Bookstore

_Well... That was surreal _I thought.

Having slipped the Spyglass? back into its case, I discovered it had a loop to sit on a belt, so I decided to put it on mine. Certainly made it easier than carrying it around by hand. When I opened the leather case I saw some lettering, faded but still there inside of it. 'Catcher'.

Catcher heh? Well, certainly beats calling it a spyglass...

I was contemplating how it could possibly do what that lady said it would, then brushed it off as likely a fantasy. But still.. She knew what was in my wallet.

Thankfully, I still had some space on my cards so I could go get myself a book.

Entering the Nook always made me feel comfortable. I was hit suddenly with the scent of books and old vanilla. Walking in, I gave a nod to the familiar cashier behind they desk and the lady there returned it. Walking along the soft carpeting I strolled over to the science fiction & fantasy section.

Nothing new from my authors, one of which we've been waiting on for a number of years now..

But I did find an anthology of steampunk stories that caught my eye. I decided to give it a quick try at one of the many armchairs that dotted the nook.

I hadn't even made it three pages in when the disruptive sounds of a couple ladies broke me out of my reading.

"Look, we can always come back later. I need to get my nails done!" Said one with a high pitch voice amidst smacks of bubblegum. Her hair was pink and cut short on one side and long on the other and she wore enough makeup to make me wonder what her complexion might actually be. The neon dress she wore was the quietest thing about her.

The one walking with her, might have been a friend or a sibling but I couldn't tell as she was much more subdued in attire of sweater and skirt with auburn hair. 'Your appointment isn't for an hour Chantal, and besides being in a bookstore might do you some good!" She said in a more alto.

'Whatever Jane' Chantal replied and began walking away from her - coincidentally putting her across my path.

She stopped near me and gave me a look, I looked up from my book at the sound of her heavy heels halting 'Yes?"

'Just Yes? Really?! What kind of people hang out in bookstores if that's all they can say when they see someone like me stop in front of them!" She asked, and I don't think she expected an answer.

But I gave her one anyway. 'People who aren't easily impressed." I blurted.

From the far end of the bookshelves Jane laughed, full bellied and it sounded delightful.

Chantal on the other hand curled her lips in a sneer "Those who don't have good taste you mean" She kept walking.

A weird impulse came over me..

I felt a pull to use the Catcher.. I slipped open the case almost automatically. Slid it open, and took a quick glance. No one was paying me any attention..

The lady's word's echoed in my mind. "Emerald first" I whispered to myself. And looked around. There were plenty of books of course but.. Hm.. I brought it up to view, and settled my view on a bookmark with a tassle - moved the Emerald slide in place and pushed the button. The sigils I saw in the lens glowed briefly.

Well now...

I guess I Have to try it..

I looked down at the far end where Chantal still was, she was on her phone while sitting on a pile of hardcovers - instead of the chair beside her.

That settles that..

I turned the Catcher to her and slipped the Ruby lens in place. Hesitated half a second. Her eyes flicked up at me, she opened her mouth.

I pushed the button - The Sigils glowed bright in the Ruby lens. There was an outline around her, then suddenly she was gone.

I set the device down and blinked.

She was just Gone! No, wait.. There was something..

I put the book down, sipped the _catcher _back in it's case and walked over.

There was a bookmark atop of those hardbacks. A long pink tassle. Wait a second..

I took a proper look. It was her, Chantal with her eyes staring forward, that provocative neon dress, hand on hip with one hand on her phone. Her pink hair was up and formed the tassel.

I picked it up and it felt soft and warm to the touch. The front of the bookmark felt like I was touching a person, with the almost slick fabric of the dress. The tassel when I touched it felt like hair. When I turned it over I saw the reverse of her body and dress.

On an impulse I pushed down on one of her breasts, and I felt the bookmark sink slightly. Yep, that definitely feels like a breast. A fake one at that..

'Hey there?" I turned. It was Jane.