Turkey Wrap, Library, and Blood.

The rocks crunch under my shoes, tapping down the sidewalks with a sick stomach I make my way to the café. Looking up at the chalk menu board my eyes filter through all drinks as my stomach draws my attention to the small food menu. A couple of wraps sound really good… Proceeding up to the counter I'm greeted by the same girl who helped me before. 

In a haste, I order the food with rushed hands and go back to the original spot I sat in before. Plopping down in the seat I cross my arms and lean on the table, looking out the window. 

After a while, a teenage girl approaches with a bag in hand of the food. She walks away after handing over the food with a small nod and a non-verbal thank you. Standing with my bag of goodies in hand I head out, eager to find a spot to eat my food, somewhere away from the busy rush of the café. Somewhere like… the library! 

Walking out of the café I reach into my back pocket and grab my phone. Pulling up the maps app for help once again, in hopes to find a library in town. Happily locating one I start eagerly making my way to the destination. The promise of a peaceful setting gets me eager and giddy. 

During the walk, a sharp cramp pierces through my leg and I hiss in pain. Breaking out in a limp, the cramp in my agony, the library was finally in sight. Quitting out of the app I shove my phone back into my pocket.

The library is massive with large glass windows and a cool steel exterior. Cascading colors of the windows reflect the skies above contrasting with the white and gray outlook of the building itself. A new black paved parking lot I approach is packed with roughly ten or so vehicles ranging in color. The sun shimmered off their glittering coats of the paint slightly blinding pedestrians such as myself in the process.

Tearing my eyes away from the cars my gaze catches a glimpse of three men in suits walking in one of the many openings to the building. All three men were dressed in formal attire such as suits, immediately setting alarms off in my skull. 

Approaching the pair of glass doors in front of me, I open one and walk in. My feet tap on the marble tile flooring that spans from the entrance to another pair of doors, hallways on either side. Small signs above gesture to each hallways use. The left reading bathrooms, a recreational room, and more. Right one reading off the meeting rooms and a computer lounge. 

Maybe those three men had a business meeting here? Yet why would you hold a business meeting at a public library where literally anyone could overhear? Thoughts gurgle out from my mind but I shake them away, heading inside to the actual library. Breaching the last set of doors my shoes are met with a cushion.

A glass dome set above everything, the warm light of the sun seeping into the room, it probably spanned at least over a hundred feet up. Millions of books lie ahead of me on impressive wooden standing shelves. My gaze wanders around the expansive library. Looking for some seating I make my way over to the tables secluded in a small circle beside the rows of books. My tennis shoes tap very slightly on the carpeted flooring. Pausing, I look down taking a deep breath from my nose the immediate smell of books plagues me. The floor was a mixture of colors, the prominent color is a dark burgundy mixed with other randomly colored fibers.

Throwing my head back up I make my way on the padded floors to the seating lounge. Taking a spot at the end of the table I throw the bag on top of the wooden surface. Grabbing at the burritos in the bottom of the bag I pull them out and quickly devour them. A soft shell wrap filled with mayonnaise, turkey breast, lettuce, and colby-jack cheese. I’m a simple man, so this shit is to die for. Finishing off the first one in under two minutes I lunge at the second, while unwrapping it my eyes flitter over to the three men in suits again. 

Talking amongst themselves the taller of the three’s face glares at the other two with more radical movements. They stand between the two separate doorways I came in from as I take a bite from my wrap my eyes lock with the stockier one. He glares in my direction forcing me to tear my eyes away. Looking down at the table I eat my wrap at a slower pace than the first.

Letting my mind wander, thinking about the three men standing mere 30 feet away from me. They were obviously in one of those meeting rooms, from their attire to their bickering. From body language and facial expression it obviously didn’t go in a favorable route. Shaking my head I finish the last of my wrap. Crumpling the paper I throw it in the bag, balling it up in my fist I stick it in my pocket. Standing and making my way down the rows of books, I look in each aisle taking in the genres. 

