The Library Seirune

Chapter 16: Filled with worry

Chapter 16: Filled with worry

The fire was spreading really quickly, probably because of the many papers in the building which could be used as burning fuel. Tears flooded my eyes even further as I thought of how the books in the library were disappearing, how the papers would become charred before turning into dust and getting forever lost in the wind. My pain got worse just by imagining how it would be if they couldn't repair the damages of the building.

Beside me, Levira was sobbing like hell. "This. Can't. Be. Happening... No, no, no! It's not happening, right, Ayla?" She tugged at my hair.

I smiled sadly at her, then held her close. "It is, Levira, it is."

I heard a car door close with a loud 'bang'. A few seconds after, a hand was on my shoulder. Kenneth wrapped his arms around me and drew me close. "The library will be fine. I promise you that," he whispered gently, though I could also feel the determination in his voice. Vyler floated beside Levira, showing deep signs of concern.

And how are you going to make sure you keep that promise? I wanted to ask, but I kept my mouth shut, just in case it came out more offending than intended.

I looked passed his muscled arm, and up at the level where I always hung out at, particularly at the window where I sat beside almost everyday. The clear, plastic chair and the wooden table must be deteriorating now, including the chair where Ethan always sat...

"I wonder if Dimtri is okay," Levira wondered out loud.

My eyes jerked open. Ethan... Oh my God, Ethan... "Kenneth! Ethan is inside! He told me he would be at the library!" I started to panic, my breath coming out ragged now. My eyes darted constantly to the left and to the right.

He loosened the embrace. "I'm sure he'll be all right. Why don't you call him?"

I looked up at him, and saw his frown. "But I don't have his..."

"In your pocket, Ayla! Ethan gave it to you before we left."

I smacked my hand against my forehead. Quickly, I tried to get the crumpled piece of paper out of the tight pocket. I thumped my fingers on my phone's screen and put the device to my ear.

There was a click. "Ethan?"

"The number you have reached is currently unavailable. Your number..."

I groaned, then tried calling him again. For five times, there was no answer. Kenneth helped too by using his, just in case mine had a problem, but the same result occurred. Just where was he?

I pulled away from Kenneth and walked a little forward as I saw fire fighters walk out of the domicile, each of them holding oxygen masks over some people’s faces, their Ellerwyns getting some of the clean air as well by breathing in from the same mask, but a smaller one which was connected to their Seirune’s.

I searched frantically among the crowd, hoping to see the familiar figure of his. But no matter how much I searched, I still couldn’t find him.

“I’ll go to where the people who came out of the building are. Just continue to search around the area. I’m sure he’ll be around somewhere, especially when a library is burning.” I nodded, grateful for his help, before seeing Kenneth jog towards the crowd, where most of them were sitting down and taking deep breaths.

Turning around, I ran around the vicinity, shouting his name at the same time, while Levira shouted for Dimtri. Panting, I finally came to a stop after the first round. I pulled out my handphone from my pocket again, and redialled. No such luck.

“What are we going to do?” Levira asked, sounding entirely depressed and anxious.

I sighed. “Maybe he’s still inside.” My heart started to beat faster at the thought of him being surrounded by flames. “Maybe… Maybe he’s calling for help, but no one has yet to save him.”