the silent heartbeat

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I stood in the hallway, my eyes tracing the portraits that adorned each side of the walls. They were breathtaking—each one more picturesque than the last. The artistry was impeccable, capturing the essence of nature in vivid detail, as though the scenes were alive, waiting for someone to step inside and become part of them. Each painting seemed to depict a different world, an untouched paradise filled with rolling hills, serene lakes, and towering mountains, all under the soft glow of a pastel sky. The beauty of the artwork matched the floral patterns of the walls perfectly, creating a harmony between art and space.

The walls themselves were a marvel—painted with delicate vines and flowers that wove through each other in intricate designs, their colors soft but vibrant, adding life to the space. It felt as though I were walking through an enchanted garden. Different kinds of plants stood beneath the portraits, placed carefully in ornate pots that complemented the elegance of the walls. Each plant was different—some with large, sprawling leaves, others with delicate blossoms that looked almost too perfect to be real.

As I walked, I couldn't help but notice the doors on either side of the hallway. They were all unique, each one with its own design, as if they held secrets behind them. Some were carved with intricate patterns of leaves and vines, while others bore symbols I didn't recognize. A few were painted in soft hues, while others had metallic accents that gleamed under the fluorescent lights.

The lights themselves were modern, but their brightness illuminated everything around me, casting a warm glow on the paintings, the plants, and the doors. I could see every detail clearly, each line and shadow standing out as if daring me to explore further. The air felt charged, like something important was about to happen, but I couldn't yet place what.

I continued down the hallway, the sound of my footsteps muted by the plush carpet beneath me. After a few minutes, I reached the end of the hall, where a large two-door stood before me. The doors were grand, even more elaborate than the ones I had passed earlier. One side was slightly ajar, just enough for me to take a peek inside. My curiosity got the better of me, and I leaned forward, carefully pulling the door open just a fraction more to get a better view.

I peered through the gap, trying to stay hidden, not wanting anyone inside to notice me. What I saw took my breath away.

Elowen was sitting at a large wooden table, her posture straight, her expression focused as she wrote something down with a quill. Her auburn hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and beside her were books—piles of them—some open, others stacked high, as if she had been studying for hours. Her face was illuminated by the soft glow of a nearby lamp, and there was a calmness about her that seemed to radiate into the room.

In front of Elowen, standing around the table, were Berryl, Holland, Kaleb, and Wallace. They were deep in conversation, but I couldn't hear what they were saying from my vantage point. Berryl, with his golden eyes sharp and attentive, looked to be explaining something, his hands moving animatedly as he spoke. Holland stood beside him, her arms crossed over her chest, her gaze focused on whatever Berryl was saying, while Kaleb listened with a thoughtful expression. Wallace, on the other hand, looked slightly impatient, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, his gaze occasionally darting toward the books on the table.

It was clear they were discussing something important—something that required their full attention. I strained to hear, but the thick doors muffled their voices, leaving me in suspense. Still, I watched them closely, trying to decipher their body language, piecing together the fragments of their conversation from the expressions on their faces.

But what really caught my attention wasn't just the group huddled around the table—it was what lay beyond them.

Behind Elowen, stretching out into the background, was a hall unlike anything I had ever seen. My eyes widened in shock as I took in the sight before me. The room extended far into the distance, much farther than it should have, given the building's exterior. It was enormous—like a ballroom, only instead of chandeliers and dance floors, it was filled with books. Thousands upon thousands of books, stacked from floor to ceiling in grand shelves that reached up to the very top of the room. The shelves were arranged in neat rows, disappearing into the distance, and the entire space felt like a cathedral devoted to knowledge.