The treelord turned to Grace. A week ago I would have never guessed I would be talking to a tree, finding out my mother was some secret librarian and I was now a part of it.
“But Abigail is in danger too.” Grace’s voice caught my attention. “Victoria may have escaped and is searching for her scepter right now.”
“Only Emma VanHaven has the knowledge of where it’s hidden,” the treelord said.
Grace drew in a deep breath and then hung her head down rubbing her forehead. The treelord only looked blankly at her.
“If she gets a hold of it…” Grace’s words trailed off.
I hadn’t been a part of their conversations, only listened. My eyes shifted between Grace and the treelord.
“My mother…she left a note.” My voice was thin, but strong enough to catch the treelord’s attention. He looked at me and I looked into his hollow eyes.
“Well, what did it say?” He asked after a few moments of me staring at a talking tree.
“She, uh, said that there was a key, a key that opened a door, but to get to it there was a combination to a safe. Inside she said was something the guardians must have.” My voice shook at first and my palms sweated, but something about the treelord put me at ease the more I gazed into his blackened eyes.
“A key and a combination…what’s the combination?” He asked.
I sat for a moment just looking at him and he let out a slight moan that sounded like a sigh.
“Abi, its O.K., you can trust Henry.” Grace motioned towards the treelord. His name was Henry. I shook my head retaining a smile. I never thought I’d be talking to a tree named Henry and he would be talking back to me.
“She said I knew it well, but I have no idea what it would be.”
“Emma wouldn’t leave any vital information written down, just in case it fell into the wrong hands.” Henry glided away from us nearly casting himself into shadow. “Grace you must serve once again.” Grace only looked at him and shook her head in agreement.
“What is your advice then?” She asked.
“Arrange a meeting and plan your course of action. Timing is everything, especially with Victoria.” Henry was nearly shrouded in blackness. “Once you have the scepter bring it to me and Victoria will be sure to follow.” His voice echoed. “I’ll take care of her then.”
Henry faded into blackness and the room shifted as the lights flickered on just like during a storm when the electricity struggled to stay on. Grace got up and went over to the fireplace mantle and stared into the cold hearth.
“What do we do now, Grace?” My voice was barely a whisper.
She turned with her elbow still on the mantle. “Find the safe and the scepter, but first, I’ve got to call all the librarians I know.”
I didn’t realize that it was two in the morning until Grace’s grandfather clock chimed. As much as I wanted to question her until I fell over from exhaustion, Grace looked tired herself, not just physically, but mentally drawn. She went upstairs to bed and I told her the couch was fine for me.
Unfortunately I couldn’t sleep. My eyes were heavy but my mind raced like a speeding car. My mother’s letter, the ring, Henry the talking tree that was a treelord, and now, finding out my mother was a librarian.
Grace’s house was quiet except for the rhythm of the ticking clock. It was three now. I turned over and forced myself to sleep.
“Just put them in the car, I’m leaving in about five minutes.” Grace’s voice echoed from another room downstairs.
I shot up and looked around rubbing my forehead.
“Oh, good you’re up. I left some cinnamon rolls on the counter and there’s juice in the fridge.” Grace stood behind me. She looked like her usual self—not worn out but confident looking.
“Wait, I’m coming with you. I have to help you today.” I stood up stretching my long legs that were cramped from the small couch.
“You can come in later if you want. Get cleaned up and eat breakfast—there’s no need to hurry. I just wanted to get there early and call as many librarians as I could.” She let out a sigh and raised her eyebrows. “I hope I have their current phone numbers.” She hugged a narrow, flower printed, cloth book.
Last night was a fog of dreams mixed with what I thought was reality.
“Did I talk to a tree last night? Henry—was that his name?” I looked at Grace as she smiled and then stood in front of me.
She smelled like roses and tenderly pushed back my hair. The sudden gesture sent shock waves through me. It was a gentle mother-like reaction. I flinched slightly and then returned Grace’s smile.
