......."𝔗 𝔥 𝔢    𝔖 𝔬 𝔲 𝔩 𝔰   𝔒 𝔣    𝔅 𝔬 𝔬 𝔨 𝔰"........

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POV: Author

Illinois, Chicago.

A man is wearing a light blue button-up shirt, casually with the top buttons undone. The sleeves are rolled up slightly, adding a laid-back feel. There is a pair of black sunglasses tucked into the shirt pocket, which adds subtle accessory details. Cream  or beige trousers, loose-fitting and slightly wrinkled, keeping the look of comfortable and unstructured. A simple wristwatch and delicate gold necklace. Both are minimal, enhancing the outfit without stealing the focus.

His features are sharp and defined. Big, Ocean black eyes and long, curled eyelashes. Dark and thick eyebrows that gives the best manly look to him. His lips are soft, full and rosy pink. Cheeks are plump, and round—a tender touch on his handsome face. A cute small nose that adds the last touch in his beauty.

He is walking in the busy streets of Chicago, steps slow and deliberate. A hint of fascination is gleams in his eyes. He rolled his loose wristwatch. A small smile curls on his delicate lips. His hair is messy, as if he has been running his hand through it the entire time. He stops on his toes, tilting his face to a side, jawline flexing.

"Book-mentry~"

The words roll on his tongue and a thick korean accent make them sound more deep. A quiet chuckle in his voice, almost a scoff at the non-existent word. He stands there. Observing. Calculating. Questioning. He reaches out his hand, grasping the handle in his slender fingers. He pushed the door inside, stepping in.

As soon as he steps in. He was welcomed with a calm and sweet aroma. Everywhere, there are books—a library. In the golden hour, the library was shining like a story itself. It was the first time, he had ever visited a library. In schools, they are different. He thought, every library was the same. But no, they are not.

It was quiet, calm and a very definition of library that he had forgotten in the past years. It was a vintage-style library with a warm inviting atmosphere. The architecture is dominated by rich, dark wood, carved with intricate details along the beams, railings, and columns. The library has two levels: the lower floor and an upper balcony that wraps around the room, lined with the bookshelves. The bookshelves are neatly arranged.

He scanned the library, standing on the door. He breathes in a deep breath. He nods slightly and turns on his heels. He had never been a person, who would read. But, he is eager to try it. Because, there is someone he adores a lot and that person likes reading. Not, any happy fairytale stories like what he had always thought but heartbroken, poetic and tear-stained kinds.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

He wander through the bookshelves in the first floor. But, all the books he find were too heartbroken. He knows, he cannot handle too emotional books. So, he keep his journey. While, going deep inside the library, he observes the library keenly. As if the library itself is a book and he is reading it. When, he comes to the dead end of the library, he sees a glimpse of a door. It is rusted.

The young man, didn't mind the condition of the door and remember the words of his sunshine. "The secluded doors in the library, always lead to the best section of books." The young man stare at the door in amusement. He bit the corner of his lips, softly. The door is in the end, there is no one in his sight. The door is unlocked.

He push the door, but it was rusted. The young man didn't even expected it to open in first attempt. With another round of strength. He groans softly and finally open the door. He almost stumbled but steady himself, dusting off his hands. He steps inside, climbing down the downstairs. With every step he take, his heart beats faster. He was unsure if this is safe. Millions of questions. But he was high on the thrill of trying this.

The rusted metal of stairs makes clicking sounds with every step he takes. It was scaring the delight out of him. He holds and takes his hand back from the railing, a back and fourth. He is trying to stay on his ground. Every time he takes his hand back, it is a sign he is not affected But everytime, he holds it again, its a sign he is unsure if he is affected or not.

When, he reaches the bottom. His fear actually flew away. From a small gallery, he can see a basement. It was not looking scary, at least not from outside. The lights are on and he hopes someone is there, inside. Slowly, he push himself to step forward. The curiosity to know was taking the best of him.

It was a narrow aisle inside a library or archive room, lined with tall metal bookshelves on both sides. The shelves are filled with numerous books, files, and bound volume of various size and colors. Many books appear old, with worn spines and covers, giving the place a vintage or well used feel. At the end of the aisle, another bookshelf is visible, creating a cozy, enclosed space full of reading material.

Overhead, a ceiling light fixture with multiple glass shades is turned on, casting a warm glow over the room. The overall atmosphere feels quiet, scholarly, and slightly nostalgic, like a hidden corner of an old library. The young man stands stun. He didn't expected the place to be this alive. He thought, it might be some typical basement of books. But rather, it was endearing.

Suddenly, a young lady appears behind the bookshelves. The young man jumps on his toes. He clutches his chest and breathes in and out. The young lady tilt her face to a side in bewilderment. "What are you doing here?" She asked in her sweet little voice. The young man glances at the young lady. He straightened up as if he was not affected by the sudden appearance of the girl.

"Oh, I was looking for some old books. By the way, do you work?" The young man asked coaxly. "Yessss, I do work here. I am wearing the uniform too!" The young girl said in a sarcastically polite tone, while tugging on her apron. The young man raises his brow in amusement and his lips quirk upward. "Sure, you do!" He replied back in the same tone.

The young lady grumbled someone that he couldn't hear. "Well, what are you looking?" She asked in a more professional tone. "I am looking for some emotional, old stories!" He said, pointing at the collection of old books. "Then, you could have told me earlier." The young lady whistle.

She turn around and trail her figures over the collection of old books. The young man just stare. After checking a few books, he nods to herself and hands an old book to him. He observes for a second. Studying. He reaches out his hands and takes the book. He failed to notice the smirk of the young lady.

As soon as he opens the book to read the dedication, a piercing light cuts through his vision and he close his eyes. In a snap of a finger, he was gone with the piercing light. The young lady grabs the book before it can hit the ground.

"They said, you should not step in the abandon section of a library. Or you will be spelled by the souls of books. He didn't knew that and that's why. He is gone in the year this book was published." The young lady whispers in a sarcastically polite manner. Then winks at the book and a full blown form on her cute face, she giggles and vanished in the thin air.

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..............ℭ𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔲𝔢................