title: 𝙰 𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙳𝙴𝚁𝚂' 𝙿𝙰𝚂𝚂𝙸𝙾𝙽, 𝙰 𝙲𝚁𝙾𝙾𝙺𝚂' 𝙶𝚁𝙴𝙴𝙳, 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙰𝙽 𝙰𝙳𝚅𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙴𝚂' 𝙱𝙸𝚁𝚃𝙷.

How does one, firstly, begin a story? Is it with the first word? If so, how might oneself know if the word they have chosen summarizes the overall mood of their story?

Secondly, how could one possibly make it interesting, captivating to all who read? I suppose someone could write something horribly tragic. People seem to like those types of things.

Thirdly, one must carry an amount of chary in their main character. The perspective of a person too dramatic is simply egregious, while the perspective of someone always thinking about themselves is irritating. If a person is too kind, then readers might just consider a story to be too ecstatic or amicable. So how does one approach such a thing?

Well, my fellow writers, let me take you on the journey of your lives! You might just be dazzled at what I have to offer…

• • •

Pepper Jane Gold was a rather well read young woman. She was the bright and thriving age of twenty, and lived her days, happily working for an old library.

One might consider this a monotonous work, but Pepper absolutely adored her job. Oh, yes, indeed she did! There were even a few moments where the young Miss Gold had gotten so carried away in her little bookstore, that she had completely forgotten about the reality revolving around her.

If one were to go up to Pepper and ask her why she would get so, extremely caught up in books, Pepper would smile sweetly with her pink lips and honey-colored eyes, and respond as such: “Once you find one good book, yes, you heard right — simply 𝘰𝘯𝘦 good read, whether it be a murder and a mystery to be solved, or a dear girl in search for someone to love, even a greed-filled pirate with a heart that carries no room for anyone else — a simple tale such as that, if you allow it, is 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 to take you on many more adventures. Because the second you put all thoughts behind, and really begin to pay attention to a spectacular tale, reality is but a mere blurr of your steady heart and burning curiosity.”

Now you see her passion, yes?

She cared deeply for this building full of pages and mystery. She simply adored how, at night, its windows would poor a romantic light out onto the dim streets of her home. The interior and outer decoration of the little shop caused her much joy, indeed. Pepper was a fortunate girl — always finding happiness in the littlest of things.

It always forced a bright grin to her grand portrait, to wake in the morning, head to work, and meet the buildings welcoming sight.

The entrance was a yellow door and the walls were a wonderful blueish grayish hue. Also, the storekeeper, Miss Metherway, loved to surround her little shop with all sorts of wild flora. So, if you were to meet this little building, you would also see many, wonderful flowers and vines enveloping the place. With a window to the left of the door, it provides a little look into the welcoming construction.

Now that you carry a good understanding of what Miss Metherways’ bookstore may have looked like, shall we dive into the real story?

Pepper Jane Gold sat inside the building with her orange hair tied up into a lose bun. She wore no glasses, like most stories commonly detail. A flowy, white dress with a beautiful brown bodice envoloped her petite body.

The girl was small. If one was to measure her exact height, they might find her to be at least 5’1 or maybe even 5’2. This did not bother Pepper. She enjoyed being nearly invisible. However, ironic in a way, she never seemed to be as much overlooked as she hoped, when customers walked in. Gold was a pretty little thing, although there were times she wished otherwise.

The girls that walked into Miss Metherways’ — the bookstores given name — stored much jealousy. Why? Well, you see. The men that cleared through the yellow door, were usually much interested in Pepper, rather than an actual tale. You see, the reason why Pepper sometimes found her appearance overbearing, is as such: when one is pretty, it is all others see. Unless there is the rare, sweet soul that truly cares to gaze at a persons overall character, first.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” a deep, gentlemanly tone interrupted. Pepper, as usual, was enveloped into her current read. She’d read Charles Dickens many times, but never seemed to get sick of him. Sometimes, such as this very moment, she’d choose one chapter to read over.

So, being consumed in the pages of such a large volume, she did not hear the mans aristocratic British accent. Her brows were held together in focus.

The sir cleared his throat and fixed the deep purple coat he wore. “Ma’am,” he tried once more. However, Pepper still had not heard him.

Miss Metherway just so happened to be walking by as the scene unfolded. She turned her old, blue eyes in irritation. The old woman then took her heavy newspaper, and chucked it at the girl. “Pepper Jane Gold! Do think to come out of your trance, and show your customer mind!” The old lady shook her head in disappointment.

Pepper dropped her volume when the paper connected to her shoulder. “Ouch!”

It was only then, that the clueless Miss Gold noticed the gentleman standing just infront of her.

He was tall and lean and . . . dear me, he was handsome! He smiled awkwardly with his perfect lips and white teeth. She’d never seen eyes so soft, so blue before. His hair, by the looks of it, used to be discreetly combed back, but some chestnut locks have fallen in front of the young man’s face.

