On Voodoo Dolls and Curses

Chapter 5 : Nightmare's Dream

Everyone has their own set of nightmares.

Some are afraid of the dark. Others can't stand to see a spider nearby. And heights? Don't even start with that one.

But then, there are some people who find comfort in the darkness. There are also avid arachnid collectors and keepers. And well, people love to climb in high places for adventure and passion.

Therefore, one's nightmare is another one's dream.

I'll give you a real life example.

Know Mrs. Merly? She's our librarian. And well, she's also Dean's worst nightmare. Yup. No kidding. Our pretty blonde of a bookkeeper is a nightmare according to my best friend.

Not for me though. Mrs. Merly is an angel. I love her a lot! She's so nice and patient with me. Maybe it's because we are both book lovers and I don't mess around in the library unlike my classmates.

Anyways, since Dean is afraid of an innocent librarian, it was nice of him to ask me for a ‘small' favor.

“Please, it won't take too much of your time. You just have to return this overdue book back while I wait for you in the cafeteria," Dean begged me harder when I refused at first. I playfully rolled my eyes at him and finally agreed. “Aww... You're the best!" He hugged me and made his way to the cafeteria but not before waving goodbye.

So that explains why I'm walking towards the library right now with a heavy encyclopedia in my hands. Geez. Why did Dean have to borrow such a heavy book? Does he know the ‘internet'? I'll just kick him later.

The door opened with a creak. Our library is one of the oldest parts of the school. No wonder the signs of aging are showing.

I walked towards the desk. Just before I reached it, somewhere in my peripheral vision, I spotted two of my friends. Anthony and Quest, my classmates, were on their way out. They waved when we passed by one another and I waved back.

I think this is a good way to make me forget about last night. After that call with Miller, I was able to fall asleep. When I woke up, I got six missed calls from him. I didn't bother calling him back. My energy and confidence left my body after that incident the night before.

My feet stopped walking when I got to the counter. I tapped on the wooden desk and waited for Mrs. Merly to arrive. She suddenly appeared out from the inner room where new books are stored and processed.

“Hey there, Crissa," she said and showed me a warm smile, “How can I help you?"

“Good noon, Mrs. Merly," I placed the heavy book on top of the counter, “I have to return this."

“Hmm..." She looked at the book intently, “Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this Dean's?"

“Yeah. He got scared. Again," I explained, smiling knowingly at her.

“Well, he'll never lose that fear if he'll never face it, right?" She winked at me. “By the way, are you busy right now?"

I was about to say ‘yes' so that I could just leave now and go to Dean but then, I had a feeling that she needs my help. So, without knowing, my head shook almost immediately.

“Splendid. Can you please return these for me to the history hall?" She handed me some books which seemed to be five in number. “Somebody messed up with their location. Those kids again."

“I see. Don't worry, Mrs. Merly," I took the books in my hands. “They'll be back to their original places before you know it."

“Thanks, Crissa," she smiled warmly at me. I smiled back and made my way to the farthest hall. History hall was the least used hall in the whole place. It was located in the most deserted part of the library. It's kind of like a secret hall, if you ask me. Some people finds messing up the dusty books there funny. I don't.