Short Story It's It Called Glardolet

It all started out with a bedtime story. Hugo had just emerged from after his shower and the door to the shared bathroom was wide open between the twins’ room and Thomas’s room. Warm air filled the space as Lily was tucked into bed by her mother.

“I picked up a story from the library,” Ellen said.

“What’s it called?” Lily asked curiously.

Hugo joined them as she read the story’s title. Thomas, in his room, became intrigued, “It’s called Glardolet.” Fourteen-year-old Thomas’s curiosity grew, but he resisted joining them. He felt he shouldn’t listen to a story meant for little children.

Ellen began reading, while Thomas willed himself not to be distracted by the story, although he couldn’t help but listen. In the story, there were many kings, queens, princes, and princesses. There was magic, evil witches, goblins, and ghouls. There were brave knights who slayed the dragons, and also fairies, hundreds of them. The land was full of adventure, and it was

Good night, love you.”

Morning came quickly with knocks on the door. Thomas ignored it, assuming Ellen would answer it, but she didn’t. The knocks were loud. He swore someone was going to break the door down!

“Thomas?” Lily said walking in, “Who’s that?”

“Stay in your room, I’ll go see.” Thomas quickly ran downstairs, eager to stop the noise. Peering out the window, he saw Mr. Benton, the librarian, so he swung open the door and demanded answers, “Mr. Benton, what is so important that you feel the need to pound on our door until I open it?”

“Well, you wouldn’t have taken me seriously if I’d simply rang the bell! I’m here for my book, where is it?”

“This book?” Lily asked, emerging from behind Thomas.

“Yes that book!” Mr. Benton said, snatching it from Lily’s hands, “Bad things happen to people who read this book.”

“Oh no! Mommy!”

“If she’s still alive, little girl, she’s in Glardolet,” Mr. Benton told them. With that, he was