Once Koji had woken up, and Sam managed to get a little rest, they spent the rest of the day just exploring the city. When they were hungry, Sam had to steal more food. As he had promised, he only took enough so they wouldn’t starve. Koji still seemed unhappy about it, but what could they do? Other than that, they walked around, curious to see what they could find.

Over all, it was hard to tell how big the city was. There seemed to be a part of town that was industrialized, and a part that was residential. There was a part of town that had restaurants and clubs, and a part of town where there wasn’t much of anything. Koji said it seemed typical of any city he could remember from his childhood.

Even after the sun set and the city became mostly dark, they continued walking.

“Uh…Sam,” Koji said softly.

“Yeah?” Sam looked down at Koji.

“I…I hear something.”

Sam listened. He didn’t hear anything out of the ordinary. There were noises from cars on the street. He could hear a strange rushing sound that he had finally realized was just the noise of being outside. But aside from that, there was nothing odd.

“What d’ y’ hear?” Sam asked.

“A…a voice louder than the others.” Koji sounded scared. He also sounded unsure, like maybe bringing this up wasn’t the best idea.

“Come this way,” Sam grabbed Koji’s hand. They headed down a side street where the lamps weren’t so bright. Down this street, they could hide in the shadows a little better. “C’n y’ tell what th’ voice is sayin’?”

“It saw us. The voice just said ‘they think they can escape down that street?’ I know it did. You can’t hear it, can you?”

“No. But I believe you can.” Sam looked around. There were mostly houses around them. There at the end of the street he saw a library. Libraries were safe. He had no idea why he thought that, but the feeling over took him strong enough that he broke into a run. Koji followed, his hand still gripped in Sam’s.

“Where are we…?” Koji gasped.

“Quiet.”

The windows of the library were dark, Sam could tell even from the distance they were at. The building was closed. Oh well, they were still going to try and hide in there.

“Can y’ still hear th’ voice?” Sam asked.

“Uh…yeah.”

“Don’t have t’ quote it, but does it know where we are?”

“It knows we’re down the street, but not where exactly.”

“Good enough.”

Sam began to take an indirect route to the library, weaving through several yards. He hoped that would be enough to throw whoever was following them off the trail. Finally they ended up behind the library. Apparently they were at the loading dock. The door was locked, but it looked like a flimsy knob.

“We’re going in there?” Koji asked.

“Hope so.”

“How?”

“Good question.” Sam looked around. He found a rock, then hefted it at the doorknob. It took several tries, and Sam was sure the noise would attract attention, but no one came running. “Okay, get in.”

Koji ran inside, Sam following. He pulled the door shut behind them. He then grabbed Koji’s hand again, and together they found a hiding place among some boxes.

“Anything from th’ voice?” Sam asked.

“It’s faint now,” Koji said, his face hard to see in the darkness. “But I don’t think it knows where we are.”

“Keep listenin’ and let me know. Okay?”

Koji nodded. “Why do you believe me?”

“Better not t’ take any chances.”

“But you’re acting like I was…I was hearing someone’s thoughts.”

“I know.”

“That’s crazy.”

“I know.”

~~~*~~~

No matter the appearance of the outside, the inside of a library always has the musty smell of books. That’s all he really cared about anyway, the books. So what if the outside looks like a big grey box?

After reaching the library doors, he pushed his way inside. Just inside, a cold blast of air conditioned air rustled the feathers of his wings. As he hesitates, his eyes adjust to the artificial lights. The lobby was fairly empty of people, but the few people who were there turned to stare. He simply ignored them. Luckily, the desk workers knew him well enough that the only one who acknowledged him is the one closest to the door and he knew from experience that she looks at everyone who came through the library doors. As soon as his eyes adjust, he headed for the stacks.

He usually never had anything specific he wanted. Most days he just wandered around until he found something that looked interesting. The point was that he needed something to fill the day. Some days he took a book back to his oasis, and some days he went to ‘his spot.’

He found it completely by accident one day. While he wandered around, he came across a secluded corner of the library. A window on one wall gave off enough light to read by. He could be surrounded by the comforting smell of books, and also be relatively hidden away from others. After picking out a random book, he settled, down where the two walls met. This way, he could lean into the corner, and position his wings so they wouldn’t cramp. Luckily, he had lots of practice. Finally settled, he opened his book and started to read.

He didn’t know how long before a noise pulled his attention from his book. It sounded like someone was stumbling around in the stacks. For a moment, he stared out into the books, trying to see who it was. Finally, a woman fell forward down the aisle and dropped to her knees. She looked disheveled and almost dirty. He could even see tear streaks on her face. After a second he realized she’s murmuring something under her breath. Only a few words are intelligible, and then he realized she was praying. No, not just praying, but praying to him.

“Not again,” he muttered under his breath.

“Lord, oh Almighty Lord,” The woman’s voice was louder now, and shaky. “I have prayed so long that you would send me a guardian, an angel. I never doubted you O Lord. Thank you. Thank you.”

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time this sort of thing had happened, and it probably wouldn’t be the last. People just seemed to misunderstand him. They took things on first appearances. Honestly, he would rather be ignored. He could even handle that being stared at. It was whenever someone got it into their head he was something he really wasn’t that he ended up flustered and upset. When they worshipped him as an Angel, he never knew quite what to do. Though not worse, it was just as bad as when people assumed he was just a demon and tried to kill him. Why couldn’t people just leave him alone?

“Ma’am?” he said softly, desperately wishing he could get back to his book. “I’m not what y’ think I am. I’m not….”

She began to crawl forward, holding out a hand as if to touch him. “Please, I know you were sent here for me. I’ve prayed for help. I’ve prayed for someone to ease my pain. I’ve been devout. I’m being rewarded for my faith. I know it. Please, I’m begging you.”

His wings flicked in an anxious gesture. She wouldn’t understand. He realized it was a waste of breath. There was no way she’d listen to him. The only thing he could do was leave. He even felt a little sorry for her, but mostly he was just annoyed.

“I am not an angel.” He said, getting to his feet.

“Yes you are. You have to be. Please.” She began to cry.

Even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t know what to do for her.

“I’m not.” He repeated. He clenched the book tightly in his hands, staring at her lost face.

“You have to be.” But now he could tell she wasn’t sure she believed it anymore, she was just desperate.

Unhappily, he moved away from her, following down one of the aisles. He had to get away from her. And now that his quiet time had been ruined, he had to get away from the library. It was too bad, he had liked this library. And as he headed back out into the bright sunlight, he realized, somehow, a part of him felt as lost as that woman had looked.