Chapter one: As the days pass
I felt the cold morning breeze hit my skin as I exited the warmth of my home. The temperature change sent a chill down my spain making me squirm, instantly becoming self conscious of my surroundings.
Hugging my jacket that was unquestionably too big for my 5'5 frame. I made my way through the uninhabited streets if you could call them that, of my small town. Even tho the walk to the car was only three blocks the dry cold that felt like you were freezing from the inside out made every step intolerable and my detestation for the flat and barren desert grew stronger.
As I reached the frost covered 2009 Ford I dread the inevitable idea of getting into the very cold car whose inside was even colder than the outside
Once I sat on the driver seat I immediately turned the noisy heater on .I placed my hand close to it enjoying the slight warmth the was excelling and that would soon fill the entire car making this Wednesday a bit less heinous.
The ride to work was as usual
I had gotten this job right after I had finished my senior year 6 months ago. It didn't pay that well but it had the perk that I be surrounded by books and away from home for the majority of the day.
I walked through the cozy halls that lead to a little shop inside the library. I was greeted by a thick Brazilian accent from the owner of the shop.
"Good morning Clara" I said back with a small smile "can I get a coffee please. Two cr-" I was cut of by Claras deep ...voice "Two creams and three sugars right?" A smile left my lips as I nodded.
I sat by the picture window next to the shop to wait for my coffee. I smiled at the thought of how pleasant this scenario would be if I could see drops of rain sliding trough the glass failing to grasp at the smooth surface. Once again I cursed at the desert weather. It had been almost 4 years since I last saw the rain. 4 years that I had been enduring the extreme and dry weather of Arizona.
What I would give to live somewhere where it rained everyday and to see the skies that reminded me of the milk foam in my coffee but that though was quickly interrupted the announcement that my coffee was waiting for me.
As I sat down on the deep red leather chair a squeak echoed through the corridors of the surprisingly big place. This was probably the biggest building in the entire town after the school that was located in the middle of miles and miles of empty fields as most things that weren't positioned in the three blocks of the "oficial" town center.
As usual my day passed without any mayor inconveniences.
It was the usual routine of arranging books, answering questions, printing a couple papers and eagerly waiting for my lunch break.
At one pm the sun was at its glory excessively warming everything in its path and waiting inside the shoe box sized subway that lacked and air conditioning feel like a torture designed by Satan himself.
"Ella, is that you" I instantly turned at the gruff manly voice calling my name just to find my high school physics teacher. A tall white haired man who had surprisingly good posture for a man his age and looked like he belonged in the military.
"Hello Mr.Fell. How are you?" I smiled
"It's so good to see you Ella. I'm well. Enjoying the heat" he looked around nervously to continue right after " I heard you are not perseuinghigher education . Is that right?" and there it goes what I was hoping not hear. I'm making a mental note to run the other way if I ever encounter any other of my former teachers. "Yes, that is right" I forcefully smiled back after that sentence.
"Oh what a pity my dear. You were such a good student. We all had big expectations about your future. May I ask what lead you to take that decision?" He smugly asked. After that inquiry I comprehended the real motive of this exchange. He knew exactly the reason why. How I previously stated this is a small town and gossip spreads faster than wildfire. I carefully chose my next words knowing that the whole town was going to know them.
"Well, you know-" I was cut of by the green eyed lady handing me my sandwich. Saved by the bell! I had never in my life been so thankful to recive a sandwich
"Well, it was nice catching up Mr. Fell but I gotta run. " I muttered meanwhile I ran out the door not letting him speak another word to me in case that I wouldn't be able to escape the interrogation.
As the rest of the day went by I thankfully did not have any other uncomfortable interactions with anyone else thank God. I don't think I would have been able to stand through another situation like that and not run away screaming I mean I technically did ran away from my encounter with Mr.Fell but at least I did not scream so that's a score for me.
As the lights turned on and the people left one by one I found myself enjoying the solitude of the empty library. This was my favorite time to be here. The endless halls of dark wooden bookshelf's with the warm orange lights and the dark unknown that surrounded the windows making it impossible to see beyond it. It felt almost as if reality were altered.
As I made my way through the modest wood bookshelf's making sure everything was in its place I found something that caught my attention.
An ancient looking blue book with unknown golden shapes. I carefully slide it out to find it was dusty and nameless.
I carefully opened it and to my surprised the rather quaint book was completely empty.
"Well that's odd" I muttered to myself. Maybe someone left it here on accident?
"Very odd in deed isn't it?" I turned around immediately startled by the stranger standing before me.
"Excuse me Ma'am but we are closed" I nervously said at the brunette in her 70s standing before me. She was dressed in a rather strange attire for this place. Strikingly colorful, like something you would wear for your 8 year old birthday party.
"Oh well I better get going then" She recites while giving an uncomfortably and unnecessary long stare.
"Let me show you the way out" I said as I forced smile. "Let me just leave this by the reception" but as I turned around after leaving the book on the counter I found that the strange woman was no longer in sight.
"Ma'am?" I shouted at the air to find out if she was still in here. No answer.
Well that wasn't weird or creepy at all.
"Oh shit!" A look at the clock made me curse. It was 9.30 pm and I had to be home by now. Fuck my stepdad was gonna kill me I had to babysit my step sister tonight. I realized I didn't have enough time to take the book to lost items on the other side of the library. I mean I could just take it home and take it to lost items tomorrow morning. Yeah that's not a bad idea.
I shoved it inside my bag with my cellphone and headphones and the rest of my belongings and I ran to my car that was parked outside.
Hey guys so this is my first fanfic and english is not my first lenguaje so please don't be harsh but constructive criticism is always welcomed.
Who do you think is the mystery woman?
Don't forget to favorite,follow and leave a review!