ABE
I'm finally released from the medical wing. It's been two days since I've seen either Maggie or Guillermo. I know that Guillermo is busy making plans because he kept sending Agent Mignola in every once in a while to ask me questions. But now I'm free to oversee the final preparations.
I get dressed in my new dry land gear. As I'm about to leave, I notice an envelope with red and pink hearts lying on the table. It's addressed to me. I open the envelope and pull out a piece of stationary that matches the envelope and read it.
Love in the library, quiet and cool
Love in the library, there are no rules
Surrounded by stories surreal and sublime
I fell in love in the library once upon a time
Ok, that's odd. I know that Agent Mignola typed it, but I don't know why and neither did he. I head for the library, my curiosity piqued.
MAGGIE
I pull into a parking space at headquarters. Guillermo called a while ago saying that Abe was to be released shortly. I head for the lobby excited to see what Guillermo came up with for my surprise for Abe. I stand on the emblem in the middle of the floor and wait for it to lower.
"I have something for you, Miss Cavendish," the guard behind the desk says.
"What is it?" I ask.
"It's a letter of some kind," he answers holding up an envelope.
I walk over and take it from him, thanking him. Then I open the envelope with pink and red hearts on it and read the typed note on the matching stationary inside.
When this old world starts a getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I'm gonna climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space
"Is there a roof access around here?" I ask the guard.
"Yes, miss, there is," he answers.
He gives me directions and then I head for the roof. What is this all about? I'm intrigued.
ABE
I open the latest in a series of mysterious letters, all on the same heart covered stationary. I already hold four other letters that have taken me to the library, the meeting room, Hellboy's bedroom, and the kitchen respectively. I read the latest one.
Take my hand and lead me
To the garden of delight
Take my hand and lead me
To the garden of delight
I go up the back way up to street level. Once there, I head for what I hope is my final destination.
MAGGIE
I pull the envelope that's been taped to the stall door down and open it. I hold four of its sisters in my hand. So far I've been to the roof, the cafeteria, an empty office and the ladies bathroom. I open this one up and read it.
Take my hand and lead me
To the garden of delight
Take my hand and lead me
To the garden of delight
I head for the front desk again. I'm sure the guard is getting pretty sick of me by this point.
"There wouldn't, perchance, be a garden around here somewhere, would there?" I ask the poor guy.
"Yes, miss, there is," he answers.
He doesn't seem to be the least bit bothered by the fact that I keep asking him for directions. He gives me directions to what I hope is my final destination.
ABE
I quietly walk through the dark, silent hallways toward the center of the building the outside world sees. I'm sure that they would never imagine that in the middle of this rather dull and ordinary building is an open garden. I've always known it was here, but I've never had reason to visit it before.
I finally reach the final hallway. At the other end is a door, and as I approach it, I can see the word "ATRIUM" printed on it. I open the door and behold a spectacular sight.
MAGGIE
I follow the directions the guard gave me. I go deeper and deeper into the building. The halls are dark and quiet and a bit more than a little spooky. I do a quick "check," but there's no one here that I can feel. Eventually, I make the final turn and come to a door with "ATRIUM" printed on it. I open it, and behold the most magical of scenes.
Disclaimer:
I do not own the rights of the lyrics from any of the songs I've posted.
Up on the Roof by James Taylor
Love in the Library by Jimmy Buffett
Garden of Delight by UK Mission