An Attic filled with Birds [Completed]

8. Thinking...

Felix
When I wipe off the dust of the book's spine, I cough once more. The higher on the ladders you go, the less precise the cleaning gets. I read the title of the book in my hand, and put it back on the shelf after concluding this isn't the right one either.

I've been looking at books from the history section for a while now, and can't seem to find a good, comprehensive book about our recent history. I descend from the ladder, and decide to look for a librarian of some sort.

Instead, I find my sister. She sits at a long table, pushed against a window looking out over the square in front of the palace. She is bend over her notebook, and writing like her life depends on it.

I decide to check up on her. It can't be easy to hold up to expectations. I walk past bookshelves, and other tables. When I reach her I tap her shoulder. She looks up and sees me.

'Hey,' she says. 'What are you doing here?'

'Looking for some stuff. Are you okay?'

'I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?'

She sits up more straight, and pushes back the chair next to her. I take the hint and sit down. Looks like she's doing math.

'And how is that going?' I ask.

'A little less than fine, but I'm working on it.'

I chuckle.

'Good. Don't ask me for help, though.'

'I didn't think I should.'

'You know me too well. However, I was hoping you could help me with something. It's a history thing.'

'What is it?'

'About something that happened about 250 years ago.'

'The heist?'

I'm taken aback a little.

'How'd you know I meant that?'

'It's the most prominent thing that happened 250 years ago. It's a world renowned thing.'

'Sure. If you want to call it that.'

'You mean what caused the flooding, right?'

'Right.'

'What do you want to know?'

'Everything.'

'That's a lot.'

'Yes it is,' I laugh. 'It would help me a great deal if you could tell me where the recent history books are. That wouldn't take as much of your time either.'

She thinks for a little while.

'I know where those are, but I don't think those will give you the full picture of the whole happening.'

'What else could I do?'

'Check newspapers, maybe. We have those too. You can use the computers to access the archive. Every single newspaper ever printed in the last 2000 years is in there.'

'Really? How do you know all this stuff?'

'I regularly use it for my studies. You pick up a thing or two during those.'

'I suppose.'

'Did you learn enough from me? I really need to spend more time on this.'

'Sure, go ahead. I'll look for the computers. Have fun doing this some more.'

'Thanks. I'm sure that won't be a problem.'

She sighs. I chuckle. I pat her on her shoulder, and stand up from the chair.