The Felinites

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Abby's POV

As I walk down the unlit corridors I realize that I am probably the only one awake other than the guards, who give me brief glances but do not speak. It is, after all, the middle of the night. I am not tired because, apparently, I have slept for three days straight. When I find the library, so full of rows of books that there is barely walking room, I become certain that I will be able to find something in here. I am researching the humans, the Felinite history, the Edacion history, and human inventions. I am disappointed when I discover that all of these books are the same ones in the public library. I sigh and put aside all contemplations of research.

I begin to walk out the door but then I realize that if I leave the library, I will be bored again. There is nothing else for me to do since Dexter is on guard, Princess Cleo is planning her wedding, and I am stuck here. I opt to stay in the library and roam through the aisles of book shelves, looking to see if anything catches my attention. Doing anything is better than doing nothing.

Many books seem intriguing. Scientific Discoveries on Filinus and Felinite Flashback: A Timeline of all Events in our Past look highly interesting. I grab those two and three more of the tiny covers that store the holograms to display the stories. I am about to settle at a table when another book catches my eye. Today's Most Successful Citizens and Best-Known Criminals, the cover reads. I decide I will read this one last. After all, I probably will not recognize anybody in it.

I sit at a table and read for hours. Eventually, I feel my back ache with the stiffness of being still so long. I then change positions so many times that I lose count of how often I adjust. I started sitting at a table, then I lay on my stomach on top of the table, at some point I sat on the floor as I leaned against a wall, and now I am lying on the floor on my back with my feet stretching up the book case I settled by. Unfortunately, none of the information in the two books I have completed was at all interesting. I hope some of the other books I chose will be more alluring.

I have just grabbed a third when I hear a voice call, "Miss Abby, are you in here?"

"Yes, I am right here," I tell the servant as I stand.

Her face brightens, "I see you have found the library. I hope the selection is to your liking."

"Yes, all of the books are very nice, thank you," I reply. "Would it be alright if I took some to my room?"

"Yes, that would be perfectly fine," she answers.

"Thank you," I say with a kind smile.

"Would you like some breakfast?" she asks. "We just set it out on the table so it is still warm. Princess Cleo and Dexter have taken their seats already," she tells me with a polite smile.

"No thank you," I tell her, internally cringing at the thought of Felinite food.