The Library Of Fate

Chapter One: The Librarian

The last time Kendra Jones was alive, she was on the way to a party. Not just any party, but her best friend's eighteenth. She was excited, as it was the moment they had all been looking forward to.

Adulthood. Freedom. What joy.

Her alarm went off at the usual hour in the morning and she headed to school as per normal.

She had just gotten back from home when her phone rang, reminding her about Franco's party.

Her car started with a purr. She was about to hit the highway when a flash of white came out of the corner of her eye.

It felt like she was in a movie. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. Then she felt an ear splitting screech as the car spun, breaks screeching as she shielded her face against the onslaught of headlights careering past her windshield.

Kendra finally screamed, as blood coated her vision.

Then, nothing but darkness.

That was her last memory of her time on earth.
-
Now, she woke surrounded by books as tall as she was in the largest library she had ever seen. Her dark shirt and worn pair of jeans had disappeared, replaced by a white cotton dress which seemed to move like silk around her.

Her mind spun as she took in the walls of what looked like a library. Oak shelves lined spines filled with paper. In fact, even the walls even seemed to be made of paper. Paper walls paper books. It was almost like a library of everything.

Kendra didn't know how much time had passed and counted the slow footfall of her bare feet as she made her way through the seemingly colossal library.

The library was quiet with the whispering of the pages and lines of text which she longed to read but for some reason, could not reach. One book in particular, however snagged her attention.

The spine seemed brittle, well-worn and her fingers itched to touch it. Kendra could see a peek of the gilded gold-deckled pages and was about to open it when a dry cough startled her.

She spun around hoping that this was just some kind of dream; that she would be back safe and sound on her way to Franco's party. But nothing changed. The same pages fluttered past her and she felt a sense of peace come over her.

It was almost impossible to believe – but Kendra felt lighter, almost weightless as she stood in the strange room. Then, a terrifying thought crossed her mind: Was she dead?

Kendra looked around her, expecting someone to wake her up, to tell her that she was dreaming– but no one came did. Instead of finding herself back on the road, her answers were met when a young man materialized in front of her.

He looked immaculate, of somewhat Asian descent with sharp cheekbones and dark hair and eyes which reminded her of midnight.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps he would tell her that this was just some kind of dream; that she would be back safe and sound on her way to Franco's party. But nothing changed.

The man stepped toward her, and as he did, the library had disappeared, replaced by a domed hall with even more books stacked at the end of the alleyway.

She looked at him and said the first thing that came to mind, "Am I dead?"

He didn't answer her question.

"You must be Kendra," the young man smiled and extended a hand toward her. He looked somewhat of Asian descent, with sharp cheekbones and dark

"My name is Kai, the Librarian Master."

Kendra didn't shake it. She didn't trust him, or anyone in that case. Instead, she kept her arms sifted to her sides by way of introduction.

"How do you know my name?" Kendra said, looking around in confusion. "Where am I?"

"You are in the Library of Fate. Around us are of people's lives. Their stories as they continue to live on," he paused, as she opened her mouth to speak.

"Why? Why am I here?"

"You were simply chosen Kendra Jones. And we are also here at the Palace where our three queens reside." He motioned to the place above them.

Nothingness.

The young man chuckled, "Well, you won't see it now. But you will if you look a little to the left."

Kendra blinked, turning her head slightly to the left. A glimmer of stars winked back at her. "Are we in space?"

He tilted his head, "No. this is a replica of earth"s space. The real adventure starts here."

"Why wasn't this in any of the myths?"

"Because our world is a secret. Few humans even pass these halls." He places his hands in his pockets, "You... however, are different."

"Come with me." He motioned forward and Kendra glided along, knowing that this was just the beginning of what was to come.