“You Abi have a lot to absorb.” It was true I did, but Grace made it sound so much easier than I knew it was going to be. “That’s why I’m leaving you with Kelan.”
“Kelan?” I asked. “You mean the one that came and got the tomatoes?” She nodded her head.
“Kelan Blackwell, he’s a grandson of a retired guardian. He’ll bring you into town later.” Grace looked down at her wristwatch. “I’ve got to go.” She stepped closer to the door before I could ask any more questions. “Rest and relax here as long as you like. Call me if you need anything.”
Grace whisked out the door and I was left with my mouth hanging open. I plopped back down on the couch with the sweet smell of cinnamon rolls lingering like a fog around me. My stomach growled and turned at the same time as I thought of Kelan.
The last time I saw him I was pointing a spade at him accusing him of watching me. I felt bad and now, it was getting badder- not a correct use of a word, but that’s what my situation was—badder. I closed my eyes for only a moment thinking I would just rest for a little and then get up, find Kelan and have him drive me into town.
The rich smell of coffee was strong and slowly brought me to my senses. I opened my eyes and the first thing that registered was that I was looking into the bluest pair of eyes. The dark haired boy sat in front of me with two mugs of steaming liquid.
“Coffee?” He asked. “I wasn’t sure how you like it so it’s just black.” He held out a white mug in my direction.
“Thank you.” I took the mug from Kelan. He smiled at me as he took sips of his.
We didn’t talk and I didn’t know what to say. Grace said he was a grandson of a guardian, but did that mean he knew of everything? I looked away wishing this awkward moment would dissolve as I drank the very black coffee.
“Grace said to take you to town when you’re ready.” He stood up and took my mug. “If you’re hungry there are some rolls in the kitchen. There not warm anymore, but still pretty good, Grace makes them from scratch.”
I spun my head around and looked at the grandfather clock. To my surprise it was a quarter to one.
“I’ve been sleeping that long?’ I stared at the clock wishing I would have forced myself to move earlier.
“You looked like you were sleeping so sound that I just let you.” Kelan handed me a plate with a fluffy cinnamon roll on it drizzled in white icing.
I looked at Kelan. He watched me sleep. I wasn’t sure if I was appalled or flattered.
“Don’t worry, I was a perfect gentleman and I didn’t let anything get you.” He smiled and stuffed the cinnamon roll into his mouth as far as it would go.
I tilted my head still holding the plate in front of me. “What would get me?’ I asked.
Kelan’s mouth was stuffed full of dough and he held up his finger as he chewed the roll. “Well,” he said after he swallowed his enormous bite, “with Victoria on the loose it’s hard to say.” His words were so casual.
“Wait, back up a minute. Who’s Victoria….Henry spoke of her last night…” I looked away for a moment and then back at Kelan. “What do you know of all of this?’ I waved my hands around in the air.
“You mean…” He drew his words out.
“I just found a letter from my mother that she was part of this…librarian thing and Grace hasn’t real
ly told me anything but a few things.”
“You mean you have no idea who you are?” Kelan stepped back into the kitchen and put the plate in the sink.
“Other than that my mother was some special librarian and I talked to a tree last night when Grace opened a book.”
“A tree…you mean a treelord?” He leaned against the sink and folded his arms over his chest.
“Oh, I wasn’t supposed to say anything.” I looked away and whispered biting my lower lip.
“I can tell you that you’re not off to a good start. But, fortunate for you, I know about Henry.” Kelan smiled with his soft blue eyes meeting mine. “Now, why don’t you eat that roll so you don’t faint on me and I will tell you what I know.”
Kelan spoke like he was reading from a book. He told me that the four original treelords gave special powers and privileges to those that imprisoned their enemies. The agreement was forged in secrecy and it is the librarians that catalog, control and are responsible for the books. It is up to the guardians to protect the institutes that house them. The prisons were books and not just any book, but made from the treelords themselves.
