Alannah sighs, deflated. “Well, that’s sad.”
“Was there a specific subject you wanted to research? I could maybe ask someone to search the system to see if a replica has been made.”
Perking up a little, Alannah replies, “I’m looking for an entry in the Bible pertaining to the Smashing of the Clay Pots. Are you religious at all?”
“Yes,” she replies sternly. “Why do you seek this specific verse?”
“I’ve been asked to conduct some research.”
“Research?”
“Oh, yeah, sorry, I should have said, I’m a nun, you see. Erm, so I’ve been sent across to New York to get as much information as I can from the American libraries and then feed this back.” Alannah feels uneasy. Not only has the quick judgemental reaction from the young girl caught her off guard, but now she finds herself lying to try and justify her request. “I mean, I have studied this a little already during my enrolment, but I haven’t really ventured into this in any depth as we don’t hold much information about this particular subject in rural Ireland, which is where I am from.”
A slight pause ensues, making Alannah feel even more awkward. The young girl continues to say nothing and is staring at Alannah with a somewhat cautious and alarmed expression.
“I’m on a mission, you see. My superiors have sent me across the gigantic pond that separates us so that I could visit the second biggest knowledge holding venue in America to investigate this further and pull out any information possible so that we can educate those back home.”
“I see,” she replies. “You don’t look like a nun. Why don’t you wear the same clothes that they wear?”
“Oh, my superiors just decided it might be best for me to dress down during my trip to not stand out and draw any potentially unwanted attention to myself as I’m on my own.”
“Oh, okay,” the girl replies, appearing to believe what Alannah is saying to be true.
Putting out her hand, Alannah says, “My name’s Alannah.”
Shaking this, the girl replies, “Julianna.”
“Julianna, do you think you could help me at all?”
“I… really shouldn’t—”
“Julianna, if you know anything about this, please, I beg you to help me.”
Taking a deep breath in, Julianna looks to the ground.
Making her way around the table, Alannah kneels at the side of her. Forcing eye contact with Julianna, she whispers, “Please.”
Appearing reluctant, Julianna says, “The verse you speak of is not in the Biblical section.”
“Okay, so where might I find this?”
“It is located in the Dark Ages section.”
“Brilliant,” Alannah replies, relieved that she got the answer she needed.
“Huh, I’m not sure it’s brilliant,” says Julianna.
“What do you mean?”
Shaking her head with her eyes wide, Julianna replies, “I have been to the Dark Ages before, and it is not a section of the library I profess to like. It is just as it says: dark. And the energy makes the hairs on my body stand to attention.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I have to go there. Can you show me?”
A moment or so passes.
“I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate.”
Julianna says nothing as she twiddles her fingers.
“You don’t have to stay with me – just point me in the right direction.”
Julianna says nothing. She looks around furtively.
“Maybe you can just tell me what floor this is on?” Alannah tries.
Looking Alannah directly in the eye, Julianna says, “I can assure you, it is not on any floor. The Dark Ages section is way out of sight. Only those who know where it is can locate it.” Julianna’s eyes are starting to look as though they’re turning black. “Those who run the library have even stopped telling its own staff members that this area exists. It’s too dangerous. If these books fell into the wrong hands, a whole new realm of evil could be awoken.”
Aware that evil is already amongst them, Alannah says, “If only you knew.”
“Knew what?”
“Nothing. Ignore me.” Alannah exhales heavily, regretting the comment. “Please, you must show me. You are my only hope.” Trying one last time, Alannah plays the religious card. “Think of it this way – the Lord has guided me to you for a reason. You say this section is secret and not many people are aware of its existence. Look around the room and ask yourself – how many people in this room would have known about the Dark Ages?”
Julianna says nothing and breathes deeply.
“Exactly. None of them. So how and why have I, out of all the people in this library, been immediately guided to you?” A brief pause. “Because the Lord knew it was you who could help me. No one else in this entire building, just you.”
“I suppose when you put it like that…”
“I’m certain you can feel the chill in my hands from the outdoors. I have honestly just walked into the library minutes ago and have been guided to you. Look, there’s not a spare seat in sight except this one, directly facing you. Clearly, the Lord wants you to help me. Please, Julianna, I need your help.”
“What if…”
Desperate, Alannah grabs both of Julianna’s hands. Remaining on her knees, she begs, “Please, please show me where it is.”
“Okay. I will show you where you can find the verse you seek.”
Hugging Julianna, Alannah says, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
“I am certainly familiar and aware of where the book you require is – it’s in the Absence of Light section.”
Relieved, Alannah replies, “I honestly cannot thank you enough. You are going to make a huge difference.”
Putting her jacket back on, Alannah helps Julianna to collect her things. “After you,” she says.
