𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐸𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝐿𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑟𝑦

~𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑇𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒~

While Madelyn was at school, Isabel gathered all the ghosts at the library to make an announcement.

“Attention! I would like to remind you that the library’s anniversary is in one week, only one week. There’s still a lot of us which means these next couple days will be more difficult for Madelyn.” She declared. “We should help her out as well, so this is what we’ll do. Helen, Daisy, Oliver, Levi, you will be working with Madelyn today.”

“Yes ma’am.” they replied.

“Veronica, Grace, you were teachers, right?”

“Correct.” came their voices from the back of the group.

“Okay, after the four do their thing, you two will help Madelyn with her school project. She was very tired yesterday, so I bet extra help would make it easier for her. Alright, today is settled. I want today to run smoothly and simply. No problems.”

Isabel then started to arrange who’s turn it would be to work with Madelyn for the next couple days while Veronica and Grace flew in and out of bookshelves, searching for books for Madelyn to use and the rest of the ghosts began cleaning the library before her arrival.

~~~

The day at school was stressful, but Madelyn knew she had to go to the library. Once she arrived, the place was spotless and Helen, Daisy, Oliver and Levi were patiently waiting for her at the large circular table.

Madelyn was surprised that a dozen spirits weren’t surrounding her and talking all at once, yet she was grateful for Isabel’s great organization of the large group. She had a small conversation with Isabel before starting to work with the ghosts for the day.

First was Helen who was a nurse and helped many soldiers during wars and invented many new ways to heal them with the little bit of medicine she could bring with her. After the divorce with her husband, she lived an isolated life studying different types of medicines and spent her time away at war saving lives.

Then was Daisy, her family of florists have been growing and selling flowers for generations. Her four siblings and herself were all named after the family's favorite flowers, and they each had a small flower bed with flowers matching their names on the front porch. After her parents passed away, their business and garden were gifted to their children.

Oliver was a detective from the 1850s, who was shot during an investigation very early in his career. He was the youngest detective to be hired and wants to be remembered because he didn’t have much time in his life to leave a mark in history as the best detective as he wished. As a child he would often attempt to solve small mysteries in his family, like who ate what without permission, or where someone was at what time. He was very intelligent and had a good sense of logic.

Lastly was Levi, a barber from the 1950s. He was a very confident man but had extremely shaky hands, that made his job difficult. He learned to cooperate with his problems and manage to do his job safely. One day a very dangerous serial killer entered his shop in a terrible disguise and Levi purposefully made a bad mistake while cutting his hair, killing him. He told no one since it would still be considered murder as the murderer didn’t attack him first. Levi kept that secret to his grave and now that he’s dead he decided to finally share the secret of how he ended the murders in his town.

When Madelyn returned to the library for the last time that day, Grace and Veronica helped her out with her school project, which was nearly done. The musicians from the titanic and four other ones from another time picked up their instruments and played Bach and Claude Debussy.

After the three finished, Madelyn approached the musicians, mesmerized at their amazing ability to play. She had never owned an instrument but was interested in them.

“How long does it take to get that good?” She asked, coming up to the musicians.

“Depends on how well you learn how to play. But of course, no matter how quick you learn it would take years of daily practice.” One with the cello spoke.

“And some instruments are harder to use then others. Such as the violin.” said another, playing a few notes on
his instrument.

Madelyn continued to listen to them play, and now wanted an instrument more than ever. She asked them what instrument was the best for her.
There were so many options she thought it would be best to get advice from processionals.

The musicians immediately put their instruments down. “We would love to help you choose!” they exclaimed.

“Do you prefer stringed instruments?” asked the ones who own cellos and violins.

“How about a keyboard instrument?” said one on the piano.

“Flute? Clarinet?”

“She wouldn’t want your clarinet; a piano would be more suitable for her.”

“Oh, leave your piano out of this. Where would she have room for such an instrument? A violin on the other hand is small and has a nice sound to it.”

“Please, she has no time for your violin. Flutes are easier.”

“So is the piano!”

“Boys, please you’re stressing Madelyn out. Have you ever thought about ask what she wants?” Isabel spoke from nearby.

“She’s absolutely correct, gentlemen. We shouldn't fuss over our choosing an instrument for Madelyn here without asking her opinion first.” said Wallace.

“What do you wish to play, Madelyn?” Isabel asked her.

One of the musicians standing behind the others gestured towards his flute. Isabel gave him a dirty look.

After a long minute of thinking, Madelyn made up her mind. “The violin.”

The three other violinists cheered while the others felt disappointed.

While they sulked, the violinists showed the violin to Madelyn and gave her tips about how to start learning and which songs are for which level.

~~~

As Madelyn was about to leave, Wallace pulled her aside.

“Madelyn, I'm very glad that we have inspired you to learn the violin. I do hope you never give up. Here, I have a gift for you.” A misty violin case appeared in front of Madelyn, and once she tried to hold it, it became solid in her hands. Inside, there was a brown violin. She turned it over and in the corner in gold print were two initials. ‘W. H.’

“But- But this is your violin!” Madelyn exclaimed.

“It was, but now it will be yours.”

“What about you? How will you play?”

“I have no reason to play anymore. My second life is coming to an end, and so is everybody else’s. The violin was very special to me. So, do me a favor and take good care of it. Have a good evening, Madelyn.” And with that, he turned around walking away, disappearing into mist.