I stepped out of the cold wintry evening and into the Library.
The familiar sight pleased me, sending a smile to lips.
The old building was warmly lit with many candles, their flickering flames dancing in the silence. I inhaled the familiar scents of musty paper, leather and underlying dust filled my lungs, it was the smell of home. I scanned the room…empty, which was never surprising. It was always deathly quiet. I smiled, I liked it that way.
I walked further into the warm building, glad to be out of the cold, towards the towering bookshelves, purple converse pattering lightly on parquet floors. I was glad to be back here. Before I had graduated high school, I hardly had any time to come here, and now that school was over, I was free to do what I wished. This place was my sanctuary, a 15 minute bus ride from home, and I could read, draw and think in peace, rather than be at home with my adoptive parents Susan and David, and their two young children Anna and Brody.
I set my belongings down on a random table and head off into the bookshelves, looking at the titles on the withered spines…
I soon found myself daydreaming but soon snapped out of it when a book caught my eye. It was an immensely thick volume, with its fading gold letters practically glowing in the dim light. I plucked it off the shelf with difficulty due to its weight and flipped it over to read the cover.
The Ancient book of Legends.
My heart fluttered with excitement. I lowered myself into a chair and set the dusty book atop the table. Once settled I lifted the hard cover back, it's old spine creaking.
I began to read.
For the next two hours, I pored over the seemingly endless stories of God's and heroes. Most I had never even heard of before. I was already up to page 102 of its 881 pages when a loud vibrating sounded from nowhere.
"Holy shit!"
Almost jumping out of my skin, I realised it was my mobile phone. I reached within in my bag to retrieve it, and saw that I had an incoming call.
"Hello?" my voice hoarse from lack of speech.
"Ella, where are you?"
It was Susan my (adoptive) Mother. She sounded terrified though relief was flooding back into her voice when I spoke.
I instantly felt guilty as I had once again carelessly forgotten the time.
"I'm at the library"
"Again?, Ella it's 9:30pm, your father and I have been worried".
"I'm sorry Mum, I guess I lost track of time. I'll be home soon"
"No I'll come pick you up"
She hung up. I began quickly packing my things. Once I had hastily stuffed my belongings back into my satchel I looked down at the book. I wanted to take it home but it was much too heavy to carry around everywhere. Instead I simply marked my page, placed it back on the shelf and headed outside to wait for my Mother.
After a rushed dinner of minestrone I brewed myself a pot of chamomile tea and headed upstairs to my bedroom. I switched on my Playstation2 and placed Resident Evil 4 into the console and waited for the loading screens to pass then loaded up my saved game.
I had been playing for around 20 minutes when a soft knock sounded from my bedroom door.
"Come in"
The door opened and Susan walked in, closing the door behind her.
"Ella sweetheart, can I talk to you?"
I paused my game and looked up at her.
"Darling, is everything alright lately? I mean you've been quieter than normal and come home at odd hours"
I shrugged "I'm fine; I just like to be alone, always have, ever since…"
I cut off and frowned. Susan pats my shoulder understandingly…..
"Ella, I'm afraid, but we're going to have to send you to an orphanage". I frowned at the policewoman
"Why?"
She Inhaled and looked troubled.
"Well sweetheart, you're parents, well. They won't be coming home; they were doing some naughty things, illegal things, you see they were selling drugs, you know that's not allowed don't you?"
I nodded.
"Will I still be able to see my mummy and daddy?"
Again her face looked troubled.
"No darling, I'm sorry"…
I hastily wiped a tear away. I was only 8 years old, and since they resisted arrest by trying to attack the officers they were shot. My father died on site and my mother a few hours later in hospital. After a few months living at an orphanage the Samson's took me in.
"I know it still hurts honey, even after 11 years it's still bound to. Yet you do know that David and I are always here for you, alright?"
I nodded and gave her a small smile; she pulled me into a hug.
"Look we know you love your alone time at the Library, just let us know and we'll come pick you up at 10"
I nodded again
"Thanks Mum"
She stood and smiled
"Well goodnight"
"Night"
With that she left the room. I resumed the game and after defeating Salazar I saved and went to bed.
Over the next few days I had spent most of my time in the library reading that book. Becoming more drawn in. I had already reached page 631, and was faced with an entirely new section.
New illustrations of creatures you could only see in your nightmares glared up at from the yellowing pages. I had to admit it, they gave me the creeps. I instinctively looked over my shoulder. I gave a small laugh and scolded myself
"They're not real Ella"
At least I hoped not.
Continuing to the next page a black ink title greeted me
Legends of the Demon World
Excited I eagerly turned the page and began the new chapter.
The Legendary Dark Knight, Sparda.
Devil May Cry © Capcom