Living Multiple Lives

Books Were Where He Belonged

Once upon time existed an old library in a small town of Riverdale. The possessor of the library was a young woman who lived in her magical world of books. She would hardly go outside.

After her father's death due to malady, she had nothing to do with the world at large. It wasn't that she despised the society or something, she wasn't just meant for it.

People would think she was an outcast, living freakishly isolated. They concluded that her dad's demise had her driven to the road of insanity, where there was no coming back but little did they know, it was just the opposite of what they had concluded
She was one of the wisest person in the town. The books, they made her wise over the years.

It was raining thunderously outside, the perfect opportunity for her on reading some fantasy novel. A warm coffee placed beside her, she burried her nose inside a book. She lost herself in the world of dragons and witches.

He stood opposite of what seemed an old vintage library. Out of breath, he gasped for air. This was the only way out, he thought. Looking around once again, with a heavy sigh he went ahead.

Her lips curved into a wide smile as she read, she liked where the story was going. She was in trance, flowing around as her mind occupied all the imaginative scenes and spectacles, the book worked as a projector on her brain. She was abruptly yanked out of the euphoric state by a light sound, which alerted the every bone in her body.

What was that sound? Was it an intruder? Someone trying to sneak in but why bother an old library? Her thoughts ran wild. Pushing the switches in and out, she cursed as the electricity still remained out. Heavy rains generally caused blackouts in this town. The lights from the lanterns guided her, slowly pacing ahead with the fattest book in her hand she substituted it for a weapon.

He was drenched and shivering. The library felt warm against his cold skin and that calmed his body. He looked around dreamily at all the lanterns placed at every dark corner around the huge book shelfs, giving it a movie-like feel. He somehow strangely felt safe in this unfamiliar setting.

He wondered who could live in such a deserted place right at the outskirts of the town. He just hoped this place wasn't haunted or something, that thought gave him goosebumps. This town had its own share of urban legends, stories he heard while he was a young boy.

She could now see a dark silhouette, it made her eyes pop out. Not once in several years did anyone care to invade her territory. This made her both terrified and angry, but being the brave soul she believed she was, she moved forward with her fat book held tight. Should she go ahead and attack or just wait for the person to turn around and face her. What if it's just a lost kid? That thought seemed to question her violent plan. She would never want to harm an innocent, not even unintentionally.

"Who's there?"
She enquired authoritatively.
This made him turn around and step in the light coming through one of the lanterns.

As soon as she saw him, she resisted a gasp. He looked very handsome, a fresh face with deep brown eyes. He blinked several times adjusting to the light. He resembled all the knights and warriors she had read about in the historical​ fiction genres.

He was beyond shocked to see a beautiful young woman in such a strange place.

"Who are you? And why are you here?" She questioned breaking the silence.

"I'm a thief and I've broken inside for protection against the cops that are chasing me right now".

His honesty suprised her. She didn't expect him to be so direct yet she oddly liked that about him.

"Why do you steal?" She was curious to know but was still alert. Although he didn't look dangerous, she knew looks could be deceiving.

"That's how I survive and I've done that my whole life" he was embarrassed to accept that but he also wanted her to know the truth for some unknown reason. He felt strange like he couldn't entirely control his actions.

"Would you like to have a seat while I get you some towel and warm coffee?" She hurriedly disappeared leaving him gobsmacked by her reply.

Why would she let me, a theif stay, is she so naive or maybe she's a serial killer and I've fallen right into her trap or could she just be a genuinely nice person, brushing off all the stupid theories, he decided to go with the flow.

"Here, wipe urself dry" she handed him the towel and moved to the coffee machine. She had noticed his shivers and coffee would be the best thing for him.

He quietly sipped on his coffee, starring at her intensely, almost studying her. He always thought women were pretty much predicable but she proved him wrong.

She handed him her father's clothes, it was a bit baggy for him but it would do for now.

He took the clothes he was given. Was she married? He asked himself, and that disappointed him oddly.

They were now seated facing each other. It was awkward but it felt right.

"Do You have any family to get back to?"

"No, I'm an orphan"

That saddened her immensely. He was just like her, alone and lost but atleast she had her home .ie. the library.

"Do you read books?"
"No" he sheepishly replied.

"Do you stay here all the time, I meant don't you have a proper home?" He finally asked the question he wanted to ask since he got here.

"Yes I have a "proper home" and it is this, it belonged to my deceased father and now it belongs to me. You will realise this as soon you start living here, with me, if you want to".

"Ar.e...You...Su..ure?" He sturted.

"Yeah I'm dead sure. You can start a new life here. It might sound weird right now but I bet you, nothing will be better than here".

He did believe her. This place made him feel welcomed and safe.

"We should call it a night, make urself comfortable, I'll see you in the morning". Having said that she began to leave, good thing she had an extra sofa.

"Wait..." He called out almost desperately. She didn't turn around but she stopped walking.

"Why are you doing this? Why would you help me without ​a reason, giving shelter to a theif, aren't you worried? I could be a dangerous man for all you know"he continued.

"You could be dangerous but you're not. You were destined to be here. I can see through you, call it a sixth sense. It might be confusing for now but in time you'll understand".

That night he slept peacefully. After years of just running around from one location to another, he finally slept like a baby.

He gave reading a try and to his amaze, he loved it. She gave him shelter but that became his home. He didn't ever leave the world of books and lived his life in magical dimensions, just like her.

They fell in love little by little every single day. Their love was getting deeper with the years passing by. They didn't have a castle but they sure had a Fairytale with a happy every after.

Songs for the chapter are:

Up all night by Charlie Puth, it represents the guy's pov

And

Somewhere only we know by Lilly Allen, it represents the girl's pov

Hey guys!
Finally I wrote the first chapter. This was really close to my heart. I'll keep coming up with more short stories, stay tuned!

A little information about this story, this is not an Romantic story to be exact, it's suppose to be a story which shows how reading or being around books can change a person's life and personality. A book will never judge you, whether theif or not and it has the power to make you happy and transform your life. Basically this is what I wanted to show with the story.

A shout out to my dear friend Jacobheart for the help with the cover as I really suck with making covers and also check her story out it's called Warrior Luna and it's really good.