Chapter Two: The Empty Library
Karlver stumbles into the dusty library, his hold on the door's knob tight to make sure he
doesn't fall onto the ground upon his entry. He was expecting a mocking laugh from his father,
but he was mostly hoping for a worried "You OK?". When he gets neither of these he looks
up, his eyes searching the small room.
Empty, say for the many books stacked all over the place in a random, messy order on the shelves
and table. There is one lit candle in the room, which has been flickering it's small flame for some
time, since it's wax is dripping onto the beautiful dark wood table. But the light that poor Karlver
saw was clearly from the one small window on the far side of the room.
Karlver lets go of the knob and steps farther into the room, fascinated by all the large old books
inside.
Never being aloud inside this room for longer than a moment would make a child want to
see it more, and a fascination with art and historical objects wouldn't help. Karlver is one of these
children, and even though he's worried on the where-abouts of his father now, he can't help but take
a look.
He moves over to the large, rich brown table and runs his fingers over the pages of the
books sprawled over it. One book catches his eye. He doesn't know why this one does... maybe
it's the gold trimmed pages or the golden symbol on it's cover. Either way he moves the small lit
candle closer to him as he opens the book of interest, leaning in close to read it's extremely small,
hand written words. He barely even starts to read and he already doesn't like what the book is
about as he flips the page, "... what...?"
"Karl?"
The boy jumps and looks back at the doorway's entrance. "Mom." He offers his mother a small
smile. His mother yawns before stepping into the room and running her fingers through her son's
hair to tidy it up, "Have you seen Dad?" He asks her.
Madoka pauses the job of tidying the boys hair, "No... Is he not in the house?" When her son
shakes his head 'no' she starts to look worried.
Karlver smiles again, "I'm sure he's alright. There were no dishes in the kitchen when I got there so
he didn't get himself something to eat... he'll be home soon for food for sure."
This makes his mother smile, "I'm going to get myself something to drink, do you want anything?"
Her son shakes his head again, "Alright, let me know if you change your mind." She pats his head
before leaving the library.
Karlver looks down at the written words of the book again, reading over what he had before his
mother had entered the room. His face turns to one of mixed emotion, completely uncharacteristic
for him. "... Dad... please, let me be overly paranoid." He closes the book with a snap before
standing and leaving to join his mother in the kitchen.