Star Lost

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“Alright kid, you ready?” Ian said, preparing his stuff by the door. It’s Jesper’s first day working for Ian and honestly he doesn’t know what to expect. It’s supposed to be a bookstore. To be specific, a small bookstore that barely anyone goes to. At least it wouldn’t be too much of a hassle for Jesper to work there. Less people means less interactions means less people finding out about him.

“Wait a minute I need to find my- there, got it let's go” Jesper grabbed his beanie that Ian gave, putting it on and headed out the door behind the man that is now his boss. The walk was awkward, Ian walking silently beside him. Not a peep from either of them, only the sounds of them walking could be heard.

It was killing him but he didn’t know what to say. I mean what do you say to the man who kidn*pped you and who is now making you work for him. Jesper doesn’t know a lot of things but he knows damn well this is not how you meet new people.

Damn it all.

“So… you like books?”

Fuck this is so awkward. This has to be worse than death.

“I mean yea kind of. I wouldn’t be running a bookstore if I weren’t” Ian replied not even bothered to look his way.

“Cool cool cool”

Another wave of silence passes through. Just kill me already. For someone who was extremely talkative yesterday you would expect that Ian would lead the conversation. Apparently not. Jesper just hopes that his day won't get worse nor awkward than this. But deep down he knew it would somehow.

✼❆✼

They finally arrived at the store. It looked pretty rundown from the outside. If there wasn’t a sign that it was a bookstore he would never have guessed. Ian took out a key and put it in the doorknob. “Well kid, welcome to your job” Ian opened the door, creaking loudly as if announcing how old the place is. Which revealed an absolute mess. The shelves were about to give out under the pile of unarranged books, it looked as if someone just shoved them in there without caring. Not to mention the dust everywhere, how does someone even breathe in this kind of place. It was everywhere, the books, shelves, counter, floor. When he says everywhere he means. Every. Where.

Jesper gaped and turned his head to Ian who paid no mind to him and just walked in. “Well what are you waiting for? Come in.” Ian said, walking to the register, looking at Jesper with a grin. “What do you think of the place? Pretty nice right” Ian asked, he seemed proud of the place.

“It… it has personality I suppose” Jesper walked in, eyeing the place.

“Right!” Ian said, picking up the books that were scattered across the counter “Okay so your job is pretty easy. All you have to do is to keep the place clean, arrange the books and that’s pretty much it”.

Ian is right, the job is pretty easy. If it weren’t for the complete mess. Where was Jesper even supposed to start? Sure he could start with the piles of books but which one. “Okay” Jesper said, forcing a smile. Ian saw and chuckled, arranging the books that he picked up earlier. He probably finds this situation amusing with that smug look on his face. God he wishes he could wipe that smug face off him. “Well what are you waiting for? Get to work kid”. Before Jesper could open his mouth Ian disappeared to the back of the room leaving him with the mess. Jesper walked up to the tallest pile of books that he could find and thought to himself This is definitely going to take a while.

✼❆✼

It took more than a while. The sun was setting and Jesper finally managed to make the place look somewhat bearable to look at. Jesper busted his butt off cleaning the store. He dusted every crevice, every c***k and corner. Lets just say there wasn’t a spot that wasn’t abused by his rainbow feather duster. Jesper tried his best to arrange the books but the shelves were just too old, if he put any more books on the shelves it would 100% collapse. He had no choice to arrange the leftover books like before but this time it would be categorized properly by genre.

Jesper took a couple steps back and admired his work. He did a pretty good job for his first time. There weren’t any customers today which wasn’t that surprising with how awful the place looked. But it was still strange to see a*****e not have any customers. He guessed it was better for him. Since less customers equals less interaction which also equals less people finding out about his ears.

Jingle

He spoke too soon. The door opened revealing a man with long blonde hair wearing a big hat that covered his face, he was wearing all black from his hat, long coat and right to his socks. There was something about this man that didn’t feel quite human. In fact this man emitted an aura that sent a chill down Jesper’s spine. Jesper suppressed a shudder. The man felt unreal and he just stood at the door.

“Welcome!” Jesper chirped, trying his best to sound friendly. Jesper couldn’t see the man’s face but he could tell that he was staring at him. Jesper smiled at him “Is there anything I can help you with?”.

The man took off his hat revealing a petite face. His eyes were a shade of green that could be compared to emeralds. “Greetings” the man said with a voice that was as deep as the ocean.

“G-greetings” Jesper squeaked, his voice cracking. Ian didn’t teach him the basic etiquette when it came to handling customers. And it was tough for someone especially if that certain someone has never left his house the last 16 years.

The man walked towards Jesper and peered at him closely. He was dangerously close to Jesper’s ears, he could feel sweat beading on his forehead. “I’ve never seen you before. You must be new”

“I just started working today” Jesper replied with arms sticking right by his side, not moving an inch.

The man stepped back from Jesper “Hmm that’s interesting. Where’s Ian?”

Of course he’s associated with Ian. It makes sense now. That man attracts weirdos just like him. “He’s at the back. I could get him for you” Jesper pointed to Ian's office.

“I would like that, yes”

Jesper scurried his way to the office. Ian was sitting at his desk looking busy. Jesper knocked on the door to get his attention. Ian looked up and saw Jesper standing “Ah kid, come in. What’s up”

“There’s someone looking for you. Creepy dude? Wears a huge hat” Jesper gestured to his head trying to form a hat with hands.

“Oh you must be talking about Felix. I’ll be right there” Ian got up and passed Jesper. Felix was still standing at the same place where Jesper left him.

“Lix hey man. What are you doing here?” Ian exclaimed. He seemed excited to see him, they looked close. Felix nodded at Ian, acknowledging his existence. “Just wanted to make sure you weren’t looking for trouble but from what the looks of it, you did” Felix pointed to Jesper with his hat.

“This little guy? How dare you call him trouble. He is nothing but that” Ian covered Jesper’s ears over his beanie. As if Jesper couldn’t hear what was going on. “Jesper wouldn’t hurt a fly. I picked him up just yesterday”

“Picked him up?” Felix raised an eyebrow glancing at Jesper and Ian a couple of times. “What is he? A stray?”

“I’m not a stray” Jesper escaped from Ian’s grasp. “I’m just working here”

“But you’re living with me” Ian pointed out casually.

“He’s living with you?” Felix gaped.

“Not for free though” Jesper defended himself.

“What does he mean by that- Ian what have you been doing?” shock filled Felix’s face. Felix rubbed his temple. “I’m giving you 10 seconds to explain yourself”

“I mean there’s not much to explain. I picked him up, he stays with me in exIange he has to work for me” Ian shrugged, making it as if it was not something unusual. He left out the part where Ian found him beaten up bloody and that he tied him up with a rope while dragging him. But it’s okay those details are not that important anyways.

“Ian, I told you to lay low and this is what you do?”

“It’s not that big of deal I don’t get why you’re-”

“He’s here.”

Ian went stiff. Tension filled the air while the temperature dropped abruptly. Jesper didn’t know who “he” was but whoever it is he must be dangerous. Jesper made a mental note to never bump into him.

“How do you know this?” Ian said quietly.

“There have been reports that he has been spotted in the area”

Silence filled the room once more. Jesper opened his mouth and shut it. He had so many questions but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to know. He had nothing to do with this, so why bother.

Jesper turned away from the conversation and walked to the shelves to keep himself. Sometimes being ignorant is the best option.