Fantasy in the Book Store

"Can I help you kids with anything?" Comes a dry voice from behind them. Xander jumps a little, half startled out of his skin and drops the dusty old fairytale book he was holding. Luna pivots around until she comes face to face with a short old woman whose wrinkled face seemed to be moulded into a permanent scowl.

"We were just looking” Xander winces nervously, as he hurried to flatten out a page of the book he dropped.

The old woman just stares at them and rolls her eyes "You'll never get a crease out like that," she mutters, snatching the book out of 's hands. "Follow me, follow me." she wheezes and begins shuffling down an isle between the overflowing bookshelves.

Luna glances worriedly at before grasping his hand Xander and leading them behind the old woman. She leads them to an old wooden desk with piles of books and an ancient cash register on it. Then places the book down on it before selecting a huge, heavy looking book out of one of the piles and loudly dropping it on top of it. "That'll fix it. I'll be back in just a second, please try not to break anything else in that time." She tells them in a monotone voice before walking away.

"What do we do?" Luna worries.

"I don't know," replies Xander in a harsh whisper "why did we even come here? It's so creepy, I'm pretty sure I saw something moving under the shelves over there."

"Maybe we could sneak ou-"

"I'm afraid that won't be possible kids, if you break it you buy it and you’re not leaving my store without buying that book." the old lady interrupts, startling them both.

"We were going to," Xander mumbles sheepishly. Embarrassed at being caught and edges forward, pulling his wallet out of his back pocket.

"Then follow me, the registers up front." the old lady says and shu...

... middle of paper ...

...a breath as Xander's thumb rubs circles into her skin, his hands are like ice.

"I need a princess," Xander says, almost apologetic.

Luna stares at him, unamused. "Sorry, but I think I've already proved that I can't be that."

Xander's hand on her shoulder tightens. "It's. ...I need a princess," he says again, and his eyes are emotionless as they move up to Luna's. "I'm sorry, Luna," Xander says, sounding apologetic. "It won't work if it's you."

"No, Xander, you - " Luna starts, stumbling over her words, trying to pull out of Xander's hold. "It doesn't have to end like this- "

"Yes," Xander breathes,"Yes, it does."

"Xander," Luna whimpers, "Xander, don't, please, I love you."

"I'm sorry," Xander says again, his face emotionless. "I'm sorry, Luna. I'll miss you."

"Don't," Luna cries, and watches a slow, horrible smile grow his face before he pushes her off the cliff.