They walk down staircase after staircase and a variety of hidden passageways for what feels like miles, eventually reaching a narrow and dark corridor. The grey slate brick is damp, with tiny areas of green moss. Not a single person can be seen. The space around them is so tight that Alannah’s slender body can barely fit down it. With her phone in her hand, Julianna puts on her torch. Looking around, Alannah begins to realise why this section of the library is not signposted. The energy is nothing like that of the rest of the library. It’s intimidating, relentless and taunting. Hugging herself, Alannah feels the presence of the unwanted kind breathing down her neck. She closes her eyes and bravely looks behind her. There’s nothing and no one there. Aware her mind is playing tricks on her, she continues to follow Julianna. As Julianna looks back at her, Alannah notices the dark oak wooden oval door in front of her. They’ve arrived.
“You ready?” Julianna says.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Retrieving the rosary bead from under her top, Alannah kisses it and makes the sign of the cross. “And may our Lord be with us.”
“Let’s go, then,” Julianna says as she pushes the door open.
The smell of damp and dusty old paper hits Alannah’s nose. True to its name, the room that contains the forbidden books is murky, oppressive and has a bad energy. Alannah wastes no time. She wants to leave as quickly as she can.
“Where is the Smashing of the Clay Pots book?”
“This way,” Julianna replies.
Alannah covers her mouth and nose with her scarf.
“Kicks you in the nose that smell, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah. It’s hurting my head a little,” is Alannah’s muffled response.
They walk through the maze of bookshelves and a never-ending number of seriously old, worn-looking books and finally come to a stop. Standing on the bottom shelf and reaching up high, Julianna retrieves a thick hardback book with a deep red leather jacket.
; Passing it to Alannah, she says, “There you go.”
Holding it in her hands, Alannah reads the gold lettering, A Curse to Behold, engraved deeply into the leather.
“The answers you are seeking lie on those pages.”
“How do you know about this book? Wait, have you already read this? If so, just tell me the information.”
“This book was one I came across many years ago. I was a dark-minded teenager. I didn’t have any friends and so I’d spend a lot of my time in this section of the library. I would find myself sinking into a whirlpool of depression down here. My head was filled with all the dark stories hidden underground. I couldn’t pull myself away from the dark mysteries of the world. But this book… When I came across this book and I read about the Smashing of the Clay Pots and the repercussions of those actions taken by mankind, I had to stop reading. Never have I slammed a book closed so quickly in my life. If the premonitions spoken of in this book are true, then may your Lord have mercy on our souls.”
“What? What was it?”
“I told you, I didn’t read it all. I don’t even want to speak about it. It gave me nightmares for months. You must read it for yourself.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously,” Julianna replies, her expression stern. “I don’t know why you seek this verse. I would like to believe that it is just curiosity, but my gut is telling me it’s something else. And Alannah, you should know that my gut instinct is pretty much on point with this sort of freaky stuff.”
“Don’t worry. All will be okay.”
“Is that your final words on the matter then, sister of God?”
“Yes.”
“Well, then I guess I’ll have to trust you or start living my life as though every day is gonna be my last.”
Placing her hand on Julianna’s shoulder, Alannah says, “I will do everything in my power.”
The pair smile at each other.
“Thank you for helping me, Julianna.”
Glancing at the book held firmly in her hand, Alannah is nervous and yet intrigued as to what secrets these pages might hold.
Reaching inside her backpack, Julianna retrieves a piece of paper and a pen. Clicking the button on the top of her pen, she writes her number. “Here, take this. It’s my cell. If you need me for anything, just call. With you being new and alone around here, I’m sure you’re gonna need a friend with whatever mission you’re about to embark on thanks to those sisters of yours back home. Huh.”
“You’re too kind, thank you so much.” Alannah places the piece of paper safely into the zip pocket on the inside of her handbag. “Suppose I best go check this book out. Again, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Leaving the Absence of Light section, Alannah makes her way to the librarian to check out her book. And now she’s even more nervous about what’s to come, thanks to Julianna’s discouraging words and Matthew’s random request.
Chapter Thirteen
“Bravery or Stupidity?”
“Mate, have you phoned Hermon?” Phil asks as he lies on one of the single beds, browsing the room service menu. “I’m starving. You?”
“No, I’m alright,” Matthew replies. He sits at the desk and turns on his laptop. “I emailed him when we landed, and last time I checked, I didn’t have a reply.”
“Aw, mate, he best not bail on us now. I’ll be well pissed,” Phil says.
“It’s what, nine-thirty now. Maybe he likes to go to bed early. I’ll email him again. If I don’t get a reply, we’ll get our heads down and I’ll call him in the morning.”
Phil’s phone begins to ring. “Sorry, one sec, mate.” He answers the call. “Hey, yeah we landed. Uh-huh, we just got to the hotel now. Yeah. I’ll call you later.” He then whispers, “Love you, too.”
Blushing slightly, Phil puts the phone on the bedside table and resumes his task of finding what stack of food he’s going to order.
“Selena?” Matthew asks.
“Yeah, mate.” Phil’s cheeks turn a slight shade of pink.
“Cute.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Don’t start.”
“I’m not,” Matthew protests. “I’m just saying it’s cute of her to check in on you, that’s all.”
“Mate, why the fuck is there no bacon on this menu? I’m itching for a bacon sarnie.”
