E;TR. Ch 37.

Instructions

Trigger Warnings: First: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1154371538/ Previous: Next: soon ???: Chapter 37. Wow, if you told me seven years ago I’d be a loner with two part time jobs and a pack of wolves I would have called you crazy. Other than the wolf part. That’s always been a factor. I just picked up a morning shift at the library. It’s quiet, a lot of free time to think about my next plan. Almost too much time, and it’s only been four days. At least I get paid for babysitting the library. But there’s a whole section of books about the nether and its fungi. I was flicking through the last book in the section, feet up on the front desk when the door opens. My stomach drops when I see the people who enter the door. I tug my hood over my head quickly, putting my feet down. A girl with pink hair leans against the counter. “You must be the new employee. I’m Lizzie.” I know who you are. I shake her hand tentatively. “Shelby.” I say, using the name I’ve been going by as of recently. “I have the afternoon shift.” She explains. “This is my h- uh, this is Joel.” The brunette behind her waves. He has a streak of bright green in his bangs. His eyes are a deep brown. I nod politely and ignore whatever Lizzie was about to say when ‘introducing’ Joel. “Right, well, I can take over if you want to clock out now. I’m only like 10 minutes early.” I nod, keeping my head down. “Your voice sounds familiar.” Joel muses. “How strange.” I say softly. He watches me another moment before looking around the library. “I haven’t been here in a few years. Goddesses, It’s different.” “I’m surprised they haven’t shut it down yet.” Lizzie muses. “I’m glad they haven’t.” I say. She nods. “Right, well. I’ll be gone then.” I still have a couple hours until my shift in the bakery, so I grab the book. I had already checked it out. “Bye Lizzie. Joel.” I head towards the door. “Wait.” Joel says. He nods to my book. “If you’re looking for fungi, you should come to my shop. Upper Cove. The Mezelean Garden.” I bite back a gasp and nod. “I’ll check it out.” I rush through the door. Joel’s POV: “So… Shelby, huh?” I mutter, watching the hooded girl leave. “I’ll have to look into her.” Lizzie frowns. “She seemed familiar to you?” “Yeah… but it couldn’t be.” I chuckle. The sound of keys clicking as Lizzie types fill my ears. She hums. “You’re right, that does sound familiar. Shelby Berry.” “Berry…” My mind ponders this. “Hey, I knew someone with that last… oh my goddess.” I stand up. I can already hear the squeak in my voice. “Shelby! How did my mind not go there quicker! Lizzie, that’s Shrub, from the Undergrove!” I watch her blue eyes widen. “Oh my- is that why she was hiding her face? But why?” ”…We should talk to her.” ”Yes, we should.” Lizzie sounds upset. I spin her chair to face me and her eyes look far away. She blinks when her eyes meet mine. “I just… even with the amnesia I remember her, that means something, right?” I nod and pull myself onto the table beside her. “I’m sure it’s not personal.” I reassure her. She nods faintly, spinning herself in a circle in the swivel chair. “Who else from the empires do you think is still out there?” She wonders. Then her voice softens. “Who remembers the Ocean’s Heir?”