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**Chapter 2: This place needs an extreme makeover**
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I wake to the sound of a cat being strangled. Wait, it's just my clock. With my face pressed into my pillow, I blindly grab the closest pillow and toss it at the clock. The noise ceases. I probably broke it and I most likely will get grounded for it. Whatever. I never liked that clock anyways.
After about twenty minutes of me debating on whether I should get up or not, I manage to drag myself from my bed and get ready for another day at the library. I reach for my book on my nightstand and find it not there. I look down to see the chipped white paint of the surface, but no book. I could have sworn I put it on there last night.
I spend a few minutes searching my room and then all over the house. I look in everything; the cabinets, underneath the tables and even in the cereal box. It wasn't anywhere to be found. I plop down on a chair and put my head in my hands. The library isn't going to like this.
I decide to just go there without the book and return it later if I find it. I just grab another book and read on the way. That turned out to be a bad idea. After almost getting hit by a bicycle, a mini van and a garbage truck, I made it across the street. It may be just me, but I think that is an accomplishment for me that I got across alive and with all of my limbs.
"Jade!" I whip around to see my friend running like a maniac towards me. By the time he gets to me, he is completely out of breath and beads of sweat trail along his neck.
"Wow Brady, you're fit," I say sarcastically.
"Ha ha," he retorts still trying to catch his breath. His chest moves up and down slowly as he takes in deep breaths. "I happen to be out jogging now."
"Sure," I say cynically looking him over, "You tell yourself that."
"Hey, it's true!" he says holding both of his hands up like he was about to be under arrest, "Anyways, where are you going?"
"Where do you think?" He rolls his eyes.
"The library?"
"Yep!" I say popping the "p", "Do you even know what that is, Mr. Videogames? It's a place where there are many pieces of paper that are glued together with words on them!"
"I know what it is," he says defensively, "I was there yesterday with you, Einstein!"
"Oh," I say shrugging. I avoid his gaze because I know he'll just rub it in.
"And your saying I'm not smart."
"I didn't say you weren't smart!" He raises an eyebrow.
"I only said you were dumb!" I feel his fist rubbing into my arm; it's not exactly "gentle", but it wasn't as hard as a punch.
"I know your kidding. You love me!" he claims as he ruffles my hair. I give him the evil eye. "Yep," he says sounding less enthusiastic now that I am giving him the "I am going to murder you if you touch my hair again" look. "You love me!"
"Do you want me to strangle you?"
"Not really. I like life."
"Thought so."
"Hey, cheer up! We're at the library. Look!" he exclaims. I whip my head forward and see the brilliant, white building towering over us. I swear I hear the hallelujah chorus as I approach the doorway. I pause in front of the doorway and turn to Brady. I probably look like a kid in a candy store at this point.
"Excited?" he says rolling his eyes. I manage to nod and then jump up and down wildly, squealing with delight.
"Do you know how many new books they got today?" I squeak as I take a last hop. Brady looks at me like I have gone insane and then shrugs.
"I don't know. Five?"
"More!" I say pushing through the double doors. "First, I'm going to start in the fantasy section. Then I'm going to move to the second floor and look through the mystery section and-" My jaw drops open as I face the library.
Everything is in ruins and the whole space is blackened and charred. The burnt books have been blown off the shelves and scatter all over the floor. I scan the surroundings for any sign of what could have happened here. I gaze up at the sky through the holes in the roof and see a murky, rust color.
"This place needs an extreme makeover," Brady says next to me. We look around at our surroundings in shock.
"I guess the library won't be missing the book I lost." I state after a few moments of silence. I hear Brady gulp next to me.
"I don't think they'll be missing anything."
"What do you think happened here?" He shrugs lightly. His face is plastered with confusion.
"A fire?" I look at his and widen my eyes in an exaggerated way.
"No, really?" I say sarcastically.
"Hey, you asked!"
"Well I was hoping for something a little bit more explanatory! Didn't it look fine when we entered?"
"Yeah, but it doesn't now."
"Thank you captain obvious!"
"I'm in a state of shock. Give me a break!" I sigh as I look around.
"Well, we should look around. Maybe we could-" I am cut off by the piercing sounds of sirens.
"What the-" Brady starts. Suddenly, something or someone crashes through the wall behind us. I hear Brady scream like a girl beside me as pieces cement crumbles on us. My body is pinned down and the world is black. I start coughing as dust flies around me. As usual, I over think my situation and start panicking.
"Oh my god, I'm going to die," I scream in my head, "I am so dead." I take in deep breaths and feel tears burning my face. Suddenly, I feel a tug on my arm as I am pulled up to my feet. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see someone tugging on Brady's limp arm.
"Don't worry Miss," a deep, melodic voice says in my ear. I face my rescuer and take in a sharp breath. His jet, black hair swept to the side to his electric blue eyes would make any girl fall for him. I scramble for something to say, but I probably made some stupid noises that make me sound like I don't have a brain.
"We'll protect you and your friend," his voice snaps me out of my thought.
"Who-who are you?" I manage to ask.
"I'm Devon. Devon Hall. You can call me Dev though." He grins at me, but I frown. Dev. Where have I heard that name before?
"Jade!" I hear from behind me. I turn to see a young girl helping Brady to his feet. He is leaning more on his left leg and his right is twisted in an unnatural way. He is holding something in his hand, but I can't make it out.
"Recognize this?" He tosses the object to me and I lurch forward to catch it. I turn it over in my hands and see the plain white letters in an ordinary font on the extraordinary book.
"Fire and Rain," I mutter. I turn to Dev who is taking with the other girl and Brady. I gasp. "Dev, he character from my book, is real." I think, "He is actually living in our world." I take a look around at the gloomy room and the melancholy, cloudy sky. Maybe he isn't in our world.
Brady and I are in his.
YOU ARE READING
Torn (on hold-rewriting)
Fantasía"I thought they were just characters in my story. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine they could just walk through my door." Jaden Miles has loved to read ever since she can remember. Her perfect day would consist of getting lost in the world...
