Secret Inferno

Chapter 2: An Unexpected Meeting

David:

It was just a normal day. All I did was go to the library to find a book for one of my students in my literature class. He was a rather brilliant kid, so I wanted to give him a little higher reading. I was having trouble coming up with anything that I wanted him to read. Giving up for the moment to keep my sanity, I went over the reading area.

And there she was.

She couldn’t have been much older then 25, but she had this air about her that made her seem much older and mature. She was just sitting there in the corner reading a book that seemed much to old to be in a public library. Her long midnight black hair framing a face as pale as the moon in an elegant grace that reminded me of an 18th century Lady. And indeed, I realized the truth of my analogy when she turned the page of the book with such care and delicacy, you’d think she was afraid the page would fall apart if she didn’t.

I suddenly felt an impulse to talk to her. I didn’t know why, but I knew I had to speak with her. I couldn’t go another moment without knowing more about her.  I had to know her.

Next thing I knew I was walking over to her. She must’ve seen my shadow or something because she looked up at me when I was just a few feet away. A respectable distance for two strangers. As I looked at those bright mercury silver eyes, I couldn’t help but stare. Those eyes completed the most beautiful picture that was this woman. She looked like the embodiment of a snowy winter night. The kind you would see on a Christmas card; a sea of black with a bright full moon with silver rays shining onto a snowy field.

That’s when I realized that the book she was reading was written in Latin. Not just beautiful, but educated. I thought to myself. Finally I spoke, focusing on the foreign text on the book cover.

“Latin, that’s impressive. Not many people even know how to speak it, let alone read it. Did you learn that at the local college?” I asked. Brilliant, David, the most beautiful girl you’ve ever seen is now going to think you’re a geek. When she didn’t respond I looked back at her. She looked paler, if that was even possible, and very shocked. Great. Wonderful start.

“Miss, are you alright?”

That seemed to snap her out of it. Her eyes became cold and hard, and her face was expressionless.

“I’m fine.”

Her stare sent a cold chill down my spine; like a winter breeze. Oddly, I found it rather intriguing.

“And, in answer to your question, no, I didn’t learn it at a college.”

“Really? Where did you learn it?”

“My father taught me.”

“Your father?”

“Yes.” My curiosity must have been evident because she went on to explain. “We moved around a lot while I was growing up so I learned several languages to accommodate for it. Now, do you have a purpose for being over here or did you just want to distract me from my book by delving into my personal history?” 

Her eyes burned with a fire of annoyance. And I’d be lying if I said those eyes weren’t all consuming. Before I could respond, however, someone started speaking behind me.

“Dante, are you pissing off the staff again?”

I turned around to see a very tall boy. He was chuckling at his own joke. The youth looked about 17 and at least 6’2”. He had blond hair and dark blue eyes, which were watching the dark haired girl. I looked back to her as well. She was glaring at the boy.”

“No, this was just interested in the book I was reading. Apparently reading anything that is not in English is impressive.”

The boy chuckled again and looked at me.

“In that case, you should be amazed at Dante, she knows a lot of different languages from several different time periods.”

“Dante? Is that your name?” I asked.

Dante cleared her throat.

“Yes, my name is Dante. The cackling beanpole standing next to you is Carlisle, my brother.”

Dante and Carlisle. Nice strong names. A little old fashioned but very nice all the same. They suited the pair.

“Sorry, I don’t believe I caught your name, Sir.” Dante said.

“David, David Jones. I teach at the high school across the street. Actually, I’m a English teacher, that’s why I was so interested when I saw you reading a book in Latin. As I said before, few people in this country even understand that English was mostly derived from Latin, let alone learn the language itself.”

“Well, that’s Dante for you. She’s fluent in nearly three thousand languages so she’s pretty well versed in the whole which language derived from what thing.”

Carlisle was beaming with pride for his sister who chose to glare at him again. Obviously she didn’t like to have attention drawn to her. I was too shocked to respond.

Three thousand??

Dante stopped glaring at Carlisle long enough to set her book on the table next to her chair and stood up. That was when I learned that she was only a few inches shorter than her brother.

“Well, Mr. Jones, me and my brother have work to do. Carlisle, we’re leaving.”

She brushed by me in an almost blur. Carlisle smiled at me and nodded.

“Nice meeting you.” He turned around and started jogging to try and catch up with Dante. Once he did they walked side by side.

I watched as the pair walked towards the exit, focusing on Dante. Her long black hair was down to her mid thigh and her stride was long and fast, in contrast to her brother who was very relaxed and nonchalant. I felt a pang of sadness as I watched them walk out the doors.

 Sighing, I looked back to the chair she had been sitting in. I noticed she had left the book she was reading on the table. I walked over and picked it up. It was Inferno by Dante Alighieri. I smiled, just the thing for my advanced student. I set the book down and went to search for a copy in English.