1 Chapter 01: Beginning Of December
*CLING CLING*
The sound of the wind chimes was as melodious as ever. It has a calming effect that always brought her tranquility.
And with this sound, she looked up from her laptop and welcomed the customers who had just entered.
Three girls were wearing their uniform under a thick coat or jacket. Since it is already the beginning of December, the weather has turned colder. And the end-of-the-year break will start in another two weeks.
Just thinking about this makes her sigh as she looks back at her laptop. It was open on one page, a reading platform.
"We would like to get this," before long, the three girls who had just entered were in front of her, placing a book of their choice.
"Her Wonderland" by Ms. Night.
Seeing what book it was, she stopped herself from letting out another sigh. Just how many books were sold by Ms. Night already?
Once upon a time...
She could only smile at them, "That would be 500 in total. Is that everything ma'am?"
"That would be all," the girl gave her the exact amount as she smiled brightly at her.
"Thank you very much for your purchase, please come again," with a smile she handed them their purchase together with the receipt.
The girls giggled as they left the store, they were very much excited to finally read the latest book of Ms. Night.
After seeing her customers leave the store, she slumped in her chair giving another heavy sigh.
How many times has she tried? Tried to do what she had loved the most? Yet here she was still struggling to make her fingers move above the keyboard. As if scared of the keys below it.
Ms. Night was currently the most popular but at the same time mysterious author out there. She became popular after her first book entitled, "Silent Wishes", a fantasy novel was published eight years ago.
They said that she had written this in an online platform before it was contracted and finally published to be a book. Her following books became well known as well and all of them were fantasy.
People said that her novels come to life. Even those who had the least imagination out there could experience in their mind what Ms. Night wanted to portray.
Different speculations regarding her identity were passed through. That she was a man, that she was an old woman, that she was a high school student and many more. But up to date, no one knows who she was.
Of course, her editor and all were tight-lipped about her. It was her wish, they said, to remain unknown to the people, they said that the books would be even more mystical that way.
*CLING CLING*
"Excuse me? Do you still have "Her Wonderland"?"
It was a woman in her mid 20's.
There are people like this.
There's already a set book they wanted to buy so instead of going around they would go straight to the counter and ask for the book they needed. It wastes less time that way.
"Yes, ma'am. We still have some stock, please give me a moment. I shall get it for you," with a smile she replied politely.
'I'm glad I took a lot of it. Seeing her look, some bookstores must be out of stock already,' she thought as she went to the shelf where "Her Wonderland" books were lined up.
Just as she returned she saw the woman looking at her laptop.
"Could you be a writer as well?" the woman asked with a smile.
"Ah no, I'm just checking out some new books on the platform," she replied as she closed her laptop and finished the transaction with the woman.
Just as the woman left, the clock struck 7 in the evening.
She turned the sign on the door indicating that the store was already closed.
Before she started fixing the books, some were disarranged because some customers would pick a book and return it to a different shelf.
Amethyst Evans, 26 years old girl. She graduated from college five years ago, in business management.
It was her dream since she was a child to someday have her bookstore. Together with another dream that came crashing like delicate glass on this same month five years ago.
The same year she graduated was the same year half of her was snatched away from her.
After fixing everything up, she locked the store and started walking down Session Road.
This was the main road in Baguio City and at the top of it she could see them building that enormous tree they always make every year. Different designs and different concepts.
Yet seeing this made her frown instead. The celebration of this month was something most people look forward to but it is something she dreaded for she always had a nightmare during this time.
She went down to where her car was parked and drove back home.
She currently lives in a condominium at Navybase closest to most of the tourist spots in Baguio City.
Though during this time her current enemy was the traffic in the main roads leading to where she stays.
Just as she entered her unit, she ended up hearing a fight coming from the outside.
And she knew just who they were, her only neighbors on this particular floor. A man graduated from medicine, at the same age as her and his elder sister who was in a wheelchair from the moment they first met.
She furrowed her brows for this was the first time she heard them fight after they came here four years ago, one year after her.
She heard her shout that there is no point if it is not her and she heard him answer with her, not in the condition to do so.
Then she heard her say that there is no more time.
She decided to let them be and finally sat down on her sofa turning the TV on.
"After a long hiatus, the one who could contend with Ms. Night if not for her hiatus, the author Astral has finally announced her comeback. Many fans have been waiting for this for so long and finally, the long wait is over..."
That was the news when she opened the TV, she just sighed and changed it to another channel before standing up to make herself a simple dinner.
She just wanted to rest after a long day's work. Despite only standing or sitting the whole day, it was still tiring to wait for customers.
And even though her bookstore was small, she still has quite some customers allowing her to have quite some income as well.
After eating, cleaning up, and finally changing into comfortable clothes. Her head finally landed on her soft pillow, and soon dreamland welcomed her.
"You don't need it, you love staying in the dark after all. What's the point of all this fame? It is better off with me."
"Just let her be the front, the money was yours anyway."
"You have given her such a wonderful gift. This is the first time you make us proud."
With sweat on her forehead, Amethyst abruptly sat up. She was breathing heavily as the nightmare she had hated once again appeared in her sleep.
It's been five years, why can't they just leave her alone? Why do those things still hunt her in her sleep?
She looked outside her window and saw many lights decorating the trees outside.
It seemed like a joyful time of the year but for her, she felt like she was being suffocated by it.
The lights, the designs, everything about this time was nothing but suffocating for her.