“The books are numbered and the paper is made the same way as normal paper is made—from the pulp of the wood.” Kelan grabbed an apple from the plate on Grace’s wood kitchen table.
“Yeah, but don’t they have to cut down the tree to do that?’
He shook his head biting into the apple to reveal its white inside. “Not the whole tree, only the branches. It’s up to the treelord when more books are made.”
“So, they’re limited.” I couldn’t help but to want to know more even though just talking about talking trees seemed weird and I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes. “What exactly do the librarians get out of the deal then? Power and privileges…”
“Do you think Grace could afford this house, furnish your apartment by running a small flower shop that sells single carnations for ninety-nine cents?” He finished the apple and put the core in a large ceramic bowl marked compost. “No, she couldn’t.” Kelan answered. “She has been paid well for her duty, that’s where the compensation comes in at.”
I looked at Grace’s kitchen. Copper panels for the backsplash behind the sink, large stainless steel refrigerator, oak kitchen table and chairs with high backs and engraved with flower designs. It looked like a country cottage that would be featured on some garden show on T.V. that Aunt Kathleen would watch.
“Would you like to go into town and see what Grace is up to?” Kelan washed his hands and then turned and looked at me.
His blue eyes were steady on me. “Sure.”
Kelan drove a large black truck that had a small backseat and tinted windows. Inside smelled of newness and was exceptionally clean. It reminded me of obsidian-a shiny black rock formed from quickly cooling lava from a volcano. Rocks had always fascinated me and I often found myself comparing things to them. His truck was definitely obsidian with tan leather seats—heated I’m sure.
But Kelan was, or actually looked to be my age or a little older. Working at the grocery store couldn’t even afford the insurance on this thing. I was curious of him, but didn’t want to be too blunt in my questions.
“So, Grace said you were a guardian?” I asked as we pulled out of the driveway.
Kelan smiled looking both ways before turning onto the highway. “Well, not exactly. My grandpa was and my dad had nothing to do with it. My mom didn’t like it that is until my grandpa died and left us his inheritance.”
I looked at Kelan who kept his eyes on the road. “Oh,” I said not sure on how to respond to that.
“They’re divorced.” He was evidentially very open about his family. “Dad I think wanted to follow grandpa’s footsteps, but he chose a different path and he said it was too dangerous anyhow, you know, with a family.”
“Yes, I guess it would be.” I really wanted to get to Just Thyme and end this uncomfortable conversation. I was planning on simple small talk, not secret family stuff.
“Grandpa taught me a few things,” Kelan continued, “about being a guardian. He was one for the library in New York.”
“Wow, you mean New York, New York?” I should’ve just shook my head, but something about his voice and everything being so new, held my curiosity.
“They have the libraries within the libraries all over the world.” He smiled taking his eyes off the road for only a second.
“That’s what Grace said.” I looked at Kelan’s profile trying not to stare. His arms well rounded with muscles that were covered in a close fitting black T-shirt that amplified his blue eyes.
“She’s taught me a lot already, Grace, I mean, and hopefully,” He glanced over at me, “it won’t be long until I’m accepted as a guardian.”
He smiled and I smiled back feeling like I was thirteen and alone with a boy for the first time. I could feel my cheeks flush and my hands go cold. He drove around the square and parked in front of Just Thyme.
“Thanks…and hope you feel better.” Grace hung up the phone and let out an exhausted sigh. “That’s it. That was the last one in my book. I’ve just been out of the loop for too long.”
Grace had no one to help her except for me—the newbie librarian who didn’t know anything and Kelan the wannabe guardian who knew a lot more than me.
“I can get a hold of some retired guardians,” Kelan suggested.
“And what are you going to tell them—that you’re being trained by a librarian illegally and were never sponsored by the guardianship?”
“We have to do something—it’s Victoria,” He protested.
