Another Life in The Grand Library

Chapter 9. Empty

After delivering some important documents, Haze walked to Dryad's house. He also bought some sweets along the way. Haze always treated her as a little sister. He did have a big sister. But then he thought that maybe having a little sister would be fun too.

He looked up to the sky, the drizzling rain made the atmosphere around the town darker than usual. He could see the gray clouds above and wondered how much longer was going to be a bad day.

After a while, he noticed someone familiar wearing a green coat and an umbrella.

He frowned "Dryad?"

She stopped in her tracks and turned to him. She blinked, "Haze?"

Haze sighed and quickly approached her. He placed his hands on his hips, "what are you doing here?" he questioned. "I was about to visit your house."

"Really?" Dryad raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. Sir Alvard said you're unwell, so I came to check on you. Anyway, here!" he handed her a bag full of sweets. "How have you been? Are you feeling better now?"

"Hum... yeah, not really.. still a bit light headed, though. And a bit burning up."
Dryad received the bags and smiled brightly. She opened the bag a little and peeked inside while continuing her words, "Oh, wow, thanks! You're a nice guy!"

"So why are you here? Where are you going? It's cold outside," Haze asked.

"I'm going to the grand library, of course!" She walked again and Haze followed suit.

"Seriously, Dryad, why? You should get back home. It's almost sunset, anyway. Sir Alvard gave you permission not to work for today, right?"

"Yes. But it's okay. Besides, there is an infirmary inside the mansion complex, right? I'll stop by there first."

Haze sighed. "Well... I think I have no choice but to go back to the mansion with you."
He was actually planning to go home right after visiting her, but looking at her pale complexion and going out alone... he decided he might as well accompany her.

"Oh, Haze, I don't want to trouble you. I can go alone, though," Dryad suggested, but Haze waved off the idea.

"It's fine, really. Let's just head back together. After all, it's a gentleman's job to help a damsel in distress, true?" he smiled at her.

She chuckled and nodded back. She walked beside him as they both started making their way to the mansion.

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As they arrived, they immediately felt that something amiss.

"So silent... where is everybody?" Dryad whispered to herself.

They noticed that there was indeed nobody in the mansion. They could only hear their footsteps echoing through the hall and felt a cold breeze of wind outside. The place seemed empty... but something about it feels ominous... like there's an unsettling feeling that they cannot shake off.

Haze scratched the back of his neck, puzzled. Though it was stormy outside this morning, he knew it was quite bustling inside the mansion before he went out to the post office.

Dryad turned to Hazard who was walking side by side with her.
"This is... odd," she said.

Haze looked at her, his face serious.
"It's true... something is not right. This place usually has people by this time but I don't see anyone. We should go and check if everything is alright. Let me check again outside and see if I can find someone." He started walking towards the door that led outside one more time.

As he checked on outside, meanwhile Dryad wandered around the mansion, only to find no one. She opened the window, peeked out and glanced below at him. "How is it? Anyone outside?" She asked, almost shouted.