Part three: Lit

They waited.

Teodora agreed to meet with her, but only on one condition. Once the library closed, they were to meet at her house. Alone.

Alice both hated and loved that. She felt a guilty relief over the fact that she still had a couple of hours left. Hours to ponder what happened. Hours to remember what happened.

She doesn't know where it started or how. But she knew this. She couldn't trust her memory. It was easier to recall certain things better than other. And there was no connection to them. Recent or old. Clear or vague. It's all vanished one by one.

“She is who now!?”

She did remember Teodora now. William had to shut his his mouth. Who knew what he would have screamed had he had the chance. She even thought that William didn't know that himself.

To scream was easy. To control it was not.

“Look! I know that's a bad thing and-”

“How did you forget people saying her name ?!” he had every right to ask that.

"I," she thought of ways to change the subject, "Listen, I'm really glad you helped me so far with all...this. But this is now too dangerous. I don't know how you can escape the arsonists with your leg and the kids, but I can-"

"Stop." he made her quiet.

“First, don't assume that just because of my leg I am unable to fight. It's disrespectful to me”

"I didn't mean to-"

"And don't forget you're still a child as well."

Alice gripped her dress. A child? She stopped being a child for when she killed that man. At least in her opinion.

“It's easy to think that you're 'old enough' or whatever if you have enough strength. But you're not. You're sixteen. And you lost four years to horrible people. So please, don't forget you're important too."

She didn't listen to a word he said. For she tried to remember if she had seen him fight before.

"Of course." She lied.

They continued waiting.

Few hours and passed and Alice helped Zuri read some books whilst William was away in the washrooms. The little girl picked a strange book. When she was a child she would only read fairy tales and myths, but the little girl had an interest in marine life.

"Wow! Can't believe a sponge is older than my dad."

"I guess it depends when the sponge is born."

"I guess. Imagine if there's a sponge older than the empire."

Alice liked that thought.

"Why did you pick this book? Don't you have earth magic? I don't see why learning about sea creatures would-"

"I like beaches."

"Beaches?"

"Yes! They're sandy and watery and you can swim too! I wish I could live in one."

"Why couldn't you? Is it because your dad can't swim because of his leg?"

"...Have you ever been to a beach?"

"N-no." Alice couldn't deny that.

"What? That's a big shame. Pinky promise me this!"

"Pinky?"

Zuri wrapped her pinky around hers.

"One day I'll bring you to a beach and you're going to love it!"

"Oh, sure. Though I can't swim that well-"

"I'll teach you, so-"

"Excuse me, Zuri."

Sun tapped her shoulder, "I need Alice's help."

"With what?"

"I can't reach a book."

"Is that all? Zuri stay right here we'll be back quick."

They waved her goodbye as they reached a nearby shelf. One no one was looking at. She wasn't sure which out of these books Sun wanted. She doubted that little boys are into military history.

"Which one do you-"

"You gave me a new name."

“Oh.” she forgot about that, “Right, about that. I'm sorry-”

"I love it so much!"

When no one was around, the boy removed his blindfold. His unique eyes shined alongside his smile.

“You-you do?”

“Why wouldn't I? It’s so packed with so much meaning it’s genius. It clearly tells I have some closeness to fire because of my...other form. And it’s common enough no one would suspect a thing! How did you come up with such genius!”

She didn't, "Oh, I guess I thought it fit well enough."

He ignored her awkward laugh.

"Honestly, I wasn't sure what to think of you."

Alice listened for once.

"When we first met, I thought you were like everyone else. With how disgusted and scared you seemed around me. And yet, you're the first person in years who has shown me kindness. I don't how to be grateful enough to you."

She was so flustered she turned around and covered her face.

“You’re welcome. Time to read words.”

They still waited.

The actual sun had left the sky many hours ago. Many people, whether they were visitors or workers, had left. And the lamps that were lit around the halls started to lose strength.

It was cold but she was sweaty.

"Dear, this is getting suspicious."

"I know."

“Dad, Ally,” Zuri asked, “Can we go home now? I’m sleepy.”

“Zuri, you have to understand that...” Sun couldn’t finish his sentence because of his yawn.

“Thanks Sun but I'll be fine.”

“Teodora is waiting for you!” a librarian interrupted Alice.

“She-she is?”

“Yes! She's waiting at the back of the library! I'll lead you to her.”

His smile wasn't a trusted one. Alice swallowed and looked at William.

"Dear-

“You three can go back.”

“What?” the men asked.

“Are you sure?” Zuri asked. "Aren't you sleepy”

"I am," that was the simple answer, "But I can handle myself."

Sun wanted to intervene, but his yawn stopped him.

William her his hand and he held Zuri's.

"We'll be waiting for you."

“Thank you."

She waited until the three left to follow the librarian.

“We will soon turn off out lights, but do not worry. I have a lamp to light the way.”

“If that’s the case.”

With every step she took the place got darker and darker. The once limitless place of millions of books now felt like one path she was stuck in.

She heard something.

"A book must have fallen of. Oh well!"

She followed him. A book has fallen? It was unusual to see a 'librarian' care so little about that.

They reached a small door. Going a bit sideways and hard to open. The librarian gave her the lamp.

"You wait here. I'll grab her now!"

The door was closed. Locked actually.

This was a trap.

She blew out the light in the lamp. She ran as fast as she could, She felt a knife cut through a lock of her hair.

They were there.

Alice lit her own flames, ready to attack anyone that comes her way.

She was able to see two disguised arsonists coming her way.

One threw a knife at her again but she caught it.

She threw it back and it scarred the guy's face.

The other meanwhile managed to punch her face.

She was able to get back up.

They avoided her kick.

It was then she tried to speed through between them, reaching the entrance of the library.

The door was locked.

She lit out her flames and thought. If she were to break the windows or doors, they'd imprison her in a second. Yet she was also too tired to fight. If she returned to that door and kicked it open.

Before she could do anything, she felt an intense pain coming from the back of her head.

"I'm sorry." the last thing she heard was Juliet's voice.

-

Another chapter done baybeeeeeeee. For those who don't know, last week I had two exams to take and I passed them both! Now I have more time to write and plan for the last few chapters of book 1! Thank you so much for reading and goodbye!