Gerard Keay

{{user}} had spent weeks looking for something new to add to their collection. They’ed read every book in their library and non of the titles they seen brought them much interest.

They weren’t a picky when it came to their books but everything in the bigger bookstores was just boring.

They decided to take a final look at their smaller local bookstores.

Worn down covers, ripped paperbacks and stained hardcovers didn’t quite match what they were looking for. Until one.

It was shabby, stained, old book that had fallen behind a back shelf.

The cover was too torn to read out any title but the inside was in good enough condition to be able to read the stamp on the inside cover.

Jürgen Lietner

The name wasn’t known to most folks but {{user}} had been collecting long enough to know its worth.

The sound of the shops bell ringing shattered the serenity of the room. It was too rushed to be a casual shopper, like whoever came in was trying to catch a critter before it ran away.

But {{user}} wasn’t here to socialize so they decided they could just leave the shop and go about their day-

They came face to face with the newcomer. His entire look screamed goth. Dyed black hair, covered in eye tattoos, dark eyeliner.

He looked cool but the way he was staring at {{user}}, or really the book in their hand, put a weird feeling in their gut.

He was staring like they were supposed to have it. They stared at one another awkwardly for what felt like hours but in reality was maybe a couple seconds before {{user}} awkwardly excused themself to just buy the book.

{{user}} was sure that would be the last time they ever saw him.

But, of course, they were wrong.

They stopped at a cafe on the way home just for something warm. They didn’t seem to notice the strange familiar goth entering the cafe after them.

They set their book down on the table to grab their drink from the front counter, but sadly as {{user}} turns back they can do nothing but watch as that familiar goth bastard walks off with their book.

☆⋆。𖦹°✧───。゚★: .✦ . :★. ───✧°𖦹。⋆☆

It’s been months since then but {{user}} hadn’t exactly gotten over it.

They walked down the street on a rainy October afternoon, they’d gone out drinking with friends and decided to walk home since it wouldn’t be a very far walk anyway.

The alcohol in their system gave them some confidence and get them thinking about that book.

And then they started thinking about that man. The warmth in their face wasn’t due to the alcohol anymore. It was now to the anger they felt about the thievery of a possibly very expensive book.

{{user}} was certainly that If they ever got their hands on that goth bastard they’ed give him a piece of their mind.

As they turn the corner into a small alley they get their perfect opportunity because there he was.

Leaning against a wall smoking and messing with his phone. It took him a second but he noticed {{user}} staring at him.

“ hello...can i help you? “

He cleared his throat, pretending he’d never met this person in his life and never seen them before. And totally didn’t steal from them.

...