by LK Kelley
Gem put her pencil down, and remembered that the dream always ended with her screaming when she awoke. Worse, and even more embarrassing and frustrating, was the fact that she was so horny, she had to touch herself to get some kind of release! Thank goodness her Dad wasn't alive to see the change in her features that had manifested over the last five years. Her arousal after the dream caused her eyes to glow red just like the woman's in her dream. And, it happened every single time she was aroused. It was so scary, she had refused to write it in her diary in the past. Gem had made the decision to put her diary away, and never write in it again – until now. All her other dreams were more dreamlike. But, some of them were so erotic, she had to bring herself to an orgasm, and the last couple of weeks, it was almost every single night! Gem had no idea why this was happening to her, but she sure wanted to know. No. It wasn't a want, but a need to know!
Lola watched her little pet, while cocking her head to the right. Lola meant the word “little” as it pertained to her pet, because Gem was barely five-feet tall, and sported long, bright red hair, and cool, emerald green eyes. She had milky white skin that was pale, but had a luminosity that caused her skin to have a faint, but soft glow. Her nose was smaller, while her lips were full and naturally pink, so lipstick wasn't necessary. And, let's face it! She never went anywhere, and never had dates, so why should she wear makeup? But, when her eyes twinkled, it gave her a mischievous glow, bringing a smile to whoever was the recipient of it. She wore only a minimum amount of other makeup. Her figure was all woman! Her breasts had always been larger than most girls, her waist was not skinny, but perfect, and her hips gave her that hourglass figure most girls would die to have!
All these features, when seen as one, simply gave Gem an almost ethereal look. But, still, Gem was the epitome of what some might call a “pixie”, and it fit the description of her personality perfectly. Always smiling, she bounced around with plenty of energy, and she cheered up everyone she met – even when she was miserable.
Barely five years before, when Lola had seen her red eyes for the first time, she knew the time had arrived for Gem’s destiny...and, Lola was so not looking forward to it! However, she was Gem's guide, so she sucked it up, and waited for the event that she had waited for over the eons that would change everything.
Watching Gem put her notebook away, Lola could tell she was very despondent. No ideas meant no writing. And, writing was absolutely her entire life. And, where was the best place to get new ideas? Why, Gem needed to go to that odd building she called the “ library”. It had lots of books, and might provide Gem with the ideas she might need. Hmmm. Periodically, Gem would take Lola with her, dropping her off with her other pet human, Taylor Tamson, who was Gem’s best friend. The two were the exact opposite in personality. And, they really got along great!
Gem and Lola lived at the base of the Rocky Mountain Foothills, about forty minutes from downtown Denver, Colorado – in the middle of nowhere. There were also no internet connections, so Gem couldn’t do research for her books online with her computer, iPad, or even her iPhone. She barely got cell service, and it was “iffy”. So, she nudged Gem until she lifted her head, and frowned at Lola.
“What’s the deal, Lola? You can’t be hungry! I just fed you breakfast!”
Gem got up, stretched, and paced as she fought for some kind of an idea. She stopped, and turned back to Lola.
“Well, I could do the usual, you know. Werewolves, Demons, Vampires, or Fae are the popular things these days,” she said to Lola, who yawned.
And, that was really what the LaMonte Publishing House wanted her to write about. The few times her cell did connect, which was last night, she received a call from Norman LaMonte, her publisher.
“Come on, Gem! The public is clamoring for those types of books, and you are my best writer.”
“You can't be serious, Norman! Do you know how many of those types of books are out on the market? How could I compete?”
“Look. It would sell, because you are one of my finest writers!” Norman had told her. “Besides, it's what the public wants! We are in the business of selling entertainment for the eyes. So, get over it, and start writing! I need that book in a couple of months!” Then, he had disconnected the call, leaving her angry, and even more frustrated than ever!
