A Promise in the Library
253 Words
Rain hammered the library windows, the kind that made the world outside disappear in a blur of water. Lila sat on the floor between two shelves, surrounded by notes. She looked up as Ethan returned with two cups of coffee.
“You know,” she teased, “for someone who insists he’s just my study partner, you show up a lot.”
He smiled. “Maybe I’m just bad at staying away.”
They worked in silence for a while. The storm muted every sound except the steady rhythm of pages turning. Finally, Ethan said quietly, “Lila… if someone was trying to hurt you, would you tell me?”
She looked at him carefully. “Maybe. But I wouldn’t want you involved.”
“Too late for that.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
He hesitated. He wanted to tell her everything—the Vale name, the connection, the files—but fear held him back. If she found out too soon, she’d never trust him again.
Instead, he said, “Promise me something. If anything happens—if you see that man again—you call me. No matter what.”
Lila nodded. “Promise.”
When she smiled, it was small but real, and Ethan felt something shift in his chest.
He didn’t notice the shadow moving behind the frosted glass door until it was gone.
*** Hours later, when Lila returned to her dorm, the lock had been forced—and her father’s photograph was missing.
- Writer
