He's always known he was different from the rest.

With his shaggy black hair, clothes too big they swamped his every step and cracked glasses that nearly gouged his eyes. But that wasn't what truly made him different. He's always preferred the appearance of books over human contact, often spending his days buried in a good book hidden away in the old library near his school.

The nice librarian nicknamed him a pesky shadow as he stalked her every move around the building, asking questions on each book he happened to see. The boy, Harry, felt at home among the creepy horrors and ghastly tales he read in old worn books.

He never bothered with heroic tales of knights fighting dragons, but of dragons devouring greedy kings.

Harry red them all, imagining his own adventures with monstrous knights and horrifying beasts. Though, he wished for more, to join in on this world of mystery and horror.

The librarian had such an odd smile when he told her, the iris of her eyes turning green and slit.

"Oh? You crave more monstrous stories and spine-tingling tales?" She asked of him, reaching beneath her desk.

"Well you're in luck, my little shadow, for I've been saving this particular book just for you." A thick hardcover book was placed gently on the counter, peeking Harry's interest.

"The tales hidden within are truly terrifying, they'll drag you off the edge of your seat." Green eyes were bright as he reached over and grabbed the book. A sudden tingling raced up from where he held the book, and he felt a pull deep within.

His vision began to blur, but he felt no fear even as he heard the librarian's faint words:

"Beware, dear shadow. You're in for a scare."

Harry's vision went white and he knew no more.

His disappearance wasn't noticed for several days, until he appeared once more leaving the library clutching his book tightly to his chest. His eyes were wild with mischief, hands twitching at every sound.

For all appearances he merely looked like a child who found his new favorite toy, he kept up his grades at school, and spent his days at the library.

But there was something different to him, a spring in his step, shadows surrounding him like old friends, crows cawing ahead as he walked along the streets, cats hissing in greeting and the wind rattling much louder as he approached.

Harry didn't seem fazed by any of it, greeting the crows and cats, cradling spiders crawling through his clothes, enjoying the harsh breeze ruffling his hair. He felt more free than ever before, and it was all thanks to his new book.

The item in question radiated chilling magics, it never strayed far from Harry's hand, even when his cousin tried to destroy it.

The magic inside the book was old, ancient, it rattled and hummed in the young boy's hands as he sat alone in the woods.

The shadows grew at every clash of magic, chilling howls and roars filled the boy's mind as he opened the old book and immersed himself into the world of terror.

And the title of that ancient book?

Goosebumps: Tales and Spells.


I really gotta update lmaoo, but plot-bunnies.