Keld stepped into the bookstore. The air smelled like old paper and dust. The place was dimly lit, with tall wooden shelves full of ancient books. It looked untouched, as if no one had been here in years.
"What a strange place... I've never seen a shop like this before," Keld mumbled.
His footsteps echoed as he walked inside. He looked at the books, reaching out to pick one up. Suddenly, a soft, raspy voice broke the silence.
"Welcome... Are you here to return the book?"
Keld jumped, his heart racing. He turned and saw an old woman sitting on a wooden chair. Her eyes were white and cloudy—she was blind.
He swallowed his nerves. "Uh... no. I just followed a white cat with purple eyes. Is that your pet?"
The old woman stayed silent. Keld frowned and stepped closer. That’s when he noticed—she was asleep.
Keld sighed. "Seriously?" He waved a hand in front of her face. "Hello? Are you awake?"
No response.
She fell asleep mid-conversation? Must be nice...
Keld scratched his head. "Guess she’s in deep sleep..."
He looked around the bookstore. It felt mysterious, like it was hiding secrets. Picking up books, he flipped through them, but nothing caught his interest.
Then, he checked his phone.
8:30 PM.
Crap, I need to go home.
Just as he turned to leave, a whisper echoed in his ear.
"Pick me... Son of the Moon."
Keld froze. He spun around, scanning the shop. Who said that?
His eyes darted to the old woman’s chair—but she was gone.
A chill ran down his spine. Okay, this is getting creepy.
He followed his instincts, walking between shelves. Then, he found an empty shelf with just one book sitting in the middle.
It was covered in dust.
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Hesitating, he picked it up. The cover was torn, and the title was too faded to read.
"Why is it so dirty?" he muttered, wiping the dust off. He flipped through the pages—but they were all blank.
A blank book? What kind of weird prank is this?
Before he could put it back, a voice whispered behind him.
"So... you came here to read the book?"
Keld yelped, nearly dropping it. He turned to see the old woman standing right behind him, smiling.
"Sorry, but the store is closing. If you want the book, take it with you."
His heart pounded. "Wait, you were awake?! Then why didn’t you answer me earlier?! And where did you go?!"
The woman chuckled and held out an apple. "Calm down, child. Don’t ask so many questions—I can’t answer everything."
Keld sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine, whatever. I should go." He held out the book. "Here, I don’t need this."
As he turned to leave, something flew past his face. Reflexively, he caught it.
The book.
The old woman smirked. "That book found you for a reason. Take it and return when you're ready."
Keld looked at the book in confusion. What is with this lady?
Before he could argue, she added, "It’s been a long time since someone came here to read. That book is special. Try it."
His phone rang.
He checked the screen—his sister was calling.
"Shit! I’m late! She’s gonna kill me!"
Without another word, he bolted out of the store, still holding the book.
As the door shut, the old woman sighed, sitting back in her chair. Her cloudy eyes stared into nothing as she whispered,
"Why did you bring that child here?"
A white cat with purple eyes stepped out of the shadows, its tail curling around its feet.
It said nothing.
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As Keld reached outside his house, he hesitated. It's already 9:30... I'm so dead.
He took a deep breath. Inhale... Exhale... Okay, now or never.
Summoning all his confidence, he marched toward the door. But just as he reached for the handle, his confidence crumbled. He could feel it—his sister’s angry aura radiating from inside.
The second I open this door, I’m doomed.
One more deep breath.
He opened the door.
His older sister stood there, arms crossed, glaring at him.
Before she could say anything, Keld threw himself to the floor. "I’m sorry! I know I’m late! I know I didn’t pick up my phone! Please, have mercy!"
His sister narrowed her eyes. "You will be punished."
Keld's mind raced. Oh no. Not another weird punishment. He shuddered, remembering childhood punishments—being tied to a tree, having insects thrown at him, and worst of all... being forced to eat broccoli.
"Your punishment..." she said dramatically. "Is to buy your dear sister an ice cream."
Keld blinked. "Huh?"
His sister burst out laughing. "You should have seen your face! I swear, you’re too easy to mess with."
Keld groaned. "You’re the worst."
She grinned. "I know."
They both sat on the couch. His sister leaned back, still smirking. "So? Did you meet a girlfriend or something? Is that why you were out so late?"
Keld shot her a look. "Shut up. Don’t tease me."
She nudged his shoulder. "Come on, tell me. What kind of girl would even like an airhead like you?"
"One that doesn’t exist, obviously."
She snickered. "That makes sense."
After some more playful teasing, Keld escaped to his room and flopped onto his bed.
"What a weird day..."
Then, he remembered the book.
Sitting on the floor, he opened it, flipping through the blank pages. "What’s so special about this thing?"
Just then, moonlight streamed through his window, landing on the book.
And the pages... started to glow.