I think I'll go to the library.

You approach the library. Once instead, you are enveloped by a fantastic silence that surrounds you entirely. There’s a lingering smell in the air that smells vaguely like tea; it’s refreshing and natural. A familiar sense of peace washes over you, despite the emptiness of the building that greets you.

At the front desk, someone almost materializes. It’s a girl with round glasses and big green eyes. Her face is speckled with little brown dots. Her hair is short but styled with pigtails coming out from both sides beside her head. She’s wearing a green pleated skirt and a thick black sweater.

When she opens her mouth to speak, you hear her lips part with soft clicking noises, giving you unexpected tingles. “Warren! It’s good to see you!” She exclaims quietly.

You smile before waving at the girl. “I’m sorry. I don’t have a clue who you are.”

She blushes somewhat as she reaches for a book. She writes something down inside before looking up at you. “Emily Frost,” she says. “We met when we were kids.”

“Oh,” you looked at Emily but still couldn’t piece her face to any specific memory. “Where?”

“We went to school with each other. We were both freshmen in Cloud View.”

Now you’re blushing. “Forgive me, Emily. I don’t remember you.” You say, somewhat surprised because she does look cute. Perhaps you bypassed her at a younger age because she didn’t have the appearance to capture your interest.

She shakes her head. “Don’t worry about it,” she says with a smile. “Since we’re both here, I assume you’re…?”

Emily looks awkward in return. She thinks for a moment and leans into the counter. “You know…”

You stare at her, waiting for the whole answer. Instead, she looks around and shrugs before gesturing a cutting motion with her thumb from one side of her neck to another, making a slight grunting noise.

“Dead?” You guessed. “You’re asking me if I died?”

She nods.

“No,” you say. “I’m alive and well.”

She looks perplexed by this answer but apparently chose not to chase your well-being with more questions. Instead, she purses her lips together, selecting a different approach. “How is the contractor business?”

A few unfortunate thoughts drip in, and you can only manage an awkward laugh. “I’m in a pinch, but I think the situation is about to change.”

Emily smiles and tilts her chin down. “Care to explain the situation?”

“I’d rather not,” your face becomes red.

“Alright,” she says while pushing a green book aside, her interest steadily growing. “Keep your secrets then.”

“Avoid grilling me,” you smirk. “This is the only place I can relax these days.”

Emily laughs, her hair bobbing slightly as she finds her breath to speak. “I would surely be concerned if you couldn’t find peace here, Warren!”

For some reason, you find this interaction quite amusing. You are soon smiling like an idiot and fighting the urge to join her in gleeful laughter. Her gaze catches yours, and she takes a deep breath in. “So, are we going to stand here and talk, or are you too busy to keep me company?”

“Can’t you leave?”

She frowns suddenly. “I cannot.”

“You have to stand here?”

Emily nods. “I have to.”

You want to ask why but get the notion you shouldn’t ask for some reason.