“My goodness, sir,” Pepper exclaimed, “pardon my inconvenience!” She reached to pick up her book, but the man bent down and grabbed it.

“Charles Dickens,” it was more of an observation than a question, but Pepper nodded anyhow. “A good read. You have exceptional taste, if I may say so.” He held the book out to her and she grabbed it. The delicacy in the way he handed it back to her did not go unnoticed.

“Oh, well he is quite common sir — a very well-known author. I especially love the story of the—“ the man’s eyes twinkled in amusement. He was chuckling at her obsession. “There I go again,” Pepper laughed apprehensively at her own rant. She cleared her throat and sat up a little straighter. “Might I be of some kind of aid—?”

“Ah, yes, actually, now that you mention it,” he nearly cut her off.

“What might I help you with s—“ now he did cut her off.

“I was wondering if you, perhaps, know where a certain diary is?” His accent was strong and Pepper took a moment to note the change of volume as he spoke.

“We have many here, sir,” Pepper explained with skepticism. “You will have to be more specific.”

The man bent lower to her. She was sitting on a chair, which made her shorter. His lips were very close to her ear now. As he spoke it sent shivers down her spine. “The Diary of Agowilt Wolfe.”

_Agowilt Wolfe?_

Pepper had never heard of a piece with that name. This was odd. She was nearly sure that she knew every book in the whole library by heart. She couldn’t have been wrong.

But the manner in which the sir whispered the name was daunting in a way. This diary must, surely, hold much importance of she’d never heard its name uttered until now.

The man waited for her reply. He was still too close for comfort. Pepper lifted her fingers to tuck a piece of loose hair behind her ear. “I apologize, but I’ve no recognition of the name,” she replied.

Miss Metherway was eyeing the two from behind the checkout desk. She looked just as suspicious and unsure and Peopee felt. But something in the lady’s cool gaze made her feel as though they were both searching for the same thing.

The man smiled once more. However, this time, in a way that made her clutch the book tighter. “Right,” he said. “I’ll be back in” -he took out a small clock from his waistcoat- “an hour, possibly less. Have it ready for me by then.” And so he rose from Pepper and stared down at her one last.

Young Papper Jane had never been as confused and conflicted at the same time. She had not the slightest clue as to what the gentleman was speaking of. She had never heard of an Agowilt Wolf’s Diary until now.

But as the man smiled threateningly down at her and then tipped his head to Miss Metherway, she thought she should have far earlier.

Miss Metherway smiled back at him and waved a quick goodbye. However, the second the man left, her eyes snapped back onto Pepper in a way that made her jump. The frail woman rose from her seat and shoo’d the rest of the customers out. Her hand shot to the “O P E N” sign and she turned it ‘round the other way, before locking the door.

She’d never seen Metherway move so fast. The lady pulled Miss Gold from her seat, causing her to drop the book.

“Miss Metherway, what on earth—“

“Quiet, girl,” she spat out. “We’ve not much time.”

What was she talking about? Surely she hadn’t heard their conversation?

Why was she pulling her to a dead end? There was nowhere else to go—

The old lady grabbed hold of a tall shelf and tried to move it out of the way. “Don’t just stand there!” She barked.

Pepper, shocked by Miss Metherways tone, skurried over to her side and helped push the shelf out of the way. But once done, all that met them was another wall. Was the lady going insane?

But no, she was not. As you might have already guessed, the wall was not the end, but merely an illusion. She reached down and pushed a loose piece of wood inward until there was a noticeable 𝚌𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚔! Suddenly, the wall cleared out to reveal a hidden compartment.

Pepper was shocked. The look of bewilderment on her face was great.

“Let’s go,” Miss Metherway prodded. She followed closely behind.

Once inside, she was told to pull a lever and did as told. The shelf to the store moves back into its rightful place, and the wall closes back up.

Pepper was not one for profanity, but todays sudden occurrences caused many untouched curses to arise. The old women flipped another switch, and there was light.

The flooring of the room was a polished oak like the shop’s. The walls were also the same bleached wood, also. It seemed the only unusual thing about such a small place, was the obvious bedside table with a small drawer attached.

Metherway fixed her messy gray hair and wiped her hands on her soft blue skirt. Her white, button down shirt with design was dusty. “How untighty!” She remarked. Then she grabbed the handle and pulled the drawer out.

What Pepper saw next shocked her even more. The earnestness in the old woman’s eyes as she handed the girl the leather book was strong. “Take heed, girl,” she said, her hands still placed on the object. “This book is no mere trinket. It is dangerous.”

What was she talking about? How could a simple, little thing like this cause such trouble?

Miss Metherway looked around nervously. “Listen, that young gentleman — he goes by the name of Viggo Mein,” she explains. “He cannot be trusted. He’s a crook and a liar, and he will kill to get what he wants, and right now, that is this book.”

Pepper looked down — 𝓐𝓰𝓸𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓽 𝓦𝓸𝓵𝓯𝓮𝓼' 𝓓𝓲𝓪𝓻𝔂.