Go For Gold

Author's Note

I wrote this book out of my profound passion for the paranormal and romance. Growing up in challenging circumstances, I was forced to start working at an incredibly young age. Some might argue that it was illegal for a young boy to labor late into the night, but it was during these trying hours that I discovered my love for writing. I stumbled upon my first opportunity in a dusty library, seeking solace from the bullies on my way home from school.

Within those dimly lit aisles, I found refuge among towering shelves and immersed myself in countless books. It was there that I met my first mentor, Doctor Schoon, a librarian with a peculiar German accent. Despite her occasional dismissal of me, little did he know that I would "borrow" the books, hiding them away in my suitcase, only to return them later.

With an empty stomach, I would sit by a candle during lights out, meticulously transcribing every word until I had copied the entire book. It was in those moments that my passion for writing was born, as I conjured up wild fantasies of adventure, love stories, and battles between the wealthy and the impoverished.

Although the librarian must have known the books were missing, she somehow trusted me. As the library expanded, I was offered a job and even received payment from the librarian herself, allowing me access to the higher shelves that most children couldn't reach. It was during one such day that I had a close encounter with the supernatural.

A chilling breeze swept through the library, causing the lights to flicker and an unseen force to disturb the atmosphere. My skinny legs trembled on the ladder, and I watched in horror as a picture book floated in mid-air before gently descending to the ground. Its pages rustled as unseen fingers flipped through its contents, while eerie whispers filled the air. Startled, I shouted and lost my balance, tumbling to the floor. A ghostly girl materialized before me, her soft giggle echoing through the room. Apologetically, she whispered, and then vanished like a wisp of smoke.

Rushing to the front desk, I called for Doctor Schoon, who greeted me with a knowing smile. "Ah, I see," she said, "You've met Julia." In that moment, my fascination with the supernatural ignited, and it is thanks to these extraordinary events that you now hold this book in your hands.

Young Chloe in this book is practically Julia’s twin.