Chapter 19 - Library

As we walk through the empty halls, Ell1s quietly thinks of a topic to spark conversation.

“So… Apologies for bringing this up again, but… How’s your injury doing? I do hope you’ve replaced the bandages recently… I mean, I don’t want to be too intrusive! But! I wouldn’t want it to become infected, especially with the state of your current health…”

“It’s fine. I took the time to patch it up again while you were away. Don’t worry about me.”

“But Lena, of course I’m going to worry about you! You’re one in a million! Billions, actually! Possibly the last human on Earth! It’s a wonder that you’ve survived this long! How can you not be, well… proud of that fact? Or, well… grateful? Actually… no, no… with everything you’ve been through I’m sure you’re exhausted. Got ahead of myself there… Er… What was I saying again? Sorry, um… forget what I was saying! That was rather, um, insensitive!”

“It’s not entirely your fault. You don’t know what it’s like. You’ve never had to feel pain. You’ve never had to walk for miles every day until your feet ache and grow terrible, angry red blisters and sores. You’ve never experienced what it’s like to loss everything in an instant. What a beautiful privilege that must be.”

“O- oh, I… geez, I… I’m so sorry! I won’t bring it up again!”

We continue walking for a few silent moments, while Ell1s seems to be trying to come up with a casual topic to have a conversation about, though failing miserably. I’d rather he stay silent anyways. His voice is too chipper, especially regarding the situation we’re in, and it’s quite bothersome.

“Oh! We’re here!”

Ell1s stands in front of two sliding doors, which open automatically. He gestures for me to walk inside.

“After you!”

As I step into the room, shelves full of books catch my eye, although dusty and untouched for many, many years. Compared to the rest of the facility, this area has more of a “warm” feeling to it, comfortable chairs, desks, and fake plants decorating the forgotten library.

“Welcome to the library! This facility has all kinds of books, ranging from all kinds of genres! One moment, please...”

He disappears for a moment. Seconds later, he returns in a ridiculously tacky librarian outfit, happily floating throughout the shelves and proudly describing the “wonderful collection of books that this humble library has to offer”.

“So, Lena… What kind of genre do you like the most? What about fantasy? Sci-fi? Maybe even horror? I’m not sure if you’re much of a reader, but who doesn’t enjoy a good novel! I must say that I quite like the fantasy genre myself. Imagine all of the magnificent, fabled stories and adventures your mind could go on! I truly do have a fondness for all of the great authors there came to be.”

“Er… I don’t read books that often. But I guess I tend to enjoy nonfiction and the like.”

“Ooh! Nonfiction! I see, I see. There’s all kinds of stories to be told in the real world as well, I suppose! It’s a marvelous thing that many talented writers can turn tales from their own experiences into an exciting read! I do admire these kinds of stories as well, I truly do. But feel free to look around! I’m always ready to assist if you need any help.”

I may as well find something to do while I’m trapped in this place. I browse various shelves, skimming through various novels made by prized authors that are likely long gone by now. As I’m searching around, I find various books about gardening and many writers’ proud research on various plants. If Calista was here, she would’ve loved to check this out. Not only was she a gardener, but she also loved to write. I remember taking a peek at one of her unfinished documents, and found myself entranced by the words. Her handwriting was beautifully elegant, and her cursive could never compare to the chicken scratch I’d write down in a hurry. On days like those, I remembered how lucky I was to have someone like her.

I look through the pages for a moment, lost in thought. My eyes dance around the diagrams of all kinds of herbs, flowers, and other lively growing plants. My fingers trace around the lines, wishing you were here to envelop me in your warm embrace. How I miss the days we spent together in harmony, our souls entwined by fate and our deep love for one another.

I take a few books off the shelf and carry them in my arms, satisfied with my selection. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to take my mind off my current situation, even just for a few fleeting moments. I sit down in one of the beanbag chairs in the corner and slowly read myself to sleep, my eyes growing heavy as I struggle to comprehend the words on the page in my drowsy state. My vision fades away, but my mind is still full of the wonderful, pleasant memories that we spent together, just you and me in our own lively world.