Suzie looked directly at me, with concern in her eyes. "Where did you get that book?"
"Some woman gave it to me in the market. Why? Do you know what it is?"
"David, that book is evil."
"Evil?" I looked down at it. "What makes it evil?"
Instead of answering my question, however, she asked me "Did the woman say anything?"
"Huh?" I thought back. "Oh, yeah. She called me ... darkling."
Suzie took a few steps back.
"Suzie, what is it?"
There was fear on her face. "I thought I knew you," she said. It was almost a whisper. Then she turned and ran away.
I chased after her, yelling "Wait! Suzie! Come back!" As I ran, someone reached out and grabbed my arm, causing me to stop in an instant. I turned and saw that it was woman that gave me the book.
I suddenly became angry. I had lost my chance with Suzie, probably forever. I grabbed the woman with both hands and shook her. "Why did you give that book to me?!" I yelled at her.
She didn't appear to be afraid. "Because ..."