I stood beside Kelan across the counter from Grace glancing between the two of them. “Who’s this Victoria anyhow?”
“The epicenter of evil,” His eyes shifted to me.
“She wasn’t always that way.” Grace rebutted quickly and then looked at me. “I know everything is being explained to you in bits and pieces and I’m sorry for that Abi, but Kelan is right Victoria is dangerous.” Grace paused almost like she didn’t want to explain who Victoria was.
“Victoria was once a librarian.” Grace started to speak when suddenly the sunrays that were coming through the shop windows were blocked by one of the puffy white clouds that dolloped the spring sky. “Anyhow,” Grace’s voice quivered and her attention came back to me. “She was trained well and goodhearted until she discovered what sort of things and beings we were imprisoning. She became greedy for more and disgusted with serving the treelords. Their compensation and protection were not enough. She sought her own wealth and made deals with the prisoners. Victoria soon had a following a branch off from the librarians called the Circle. Guardians, librarians, wizards, sorceresses, anyone who wanted to join could as long as they swore to go against the treelords. She freed many leaving the books ruined and unusable. There are only so many books and so many prisoners. Victoria was not without fault though. She put her bought or stolen magic into a scepter and it was your mother that found it and took it from her.”
I twirled the ring, my family ring, on my finger just as the heavy, black cloud passed and the sun burned through the window again.
“Is that how she died?” I continued to twirl my ring. “Victoria--”
Grace only looked at me. “I don’t know. All I found out was that your mother was an active librarian and worked for the Chicago library and was the one who caught Victoria and managed to imprison her, separating her from her power.”
“And now she’s loose?” I asked.
“I’m not totally sure yet, but her followers are many and very faithful.” Grace then smiled. “Don’t worry Abi, you’re not listed in the registry, they don’t know about you and you’re safe here with me—a retired, but very capable librarian and Kelan a guardian at heart.”
It has been a couple of weeks since I found out about my mother, talked to a tree and learned that not all books just c
ontain words and pictures. Other than that, I haven’t been struck by lightning nor had any other kind of supernatural attempt on my life. Everything was quiet and Grace said that was a good thing. I only had one worry that was above all other now and that was to show Meg what kind of man she married. I didn’t want to, but Grace kept reminding me that ‘the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.’
I decided to meet Meg at her house for lunch one day as I knew Nate would be at work. I brought sub sandwiches at the local deli and a potted hyacinth from Just Thyme. As if the spiked spring flower of one purple, yellow and pink would make her situation any better.
“How’s everything going? Have you picked out a collage yet?” She was quick to get to that question and actually I probably would’ve if I hadn’t found out about my, or actually, our family’s past.
“I’m thinking about community college.” I lied, but that satisfied her college concerns for me at least for right now.
I let the conversation roll from small talk to how my apartment was and how nice Grace was as I twirled my phone in my hands. I had to tell her.
“Megs,” I said with a long breath. “I’ve got to tell…or actually show you something.” My heart was beating in my throat and my palms sweated so much I hope it didn’t ruin my phone.
“What is it?’ She smiled and I looked at her perfectly made-up face. She looked so happy, without a concern right now.
“Its…oh, I’ll just show you.” My fingers shook as I navigated to my saved videos.
I couldn’t find it at first and thought that through my nervousness I just missed it.
“Meg, I’m home!” Nate’s voice echoed from the front door. Great, the cheater is here to watch his cheating moment.
“You’re home early, is something wrong?’ Meg greeted him with a kiss.
“No, just had a short day. How about you and me and a night on the town?” He held her close and she smiled at him answering him with a kiss. Feeling guilty? I wanted to ask.
I put my phone away and hoped Meg forgot about me showing her something.
“Meg, I’ve got to be going.” I stood up and slung my purse over my shoulder.
“Abigail, it’s nice to see you again,” Nate said through a smile. He looked like the perfect husband. It made me sick to think what lies underneath.
