Content, I all but skip out of the coffee shop on campus and turn toward the library. With the late-afternoon sun on my face, I feel like I can accomplish anything. Especially after the long day I’ve had. My instincts screamed for me to head back to my dorm to pass out, but before I could fall into a deep slumber, I changed out of my uniform and into a cute little summer dress.
The blue floral print across the white fabric is a little too cutesy for me. Well, the old me, I should say. I would never wear this back home, fearing ridicule or feeling like a fraud, but here, no one knows how out of place I am. The cuffs irritate my upper arms and the hem feels like it’s sitting an inch too short, but I fight against the need to tug it down.
Instead, I take a gulp from my mug of sweetness and stride with a confidence I didn’t know I had.
Nearing the library, my stomach swirls with uncertainty, and at the same time, my cell phone chimes, confirming an incoming text message.
I pause at the bottom of the steps leading up to the stone building and pull my device from my small purse.
Ocean: Are you sure you don’t want some company?
Elodie: I’m sure. Thank you, though. You deserve a break from my drama, and I need to remember what it’s like to stand on my own two feet.
Ocean: Fine, I’ll hit the gym alone. *Insert sad face*
Elodie: I’ll be there next time!
Tucking my cell phone away, I roll my shoulders back as I stand tall, clutching my hot chocolate like my life depends on it. The reality is, I need to see if I can find out what I am, and if it’s bad, I don’t think I want anyone else to know. Especially not the one person who wants to be my friend. Or the man guiding me through the darkness while keeping me alive for people I don’t even know.
I shake the thought of Walker from my mind as I reach for the door handle and step over the threshold. The rich scent of books fills my lungs and a sense of comfort washes over me as I take in the room before me, my jaw falling looser with every breath I inhale.
The high ceilings rise to a glass dome in the center, the natural light cascading over the room,dancing across every wall stacked to the ceiling with books. There must be three floors, all with pages and pages of knowledge, and I’m ready to sink my teeth into it all.
“Hey, do you need any help with anything?”
I blink at the girl who materializes before me. Her blonde hair is cut into a bob, framing her bright-green eyes as she smiles.
Clearing my throat, I hold my drink to my chest and plaster a smile on my lips. “I’m just wanting to do some research on all supernaturals,” I offer, trying to remain as vague as possible.
Her eyes widen a fraction. “Why?”
My mouth dries with panic. “Honestly, The Institute Games sound daunting, and I want to be able to understand everyone I’m up against so I have the best chance of winning.”
A grin spreads across her face. “Competitive, I like it.” She turns to stand at my side, waving her hands at the room. “Everything there is to know about anything worth noting is in the far right section. No one goes over there, so you’ll pretty much have the space to yourself. Just make sure you tidy up after yourself,” she states with a wink, and I smile, more genuine this time.
“I will, thank you.”
Her gaze dips to my drink. “And no spilling drinks,” she adds before sauntering off.
Following her direction, I bypass rows and rows of books before I arrive at the section she was referring to. The layout of the bookcases is different here, almost curved as they separate me from the rest of the room, and it feels like I’m in my own little bubble.
In the center of the shielded space sits a round wooden table with four chairs. Placing my hot chocolate down, along with my purse, I lean back against the edge as I survey the books before me, trying to guess where exactly I’m supposed to start.
Deep in thought, I mindlessly tap at my cupid’s bow as I take a step toward the looming shelves, daring to trail my finger over the row at eye level. My gaze latches onto a book with one word etched down the side: Witches. I take it off the shelf and quickly hunt for a few others relating to vampires and wolves so I don’t look like a liar if the girl reappears.
With my distraction books splayed out across the table, I return my attention to the available books, taking my time to read each title so I don’t miss anything.
Searching through theStitles, I sigh with disappointment when I don’t find one that screamsscythe. When it’s clear it’s not going to be as simple as that, I look for more generalized books, selecting a few titles that are a mixture of texts. Some resemble encyclopedias, while others look like folklore tales.
My real stack of books holds my attention as I consider where to start, unable to sit down as I tower over my selection, but when my cell phone pings, it’s not a text message; it’s a notification from the surveillance camera I have set up over my bed.
I stutter a short, sharp breath as I press on the notification, watching as my screen comes to life. Releasing a calming exhale, I convince myself it must be Ocean, but when my bed comes into view, the figure that fills the frame definitely isn’t her.
Dressed head to toe in black, I watch as they stand at the foot of my bed, running their gloved hand over my sheets before they inch even closer and take a seat on the edge. I can’t breathe, my attention enraptured in their every move as they spin, lifting their legs as they fully lie down on my bed.
Their hood is up, obscuring their face from my view.
I take a backward step, my gaze still locked on my cell phone as I contemplate running back to find out who it is, but the moment I think it, they move,and a moment later, all that remains in the camera frame are my crumpled sheets.
