I spent hours, wasting valuable homework time reading through the demon section, the underworld section, I even skimmed through the witch section in my desperation but nothing.

I did not know why I was trying so hard. There was just something in Robert’s eager face that made me want to find this for him. Especially after all the times he tried to cheer me up when I was down; I felt like I owed it to him to do something back.

My eyes were so blurry by the time I reread the page about roots to kill the evil in your soul, that I nearly collapsed. My face was already an inch from the book, and I was about a second away from falling asleep on it.

“Bri, it’s only nine o clock, how are you sleepy.” Robert asked wide awake. I should have known Robert would be as fresh as a wipy. He was a night owl, choosing to stay awake most of the night. I always thought he was an idiot for doing so, but he did have a point. His parents would not catch him doing the riskier things, like contacting the dead, when they were sleeping.

“Fine, I’m going home then.” I stood up to leave when a sudden thought hit me. “Robert, mind if I take the book with me.”

“What?” His eyes widened. The look of shock was almost comical on his face. I could not blame him. Since when did I want to take home a book to read? I was shocked myself at my request, but I guess sleepy me was a masochist if she would willingly give up sleep to read a book that just about fried her brain.

“You heard me, give me the book.”

“Fine.” He said, his voice was a bit wary from my odd request, but otherwise had no problem with it.

“Here.” He passed me the book like if it was a precious baby and looked me straight in the eye. “If anything happens to her, I am holding you accountable.” He reprimanded.

“Her, what the hell, is it a person now. What happened to the good old days when books were only objects? All of a sudden they’re your new friend.”

He shrugged. “Books are nicer than actual people. They don’t talk shit about you like people do, so why not make them your friend.”

I had to admit, he did have a point.

“Ok fine, whatever you say, Robert. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I waved as I grabbed the oversized book and made my way out of his room. I was almost out when something on his dresser caught my eye. There was about a million cloths stacked on top of it, but if I craned my neck, I was able to make out what it was. It was a book that looked almost identical to the one I was holding, but the title was different. The book on Robert’s dresser was worn out; you could barely make out what it said. But I was sure the title said The Seer’s Handbook.

I quietly tiptoed down the stairs. Robert followed. He was adamant that he should walk me home because it was night time. I quietly told him that it was fine, but I was distracted enough with Robert that I did not see the person at the bottom of the stairs until it was too late. I collided against a hard chest. Two arms reached out reflexively to steady me. Their hands felt rough against my skin; their fingers butchered with thousands of paper cuts.

I looked up into my perpetual savior’s eyes and saw the same dark eyes that Robert had, the only difference was the message they were sending. His kind face was a stark contradiction to the fear bulging out of the rim of his eyes.

“Sorry.” I rushed out. “I didn’t mean too.”

“It’s ok Brianna.” He said. I did not miss the fact that he turned his face away from me.

“I was just going.” I nodded to the door, but Robert decided that it was the perfect time to ask his dad to give me a ride home.

“Honestly you don’t need to bother yourself. I only live four blocks away.” I rubbed the back of my neck nervously.

“Its fine Brianna, I could give you a ride.” Mr. Kensington said slowly.

“See Brianna, my dad could take you home, and I’ll come with you guys. Besides, you walking alone at night is like an open invitation for rapists.”

Robert left me no chance to protest, and once he mentioned rapists I did not want to. He pushed me to the garage and made me go into his father’s minivan with him. I climbed into the back seat, Robert took shot gun, and buckled myself in. The car smelled like the strawberry car freshener that was hanging from the mirror. The smell always made me dizzy. I cracked the window open to let in some air and to get the god awful car freshener scent out before I barfed.

The ride home was quiet but not uncomfortable. My head drooped against my seat, nearly falling asleep, until Robert tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up annoyed and noticed we were outside my house.

I quickly jumped out and thanked Robert and his dad, watching them drive off before I went into the house.

Inside, it was dark. The only light came from my sister’s room; her lights shined from underneath her bedroom door. My parents were asleep already; they always slept at promptly nine o clock.

I went to my room in a hurry. I was exhausted, my eyes became heavy until I could not keep them open anymore and they gave up on me. I had to feel my way the rest of the way to my room. My fingers brushed along the prickly walls. The chipped paint came off easily when my nails scratched against it, and I felt it. Heat blew on my face, making it water down my neck and pour into my chest. Dust made its way down my throat and filled my lungs. I managed to crack open an eye and that is when I saw him, the shadowed man. He was in my house, come to get me at last.