A library. A building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use.

That's the general definition of a library. But to Annabelle, a library was a place where she finds peace.

A library is like a safe haven. A place where she could hide from the world and embrace peace and quiet.

The library has always been her favorite place to be. When her parents would tell her not to go anywhere because of the vampires, she would always sneak out.

She would always pass through the escape tunnel in the basement, that leads to the alleyway beside the big ancient, and only library in Malcony.

The library has been around for years, and according to the words of her father, it houses secrets and stories. She always preferred her father to her mother.

Unlike her mother, her father was a polymath. The only smartest person Annabelle had ever met. He was her mentor and she had always wished to be like him.

Not only was he smart, but he was also very courageous. As her grandmother says; "your father smiled even in the face of death".

Annabelle remembers her father quite well, but her mother, not so much. Her mother wasn't evil. No, she was the devil herself.

Annabelle has always known her mother didn't want her. Her grandmother explained how her mother tried to take her life, multiple times.

She failed every time of course. If not, Annabelle wouldn't be in the library reading about THE ANCIENT MYTHS.

A boring book to read as a teenager, but she preferred it. Annabelle was always locked up like any other human child. When she was eighteen, her grandmother allowed her access to move freely.

When she was younger, she would always have her dad collect her little books written by people who were around decades ago, when humans and creatures dwelled together.

"Isn't this a little too much for you my princess?" Her dad would always ask each time she requests a book.

"No father. I can handle it" she would grin and pat her head.

The last time she saw her father was when she was ten. He hurriedly shoved her little body into the back of her grandmother's horse-drawn carriage.

She never got to see him after that day. She was told by her grandmother, that her father died a hero. He died while trying to save people.

"AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF THE SANGUINARIAN, THE PEOPLE BECAME ANXIOUS. WAR BROKE OUT, AND THE WORDS OF THE SEEKER WERE THE TRUTH.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DIED. THE SANGUINARIANS, STARTED CALLING THEMSELVES VAMPIRES. THEY MULTIPLIED IN NUMBER, AND THEY BECAME UNDEFEATED." Annabelle read out, tracing the words on the faded book paper with her index finger.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Annabelle had been reading a book for days now. When she visited the library a week ago, she asked Myrna; the library keeper for old books.

"Check down the old and rusty stairs. There's a stack kept there. Those books are to be sent to Caronly, next month. You can borrow them." Myrna offered, giving her a small smile.

Myrna had always been like a motherly figure to Annabelle. When she would always sneak into the library as a young girl, up to this very day.

Annabelle would always remember the day Myrna caught her sneaking into the library. "Stop!! Are you not the child of Ceasar; The polymath?" Myrna asked, just as Annabelle was about to run out of the library.

"I_i am" she answered, her shaky hands giving away the fact that she was about to shit her pants.

"What are you doing here? You shouldn't be out here, it's not safe, child." Myrna scolded, squatting so she would be at eye level with young Annabelle.

"I_ I needed books a_a__" Annabelle stammered, unable to form words. "It's alright, child. Get the books and leave. Be careful" Myrna dismissed, walking back to her desk in the middle of the room.

That didn't stop Annabelle from coming to the library. And soon enough, Myrna got used to seeing her. "You're a very stubborn child" she would always say, whenever Annabelle steps into the library.

When Myrna heard of her parent's death, she felt bad for Annabelle. She wondered where she was. Was she hurt? Did she die alongside her parents? Where is she?

Were the questions she would ask herself. Until the fateful day, a grown Annabelle walked into the library.

"Child? Is that you?" Myrna asked, squinting her eyes as she was unable to see clearly. Her glasses have not been delivered from the fixer.

"It's me, Myrna. How are you?" Annabelle replied, giving her a small smile.

"It is you!!" Myrna exclaimed, before rushing to hug Annabelle. That day was very emotional for Annabelle.

It felt nice to connect to her childhood after her parents died years ago. It had been tough, trying to get over the fact that her father and mentor were dead.

"Annabelle it's closing hour child. Will you take the book with you?" Myrna asked with a smile as she leaned against a shelf.

"I'd rather not Myrna. You know how nana gets when I bring home books from the library" Annabelle replied, earning a chuckle from Myrna.

She was right. Her grandmother would flip if she took any more books into the house. One thing Annabelle inherited from her father was his books.

"The woman is tired of seeing books everywhere. How is she anyway?" Myrna asked, stretching her hand to collect the book from Annabelle.

"She's very well. Old age is taking a toll on her, so she doesn't really do much. But she's fine." Annabelle answered with a smile, as she imagined her grandmother with her wool and crotchet pin on the old rocking chair.

"Ahh, that's good to know. How are you?" Myrna asked, putting away the book Annabelle gave to her.

"Me? I am good" Annabelle raised her brows. (Why did she ask her that?) she thought as she stared at her pleated skirt.

"No child. Are you really good? You know, now that I think of it we have not really talked about how you coped after your parent's demise." Myrna said, taking a seat beside Annabelle.

Annabelle knew this day would come. She had been expecting this topic to come on ever since she walked into the library two years ago.

"I_ I_ umm. I have been good. Nana really helped me and_"

"I understand that this is hard for you child, but I want you to know that I'm here for you." Myrna cut off her stuttering mess.

She believed Myrna. She even trusted the woman. "Thank you, Myrna. It's just so hard to talk about it." Annabelle explained

"I understand. I'm here when you want to talk." Myrna assures, drawing Annabelle in for a warm hug.

Annabelle felt relaxed and at home. She missed this. She missed the library when she was away in her grandmother's hometown.

"Will you have dinner with the girls and me?" Myrna asked after they pulled away from their hug.

The girls are Myrna's children. They are twins; Orabella and Onamore. Beautiful young girls that Annabelle has had one or two encounters with.

"I wish Myrna, but I have to make dinner for nana. Next time?" Annabelle apologized

"Of course, say hello to her for me," Myrna said, waving to Annabelle as she walked out of the library.