Matthew laughs. “You’re such a dick at times. They don’t eat pork here, you absolute wally.”
“What? You mean they’ve gone through life without a sausage or a stack of crispy bacon? Wow, who made those rules up? That’s well tight.” Phil’s stomach begins to rumble.
This sets Matthew off laughing again.
“I’d kick off if that was me.”
“For fuck’s sake, Phil. They don’t know any different, so how can they kick off? I swear, sometimes I worry about you.” Matthew’s laughter eventually subsides and into the odd uncontrollable chuckle.
He’s grateful he has Phil by his side. It’s these moments that he cherishes. Tiny snapshot moments when they can laugh and forget about the enormous task at hand. Rare, but wonderful moments. Jumping on his bed, Matthew places his hands on his chest and gazes at the ceiling.
“We’re gonna find ’em, aren’t we?”
“For sure, mate. Don’t you start with the doubt. You’re the tough one.”
“I know. I know. I’m not doubting, I suppose I’m just way more nervous now that I have a granddaughter to fight for and protect. Well, now that we’ve got a granddaughter to fight for. It’s just a little mind-blowing. We’ve got to somehow find, fight and collect them all and make sure that none of them get harmed, and one of them, we know, is practically a newborn baby. If I’m totally honest, I’m starting to feel the weight on my shoulders a little.”
“Believe me, you’re preaching to the choir. I’m a wreck half the time. If it wasn’t for Selena calming my nerves, I’m not sure how far I’d have come. And you, of course. I’d have ended up dead in a ditch without you. That I am certain of. Addiction well and truly got me good.”
“I know,” Matthew replies as sadness overcomes him.
Phil’s words trigger a memory of the unwanted kind.
Swaying with a bottle of vodka in his hand, Matthew sees himself standing by the lift in what was once the busiest section of Honey Productions. The derelict space haunts him. He’s drunk, dirty and shouting at nothing and no one. Just as he’s about to get in the elevator, he drinks the remainder of the vodka and throws the bottle across the room.
Cringing inside, Matthew squeezes his eyes tightly together to get rid of the painful memory. But another one flashes through.
Positioned on top of a woman he met just a few hours earlier, Matthew is sweating in bed having rough sex with her. It’s Marilyn.
A knot forms in Matthew’s stomach. This memory disturbs him greatly. It is a struggle for him to come to terms with the fact that he used a woman for sex while he was drunk. It goes against his morals; the guilt Matthew feels because of this drunken mistake is intense.
Looking to Phil, he says, “Believe me, I walked in your shoes, my friend. I know, more than anyone, what a slippery slope addiction can be. It makes you do things you wouldn’t even dream of while you’re sober. There was no way I was going to let you destroy yourself like I did. And overcoming addiction is all about turning to the next addict and helping them through. Making right from the wrongs we may have done during active addiction.”
“Well, I’m grateful that you came out the other side because if I didn’t have you, I don’t think I’d have made it.”
“Do you ever think about the first day they’re home?”
There’s a brief silence.
“For sure, mate,” Phil replies.
“You know what I think about? The moment when it all really sinks in. That true moment when I know i
t’s over and we’ve got them back. They’re all home where they belong.”
“Mate, I think about nothing else.”
“You know what, I actually don’t think I’d go to sleep at all that night. I often visualise myself sat in a chair at the side of Eve’s bed, watching her sleeping all night. I just want to take in every movement of her beautiful face for the first time again.” Matthew smiles as he pictures the moment in his mind’s eye. “Then, as she wakes up, I’m going to be the first person she sees. I’m right there, you know. And she’s going to realise that I am going to be there for her always. I want nothing more than for her to know that I’ve been fighting for her all this time. I want her to see that I never gave up on her. And let me tell you this – she will never be taken from me again. Not a chance.”
A great big grin spreads across Phil’s face.
“Just knowing that I’m going to be able to look out for her and watch her grow and be a wonderful mother to her daughter just like Lauren was to her. I mean, come on, how precious is that?”
“I know, mate.”
“It’s the next generation. And I know we have no clue what Honey looks like, but I’m sure she’s probably got a mixture of Eve, Lauren, Alice and Dorothy. Our granddaughter is a creation from a long genetic line of beautiful women.”
“I hear you. I hear you. I’ve got a daughter and a granddaughter to meet.” Phil puffs. “Aye, our kids are going to be the most protected kids on the planet.”
“Oh, you don’t have to tell me that,” Matthew replies with his brows raised. “You know what I can’t wait to do?”
“What?”
“I can’t wait for us all to walk along the beachfront together as one great big, blended family. Arm in arm.” Matthew gets teary-eyed.
“Aw, mate, we’ll get there. All of us. We’re going to be walking along the beachfront, watching the sunset in no time. The little ones will be running around causing havoc and we’ll be standing by just watching them all.”
Matthew clears his throat. “I know. Visions like that keep me going. I don’t know what I’d do without my visions. They give me faith that we will be reunited one day.”
The Broken IV: Vengeance Page 11