'So fuzzy, so messy... aghhh' Elsie annoyingly mutters to herself while patting the top of her head, she then gets up and takes a look in the mirror 'I look like i got hit by a truck' she utters to herself.
'Hellooo in theree, can I come inside?' Elsie's aunt shouts from outside her room 'Sure, come in.' Elsie responds as she proceeds to sit on her bed, her aunt walks in and speaks in a soft manner,
'I made breakfast hun, would you like some?'
'I'll have some on my way out, thanks.'
Her aunt with a look of increased worry responds, 'Elsie you didn't have dinner last night, you need to eat something.'
'Yeah I know, but there's something I need to find first, I'll get back home as soon as I've got it, I promise.'
Her aunt sighs and sits beside her, changing her tone to a more comforting one 'You know..... when I lost my husband I felt like the world had been cut in half, yes the entire planet, silly right? But that's what you set yourself up for when you commit, when you wholeheartedly love someone and you get attached to them, all they do and say becomes all you know. His passing was tragic, it left a gaping hole in my heart but I knew it would be pointless to constantly sit and sulk, he wouldn't want that, he showed me how big and beautiful the city was and how much life there was out there whenever we went out. Your uncle was a dreamer, an adventurour, he found his greatest peace while on the road that's what inspired me to restart my life and create a new route for myself. I met new people and made new memories, eventually the burden became easier to bear and I felt at ease knowing he'd be proud of me.
'That's beautiful auntie Rhiya, but why are you telling me this?' responds Elsie.
'Because I know you miss her, which is okay, but she's gone...don't tear yourself apart over what you can't change. Try something new, get out more, make new friends, do something... Just don't put your life on stand still when there's plenty more that awaits out there, just because you remember doesn't mean you have to suffer for it over and over again, you've got to try a different route Elsie, sometimes you don't need an escape, you simply need to remember to let go.'
After taking in her aunt's words, having breakfast and taking a shower, Elsie then steps outside freshly motivated, almost with the feeling that she could conquer the world. 'I'm going to get that book today no matter what it takes.' She then rides off on her bicycle with the city capital being her next destination, with her mind at ease she calmly cycles through the tidy city of Cairenia, getting a good view of the large buildings and sky scrapers. The further she travels towards the city capital the busier she notices it to be 'I've always wondered what it's like to have a city job, everyone always looks like they know what to do and where to go, it's all so confusing to me. I can't even imagine how gruesome having to wear a skirt with heels all day would be, yikes!' Elsie then arrives at the city capital and is met with shock upon her arrival, completely empty streets, deserted shops and utter silence. 'Where is everyone?' Elsie wonders 'This is really odd, I thought the city capital would be beaming with life, but it looks like there's no one here at all... Or everyone just left in a hurry.' While still having a thorough look around for signs of life, she spots the national library 'Oh! There it is.' She then parks her bicycle out front and walks in, the library is completely vacant, only empty shelves remain... 'Wow, seems like this place got cleaned out as well, I wonder where are all the books are going and why.'
Elsie then spots a librarian sitting alone on a desk reading a tiny book, she instantly approaches her.
'Hi, sorry to intrude but I noticed there's an outwide shortage of books all of a sudden, may I ask why?'
The librarian slowly looks up to Elsie and responds with a half smile 'It's happening, it's finally happening.'
Elsie with a puzzled look on her face enquires 'Ehh what's happening?'
The librarian then looks back to her book and continues to read it, the book begins to shrink more and more until eventually there's nothing left, but the librarian's concentration remains, sitted in the exact same position staring at the desk.
Elsie now creeped out rushes to leave the library, she exits it and finds her bicycle gone.
'Ugh crap, should've known better than leaving my bicycle unguarded in a completely deserted ghost town.'
She then sits down and tries to digest what the librarian said, wondering what her cryptic words could be referring to... her brief moment of self inquisition is interrupted when she spots someone in the distance; causally leaving his house with some boxes in his arms and approaching his car. She instantly calls him out and rushes toward him hoping for some answers to what's going on.
'Hey! I'm new here and I've been noticing a few strange things since I arrived, could I ask you a few questions? if you don't mind.'
'Sure thing, go on ahead.' The stranger politely agrees.
'Where is everyone? I mean isn't this the city capital? I thought it'd really busy.'
'Well around these times we don't get a lot of business in here, so no one bothers showing up, no clients no money, so everyone just moves.'
'To where?'
'Uhh different locations I guess, we all gotta find a way survive.'
'Then why are you still here?'
'I was actually on my way out as well, my family left yesterday, my wife took the kids with her, now we gotta move up in order to maintain our living.'
Elsie now beginning to feel more calm and understanding the situation she makes one final enquiry.
'Okay, okay, that makes sense... So, do you think there are any libraries left where I could find a good history book?'
'Definitely, the state library has quite the plethora, I'm heading up state now I could give you a lift if you need?'
'Yes, please... I'd really appreciate that.'
'Hop in.'
The stranger gets the engine started and drives off with Elsie inside.
'I'm Greg by the way.'
'Elsie! Nice to meet you.'
'It's a pleasure to meet you too Elsie, so how long have you been here?'
'Not too long actually, I came here in search of a rare book called the book of silver thoughts.'
Greg with an astonished look on his face turns to Elsie and asks 'The Book of Silver thoughts!?'
'Yeah, have you read it?'
'Oh no, no... Have you?' Greg with incited interest, and eyes gleaming with curiosity questions Elsie.
'Well I was, but I couldn't finish it because it had a few pages missing and
that really bummed me out.'
'Yeah, yeah nothing worse than an incomplete book... So tell me; which... which pages were missing?'
'Uhm... I don't remember but somewhere between the new gods being attacked and the creation of humans, why?'
Greg pauses shortly then cracks a smile and cackles. 'Hehehehe, finally.' He whispers to himself.
Elsie visibly anxious stares at him and enquires 'What do you mean 'finally?!' she then takes a look outside and notices a few objects beginning to float with some already in the sky, this only getting her more frightened. Greg then hits the gas pedal and goes faster, causing Elsie to swiftly turn her attention back to him with a look of inquest on her face hoping for some answers. He continues to laugh then he looks her in the eyes and says 'Remember to let go.' with eyes brightly glowing in green. Sheer terror flows through Elsie's entire body almost freezing her on the spot, but she acts quickly and pulls on the car door handle which breaks off and hurtles her into the sky rising at a rapid speed beyond the floating objects and shortly back down, landing on a couch from one of the furniture stores slowly moving through the sky. She lifts her head and sees a small explosion on the ground, presumably from the speeding car she'd just ejected from, overwhelmed by all this she passes out on the couch.