Gem had fought against writing those kinds of novels with every single breath. All of them were pretty much alike. And, they were not what Gem wanted to read. She wanted something unique like her last Trilogy. Despite the fact that she was one of the more popular writers, and her books were making a small amount of money on Kindle, it was just not enough. She wanted to be able to live as a writer. Since Gem couldn't do that, yet, she was forced to supplement it by working as a cashier at the only grocery store in town owned by Macklin Simmons of Simmons Grocery. In addition, she also held a part-time job at the library. Since she was majoring in writing, it was the best possible world for her! After all, not only did she have to live and eat, she also was paying off her Father's hospital bills that had incurred after he spent two months there just before he died. She figured she would be paying those off even after she was dead at this rate!
Pacing more, she muttered, “I just need a new angle on the supernatural, Lola. But what?”
Lola flew under her feet, and nudged Gem, again. She only did that when…wait. Gem's eyes grew wide. She just realized that Lola only did that when Gem went to her hole-in-the-wall town’s library. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion looking into Lola’s eyes with shock. Was Lola communicating with her? How the hell could that be? She was a dog. No. That would be the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard!
“Are you talking to me, Lola?” Gem just had to ask, anyway. Lola cocked her head to the other side, and nudged her nose against Gem again. Frowning, she squinted her eyes at her. “No, you can’t be, right? I mean, animals can’t talk,” she said, and laughed as she deliberately slapped her forehead with her hand, causing a loud cracking sound. “Gem, you’re losing it! You really are! You’ve been living alone for far too long, and writing way too many fantasy novels! Now, you’re starting to believe what you write?”
Looking at Lola, she said, “Well, I guess going to the library will get me out of the house!”
To which Lola just nodded, receiving another surprised look from her pet. Well, she did love to look at the ancient books that were in the climate-controlled room. She was so good with books that she had been put in charge of the ancient books and documents. She stood up, and slapped her legs.
“You’re right, Lola! I do need to go to the library. I’ll be back before dinner. You want to go out, or stay in today?” she asked her not expecting an answer.
Nevertheless, Lola cocked her head at her well-trained pet. It sure did take her long enough to get through to Gem. While Lola usually loved inside, today she just wanted to run and play. After her brief potty break earlier, she had seen that it was already a perfectly beautiful fall day. And, she figured the shit was going to hit the fan soon enough, so she had better take her breaks, now, before she couldn't any longer. Lola darted to the back door, and looked back at Gem wagging her tiny, little curled tail. With the fenced yard, Gem didn’t have to worry about Lola getting in too much trouble, and she had a huge place to run. She had meant to put a doggy door in, but kept forgetting to do it. On the patio, Lola had a little doghouse just in case Gem didn't get back in time if it rained, or was later than usual. In the winter, Lola would always stay inside! She hated the cold, especially when it snowed outside, and her butt was always so cold! But, it was still nice even though Thanksgiving was just a few weeks way. Right now, all Gem needed to do was to leave a few snacks, and Lola would be all set for the day.
“You know, Lola? If I didn’t know any better, I would swear you could understand every word I say!” she muttered.
Lola heard her, stopped, and barked, bringing another shocked look from Gem!
“Nope! Not going there, Lola! I already have enough of an
active imagination!” she laughed.
Gem set a large bowl of water for Lola on the deck, a small snack, then closed and locked the door. As if she had anything valuable in the house. She grabbed her purse, phone, and laptop, then jumped into her rattletrap of an old, rusted-out Ford truck. People laughed at it, but she loved it. It was all she had left of her Father, except for the house. While she drove, she reflected, yet again, on how her Mother had been killed in a car accident eleven years ago. Gem had been running on the road, but she still had no memory of why! Her Mom had been driving to Simmon's Grocery, simply because she was out of sugar, eggs, and milk. No matter how hard she tried, she had never been able to remember. Since her Dad had died, his truck was more important to her than ever.
