A young girl who is living a life that is not meant for her finds herself somehow swept away to an island, no one can tell her where it is, occupied by a person who is obviously rich and a town of people who don't travel off the island much only to...
We spent some time going through the shop with all the school supplies to get me notebooks, a folder to keep things organized, pens, and much more. After we finished that store the guard outside the store took those bags to Zhi's car as well and Andreas ended up leading me down through an alley between two stores. We walked a little ways before we emerged on the other side and I found more identical shops to my left but the best view was the ocean to straight in front of me. It was beautiful and the sounds captivated me.
Andreas must have seen the longing on my face before he spoke, "We can go down there in a minute. Let's go into the bookstore real quick and then the ice cream parlor."
"Book store?" I exclaimed excited, "Where?"
"Third one down to the left" Andreas spoke and I was off.
Sprinting down full speed, Rex right next to me barking happily, we raced to the bookstore on the left-hand side. It had a little teal colored awning and there were books displayed beautifully in the window. Inside I could see that every wall and crevice was turned into a bookshelf. I couldn't wait for Andreas and walked in, allowing Rex through first. First thing after walking through the door was that just next to the window was a ladder that led to a second balcony floor. There were more books up there.
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The lighting was perfect and so were all the books that were in here. I climbed the ladder carefully and noticed Rex hot on my tail climbing the slanted ladder too. At the very top I found books that I never thought I'd find before in my life. I grabbed a few and started walking the length of the balcony, Rex staying right next to me, as I read the book.
It wasn't long after that I started pacing the length of the balcony that Andreas came in. He looked up a smile on his face as he watched me. Andreas was different now than in the diner somehow. For some reason I feel comfortable around him a little bit more. It wasn't long before I found myself searching through more rows of books while Andreas found himself a seat as he waited patiently.
"Any books you like, put them in a pile and we can go through them." Andreas said.
I came to the railing and leaned over a bit, "You'll regret saying those words." I said then closed the book holding it to my side, "Rex."
Rex took the book and down the ladder handing it to Andreas before coming back up the ladder. This was the process for the next hour and soon there were three stacks of books piled near Andreas. I figured I'd limit myself a little bit and it was towards the end that I made it down to the lower floor where Andreas was.
"You really like reading don't you?" Andreas asked.
I nodded my head, "It's been my safety net over the years. An escape if you will." A small smile danced across my lips for a moment, "Sometimes I'd imagine myself in the books as the main character."
Suddenly a book caught my eye and I began climbing up the shelves reaching for it. It was an old book with silver designs. If it was the book I thought it was, then it was the book that my mother read to me when I was a little girl. I stood on my tiptoes reaching higher and higher, in hopes that I could reach the book. Suddenly Rex started whining and barking, I could vaguely hear him pacing under me.
"Amaya, be careful." Andreas said at the sound of a chair scratching across the floor. He must have stood up.
"Almost got it.." I reached a little higher and just as I grabbed the binding of the book my foot slipped and I fell landing on my hand. "Owe..."
I whimpered quietly cradling my hand tightly in my stomach and legs as I used my other hand open the book to see the sliver lined pages glean in the light and the cursive print dance across the page. It was! It was the book! It was a book of tales and lullabies. Love letters that my mother and father had written for me. They published it before I went into Red's service in hopes that I'd find it some day and they would always be there.
I looked at the first page, tears starting to form in my eyes and read as my heart ache:
To our dearest daughter, Someday I hope you find this book and you remember the days we had with each other. We will always love you and hope you will endure in times to come. Life may never bring us back together, but memories will keep us tied to each other. If this finds you one day, you must persevere and never give up. Fight to live and change the fate that we gave you. Love Always, Mom & Dad
My mom would never read this part to me, she always told me it was a love letter. Though the very first lullaby in the book was my favorite and mom would always sing it over and over to me.
Suddenly Andreas was right next to me, "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
"I'm fine" I said wiping the tears from my eyes and closing the book.
Rex wasn't convinced as he came to lay his head on my lap. I pet him with my bad hand to hide that I was actually hurt.
"Are you sure?" Andreas asked.
I nodded, "I'm fine, I promise."
"Why would you risk your safety for a book like that?" Andreas asked.
"I've been looking for this book for a long time. To be honest I'm surprised to see it here on the island." I replied picking the book up. "I just want this one, I'm okay with this one." I said giving Rex a kiss on the head before standing up with Andreas' help.
"What about the others?" Andreas asked.
"It's okay. I can wait for them." I said with a small smile
"How about some ice cream?" Andreas asked with a smile of his own. I nodded and Andreas took the book, "Go next door and look at flavors. I'll be right there and I'll bring this book with me"
I nodded and headed that way. Andreas stayed behind to pay for my book.
