Love, After Dark

Chapter 19

Driving into the heart of Redhaven felt like slipping into another world. Downtown was alive, with brick buildings mixed with sleek glass storefronts, hanging lights strung between lampposts, people everywhere. Boutiques sat shoulder to shoulder with cafés, jewelers, record shops and clothing stores I’d only ever seen online. Every window display looked curated, intentional, like the city itself had taste. Sia took that as a personal challenge.

By early afternoon, Dad’s credit card had suffered. We were walking along the main shopping strip with bags cutting into our fingers, and Sia had five slung over her arms alone. The trunk of the Mercedes was already packed with more from earlier stops. “I regret nothing,” she declared when I gave her a look. I’d been more selective. A few outfits that actually felt like me, some jewelry, new makeup. Things that caught my eye without screaming for attention. Mom even treated herself to a pair of fall boots she’d tried on “just to see” and then absolutely refused to take off.

We stayed out longer than we meant to, wandering from store to store until the sun dipped lower and shadows stretched across the sidewalks. Eventually we ducked into a coffee shop to recharge. It was called Bean Brothers- all dark wood, black metal fixtures, warm lighting. Industrial but cozy. The kind of place that smelled like espresso and sugar and made you want to stay longer than planned. We ordered iced coffees and pastries and collapsed into seats near the window, watching people pass by with shopping bags and dogs and laughter.

By the time we stepped back outside, it was evening. We were heading toward the parking lot when Mom suddenly stopped. “I’ll be right back,” she said briskly. “Bathroom.” She darted into a furniture store without waiting for a response. “Wait in the car,” she called over her shoulder. We nodded Almost obeyed.

Just before the parking lot entrance, Sia nudged me hard with her elbow. “Siri.” I followed her gaze. At the very end of the strip was a narrow shop wedged between two larger buildings. Its windows were dim, crowded with books stacked at odd angles, symbols etched faintly into the glass. The sign above the door read: The Phantom Pages. Something in my chest tugged. Before I could talk myself out of it, Sia was already grabbing my wrist. “Just five minutes.”

The bell above the door chimed as we stepped inside. The air felt… different. Wooden towers rose from the floor like they’d grown there- twisted stands branching upward, books lining every side. Some spines were cracked and ancient, others smooth and unfamiliar. A few titles weren’t written in any language I recognized at all. “Okay,” I whispered. “This is cool.” “Looking for anything in particular?” a voice called. I turned.

An old man stood behind the counter, short and pale, a winter hat pulled down over his ears. It struck me as strange. Though it was already late fall, it was still warm outside. His smile was warm too. Too warm, maybe. His eyes twinkled in a way that made my skin prickle. “I- um- just looking,” I said. Before he could respond, Sia reappeared from between the shelves holding a small wooden box. “What’s this?” she asked, lifting it.

The man’s smile faded just a touch. “I’ll have to ask that you don’t move items without permission,” he said calmly. “You never know what sort of curses you could unleash.” Sia froze. “Curses?” she echoed, delighted. The man chuckled softly. “That,” he said, nodding to the box, “is a Nexus of Fate. It holds the details of your destiny.”

My stomach tightened. He looked at Sia. “Would you like to try?” Her grin widened. “Obviously.” She unlocked the box, barely opening it more than a centimeter.

“Absolutely not!” The box slammed shut as a hand pressed down on it. We both jumped. Mom stood there, eyes blazing. “I told you to wait in the car!” Sia opened her mouth. “GO,” Mom snapped, pointing toward the door. We didn’t argue. We bolted. Moments later, she exited the shop and headed toward the car, her face unreadable. She slid into the passenger seat and buckled in. “Let’s go home,” she said quietly. I started the car. No one spoke. The radio filled the silence with soft music as Redhaven passed by outside the windows, glowing and unaware. I gripped the steering wheel, my thoughts stuck on wooden towers, twinkling eyes, and a box that claimed to know my future. And suddenly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know it at all.