Anyway, she had to drive, and she certainly couldn’t afford to buy one, used or new. She was barely making ends meet as it was. Jobs were scarce since the 2008 mortgage debacle, and the only real job she could find was at Simmon's Grocery Store. At least, both the house and truck were paid for, and just recently, her book trilogy had begun to sell in spurts all over the world. Even so, it would be quite some time before she saw any money from it. She had several rejections at large publishing houses, so she had found an Independent Publisher who accepted it immediately. She really didn’t know why the sudden sales were happening, and neither did her publisher, but hell! She wasn’t complaining. Maybe, just maybe, she could finally become a best-selling author. But, still, it was hard work to get her name and books into the outside world. If only she had the money to go to book signings, and other appearances. But, where she lived, there was only the Sinclair Library owned by the tiny college, where she worked from four to ten every other day, and a couple of very tiny bookstores which never had booksignings. Even sadder? They wouldn't even carry her books! So, her only alternative was to rely on social media – especially Twitter. At least this way, Gem could get her name out faster all over the world!
When Curt and Jerry Elwood adopted her as a baby, they legally changed her middle and last name to Gemma Allen Elwood, her middle name taken from her Mom's maiden name, and her Dad's last name, of course. Her publisher wanted to change her name, and she balked at it. Together, they decided that she should write under the alias of her real name, G.A. Elwood. At least they never changed her first name, because, as her Dad always said, she was the brightest “gem” in their lives. Her Dad had toyed with the idea of calling her “Rusty”, because Gem's hair was the exact color of rust. Gem was one of the few girls whose red hair did not run riotously around her face. She kept it a long length down to the middle of her back, and it was loaded with soft waves that only emphasized her pale skin, and of course, the freckles on her face. OK. The freckles she didn’t like, but that just wasn’t something that could be changed, and she had accepted that fact long ago.
Sighing, Gem had to finish her research, before she would head to work as a cashier at Simmons from 9 to 11 pm. It was really lucky, because the grocery store was right next door to the library. She wanted, and needed, a full-time job, but the economy was very bad in their neck of the woods, and at least her part-time job gave her money for food.
The Sinclair Library had assigned Gem her very own parking place, because she was the well-known celebrity in town thanks to her books. And, that meant that she didn’t have to waste gas! So, Gem turned into the library's parking lot, putting the truck into park – just as a huge bolt of lightning flared, making her jump.
“That’s just great!” she whined to no one as she stepped out of her truck, and into the random hard drops that always comes with a bad storm. What the hell?
She totally ignored the black lettering above the door that declared the name “Sinclair Library of Fate” in her desperation to get inside. The name had too much of a conotation to it, so it had been shortened by the public to just the Sinclair Library, and finally, just the library. Hoping she could get into the building before the next lightning strike shot from the sky, Gem quickly ran up the three short steps into said building. The second she stepped inside, high winds began to whip about in almost hurricane force. The trees bent halfway, and then, a deluge broke loose. Gem paused in the foyer to look out the door’s windows. Watching the wind blow, she was truly thankful to the fates that she was allowed to get her toe inside, before she was caught in it!
“Whoa!” she whispered, drawing back in surprise when she saw a metal something fly by the door. Not good to stand here with that happening!
Turning she ran up the ten stairs leading into the main room of the library. As usual, no one was present at two o’clock in the afternoon. Ordinarily, the only other person inside it was Taylor Tamson, who was Gem's best friend. Taylor was about nine years older than Gem, but their friendship was immediate the day that they had met six years prior. She was about five-foot seven inches tall, and had an absolutely gorgeous figure! She was extremely well-proportioned, despite giving birth to her two children – Shirley who was six and seven year-old Marcus. Taylor had two very unusual features. First, her snow white hair flowed down her back to her waist, which she deliberately kept in either a tight bun or a long ponytail. Her second feature were eyes of lavender, so pale, they were almost white. And, her eyes drew men to her like flies, even though she had been married to Richard, or Rick, Tamson for the last ten years. None of them even had a prayer of getting anywhere with her, and she generally ignored them. Not that it deterred them in anyway, but her skin was fair, her lips pink and plump, and it looked as if her legs never ended they were so long. And, that kept the men – and boys – trying to gain her favor!
