you so much miss.”

“It’s not a problem at all dear! Say, do you have a name?” she asked.

“Adam. May I have your name, miss?”

“Jodie. But I like it when you call me miss. It makes the grey hairs go away.” I laughed a bit. Jodie spoke again.

“Alright dear, I better get the boy to bed now. You go on and enjoy the night. And feel free to get some

fresh bread any time!” I nodded.

“Okay. Thank you so much miss.”

“Good night!” Before I could say anything else she shut the door. I stood there for a moment alone.

The air was still the same cold. But I felt a little warmer than I did before. And resolute. My night watches were useful.

Maybe they could forge connections I’ve never had before.