White Orchids {BOOK 1 COMPLETED}

Chapter 27 - (part 1)

The inside of the library is darker than I had expected. The upper parts of the dark grey walls are covered by stained-glass windows. They depict different landscapes, some of them look real while others are too strange to understand. Two balconies are located on both sides of the large building; they're held up by golden pillars whose surface is covered in black markings that look like veins.

Under the balconies lay piles of books, so old it feels like the pages will crumble in my hands if I touch them. In the middle of the library, two long tables stretch across the floor with elegant chairs standing neatly on its sides. Floating upside-down candles lights up soul wanderers that are reading the old books.

Most people inside the library are humans, except a few beings dressed in black veils. They are slowly floating forward, and the grey feet are almost touching the floor.

"Librarians," Sun says when she notices me staring at them. "Or that's what we've decided to call them. Fitting, I suppose."

There are three of them in the entire library. Two float back and forth at the sides of the long tables. The third is occupying one of the balconies. It flashes a few times – like it was a hologram – before it fades away and appears on the balcony on the other side of the room.

"They're not regular beings, are they?"

One of the librarians slowly turns its head covered in layers of thin veils, so many that I cannot see its face. It looks down at one of the soul wanderers – at the book they're reading.

"They have a single purpose." Sun walks towards one of the balconies where the librarian isn't located. "They're here to watch us."

"Why would they need to watch us?" I ask as we walk up the stairs.

Bookcases of dark wood, carved with beautiful markings stand in a line; they're filled with books that seem just as old as the ones in piles below us.

"To make sure that we're not seeking information we're not allowed to search for. Which means information about our own life. Whether that is a family member or a friend, or another person who has a connection to a soul wanderer. The only time it's allowed, is if it's included in your contract."

Sun stops at one of the bookcases. "Take one."

I cannot think of a single book that feels like the right one. They all look the same.

"This time it doesn't matter which one you choose."

At the top of the bookcase there's dates. 1800-2100, I'm not sure if it's the date of someone's death or their birth. It's hard to imagine that humans who haven't even been born yet are written in these books.

I pull out one. It's heavy and when I try to open it, it's like the pages are glued together.

"You need to know what you're looking for before you open it," Sun says and when I try to open it again, she lays a hand on its front. "Open it at the tables. I have someone to meet and things to do. I'll return to you later."

Sun heads towards the other end of the long balcony. Both mine, Clover's and my sister's dates are written in this book. I hold the book tightly in my embrace as I head towards the stairs. A black figure appears in the corner of my eye, it flashes a few times before it slowly molds into a being. I bite my tongue to stop the scream building up in my throat. It has turned its face covered in layers of veils. I can see it when it's this close, such a deep darkness that it feels like I'm staring down an endless dark well.

It floats down the balcony – away from me and the stairs. I remain at my place. It takes a few seconds before I'm physically able to move. I try not to think of the darkness the creature wore as a face. It feels like my legs will buckle when I go down the stairs. I approach the tables where two other librarians await; they slowly float back and forth in line next to the long tables.