Fumbled Book Novels & Stories

“Laura… I… Can’t…Breathe.” “Crud, I’m SO sorry.” She finally released me but kept me in her arms just at arm’s length, looking me over. “I hate to say it Chicka, but you look good. Like, way good…” She trailed off while still inspecting me head to toe, I crossed my arms feeling a little unsure as to what was happening…almost forgetting the book I had in my hand, and for the first time since leaving the library I took the time to inspect what Mina had handed me. “Shifters” was the titled, I bit back a snort, real original title. The book was bound in old leather and the binding had seen better days, the pages stained in yellows and almost browns. Some of the pages seemed to be bent over with

He backed me into the shelf, and suddenly. Thud. A book tumbled from the shelf, hitting the ground hard. We both froze. I stepped away quickly, cheeks flushed. Aiden’s breathing was heavy, his lips still parted. I knelt down and picked up the fallen book. It was old, with a cracked leather cover and faded gold lettering. Dust clung to its surface like it hadn’t been touched in decades. I wiped it clean, flipping it open. I flipped through the pages, one after another, but nothing stood out at first. My fingers were starting to cramp from turning the pages so fast.

My fingers fumble, and the book falls, wide open and face down. Another whistle rings out, closer this time. I pitch the book into the crate and scramble to sit on the pallet, wrapping my arms around my shins, tucking my knees to my chin.

Ruby The loss of the precious book struck a devastating blow on me, as it held the key to the healing knowledge I desperately needed, and now it was gone, leaving me feeling confused and lost. The thought of failing the challenge given to me by Madam Nelly pressed down on me, and this wasn't even about failing the already impossible task—the book was an invaluable guide owned by my grandmother for almost a thousand years. It was also passed down to her by her own grandmother, but now it is gone.

They all claimed my assistant had paid them to frame me. And my assistant? She said she did it out of jealousy. She claimed she had bribed the patient to plant the scissors after the surgery—just to ruin me.

The only thing I’m happy about was that I managed to wound her left eye. As my eyes scroll down the list, I notice something. One of the titles has the status: misplaced. Something strikes me, and although it might be useless, I check the shelf number and hurry over to where the books should have been. Climbing on the ladder, I poke around but see nothing. Disappointed, I’m about to climb back down when something catches my eye. There’s something stuck in the back.

“Yes sir!” the men replied. Once more, Zephyr laid his eyes on the books, his gaze rested on one of them. The book was covered in a layer of dust and was made of bamboo. It looked unique. “Thunderfoot?” Zephyr muttered as he opened the book, reading its contents. A wave of excitement washed over him. He excitedly flipped through the pages, carefully memorizing the technique’s intricate steps.

Intrigued, I tiptoed on the ladder, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Just as I reached for the silver-covered book, a misstep and almost fell but thanks to Lea. I got back my balance but caused several books to tumble from the shelf, creating a whirlwind of fluttering pages and misplaced hopes. I winced at the noise, my worries intensifying.

But try as I might, the answer eluded me, slipping through my fingers like grains of sand. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down, knowing that panicking would only hinder my search. With renewed determination, I continued to scour the shelves, refusing to give up until I found what I was looking for. What was I looking for? That book. The book that had the weird poem in it but it just disappeared. I remember throwing it away from me when it started writing on its own but I did return it to the shelf. Dejected, I turned to walk back as my head collided with a chest, throwing me down to my butt. “Ah! Princess, Are you okay?”

I admit and her brow furrows in confusion. "What do you mean?" she asks. "Well... Jack and I... we're in a... book club." I say, bracing myself for her laughter. Instead she cocks her head at me as if trying to judge if I'm being serious. "Really?" she asks. "Yes." "Why would that be embarrassing?" she asks. I chuckle a little and push off the bed, walking across the room to my bag. I pull the book out from it and hand it to her. She flips through it and my bookmark slips out. She lifts it to look at it then looks up at me.