Chapter 2
2/24
“Ruby! I know your mother may have left the office in your hands but as the landlord I still need your payment,” scolded my landlord. I wish Mom had left me with more money for this kind of stuff.
“Okay! Um…” I'm at a loss for words. I'm really behind on the rent. Even with the previous payment Mr. Schnee gave me I'm still short for the last month and a half!
“Tell her you're working on some cases that'll help bring in money, Ruby,” Weiss advised.
“I'm working on some cases that'll help bring money don't worry Ma’am!” She took my excuse and left my office, leaving me with the looming deadline of half a month to get my act together. Man, she had to slam the door too.
“Why this profession, Ruby? You barely get any revenue! At this rate we won't have a place to stay!” The apparition yelled.
I sat down my chair and tried to dismiss the ghost that was at my side and focus instead on the issue in front of me.
“Someone please just walk in the door and give me a case,” I prayed. I scrawl on top of my desk, earning myself a lecture on proper posture.
The bells above my door ring and I'm greeted with what I hope to be a client. She walked with a certain air about her to my desk while I straightened myself out.
The woman in front of me wore a black bow on her head with black knit sweater with white shorts and leggings. Her scheme of black and white was similar to mine, which was black and red. She took a seat and addressed me.
“Hello. I'm Blake Belladonna. You must be Ruby Rose?”
“That's me! We here at Rose Co. are here to help you in all of your paranormal needs!”
“Good, because I feel as if there are things happening that can't be explained. You see, I'm a librarian. The books I take care of are missing pages. I would know,” she informed me.
“And you're sure it's not just people damaging library property?” I ask. I can't deny that this could just be a colossal waste of time if it were.
“Yes! I'm sure of it. The books that had torn pages were all from the theocracy section,” explained Blake. “If you accept my case, I can show you more inside the library.”
“I think this is wonderful! I may not know much about all of this… paranormal investigation business but I have read numerous books. I'll do my best to assist you!” beamed Weiss. I guess she's that excited for the case. I look over in her direction and nod, then looked back at Blake.
“We'll take your case, Miss Belladonna.”
“Thank you very much, and just Blake is fine”, Blake then turned towards a more questioning tone. “You keep saying ‘we’, but there's only one of you here,” she continued.
“Telling her that there's a ghost currently inhabiting your coat, and that it's right next to you certainly doesn't do well to her image of your sanity. Just tell her I'm on vacation for a while,” Weiss advised.
“She's on vacation. it's just a force of habit to say ‘we’,” I repeated. Blake nodded and stood up, placing a card on my desk.
“It's the library's address. Come anytime this week.”
2/25
Beacon Public Library
On the outside the library looked pretty nice. It's name was displayed in large letters off to the side, and seemed to be decent sized.
I walk inside and the doors automatically open and I search for the librarian, Blake.
The building was tightly packed with students, children, and adults all trying to find a perfect book or to study. It's after sifting through the children's center and videos section do I find my client.
“Welcome. Please, if you'd allow me to, I'd like to show you the section. I blocked it off for your investigative purposes so there won't be any interruptions,” she elaborated. We walk towards the section located in the library's right wing. Like Blake had mentioned before, it was blocked off. Signs that say ‘currently under work’ were covering both entrances to the aisle.
“Convenient for us, wouldn't you say Ruby?” Weiss mentions. I soon realized that if I were to respond, it would seem as if I'm talking to no one. I resolve to find a solution later as Blake starts pulling out books and opening them to torn pages.
“These are the books that have been torn”, she put out, “I'll be in the desk where you found me if I'm needed.” Blake took her leave and left Weiss and I alone to work.
I took a seat in the aisle and started to flip through the books given out for me. It wasn't long before I found a pattern in the torn pages and the books. They all talked about these demons called Grimm. Horrible creatures that, if summoned, able to wreak havoc. The torn pages in particular were instructions on how to summon said demons.
“No, not this. It can't be,” I thought aloud. I was taught at a young age that not everything that's believed to be supernatural or paranormal is true, but I know this one for a fact is.
“Ruby, what's wrong? You look pale, and I'm a ghost for crying out loud!” Weiss examined. My expression was completely different from when I had first entered the library.
“Weiss, these things that are in these books, the things that this”, I took a breath, “perpetrator is trying to summon are what my Mother was working on when she dissappeared."