When I was younger I used to read all the time, history books especially. I was always interested in wars, genocide, peace treaties, and the wonders. American history is interesting to learn about, especially after school you're no longer being taught in a narrative written by the victor. 

The history of other countries also strikes me as a new and interesting subject matter. In the school systems being primarily taught American history, kind of drives you away. I've always enjoyed learning, new information filtering into my brain. Finding out the reasonings behind someone's or something’s ways. 

I walk down the world history section taking a look at the books. I have no idea when I'll actually be able to read a book but may as well. Perhaps I could read it before bed..? Pausing in front of a shelf, I reach in grabbing at an older book, War and Peace. 

Furrowing my brow it soon clicks, I instantly make my way to the checkout counter. Hopefully, I get a good amount of time to read this. Walking to the front area of the library, right in front of the doors, I check to see if the men are there. To my surprise they're gone, they most definitely left after I was spotted looking at them. 

Approaching the front desk, the young man behind the desk glances up from his own book, setting it down. "What can I help you with, sir?" He politely asked. Setting the book on the counter I grab my notepad and pen scribbling down my reply. "I'm new in town so I was wondering if I could register for a library card and check out this book?" 

He nods firmly, walking me through the steps to get a card. Soon enough I'm handed a nice little library card. Using the plastic slab I check out the book and walk out taking a deep breath of fresh air. The sun is lower in the sky almost at sunset, and the heat is not as putrid. 

My hands take in the feeling of the old book cover, feeling every design and etching. I'm excited to read this book, I've heard a lot about it in my time of reading history books. It's always piqued my interest.

Trekking down the sidewalks through town, the eeriness of the dark roads and the disappearance of all life makes my anxiety pick up. Picking at my cuticles I remain alert, constantly looking around as the sound of soft clinking drives me in. My body locks up recognizing the sound immediately. 

Rushing down the sidewalk my feet stop at the entrance of an alleyway. I walk in before realizing, with a chest-tightening breath the sound of dripping liquid fills my ears alongside ragged breathing. A dark chuckle breaks the air, a deep baritone in the silent streets. 

I knew him before, those bloody waves of red. This man— why was he here? The alleyway was riddled with empty bullet shells as his mean glare fixed itself on my own. "Looking at you from before I knew you'd be a troublemaker~." His deep voice bellowed in gentle awe, as if he was proud. "Never would I have guessed you'd walk— Right. In. My. Trap." With each word he approached. The light of the alley slipped away from behind him as I was backed into a corner. 

With a rough grasp my chin was snatched up, now keep in mind I'm tall, but this man was taller. My eyes locked with his, anger bubbling in my chest. "No words pretty boy~?" I bit my tongue, moving my lips in a silent voice, "Go to hell, you bastard." In seconds I was swooped around with my chest against the brick wall, my arm twisted at an uncomfortable angle behind my back. 

"Watch your mouth." He all but growled out. My heart beat sped up in fear, I can break out of this. Throwing myself out of his hold I stand back into the alleyway. I catch a glimpse of a bullet-ridden dead body. Panic creeps into my bones as the pungent smell of copper fills the air. 

Bile rises up in my throat as I slap a hand over my mouth. Staring at the man with crazed, violent, reddish-brown eyes. He slowly saunters over in my direction with a wicked devilish grin. I aim to step back but my shoe hits the bloody body sprawled out behind me. 

"What will he ever do? Cornered with a murderer on one end and a dead businessman on the other." He chuckles grimly, "Daddy told me not to play with my food…" My foot slips on the blood as I try to scoot away from his staggeringly tall figure. I gasp in a breath of air, the wind being knocked out of my chest.  

Landing beside the body I recoil but don't move to get up as the man, now obviously dressed in a bloody dark gray suit, stands above me. "But Mama encouraged it~!" in the dying light of the sun his face lights with a soft orange glow. His manic eyes lock with my own as a wide psychopathic grin shines across his face…