𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐸𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝐿𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑟𝑦

~𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛~(𝐹𝐼𝑁𝐴𝐿)

Next day, just as busy. Madelyn was assigned to work with Frank, Mildred, Albert, and a Japanese woman from urban legends called Kuchisake onna.

Frank, The Mute Butcher from a couple days ago, was framed for selling human bodies. The French king heard about to rumor and sent someone to end Frank. The assassin first attacked Frank's neck, which is why his throat is badly damaged and he cannot speak.

Mildred Prince was a famous figure skater that went out on a lake to practice before her big performance and fell through the ice. Since she was unable to swim, she froze to death. Her body was never recovered and brought disappointment and concern to her fans at the performance waiting for her.

Albert was the most popular of the bunch. He was a prince from Germany. He was one of those charming prince's that love themself too much. He would never miss an opportunity to flirt with a lady in the library only to get turned down but that doesn't stop him from trying. One day became extremely ill and doctors couldn't do anything to heal him. He died after carrying the disease for half a year before passing away.

Then was Kuchiskae onna, or the slit-mouthed woman. She was a beautiful woman in japan whose husband thought she was being unfaithful to him, so he cut her mouth. Now she appears to people in the street and asks them if she’s beautiful with her slit mouth. If you reply with no, she cuts your mouth like hers. If you say yes, she cuts it still. The only way to avoid her is to say perhaps or maybe. Giving an uncertain answer will confuse her and give you enough time to escape. Madelyn died three times in the pastway trying to reply correctly.

Nothing new happened at the library. Madelyn decided to skip working on her project today because she was so eager to begin playing her new instrument.

~~~

Obviously, her mom questioned the violin Madelyn brought home with her.

“Um... A friend let me borrow it.” She lied.

“Uh huh. Well, make the most of it, I guess. Show me if you learn anything.”

And she did make the most of it. By the end of the week, she learned the basic notes on the violin and began playing small simple songs. The sound of it made her happy, and the fact this was the violin was owned by Wallace Hartley made the experience even more special.

The next few days were a blur. School, pastways, writing, music, sleep, repeat. Madelyn could barely remember all the names of the ghosts she had helped. She started to panic as the anniversary crept closer and closer each day. She was afraid she would run out of time to help all the ghosts and disappoint Isabel.

Soldiers and businessmen. Dancers and photographers. Maids and authors. All wanting to be remembered. Even those with the simplest lives with no importance.

~~~

Final day. The musicians stood in their corner as always, playing their instruments for the last time. Wallace was nowhere to be seen.

Many ghosts approached Madelyn to say goodbye. Their cold hands became solid in hers, a special power they have.

~~~

One hour left until midnight. Madelyn decided to stay in the library and be with the ghosts until their time to pass one last time came.

As the clock ticked, the ghosts began silently panicking. Where would they go after they disappear? A void? A beautiful place of paradise?

After Daniella and Madelyn had a small conversation, Iden approached.

“Quite devastating we have to go like this. It seems that everyone has grown close to you and they like you a lot.” He said.