𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐸𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝐿𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑟𝑦

~𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐹𝑖𝑣𝑒~

Madelyn gasped. No way was she talking to the Isabel Estrella.

Isabel chuckled. “Why are you so surprised? You didn’t notice from the start?”

Somehow, she didn’t. But it all adds up, her orders, stern tone, and when she immediately came up to Madelyn.

“Alright, this is a safe place for dead things, what does this have to do with me? If you need me to leave, I’ll leave.”

“No no no! We need you!” Isabel exclaimed, holding out her hands shaking them.

“Need me? What for?”

“To help us! The protection spell won't last forever. Every one-hundred years it resets, and we lose everything we know. We'll just be shapeless spirits existing without purpose. You know how much memory matters to us.”

“So, what do you want me to do? Die and stay here?”

Isabel laughed. “My goodness, no. You aren't a part of the family it wouldn't work. What we want you to do is write our story. Everything we know, everything we’ve experienced.”

“And how exactly is that going to help you?”

“It won't necessarily help us, but we would be so glad if our story was remembered by someone. Perhaps one day others will want to know more about us. For instance, follow me.”

The two walked back down the staircase where the other spirits talked and flew around.

Isabel gestured her head toward a fat ghost in a chef outfit and beard, taking a nap on a stool.

“Thats Frank, or otherwise known as The Mute Butcher. I don’t know much about him. He never speaks for obvious reasons, but he was killed by his throat being sliced open.”

At the same time, Frank adjusted his position and lifted his head, revealing a deep dark cut on his neck.

Madelyn winced “Ouch, I can see that.”

“Don't you think he would be glad to have someone understand him and know how he got here?”

“I mean, if I were him no.”

Isabel smiled. “Everyone says that at first. But trust me, once you’re alone you will do anything to be acknowledged. Speaking of Frank, you have his handkerchief. He wasn’t too happy when you rushed out of the library with it.”

“Oh.” Madelyn pulled the dirty cloth out of her back pocket and walked over to the sleeping chef. She reached out her hand to nudge his shoulder but realized too late that it would just pass through. He woke up right away, his lifeless eyes staring at Madelyn. She nervously handed him the handkerchief.

“I um...  I’m sorry about taking it. I didn’t know it was yours.”

Frank took it and nodded at her smiled warmly. He shoved it into his coat pocket and went back to sleep.

“See? He’s not so bad.” Isabel said from behind Madelyn. She jumped out of fright and turned around.

“Gosh ghosts are quiet. I didn’t even know you were there.”

“You’re probably still startled after seeing us for the first time. You’ll get used to it eventually.” Isabel reassured Madelyn. “So, do you agree to help us?”

She thought about it for a moment. “But I have a school thing to do, and I need time to-”

“Perfect! You can help us out, and in return you can have access to our books, and we tell you everything you need to know. How does that sound?”

Madelyn wasn’t sure about this offer. She still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact these were dead spirits she’s talking to and they expect her to write down every single ones past so they can be happy. But what were her choices? Abandon the spirits and most likely anger them resulting in her being haunted for the left of her life. No thanks.

“I’ll try my best. No promises though, alright?” Madelyn decided.

“Wonderful! Thank you so much!” Isabel exclaimed, clasping her hands together happily. “We’ll start tomorrow, whenever you have the time. Oh, and bring a notepad and pen with you, you'll need it.”

“Sure, I'll be here around four pm, sound good?”

“Flawless. We await you, farewell!”
Isabel clapped her hands once and the ghosts came into action. Joseph circled around the chandelier and the candles went out, three different ghosts closed the curtains, a couple were flying around the staircase, and it almost seemed it was fading and becoming a wall, the same with the instruments. 

In the blink of an eye, the library was dusty, old and grey once more.

Madelyn picked up her books from the table and stuffed them into her backpack. She then went to walk out of the library, with her back to the door. After the jump scares, she was very paranoid and wanted to be alert if anything happens.

Once she reached the door, she let out a sigh of relief and turned around to walk outside, only to scream one final time.

“Hey, remember me?” said Iden, his face inches away from Madelyn’s again, levitating in the air so he could be at the same level as her.

“How could I not forget you. You scared me to death! twice." She replied angrily, backing away.

He chuckled. “Certainly not to death, you're still alive and well.”

“Can you not scare me like that anymore, please?”

“Perhaps, but all I know is that we are going to be seeing each other more than just once, so expect more surprises.”

“Hope not, anyway until tomorrow I guess.”

“Take care!” He shouted to Madelyn from the library as she got onto her bike.

Madelyn couldn’t even begin to imagine how bizarre the next week of her life would be. So many surprises awaited her, in all shapes and sizes. This experience will definitely take her on an adventure.
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I had mild writers block making this chapter so I just put together the best I could.

This chapter was basically just dialogue between characters. I tried adding other stuff too somehowww