The Hearts Darkness

I woke up from what seemed like a dream. I keep seeing this mysterious man in my dreams as if he is standing by my bed caressing my face. But I wake up and it’s a dream. Wow this man really must have gotten to me. I get up and shower and brush my teeth. I think I’ll go to the library today since I’m off work. I had been studying ancient scriptures and pictures from centuries ago. I always found those fascinating. I’ve heard tales since I was a child of time travel, vampires,wolves and all the things that go bump in the night. I know that they were probably stories to scare me but I was obsessed. The library had lots of books on those kinds of things and I would get lost in them for hours sometimes just reading and learning about everything. I couldn’t do that today. I promised Brenda I would pick up her new shoes she ordered from the city and bring them to the diner for her. She always had a taste for the finer things in life where I was okay with my black sneakers and pullover most days. I pull my hair in a bun grab an apple and head out the door. It was really cold outside and the wind seemed to be blowing very hard today. I’ve never been a fan of the cold weather. I arrive at the library and walk through two massive Golden like doors with large handles. The vestibule was like stepping into another world and always made me feel like I was stepping back in time. I go through two more doors and there are shelves ceiling to floor filled with books. There is a wrap around stair case that goes to 3 floors filled with wonder and magic in every page. This was my quiet place and where I felt complete. As I climb the stair case to the third floor filled with history and supernatural tales. I notice the conference room to the right had the shades drawn and voices were muffled from inside. That’s odd I thought. They never have meetings in there. I just head to the aisle I need and grab the book I’m looking for. I began reading about time travel and ancient portals that allow creatures from other parts of the world travel without being noticed. I begin to become consumed in the book that I forget about the time and unexpectedly I hear a click. The doors open from the conference room and 3 men walk out glancing at me. I suddenly felt like I was invading someone’s privacy even though the library was a public place. As I turn to look at the time I realize I had been at the library for 4 hours and I needed to get the shoes for Brenda before the post office closed!!! I rush to put the book back and I grab my bag and turn around and bump into a tall man. Apologizing and still looking at my feet I look up and it’s Joe! He seems different than last night. He was mesmerizing! His eyes sparkled and his lips pink and soft looking. It was almost like I was in a trance staring at him. I started to lose my balance and was caught by two muscular arms that wrapped around my body. It felt so good to be held that way. Immediately I snapped out of my trance. Joe I’m im so sorry I wasn’t watching were I was going I’m so clumsy sometimes. Please forgive me. “It’s okay I think I may have stepped in your way” Lisa right? My name in his mouth just sends my head spinning. Why does this man I barely know make me feel this way. It’s like I’m under a spell of some kind. “Yes that’s me Lisa from the diner” “ Lisa I don’t have any plans for dinner tonight. Would you like to join me for dinner? Ummm no ….. yes …no I mean well I’m not doing anything so yeah sure why not. Good! I’ll have my driver pick you up at 7. See you then. As Joe walks always I’m still trying to plant my feet firmly on the ground. What just happened? I never agree to dates or dinner or anything. My face turns red and I notice the clock. Crap!!!! The shoes Brenda!! I rush down the stairs and out of the library. I pick up the shoes and head into the diner. Out of breath from jogging most of the way. I stumble through the doors. Brenda being the bubbly person she always seems to be looks over and giggles. “ slow down silly” She smiles when she sees the package in my hand. Realizing it’s her shoes she jumps around in excitement. Thank you thank you thank you! I can’t wait to wear these on my date. Brenda always had a date. She enjoyed living her best life. So Brenda said how handsome was our out of town visitor yesterday? I wish we had more visitors from out of town. Everyone seems so boring nowadays. As she continues to chatter I’m lost in thought thinking about last night at the cemetery and today in the library and my dreams. Suddenly I snap back to reality and gasp! Brenda stops and looks at me with concern and a puzzled look on her face. What is it Lisa? Well I ………… kinda have dinner with our new visitor tonight. I fiddle with my fingers and tap my feet. Brenda looks very serious at me and slowly a smile creeps on her face and she lets out a loud scream!! The entire diner looks at her jumping up and down and hugging me almost squeezing the breath out of me. Oh Lisa!! I’m so excited for you. You never get out or go anywhere except for putting your nose in those books”! She always thought my infatuation with the supernatural was crazy. So tell me where are going? What are you wearing? Who will be there? All the questions just made me dizzy. I was already nervous about tonight’s dinner with Joe and Brenda was just to energetic to deal with right now. Okay Brenda I will fill you in later Love you, I hug her and run out the door. I head back home to start getting ready for my dinner tonight and then it hits me wait how will his driver pick me up? I never told him where I live! How does he know??? Curiosity was getting the best of me now but I was running out of time. I had to get dressed. I rummage through my closet. I mostly had Tshirts and jeans but I remember having a yellow dress from a wedding I attended for a friend a couple of years ago. I find the dress slip into it and find a pair of sandals that had a small strap across the top and back of my foot. Hmmmm well this will have to do. I take my hair out of the bun brush the frizz out of it and pin the sides back. I glance over at my watch and it’s 6 pm. Just as I was getting ready to look outside I hear a horn. I grab my sweater and purse and head out the door. A tall thin man wearing dark glasses and a suit is waiting outside by the back door to an SUV for me with the door open. He greets me with a low Ms………. I carefully climb in making sure not to bring in any leaves from outside into this clean vehicle. . Panic sets in. I’m nervous… what will tonight be like……