“You don’t have to rush off and weren’t you going to show me something?” The night on the town didn’t make Meg forget.
“Oh, yeah, I was just going to show you some pictures of my apartment and stupid me, I must’ve deleted them.” I walked closer to the door as Meg’s phone rang in the kitchen. Saved.
“Oh, I have to get that it’s the ladies reading group.” Meg turned and said goodbye to me as she went into the kitchen leaving me and Nate alone.
“Bye Nate.” I quickly turned to the door when he suddenly blocked it peering down at me with his dark eyes.
I looked back to where he was standing and where he was now. There was no way he could move that fast. Nate then smiled at me.
“You won’t find it either,” he said between clenched teeth.
I shook my head. “What are you talking about?” I tried to play dumb.
“What you have on your phone—it isn’t there anymore and never happened. It’s none of your concern and if you want to stay alive, then don’t spy where spying isn’t needed. You have no idea at what you’re looking at.”
Nate was like a thorn in my ass. I hated him and I don’t know how or when he deleted the evidence I had on my phone, but I knew he wasn’t going to get away with it.
“I know what you are and Meg’s going to find out.” I pushed pass him and started to open the door when he slammed it shut. His face was inches from mine.
I didn’t look at him, but could feel his breath in my ear and the movement of a few strands of my hair that tickled my cheek. “You shouldn’t judge those you don’t know anything about, Abigail.”
I pushed past Nate without a word and got into my car and left. I knew he was somehow mixed up with the guardians and my mother told me to find Barnabus Wynters in her note. Could I trust him? He was associated with Nate. I shook with anger, frustration and fear. I would talk to Grace; she would be able to help me.
A hand written note stating that Just Thyme had to close due to an emergency was taped to the solid glass door with just the security light on in the background. A hole burrowed in the pit of my stomach. I hope she was alright and maybe it was as simple as a dentist appointment, I tried to tell myself. I drove past the store and out in the country towards her house.
Grey clouds thickened in the blue sky and droplets of moisture filled the air. I walked behind Grace’s house to see if she was in the garden. Nothing but the smiling scarecrow gazed back at me. Wind chimes that hung from several of the trees played their tune in the light, but constant breeze.
Suddenly the sound of a slamming screen door echoed from the front of the house. I ran around to the front yard and up the porch stairs.
“Grace--” I looked up expecting to see her standing in front of me, but instead an old lady wrapped in a crocheted shawl sat in the rocking chair. She looked up at me almost like she had been sitting there for hours knitting the black and silver yarn into what looked like a scarf.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I…” She smiled at me and her round, tanned face cracked with deep wrinkles. Her eyes were small and beady and her hair pulled neatly back in to a bun of hair that matched the scarf she was making. “Is Grace here?” My voice was soft as I looked around and then back at her.
“No dear. And she won’t be back for a while.” She smiled again lifting her eyes to me and then at her knitting. Her hands moved quickly in a rhythm that was almost mechanical. “Abigail is it?” She asked in her sweet voice.
“Yes.” I answered uncertain of how she knew my name. Grace had never mentioned her before.
“My name is Lucy and I watch Grace’s house while she is away. She said you might come by.” She rocked and knitted.
“Did she say where she was going?” I asked watching her make each loop with her long silver hooks.
“Business she said. And not to worry, she can take of herself-- Abigail VanHaven.” Her voice rang with an amused laughter and giggled upon saying my name.
I gazed at her trying not to stare at her knitting, but Lucy only deepened her smile. “Why do you say my name that way?” I asked.
“It is good to be known by your full name, especially in Grace’s line of business.” She rocked and knitted and smiled…
“What do you mean?” My thoughts and words were becoming muddled like a slow sludge that I was trying to break out of.
“Librarians are not what you think as you know and the one’s employed to watch their dwellings are not always what they seem.” She giggled again as she knitted with her black eyes on me.
