The Liblabo

Have you ever found some thing that you were sure possessed a little magic or was special in someway?

well I did, I am sure of it.

Although some thing about it was kind of…off even through all the excitement.

When have I ever listened to myself 100%?

more than most of the time I overthink everything, so it can be a little difficult to tell if I am paranoid or battling instinct. Intuition?

*ring ring*

The alarms blare startling me out of a deep slumber like always.

“Ete ! Ete come here please! I need your help,” my aunt calls to me.

As I got up my bones cracked. I wasn’t exactly ready to roll out so quickly.

When I made it to her room I didn’t see her in bed but I heard swishing water sounds. so I checked the bathroom.

When I got to the door she was slouched over the edge of the tub as she tried to climb out. Panicked I ran to her aid and helped her out, dried her off and got her back to bed safely. this whole time she was chuckling and I begin to get a little frustrated.

“ Woman, what is funny?” she paused for a moment.

“ The fact that I am not old yet and I already need so much help… I tried. I really did. I tried to get out relying on the independence I have left. I guess it was less than I thought, Or gone.”

“ So that is funny? Or makes you laugh?“ I questioned.

“NO, but I laugh when I get really emotional and I’d rather laugh it off than cry all day and be in pain. It is good to cry, but I have cried enough.”

I wonder how long she was in there?

Not knowing what to say, I made her breakfast, cozied her up and headed to school. My day had already started off at an odd point when my aunt decided to take a bath at the crack of dawn.

I already missed my first two periods so I shall be fashionably late to my third. My class is on the opposite side of the campus, so I took my time. Like always my teacher gave me a dirty look and told me to take a seat. Obviously this was not my first time being late, nor will it be my last. I was excused today so i’m good for now. I sat down, I took out my notebook, my sketchbook and got comfy.

I thought I saw something move in the corner of my eye. Was it a spider? Spiders make me nervous. I couldn’t help but twitch a bit and check the underside of my desk, assuming i saw a spider. I pulled out my phone and turned the flashlight to get a better look. I didn’t see anything so i thought i was in the clear.

Then, I heard someone clear their throat. “Ahem…,” of course it was my teacher. There she was, hand out. I told her I usually check on my aunt between classes.

“ Education is more important,” she said.

I sent a short text to my aunt before I handed over my phone.

”You’ll get your phone back after class, on your way to detention, then you can check on her.”

I saw a few familiar faces so it wasn’t so bad. As I organized my books on the desk I noticed that I’d grabbed an extra book. It was a little black book. Any book I've owned was colorful or decorative in some way. I open the cover to see if it belonged to anyone. It had writing on the opening page and that was it.

It sounded like everyone was whispering so I looked around, but no one was paying attention. Suddenly I felt a slight sense of discomfort. Spooked, I shut the book and pushed it aside. After a few moments curiosity got the best of me.

As I opened the book I saw a single sentence, “Write about what you feel for most.”

As i pondered the first thing that came to my mind was my aunt, to take her pain away. It's almost unbearable to see her in pain everyday.

My next thought was it would be nice to receive 20 grand. That could change our lives...

The bell rang. Startled, I jumped. As I closed the book all I could think about was that one sentence. Write about what you feel for most..

As I got my phone back, that damn black book was the only thing I could think about. I called my aunt but she didn’t answer, hopefully she’s resting.

When I got home I called her name but there was no answer. I get settled in, changed, and grab a snack. Then I went to check on my aunt.

Her bed was a mess, but there was no sight of her. I thought maybe she had decided to take another bath, but she wasn’t in the bathroom...My anxiety crept like a slow decrease in temperature. I checked the closet for drastic measure, still no sight of her.It was eerily silent which made the ringing in my ears sound louder.

Suddenly I had cotton mouth and I was rushing back to the kitchen to grab a drink. I had to remember to breathe.

I proceeded to check every room in the house, even the backyard which she hasn’t seen in months. No one could’ve picked her up, all we had was each other. As my luck drew away similar to dissipating smoke. I felt a crowd of emotions begin to stalk me as fear was born.

I could barely think.

What happened? Where did she go? How? Why?

I remind myself to breath.

I needed fresh air so I open the kitchen window.

Something rolled past my eye and I realize i’m sweating.

I remember to breathe.

A strong sense of dread washes over me.

The little black book comes to mind, my longing to take my aunts pain away.

I grabbed my bag in an urgent search for the thing, the first two pages had become dark, fully covered in ink and crisp like a new page.

On the third page, which was now the first blank page I attempted to write,

“Bring her back.” I struggle to write as the ink kept giving out and my hands shook dramatically.

Bring. Her. Back. I continue to struggle over and over but the pen was useless.

I threw it away aggressively and grabbed another.

Again I tried this time as the page grew soggy as that crowd of emotions began to storm the exit of my lower lids.

My thoughts begged as my vocal muscles grew weak.

I try again and again one page after the other til there were only so many pages left.

Writing in panic and anger I realized I was scribbling instead of writing, the pen had given in moments ago.

I had to remember to breathe, but my chest hurt.

I had only desired to take her pain away not her entire being. Was this a lesson of be careful what you wish for? If this is about the money I will get what I earned. If I have to take on her pain myself I will, just bring her back to me.

I forgot to breathe.

I felt myself become lightheaded, so I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

I smelled something like fresh ink and my mouth tasted like iron.

I felt cold.

…

“Hey Ete, what are you doing?” my neighbor calls out to me.

“Huh? what do you mean?” it’s kinda chilly outside.

Outside?

“You’ve been standing at your door since you got here, is everything all right?“ She asked me.

“Oh ha ha, yes. I’m fine I am kind of exhausted, I’ve had a pretty long day..and I must’ve spaced out. I think I just need some rest..,” I stated.

“Okay...well, just so you know you can always come to me about anything. Remember that hun.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate that.”

“Take care of yourself,” she said to me and watched as I stepped through the door way.

It was undoubtably warm in the house, the heater must’ve been on.

My throat felt extremely dry, so I went to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water.

I felt paranoid...

I went straight to my aunts bedroom.

Before I open the door I took a deep breath.

The door creaked.

Silently, I waited a moment to hear her soft snores, reminding me she was sleeping soundly.

I felt a rush of relief tackle my nerves.

She woke up and peaked at me from under her eyelids just as I was about to step back out. “How are you feeling?,” I asked. Slowly, she sat up. Then looked at me baffled. Still confused, gradually she began to stand. “I feel great...actually.”

I asked her if she was hungry. She shook her head no and stated that she wanted to go outside. “yeah, let’s go, it’s been a while,” I agreed.

So we went on a walk.

We stopped to check the mail box on the way out.

A check…?

“Open it,” my aunt encouraged.

It was from The Little Black Book Corp.

20 grand?

I flip the check to see if there were any more details on the back.

There was a single sentence.

You deserve it.