Trails that lead to nowhere

Who are you?

She didn't know how her life would change. It was just a normal wet morning with a foggy sun. School was as always slow and boring. Double physics, French and math. What a way to spend the day. It was a giant school built in the ruins of an old castle which had been abandoned since the 17th century. After it was discovered in the middle of the 19th century it was rebuilt and used as a school. As one of the most expensive and famous schools in London it had many rich students or toppers who won a scholarship. It had many windows and giant gardens where most biology lessons were held. The inside was full of halls and countless rooms most of who weren't even discovered. The stairs were all old and cracked under the weight of students. It was like one of those haunted houses on movies only bigger and more royal totally more royal. Its secrets were hidden under a heavy cloth of dust.

Elise Chaux stood up picking her books as soon as the bell rang. Others were complaining about the boring Thursday. She just smiled at the small minded peasants. Fixing her bloody red beret and her Aegean ribbon above her long chocolate hair, Elise walked outside the classroom. She always felt something different for this place. While others feared it she loved to wander around. Most teachers liked her for her persistent self and her curiosity but she had no friends because of this.

The halls were full of students who were now discussing what to do after school, laughing and doing pranks. Elise just greeted some of them but as the others walked outside she went inside to the school library. The road to go there was empty and her steps echoed threatening on the old marble floors. But that didn't bother her. In fact it made her feel happier like she was part of that magical world in books like a killer on a cold night or a detective trying to solve a crime. She passed by many pictures giving them some glances and wishing they could talk so they could show her countless hidden stories about this place. The chandeliers hanging from the ceiling made this place look more comfortable for her as their shaken light felt reassuring and loving. She finally reached her destination and opened the giant wooden gates to enter the book resting nest.

She came pretty often here for a reason she didn't know herself. It was just something which pulled her here like a magnet tied to her really tightly. Something was really familiar to her although she couldn't put a name to it. Let's just say it was like a weird comfort zone. Not like it was for book dragons but like her home was here and she belonged here.

There were countless rows of colorful books filling both floors of the library. There were a few desks and chairs arranged between the enormous stairs of the place. It was all ancient with its pine smelling shelves and the cherry wood made stairs. They had detailed sculptures on their sides. They were sculptures of dragons, lions or even eagles made with great care and attention. The smell around them was mesmerizing as it was old and it gave a nice, comforting atmosphere. As usually it was totally empty since no one ever came here apart for Elise and rarely the librarian which was an ancient old lady who had a really bad memory. She left her school books on one of them and after making sure no one was around she raised her left hand and a book from the highest shelf of the second floor flew right into it. Elise checked around once more worried and after assuring that nobody saw her she sighted relived and sat down opening the book and sitting in one of the chairs.

Soon the world around dissolved and formed a beautiful magical forest full of fantasy creatures and fictional spells. The forest was dark and the sword shimmered under the moonlight as the elf was trying to find the way out. The more she dove into it the more she felt herself like at home. But not like she wanted to be a part of that world. The magic wasn't just a feeling. It was in her veins. And it grew every day wanting to go wild and free. She knew this world wasn't made for her. She belonged elsewhere although she didn't know where. Elise put the book down at the moment the warrior created a fire out of nowhere to light up the dark path. She looked at her hand and pictured a blue flame playing on her hand. Slowly her eyes were closed as she focused at the vision. When her eyes saw again a small flame was playing around her fingers and looked like it was laughing like a kid. Someone else would've been impressed and super happy to see they were special but not Elise.