I smiled at her. Lucy sort of reminded me of jolly Santa Claus all round and happy wishing everyone cheer.
“I’ve been watching houses like this for a long time and there aren’t too many things that frighten old Lucy, except things of the past that should’ve died.” Her scarf nearly reached her knees now.
“What should’ve died?” I wanted to know where Grace went, but my mind was in a fog only concerned with Lucy’s voice.
“Something that knows you’re alive even when she thought you were dead.” Lucy’s voice was like a river that guided me where it wanted. “The soil trembles with her steps and the ones that honor her call for her. She’s coming.”
“Who is she?’ I asked as the scarf now reached well past her knees.
“She comes from darkness and has many names.”
Lucy with a final loop flipped the scarf around me and smiled.
“Some things are just gifts and some things are gifts.”
Lucy’s laugh echoed in my ears. I watched her rock back and forth until I could hardly stand the loudness
of her laughing. I screamed out covering my ears and closing my eyes as a sudden breeze rushed past me and then all was still.
I opened my eyes to see the rocking chair empty and the sun hovering in the horizon. It was only two when I got here and now the sun was going down. I looked around—still no Grace.
I stood up not realizing I had been sitting on the step of the front porch. As I got up something tugged on my neck. My fingers went to what hung over my shoulders and draped all the way to my feet. I lifted my foot releasing the silver and black scarf Lucy had made. It wasn’t a dream, I thought to myself looking at the tightly looped fuzzy scarf. Lucy wasn’t a figment of my imagination. I would definitely have to ask Grace about her mysterious house sitter.
I left a note on Grace’s door to call me and went back to my apartment still thinking of Lucy as I drove home.
I went up the stairwell, fumbled with my keys and then plopped down on the couch. Everything was dark except for the glow from the oven clock light that flickered slightly as time pressed on. I looked up at the ceiling. My thoughts fluttered in every direction.
I still had on Lucy’s scarf and ran the loops of soft yarn through my fingers. I then let out a sigh thinking of Meg. I had no evidence of Nate’s affair—nothing to prove what he did. I looked again and again at my phone—I had nothing. How was Meg going to believe me now? I laid my head back and closed my eyes as Lucy’s voice still echoed like a residue left in my head.
Loud yelling woke me. I was just closing my eyes for a minute and now the clock flashed two. I lifted my head realizing I had fallen asleep on the couch. My neck ached and I rubbed it sitting there letting the circulation return to my numb feet. A car door slammed shut from the street below. I sat up and looked over at the window. Two voices echoed and slowly I got up and peaked through the blinds.
A black car was parked in front of Just Thyme and a tall man stood at the front bumper on the driver’s side. He didn’t move and was dressed in what looked like a suit. I moved a little closer to see who he was looking at. A shorter person was talking to him and motioning with their hands back at the store front. A light flickered inside the car on the passenger’s side. Smoke rolled out the window and embers dropped to the ground. Someone was in there and they were smoking.
The man stood now with crossed arms as the other person stepped forward and again motioned back at the store this time turning slightly so I could see their face. Through the pool of dim light from vintage streetlamps that were made to look gas powered, I could see it was Grace.
“Grace,” I said surprised to see her.
The still man finally moved and tilted his head upward, looking in my direction. Quickly, I jumped back. From the dull light I could see his dark skin and a deep scar that ran from his right temple to his chin in a C shape. He gazed in my direction for a moment and then back at Grace.
I moved closer to the window and stood slightly behind the sheer curtain watching them and wishing I could hear their conversation.
The man shook his head and then said something to Grace, got into the car and left as Grace quickly got in her vehicle and followed the black car.
I knew I shouldn’t, but I had to follower her. I grabbed my keys and held them in my hand. What if the guy was a guardian or another librarian? If I followed her, I might get her into trouble, but something inside of me didn’t feel right, like she was in danger.
