Submission (#588) Approved

“Okay I have everything now” Birch closed his bag and looked at his collection of old and antique books “I need to find this book, I’ll be back soon”. He opened his door and started walking towards the closest bookstore hoping they would have the book he was looking for. Birch is a shy guy and not very good with people, he prefers to just stay home with his books. But recently he discovered this old book about the history of Aluriza that he really wanted to add to his collection.

He looked through the window of the bookstore “good there is nobody else” he sighed, opened the door and quickly made his way towards the selection of antique books. “Can I help you?” a smaller brownish Xero was standing behind him “Uhm… no no I’m fine” Birch stutterd and quickly turned back to the books.
“What are you looking for?”
“I’m looking for a very old book about the history of Aluriza” he quietly said while continuing to look through the collection of books. The Xero walked back to the computer and started typing “Do you have a title for me?”
“The history and origins of Aluriza” Birch looked at the floor, why does this Xero want to help him so badly. He continued looking for the book when the Xero came up to him “hey I check our register and sadly we don’t have the book you are looking for, I took the liberty of calling the other bookstore in town but they don’t have the book either”
“Oh uh… thanks” Birch quietly said while leaving the store.

He started walking towards his home again. What to do… I really want this book but that would mean leaving the town. He stopped walking and looked at his house, yes I have to do this, I have to get this book. He entered his house and started packing his backpack to go on his journey.

The walk to the next city was long and his paws were hurting. I need to take a break but all these places look so busy. He walked into a small restaurant and sat down at a table in the corner. “Can I take your order?” a lanky alien stoot at his table
“A hot chocolate”
“Anything else, we have some delicious fresh cakes”
The cake sounded nice but that would mean he had to ask what cakes they had so he just shook his head and the waiter left. He awkwardly looked around for a couple of minutes waiting for his chocolate to arrive. “Here you go, one hot chocolate” Birch quickly said thanks and looked at his drink. It looked very tasty with some small marshmallows and there even was a cookie next to it. He enjoyed every sip of his chocolate and when finished he placed the money on the table and left without saying a thing. “The bookstore has to be somewhere around here” Birch talked to himself but it was just loud enough for a small alien to hear him.
“You’re looking for the bookstore?”
“Huh, oh uh yeah sure”
“I’ll show you to it follow me”
“Uh… can’t you just tell me how to get there?”
The alien looked confused “you look like you’re not from here and I don’t want you to get lost, it’s no problem just follow me” Birch sighed and followed them. The alien told all kinds of stories while pointing at buildings but Birch wasn’t really listening.
“Well here we are”
“Thanks you can go now”
“Oh okay nice to meet you by the way”
The alien left and Birch took a deep breath before walking into the bookstore, please just have the book so I can go home.

“Welcome, can I help you?” well I guess if I let them help me I can go home sooner
“I am looking for an old book called the history and origins of Aluriza”
“Let me quickly look it up”
“I’m sorry we don’t have it here”
“Do you know a place where they might have it” Birch said, looking around the small bookstore.
“I think you will have the biggest chance in Harbor”
“H H Harbor… isn’t there any other place”
“Harbor had one of the biggest bookstores and a huge collection of old books”
Birch looked down “Thanks anyway” and walked away.

Guess I’m going to Harbor and he made his way to the closed transportation hub to take a high speed train and get to Harbor.

So many different species of aliens of all shapes and sizes how the hell am I supposed to get to the bookstore with all these people. “Hello and welcome to Harbor” a bright colored Xero looked at Birch “are you talking to me?”
“Yes you looked confused and lost so I thought you might need some help”
“No no I’m fine” he said and walked away.
“Wow wait buddy the city is the other way”
“Please leave me alone”
“Sorry I… I didn’t know I was bothering you” the colorful Xero turned around and walked away with his head down. “Wait I’m sorry I actually could use some help”
The colorful Xero looked back and smiled “how do I get to the bookstore?”
“That's easy you leave the station right there and then keep walking straight go left on the third street and it should be right there”
“Aren’t you gonna follow me there?”
“Nah you wanted to be alone so I’ll leave you but I can if you want me to”
“Uh… no no it's fine thanks for the help”

A bell sounded when Birch entered the giant bookstore “Wow I have never seen so many books in one place this is amazing” he looked around for the old and antique book section and smiled when he saw how big it was, I might even return here some day. There it was ‘The history and origins of Aluriza’ finally his search was over and he could go home, he grabbed the book and walked to the checkout. “I would like to buy this book please” the cashier smiled and Birch paid and left the store. I can finally go home and enjoy this new book!