Blacken by Alandra Rankin (i love reading books txt) 📕

“I’m falling asleep; we need to take a break,” the librarian complained while leaning back in the office chair.

They worked in the basement, combing through file cabinets filled with information for what could have possibly been hours. Since there were no windows, the passage of time was iffy; the only way of knowing would be to head back upstairs where the grand clock hung in the reception area. Both young adults too wrapped up in searching to think about moving from the collections.

Avie rubbed at her eyes, “I’m pretty sure I’ve gone cross-eyed… A break sounds amazing.”

She turned to watch him stretch awkwardly in his seat, before grunting in satisfaction from the relieved muscles. “Hungry?” He smiled, locking her eyes from across the room.

“Oh my god, yes.” The redhead started walking over to him, stomach rumbling from the thought of food, too enveloped in the task of searching; the sensation of hunger did not register until now.

“We’ll have to go upstairs, so save your place!” He gestured to the disarray Avie collected, emphasizing his point.

She looked at the muddled piles searched through and future piles to further scrutinize, cringing at her mess. Avie turned back to see Owen starting up the stairs, jogging to catch up with him.

At the top of the staircase, she saw the blond in the foyer dialing on the house phone at his desk. Owen caught sight of her and waved her over, his ear to the receiver.

“What kind of pizza?” he mouthed to her once she was close enough, starting an order for delivery.

“Veggie!” whispering back, leaning across him on the desk. She watched him frown, sticking his tongue out while he mimed puking with a soft gag.

“Yes, I need a large Can·a·di·an pizza for delivery please,” Owen spoke, enouncing each syllable while playfully staring at Avie.

Rolling her green eyes, Avie retaliated, playing dirty. She gave a soft, dramatic gasp before pulling out her best pouty face, bottom lip jutting out and quivering, the split healing over the week to a soft scratch while her eyes shimmered with false sadness.

He chuckled, trying to block the look with his hand, “And a medium veggie as well.”

Avie dropped the look and grasped at the hand in her face, mouthing a “Thank you” back as Owen finished on the phone with the local pizza joint.

“That’s not fair, and you know it,” he returned the receiver to its cradle, “you have to get us something to drink to make up for it.”

She laughed, “Oh I do, do I? Anything your majesty requests?”

Owen scrunched his nose, “I wasn’t actually serious, you don’t have to!”

“It’s too late, I’m already on my way out the door!” Avie turned and began walking out, “If you don’t say what you want, you’re going to get nothing.”

“Get me a fruit punch,” he shouted.

The woman only chuckled in response, a bounce in her step as she walked over to the corner store.

A violet jacket wrapped comfortably around her, keeping her much warmer than the last time she navigated out in a nippy wind, thankful for the ability to stretch her legs after being in the library’s basement all day.

In the short walk, Avie thought about the money she had left over, counting out some spare change she still held onto. She applied to several different jobs in town, trying to get something, anything that could provide a steady income. The Rare Bird Inn she stayed at was draining her savings, she couldn’t stay there forever either, the redhead wanted to rent out an apartment too if she could at least get a call back.

It was late, the evening hours setting in with the sunset while she walked, the town coming to a close with people going home to family and friends. It was her favourite time of day, the bustling busy hours finally swelling to a close and allowing the streets of Blacken to breathe.

The small bell fixated atop the shop door rang gently, signalling her arrival. The old woman at the register lowered her newspaper to greet her new customer.

“Ahh, Miss. Conrad,” she greeted happily, “you look better and better each day I see you!”

Avie indeed noticed a dramatic change in her eyes and lip during the past ten days, the cut at the top of her nose being the only stubborn thing to heal.

“Good evening, Mrs. Harris, how’s business been today?” Avie chatted back, continuing to the beverage section in the small store.

“Same as usual, dear. The handful of school kids seem to be my only patrons.”

“That’s a shame, have you thought about bringing in something more than snacks?”

She reached the register, the short and plump woman on the other side started to ring up the few bottles Avie placed down.

“Oh, I could, I just don’t know where I would put anything. Hardly room in the store as it is.”

“You’ll figure something, if you can come across the country by hopping train cars, you can figure anything out.”

Mrs. Harris laughed loudly, “That was a long time ago, dear. I have been meaning to ask, have you found a job yet?”

Avie shook her head, “No, still looking.”

“A young lady like you should get lots of offers, you’re great with old folks like me. Gerald at the flower shop was looking for someone’s help, how about I put in a good word?”

She blinked at the offer, stunned at the suggestion, “Would you really? That would mean the world! Thank you!”

“Just make sure he doesn’t push you around! He’s used to doing everything his way and can get a little unbearable.”

“You would know best.”

They laughed together, having fun with the exchange of goods and currency.

Mrs. Harris patted her hand, “But you let me know if my son crosses a line, we need more people like you helping us out in town.”

“I will. Thank you again, I hope you have a good night.”

“You too, dear. Take care.”

The young woman collected her items and headed back into the brisk night.

As soon as she could, Avie would go