Both little Shirley and Marcus loved Lola to distraction, and Lola returned that love when Gem let them pug-sit for her. There was no doubt whatsoever that Lola would protect them with her life if need be. Recently, Taylor and Rick had been thinking about adopting a pug from Colorado’s Pug Rescue just as Gem’s family had done. And, Gem was encouraging them to do so. She wasn’t thinking of herself, but if they did, then, Lola would have a friend to play with when she would stay with the children.
Gem headed for the librarian's desk that was situated within the middle of the library to put her things into the file cabinet, and then looked up into Taylor's face.
“Hey, tall and lanky!” Gem laughed. Between the two of them, Gem was short, and maybe had a few extra pounds, which didn't show even though she thought they did, while Taylor was just tall and skinny.
“Hey, yourself, Ms. vertically challenged!” Taylor laughed back at her. “So, back for more torture? And, why are you here so early today, anyway?”
Gem plopped herself on the stool that sat behind the desk, ignoring Taylor’s question for the moment.
“Man! Did you notice the storm outside? I mean, I've never heard or seen the wind blow this hard!” As if on cue, a huge gust of wind hit the side of the building, and shook the narrow windows above that circled the building. Both girls jumped.
“Wow!” Taylor gasped. The girls had dropped to the floor when they heard all the rattling.
“Yeah! What you said,” Gem agreed. “Oh. To answer your question? I needed to do some research to find something new and different for my next book.”
Both stood back up, and Taylor signed onto the computer.
“OH! Well, I get that. Besides, I really don't think we're going to have that many customers today!”
While Gem agreed by nodding her head, Taylor grabbed two dusters, and tossed one at Gem. Following Taylor, the two women started dusting the shelves. For the next two hours, they circled the room talking as they dusted. No one entered during the entire time, but then, the storm had not abated at all.
“Anyway, to answer your question of earlier, before I was so rudely interrupted by that big blowhard,” she grinned, “when am I not here for torture! I so miss not having an internet connection, Tay! But, I’m stumped. Writer’s block,” she poked herself in the temple. “I need a demon idea, before my publisher is put into the hospital with a coronary!”
&nb
sp; “So, that publisher of yours is giving you a hard time?” Taylor asked as she ran the feather duster across the shelves and the top of the books as if there was dust when they both knew there was none.
“Yeah. He wants me to write...wait for it…. A Demon series!”
Taylor stopped dusting, and turned around with wide eyes.
“Seriously? Why would he want that? Most all of them are alike! Why would he want you to write one of those?”
Gem stopped dusting. She tilted her head as something came to her.
“Taylor, will you explain to me why we are always dusting dust-free shelves and books?” Watching Taylor shake her head, Gem continued. “Oh...he thinks it’s going to be good for his publishing company, and wants to get in on the bandwagon, I guess. At least that’s what he told me. I think it’s really silly. I wrote my fantasy books without the normal paranormals on purpose! I didn’t want to be like everyone else,” Gem giggled. “Seriously, though? I almost wanted to tell him to vamp-off!”
Taylor, who was standing on the third rung of the ladder, dropped her duster, fell off the ladder, and onto the floor erupting in boisterous laughter.
“V-vamp-off?” she roared. “Did you really just say that? That’s just s-so h-hilarious!” she gulped between breaths. “W-whoa, girlie! You are sure full of something! Gem, you should be writing comedy!” Taylor laughed even harder.
“Hey! You mean bullshit? Taurus, remember?” Gem pointed to herself. “And, let's face it! I have always had that talent!” Gem joined Taylor on the floor laughing so hard, they had their arms holding their stomachs.
Their laughter almost drowned out the hurricane force winds and rain outside. It was really lucky that no one was in the library at the moment, because the girls were laughing just far too loud. After about ten minutes, their giggle boxes landed right side up, but stopped immediately, when a man came through the door with a disappoving frown. They picked themselves up off the floor, and strolled back to the desk with huge smiles on their faces. Both women knew he came every other day at exactly four thirty pm every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday...and he was never late. The last two hours had flown by, Gem grinned at the pun, and she had gotten nothing at all done with her research!
