Andria Elizabeth wanted revenge. She walked crossly into the library, fuming her anger for what her person of interest, George, did to her. However, it was not her bitterness that brought her into the library; it was an assignment for her English course.

It was not the public library that she went to, but rather the best in her area. Mr. Linden’s Library was privately owned and managed by Linden himself. He was a retired English professor and started the library by promising his customers that he would provide the latest and greatest literary resources. From classical to post-modern, Mr. Linden’s Library was filled to the brim with literary genius.

She was walking through the R-P Fiction section when a book caught her eye. Andria stopped and approached the book. It seemed that as she drew nearer, the book seemed to glow and brighter red. She picked it up, noticing the book felt very dense given its normal size. It was titled, in a darker red, Retribution.

Incredulously, Andria started to read the book and was surprised to find out that the book seemed to mimic her situation. It read:

It seems, then, that the course of true love has no run smoothly. He betrayed me and now I burn with an intense hate inside me as to plot for revenge. He must be punished for his unspeakable act, and if God is not going to be the immediate judge, then I shall carry out that responsibility.

“What book have you found there, my dear?” asked Linden.

Andria froze and closed the book at once. “Re-retribution,” she stuttered.

“Ah, that book is an interesting read, but is perhaps not suitable for someone in your position,” he said, noticing the book’s glow.

“That’s all right,” she said, “I think I’ll check this one out. It seems interesting.”

“If you check out with this book, then it shall be the last one you’ll ever check out of this library,” he warned sternly.

“Was that a threat?” Andria snapped back.

“No, it was a warning, Miss Elizabeth. A warning I would take very seriously if I were you.”

She disagreed, turning her back to him and walking towards the receptionist, flashing her card.

“Hi, I’d like to check out Retribution,” she said, handing the book to the receptionist.

“All right,” she began, stamping the book, “This book will be due by the end of the month. Have a wonderful evening,” she quipped.

Andria walked out of Linden’s Library for the last time, missing the shock of the man’s face and felt a sense of victory as she continued onward. The book grew brighter.

...

It was late at night and Andria was still reading Retribution, lying on her bed. As each page passed through her eyes, the hatred for George seemed to intensify more so. Regardless, she loved the story, wondering how the victim planned to get revenge.

After reading a little while longer, Andria finally laid her head on the pillow and drifted into sleep, forgetting the reading light was still turned on. Retribution lay open over her left arm as she drifted into sleep.

The dream began. Andria was suddenly in her old high school, standing in front of George, still burning with anger. She walked towards him, while outside of her mind the book’s emanation increased, as if synchronized with her dream.

She delivered a powerful blow to George’s face with her left fist, knocking him aback.

“I HATE YOU!” came Andria, “YOU DESERVE TO DIE FOR WHAT YOU DID TO ME!”

She could feel the heat coming from her as the anger flowed, noticing the echo her yell had made while George composed himself.

Retribution glowed a hot red as luscious vines started to sprout from the spine of the book and began to caress Andria’s left arm while slowing gravitating to the right arm as well. Finally, the vines constricted.

“It ends now, Andria,” said George as he drew nearer.

She tried to retaliate, but found her arms unable to move. Leisurely, the vines began to wrap around her neck as her eyes fluttered.

“No! Stop!” she cried as George’s arms grasped her throat. Andria’s head began to move the pillow as she continued to twitch her arms. The vines grew stronger, though, as her hatred continued to fuel them.

George’s hands were now clasped around her throat as the vines constricted on her neck without hesitation. She fought it as hard as should could, but Andria now found that she was unable to breathe as well. Trying to scream, all she saw was George’s twisted grin. She gasped to no avail.

Suddenly, she staggered out of the dream into tunnel vision as Andria realized what the book had been doing to her. Failing to call for help, she could only watch through sinking vision as the vines continued to wrap around her entire head with no end in sight. Linden had warned her about the book. Now it was too late.

Her struggle finally ended a few minutes later as Andria closed her eyes for the last time. The book instantly stopped glowing its dangerous red and returned to its normal crimson tint while the vines receded back into the spine of Retribution.