New Princess in town

Part 9: The Library

This place is outlandishly large.  It could fill up every school library that I have ever seen, and then some. Alright, what to read. I let my hand trail the spines of every book as I walked. Until I saw a section in the very back, secluded and hidden away. For some reason I felt drawn to it. So, I went up to it and ran my hands on the backing, stopping on a book without a title on its spine. I couldn't help but get excited and curious, hoping that moving this book would open up a secret passage way or something. I carefully started to move the book from its spot. Unfortunately, it did nothing of the sort. But it was still attention getting. While it having no title on the spine could be normal, it had no title at all. I then began flipping through the pages. And they were all blank. I looked back through every page and not one of them had a word on it. It was also ancient. I decided to put it in my bag and ask someone about it later. I then looked back up and in the back of the book self-there was something.

Turning on the flashlight on my phone, I looked back at the book self, to see a lever of sorts. I stuck my hand out and touched the lever. It had so much dust on it that it was like a blanket I could move. I couldn't not pull the lever and see what might happen. So, I pulled the lever down...

And nothing happened. It was disappointing, to say the least. So, I started to walk away, when I heard a sound I have not hear before. It was quiet, and faint. Unnoticeable by anyone else. It didn't sound like electricity in things, or like a motor, or anything of the sort. It was almost mechanical. It sounded almost like steampunk, if that makes any sense... no that doesn't, but it was that sound, of like gears and clever engineering.

That is when I saw it, a tiny crack and curiosity got the better of me. I pushed the bookcase like a door and walked into a dark circular room. And then the mechanics started to work faster than before.

Now, I am in a pitch black, dark, circular, seemingly labyrinth, hidden passage way that probably no one knows about, and I am trapped. This is not good.

"Ok, ok, we are not going to be some weak damsel in distress. We are going to find our way out, and kick some butt today! Ok, what is the next most logical step..." I said out loud, trying to keep calm and remind myself that I could get out of here.

"Light," I screamed when I realized that was what I need to do. So, I grabbed my phone from my jacket pocket and turn it on. The time is 7:42. I turn on the light.

I look around and see five different path ways I couldn't see to the end. Two are directly next to me on my right and left. Two more were a little far there away. And then one was right in across from me. I feel like I am living in D&D, but I have no correct magic, armor, or weaponry, so just like something is going to come out and kill me at any moment. Ok, there are bookcases, with drawers under the shelves, between each path way. Two pathways have staircases - the two that are farther away. And in the middle of the room is a... fancy book stand, you know a podium for books. There was not book on it though.

"Ok, let's think, first things first. Do not go down a random path. It is very alluring, but it will end badly." I tell myself knowing that I want to pick a random path and get lost. "The book shelves, let's see if they can help. Yeah, yeah, that is actually a good idea." I told myself in surprise.

I walked to the nearest bookcase that is on my right and see a match box and a candle, sitting in a long candle holder. Clearly not used for many, many years, at least. Everything covered in blankets, more comforters of dust. I set my phone down, with the light up and grab the match box and light the match after a few tries. I then light the candle and turn off my phones light. I need to conserve battery. I then lift the candle holder and look at all the books on the shelves. They all have names instead of titles. I set the candle down again and take one of the books down. Opening it I realized that they're diaries - all of them. From the old Queens, and princess.

"Oh, my..." I breathed out felling the pages, "Ok, wonderment later. Man, these are going to help so much, with learning the history... if I can get out." I say looking back at the door," Someone had to have mapped this out, right? Someone would have to so that others could get around."

"Wait, there was a Queen that was obsessed with maps, she would have had to do that! Ok, now for the real test... Can I name who that is so, I don't have to read every single one of these now." I looked down in defeat, knowing there was a very slim chance of that.

I started to pace the room counting Queens and what they were remembered for on my hands. It was just a whole lot of no's and blanks. After probably five minutes, though I can't fully tell. I slammed my hands down on a bookcase, looking at the ground. With a deep breath I looked back up.

And I saw something that I recognized. One of the books was larger than the others, and had some pages peeking out of the top. Just like my sketch books when I finish drawing in them. I felt it was going to be the book that was going to be my exit.

I grabbed it and started to flip through the pages to what I looked for. Reading as fast as I could, I then realized I needed to slow down to actually understand what they are saying.

After doing that, started to walk to the path that would lead to my exit, it was the one on the right of the library door. I then checked my phone to see when it was 8:12. I mean now that I am no longer lost or in danger might as well explore. I grabbed the candle and slipping the little matchbox in my bag I started down the path.