I pulled on a pair of sweat pants and a dark hoodie. Locking the door behind me, I went into the cool midnight spring air that still clung to winter’s chill. The car rumbled as the motor turned over and I put it into gear.
I knew what general direction they went in, but I could see nothing, everything was quiet. I drove out to Grace’s house and the place was dark except for the front porch light that she always had on at night. I didn’t see Lucy and I wasn’t going to look for her either.
After going around town and meeting the cop twice on the road, I decided to go back to my apartment. Grace would come in the morning, she had to open up.
I curled up on the couch wondering who Grace was talking to. My eyes grew heavy as I tried to keep them open just in case my phone rang or Grace would knock on my door. I watched the clock slowly turn with the minutes going by until blackness fell behind my eyelids.
The smell of smoke, strong and thick went in my nose. I sat up groggy, not sure if I was dreaming or if the smog-like smoke was really swirling around me. I coughed and drew in air that stung my nose and lungs. I could hear glass break from downstairs. The sound of crackling and more glass breaking came from downstairs. My heart fluttered in my chest. Just Thyme and my apartment were on fire. I had to get out.
I stood up and went over to my door. I felt it to see if it was hot remembering what I learned from one of the local firefighters that came to our school to teach us about fire safety when I was in second grade. I opened it, glad it wasn’t hot because I would have had to climb out a window instead and onto the awning that covered some of the store windows. Unfortunately, the fire escape steps were in the process of being replaced. I came to the back door and pushed on it. It was locked and wasn’t budging no matter how hard I pushed. I had no choice but to go through the store and out the front where I could break the glass door.
I stayed as low as I could, feeling my way through the store on hands and knees. Flames ran up the wall behind the counter and I inched my way along the side wall. I held my shirt over my nose dodging the fallen shelves. The heat burned my skin and I could feel slivers of broken glass imbed into the palm of my hands and knees.
I didn’t think the store was that long. I tried to look up to see where I was but everything was in a haze of black smoke and flames. I could hear the building creak and moan with pain from the burning flames. I pushed forward gasping for air that wasn’t there when suddenly a flash of blue light erupted before me. At first I thought it was a gas explosion, but then from the smoke came a satisfied laugh—a woman’s laugh that faded with the crackle of the burning building.
I was disoriented, not even sure if I was headed towards the front of the store now. I stopped in the black curling smoke unable to see anything. I tried to see what had been on the shelves that were now on the floor. I knew what displays were where and that would let me know if I was close.
With outstretched fingers, I found a vase and then dirt with a few broken bird glass figurines—I was in the middle of the store. I pushed forward feeling more of the same thing and then I came across the small cement lawn ornaments. They were located in the back of the store. I stopped, everything was not where it was supposed to be, it was scattered.
I coughed and gasped. I couldn’t stop, but I couldn’t push myself any more. I was breathing in smoke and it wasn’t even irritating anymore. I lay among the fragments of glass, piles of dirt and curling smoke that danced before me.
I closed my eyes thinking about Grace, Meg and my mom. Grace and Meg would miss me, but I would get to see my mom. I didn’t fight it anymore, I was ready to let go.
“Abi!” Someone yelled my name over and over again. Time had shifted for me. Was it minutes or seconds since I came downstairs? I didn’t care as a dark figure loomed over me. “I’ve got you!” Two strong arms forced me upward. I didn’t want to go, I wanted to see my mother.
The fresh outside air burned my nose and forced its way in my lungs. I coughed and water ran from eyes.
“Keep breathing and we’ll be safe soon.” It was Kelan’s voice that I heard.
My eyes still stung and I couldn’t see anything, but could feel the motion of being in his truck.
I tried to speak, but the only thing I could do was gasp for air and cough until I thought I was going to throw up. My arms shook and I let myself fall to my side letting the water from my irritated eyes turn more into tears until a blackness took me away.
Chapter Four
The Librarian's Daughter The Story of Abi VanHaven Page 3