CHAPTER 9: Different

Morning arrived

After having some pancakes and juice for breakfast, all the siblings went to school leaving Lisa and Evey who began making their way back home.

“Thanks for having us over Lay, the food was delicious as always.” Said a satisfied Evey as she rubbed her stomach.

“Remember to call or text us if you ever need anything. Don’t go ghost on us like Ria.” Sternly said Lisa.

“I’m happy you enjoyed the food, and I will be texting more frequently. It really means a lot to me that you guys came over today, I started kinda drifting in my own head a bit. You guys brought me back down to Earth.” Softly said Layla.

“Awww Lay!!” both Evey and Lisa exclaimed. They could feel how genuine Layla was behind her words. All three girls huddled in for a group hug before everyone went their separate ways.

Layla closed the door and turned to face the now empty house. All the kids went to school and Linda was due to come back that evening. She was once again left to her own vices, only this time, the strange symbols in her sketchbook could keep her busy. She walked back into her room and continued to inspect her sketchbook. The symbol which had initially been drawn messily on the corners of the book, gradually got better along the sides and led to the middle of the page where one large neatly drawn symbol remained. Layla attempted to remember details from the cave, where on the shore it was, how the inside looked, and what was in the cave. Suddenly, her head began to pound, starting from the middle of her forehead as it sprawled across the entirety of her head.

“What kind of sudden headache is this? Ugh, my head feels like it’ll split open. I’ll go get some ice cream first then continue this at the library, maybe it’s cause I’ve been home too long.” Said Layla as she rubbed her aching head,

After having her ice cream, Layla finally found herself at the library, but where would she even start? She walked up to the librarian, sketchbook out of her white tote bag and in hand, with her page open ready for answers.

“Hello, do you know which section I need to search to find similar symbols to this?” she politely asked the librarian as she lifted the open page.

“Hmm, where’d you see something like this? It can be found in the anthropology section under either the symbol, folklore or mythology sub-sections.” The librarian said as she gave a somewhat suspicious look to Layla, staring her up and down.

“Thank you!” Layla exclaimed with a bright smile on her face, oblivious to the librarians’ suspicions.

Layla confidently walked to the anthropology section, ready to find her answers. She first started in the symbol section, slowly skimming through each book as to not miss what she’s looking for. Each book was vastly different, some being new releases with what only seemed to be myths regarding the symbols as make belief, and others old enough to conjure up the creatures they speak of by themselves. Yet none of these books had what she was looking for. As she walked down the aisle, a dark blue book poked out from the top shelf; catching her eye almost like it was magnetically drawing her to it, and everything within her was telling her to take it. Although, it was too high for her to reach, and she began searching for a ladder.

“Are the windows open or something? It’s that chill again... but this time a bit less sharp...” Layla said warily as a chill went up her spine and goosebumps formed on her arms. Just then, Layla felt as though she could see piercing eyes staring at her in her peripheral through the gaps in the shelves. She immediately turned her head to check, but nothing was there.

* Layla *

“What the fu- Who’s there??” Layla jumped as she covered her ears. Her heart beating louder than a drum as she felt a voice in her left ear, it created a warm almost hot sensation as her ear began to throb.

There it is! That voice she heard in her dream! Or was it? Despite the fact it was only a dream, Layla could tell it was different from what she had heard. It was soft on her ears, almost velvety, unlike in her dream she wanted to keep hearing this voice. She swiftly started scanning around her to see who it was, however, it was only her and the librarian in the library.

“Layla.” Said the mysterious voice.

She quickly turned, only to see Nelle standing behind her.

“Okay, seriously what the fuck Nelle. You need to stop doing this shit to me I almost had a heart attack!” Layla shouted.

“Shhhh. No shouting in the library please.” Said the librarian.

“Sorry. Anyway, what are you doing here? Are you the one that called me the first time?” questioned Layla with an upset expression on her face.

“Woah, calm down. I sometimes help around in the library.” Points to librarian. “She’s, my aunt. And no, I did not call you the first time, I just got here. I was in the back sorting books. Good enough answer for you?” calmly said Nelle.

Layla soon realised that Nelle was wearing one of the library aprons and pin saying, ‘temporary assistant’. Her dark wavy hair was tied up neatly in a bun, and her light brown eyes were covered by navy blue cat shaped glasses. Underneath her apron, she wore a white vest and some loose-fitting black pants, and to finish off the look were some comfy black sandals.

“Oh... I’m sorry about that. I’ve just been kinda jumpy today.” Layla apologised as she slumped her head, realising the mistake she’d just made.

“That’s okay, don’t worry about it. Are you okay though?” worriedly said Nelle as she stroked the top of Layla’s head.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Anyway, you must be busy I won’t bother you anymore.” Layla remembered what her main objective was and turned around to continue looking for a ladder to reach her book. Nelle stunned at Layla’s indifference, walked to the next aisle, where she seemed to have brought a box of returned books to restock. Layla followed her with high hopes, though there wasn’t any sign of a ladder.

Layla walked back to the shelf and tried her best to tip-toe, even jump, to get the book though she was too short.

“Why don’t you just ask for help?” said Nelle, as she reached over Layla to get the book for her. She stood directly behind Layla and placed her hand on her shoulder, it was cool almost cold, and her skin was incredibly soft. Her chest was gently pressing against the back her head, and the scent of her perfume was almost intoxicating. She smelt almost breezy, and like frangipanis soaked in sea water. As she stretched to get the book, Layla could see a tattoo on her inner arm, though she couldn’t really tell what it was.

“Here you go...” Nelle paused as she looked at the book and her eyebrows slightly furrowed. “Next time just call for me, it’s my job.” Said Nelle as she looked down at Layla, her expression softened and she let out a subtle smile.

“Thank you, Miss. Assistant. Your service won’t be forgotten.” Said Layla as she did a sarcastic salute.

“Haha, anytime Miss. Reader. What are you looking for, maybe I can help.” Said Nelle as she pocketed her hands in the apron.

“Just some references for my drawings, I was thinking of this new concept.” Confidently lied Layla. She still felt somewhat uneasy with sharing her dreams to anyone, especially to Nelle, they still weren’t that close.

“I see... well, good luck with that. I still need to sort some things out back, I’ll see you later.” Almost like she was disappointed, Nelle excused herself and returned to her duties. Giving her aunt a nod as she walked past her.

Layla could finally focus on what she came to the library for, although at the back of her mind she wished Nelle could stay longer. She sat down at one of the tables and scanned the books cover. It was covered in worn midnight-blue leather and had no title, though, it was covered in intricate golden designs that glimmered under the light.

* buzz – buzz *

“Just when I was about to start reading it, great.” Scoffed Layla as she grew weary.

 *buzz – buzz*

As she leaned over the table to get her phone from her bag, she toppled the book over the table, and dropped it face down onto the floor opening its pages. She picked it up and a symbol was being described on one of the pages.

“Protective gliis used by siren witches. Can be used in everyday contexts, however, difficult to find outside of this practice. Usually charged on...”

“Siren witches...?” muttered Layla.

She closed the book and put it back on the table to check on her ringing phone. They were texts from Tommy.

“Bro, come home asap. Mum is home and losing it over Lina’s grades.”

“Your results came as well I’d hurry if I was you.”