Fear and Love

Fear and Love

Young Maisie Stevens walked along the small town of Rainbow Falls where the mountains tower over the whole county and the light always hits the waterfalls just right, casting a rainbow all over the city.

She often came by the local coffee shop every morning to get her usual brew, flashing her smile to the other patrons who knew her well. 

She was the manager for local bookstore that she inherited from her family and often had readings inside of various works and everyone in town enjoyed all the performances.   It was a tradition in the family business that her father stressed

"A good bookstore, my child," he said smiling at her, "is a community gathering place, bringing the people together.  It I opens the minds of the people and provides some education to the young, and the author signings are the icing on the cake.  It's a party like no other!"

She smiled at that memory and took her father's world to heart and somehow or another, she just had a knack for having good authors to come by and do some readings.  No one knew how she continued to perform these "miracles"  but they just accepted it in any case. 

Today,  she left the coffee shop with a spring in her step as the fall colors and the autumn wind bringing a sense of change to the town.  Her bouncing brown hair, seemed to accentuate her mood and she unlocked her bookstore which she called "Treasure Cave", and set everything down on the counter while she retrieved the cardboard stand displaying the new announcement. 

"Come meet the author of "A Halloween Collection",  Ben Tyler for a reading and hang out event!  One time only here at Rainbow Falls!  Selfies allowed for a fee as are autographs.  His face looked slightly downward and he had a wicked smile as if he was the god of mischief. 

"Oh, yes!  Ben Tyler!  God of Mischief!", she said as she made her way to the back of the bookstore and turned on all the lights to illuminate the two story building in all its glory.

The passers by glanced at the window on their way and waved at her as she readied the store, moving tables, chairs and other items.  Just as she was about to finish up and open up, a figure appeared behind her and..

"Boo!"

She jumped straight up like a cat, knocking over chairs in the processn of turning around.

"Whoa, there, Maise!  It's just me!"

Breathing heavily, clutching her chest, she looked at the man and shook her head. 

"Ben!"

Ben looked at her and grinned sheepishly, and tentatively held out his arms, and shrugging his shoulders.  "Surprise?!", he said cautiously.

"Ben," she continued trying to slow her breathing.  "Don't do that!  It almost gave me heart attack!"

The young author looked down at the floor and then at the cardboard display.

"Well, I am the God of Mischief!  It says so right here, see!"

Her eyes glared at him for a moment and then shook her head again and sighed.

"Well, since you're here now, maybe you can help clean up the mess you made"

He grinned again and said, "You're welcome"

"Jerk!", she said as she picked up a chair then suddenly stopped.

"Ben, wait a sec.  I haven't even opened up the store yet.  How did you get in here?"

Ben looked at her and smiled.  "You let me remember?"

"Ummmmm.. no.", she said .  She shook her head vigorously.  "I open this shop and I close the shop, Ben.  Five days a week." She put her hands to her hips, thinking that she should call 911 yet...

"Hey, come' on!", he pouted.  "It's Halloween! To have a little scare is expected, right?".

Maise walked around to the counter with a frown.  "Something isn't right," she said to herself.  "I have never met this man before, yet I did invite him for a book signing and he is acting like he is familiar."

Ben walked closer to the counter, a smile on his face as he got to the edge.

"I know what you're thinking!   Maise Stevens, the girl in town who always has a smile on her face and trusts everyone!  And now, here you are confronted with a situation you've ever dealt with before!  A strange man, whom you invited for a book signing, suddenly showing up in the store before it even opens.  How do you handle it?"

Maise stood still, frozen in place, eyes wide like a deer in the path of an out of control vehicle, unsure of whether to flee or fight.

Ben laughed suddenly, hitting the wooden counter with both hands, guffawing, eyes suddenly gleaming yellow. "Yeah, I got your number, girl!  Yeah!!  How about we go out on a date before we open the store?"

"Predator! Predator!", she screamed at herself, though no words came from her mouth.  Her eyes, watered with sheer dread as his face filled her entire being.

The love she felt for her family, her town inside of her, trying desperately to remember everything of who she was, while her soul was slowly being smothered by this man.

"Give it up, girl!", no one ever gets away from me!  I get them all!"

"God of Mischief!" , she tried to shout, yet all that came was a meet whisper.

A few hours later, the local police and EMTs arrived at her bookstore trying to resuscitate the form of Ben Tyler who had suffered a heart attack.  They worked on him for a good half hour while the people watched and consoled young Maise.   Unfortunately, Ben didn't make it.

As the crowd dispersed, Maise went back to her bookstore along with her friend Lexie.

"Maise,", she said, not knowing what to say, shaking her head while Maise busied herself, rearranging chairs and removing the poster.

Maise,  turning her head to her friend smiled slightly.  "I'm okay, Lexie.  I think I just want to close up the shop and head home this time.  You take the rest of the night off".

Lexie started to protest but Maise held up her hand.

Lexie headed away from the bookstore while Maise looked on, her eyes a burning yellow.