Snakes Don't Bite Their Owners

Books and Cat and Books

As soon as I walked through the stone archway, I was overcome with the scent of warmth. 

There were books EVERYWHERE. 

I couldn't tell you what the floors were made of, or what colour the walls were because there were so many books that they covered every inch of my vision. So many books that even when my eyes were closed I could still see them. 

Like, imagine a tsunami... but instead of sand and water there was just a whole bunch of tainted parchment brought to life through stories waiting to be discovered. 

It was chaotic... but it was comforting.

"Come, follow me."

I looked up to see Pia leaning over a banister which didn't exist in my earlier description of the store. Another addition is the celing above her - which is dark blue and covered with golden circles and stars. I suppose it means something more that what I can guess it does... but nevertheless it pleases my eyeballs. 

"Have you never been in a bookstore before, Harriet? You seem awfully dazzled."

"Not one like this."

I eventually found the staircase hidden under - you guessed it - more books, and chased the spiral to my new friend. 

It felt endless. 

Then it ended, and I stood where Pia used to be under the false stars below the real ones.

"Over here."

It took me a few seconds to figure out where the voice came from as I did a little spin to readjust my internal compass.

Pia was in fornt of me - halfway between the floor and the ceiling, her shoes stuffed into one of the many bookcases. 

I wandered towards her because I had no reason not to. Then I got distracted, stopped to look at a book cover, and by the time I turned my head back around she was gone. again. Well, not fully gone - her shoes where still there. Except now they were dangling from the ceiling... legs still attached I presume. 

I found myself standing underneath them and realised there was in fact an opening in the roof - a trap door - which had slurped Pia up and was now coming for me. 

I willingly obliged.

"What is this place?"

"It's like my very own treehouse - but without the tree. I like to come here and think sometimes."

The walls were lined with shelves - but only half contained books. The rest were filled with tiny vials and crystals and statues. There was a wooden desk in one corner with a stool to match, and an old purple armchair guarded ferociously by a curled up black and white kitten.

"His name is Flummox. He comes and goes as he pleases."

"He's cute."

He lifts his head up in recognition, then reverts to fluffy ball pose.

"What do you think about when you're up here?"

"Lots of things, but mostly the universe and the stars and the future."

"Cool. Fun. I just think about how annoying people are, and what things look like... and food - though sometimes I don't even think at all... I just talk."

"Do you read much?"

"I read a bunch for school, and I normally look at the subtitles when I'm watching a show - even when it's in English. Oh, and I read a lot of signs... like road signs and flyers and stuff."

"I see. Well, I have a book here that you might like to read. You can have it if you'd like."

A stared at the brick of words in her hand.

"Are you sure?

"Of course."

I couldn't tell what it was about, cause the cover was completely blank - but I was grateful.

My eyes darted around the room once more in an attempt to find something to discuss and eventually landed on a glowing orb - well, it wasn't really glowing but that makes it sound more mysterious. 

"Hey! Is this one of those things you can use to tell the future."

"I don't use it much. But it you're looking for guidance in your life, I might be able to help."

She rummaged through the satchel she had been carrying around all morning and pulled out a large pack of cards with funny lookin pictures on them.

"Please, take a seat."

Sir Flummox had vacated the purple chair in anticipation of this event and I gladly sat down, ready to learn about all the good things coming my way...