Monster of a Ghost | Avenger's OC|

Comforting Places

After everything that had happened the past week Kelsey was more than thankful to be able to retreat into the most comforting place she knows, her work.

The library could best be described as incredibly off the beaten path which made it perfect for her. The building was beautifully dated, from what Kelsey could come up with the building was created in the late 19th or early 20th century.

And the rows upon rows of rows of winding nearly endless dark wooden bookcases. Ladders that went to the ceiling for the high, high bookshelves, following a few of the bookcases at the ends there were a handful of artifacts kept in glass cases on top of wooden pedestals. Covers of books varying every color in the rainbow and intricate stained glass circular windows. There were of course tables and chairs littered here and there through the many aisles and a few of the open areas for people to gather. There were two floors accessible to the public with dark wooden circular staircases spiraling up to the second floor.

The whole library was tinted a yellowish orange by lights hanging from the ceiling with stained glass globes. And best of all the whole library smelled like old books and a beautiful hint of vanilla that was by no means overwhelming.

If she wanted she could simply tucked herself away in a corner with a stack of books and simply lose herself in the pages of the books surrounding her. Other days she simply spent her time taking care of maintenance of the old building, polishing the worn-out areas, fixing squeaking chairs. The simple things made her the happiest.

Though the library was all together away from the busyness that inhabited the rest of the city, there were visitors whenever the library was open. Today was no different after helping a regular check out a few books on ancient Central American lore Kelsey led the college student out of the library waving her away.

Turning she looked to the couch to see the usual suspects were gathered and talking among themselves. With a slight smile, Kelsey returned to the circular desk in the middle of the lobby dropping into her spiny chair with an 'oomph' covering her eyes with her forearm.

"What's got you so uptight?" A sweet voice called out breaking the first bit of actual relaxing time she'd gotten the whole day.

"Hello Berthilde." Kelsey answered simply knowing exactly who was in front of her.

"Hello, now what's got you in a twist?" Her words came quickly after Kelsey's response. Sighing, she removed her arm from in front of her eyes, blinking as light hit her eyes.

"It's getting worse."

"It?"

"Yes, it."

"Does your team know?"

"No and I intend not to say anything about it."

Kelsey looked up towards the woman, her bright red hair seemed to attract all the sunlight making her head seem to glow, making her blue eyes even brighter.

"But what if something happens?"

Jumping Kelsey whipped her head around shocked to see Damian sitting on top of the desk looking down at her. His wildly curly short black hair hanging over his eyes as he questioned Kelsey. With Damian's words, Kelsey sighed it had been a question she'd been asking herself for the past few days.

What would happen if she lost control?

What would happen if she couldn't stop herself?

"A, get your feet off the desk and B, I'll get the hell away from everyone before anything can happen."

Smacking Damian's feet off the polished wood, Kelsey stood up again grabbing a very worn out broom to begin sweeping the old wooden panel floor. She was obviously trying to get away from the subject but she was not going to get off that easily especially when Damian was on the other side of the conversation.

"How are you going to do that if it takes over completely. You won't be able to do anything." Berthilde said now joining Damian in poking holes in her statements.

"I am not going to let it get that far."

"You really should just tell the team, I mean they're your friends aren't they?" Berthilde said from her seat back at the desk

"I guess." Kelsey responded with great uncertainty and uneasiness.

"Then tell them. Seriously, you told us so why not tell them?"

"Because you guys are different. I don't need to worry about you guys getting hurt because of me."

"But-"

"But nothing Damian that's just how this shit is and you know exactly why. I'm not going to tell them because it will only lead them to get curious and want to help me. And all that will do is just lead to more harm than good. I've dealt with this all my life without any help I'm not going to start asking for some now."

Damian simply let out a sight sitting down on a nearby stool watching as she swept up a small pile of dirt pushing it into a nearby trash can.

"It's not right." Damian spoke out in annoyance.

"Damian enou-."

"Uh...Kelsey." A new voice called causing her to jump out of her skin yet again. Looking up she saw Steve standing at the entrance of her library looking to her curiously.

"Oh hey Steve. What are you doing here?" Kelsey asked curiously setting the broom against one of the walls to approach her friend.

"I told you I was going to help you move some of your stuff over today, remember?"

"Oh, shit yeah you did. Give me a second, I'll go grab my jacket and we can head to my apartment."

"Who were you talking to?" He asked in confusion looking around the library with not a soul in sight.

"I wasn't talking to anyone Steve." Kelsey said very quick to respond as she reached her desk organizing a few things on top of the desk before turning to go back to her friend.

"Wait don't you have to check for anyone still in here to close up? You know to find any stragglers." Steve asked looking around the open library yet again.

"Nope. I already know, there's no other living soul here besides you and I. Wasn't that busy today." Kelsey said as she grabbed her cargo green messenger bag and black jacket quickly before returning to her friend's side.

"Come on, I've got one or two boxes ready to go in my apartment." Kelsey smiled taking out the keys to the front door ushering Steve out of the building.

With one look back into the library, Kelsey quickly spotted Damian sitting on top of her desk, letting out a sigh she closed the door locking it quickly behind her. Trying to forget the obvious look of disappointment that was across her olive skinned friend.