Typhon's Revenge

Chapter Sixteen

Wind

To my surprise, I actually picked a book I was starting to enjoy. It was so unexpected since I couldn't remember when was the last time I read. It had to be when I was in middle school and only because I was forced to by the teachers. But this book, I was really enjoying it. 

I wasn't so sure how I ended up with it. 

I had walked into the library, feeling out of place and self-conscious, and I headed over to the stands in front of me. I wasn't sure what I was looking for. Truthfully, I had no intention of reading, just browsing through the books until a couple of hours had gone by and I got bored enough to head to the common room. 

But then a voice behind me made me jump and I quickly placed my hand to my chest as I felt my racing heart through my clothes. 

I turned to look at who was in the library and my eyes widened when I saw a very short woman with grey hair, glasses, and clothes that looked like something my father's mother would wear. I never met her since she passed away before I came into the picture, but my father had a ton of pictures of his mother and he used to show me them very often.

Returning to what was happening in front of me, the woman cleared her throat slightly as her eyes examined me closely. "You look a little lost. Is there anything I can help you with?" She asked, her voice sounding frail and small, even though I could tell she was anything but. When I didn't answer, the woman nodded her head and gave me a faint smile. "My name is Rubie. I'm the librarian here in the Underworld. I know this place from front to back and I can help you find anything you need, dear. Don't worry, I don't bite," she finished with a slight chuckle and I couldn't help but smile.

"I'm just looking. I was curious to see what you kept in here. I'm not a girl that does much reading so don't worry. I'll get out of your hair in no time," I said softly and Rubie's expression fell slightly and was replaced with something else I couldn't put my finger on exactly. 

"No reading, huh? Well, that will just not do. What is your name child?" She asked as her eyes bore into mine.

I stiffened slightly and shifted my weight. I wasn't sure how my name was relevant in this discussion. 

"I'm Kalani. Kalani Himmler," I said as I extended my hand for her to shake. She looked at me as if I were an alien from another dimension and, hesitantly, she shook my hand.

"Oh you mortals, using your last names as if they held some sort of power," Rubie said with a faint smile as she pulled away.

In confusion, I asked, "What do you mean?" 

Rubie smiled, "Himmler. Your last name. You say it as though it's something you're very proud of. But your last name doesn't define you as a person. Your parents don't define who you are or who you will become."

I chuckled and nodded my head. "I know. But still, it's my mortal name. Why not use it?"

"Because you're not just mortal. You're also a god," Rubie said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world and I stiffened. How did she know what I was? 

Rubie chuckled and waved me off before answering my question. "Child, I have been here long enough to tell the difference. The mortals around here, or at least the ones that have come alive, have this kind of crazy look in their eyes, as if they can't comprehend what is happening and they usually stay in one place, with a traumatized look on their faces."

I raised an eyebrow and shook my head. "And why would a living mortal be in here? Isn't the Underworld supposed to be a place for the dead?"

Rubie nodded her head and shrugged. "A couple of hundred years ago, things were run differently. All the souls that were stuck in between the two worlds, either because they were in a coma or they didn't want to cross over, all of them ended up here until Hades talked some reason into them. I remember walking through these halls and seeing all those poor souls suffering inside their own minds. Thankfully, there are fewer of those nowadays and those of those who are stuck between worlds are now sent to the in-between."

"The in-between?" I asked in confusion and Robie nodded her head, but she didn't say anything as she eyed me closely. 

"I could tell you about it or... I could give you a book to read so that you will understand what I'm referring to," she said with a slight smirk and my eyes widened. 

"Um... I'm not sure. I mean, I'm intrigued, but I don't know how much," I said honestly and Rubie laughed softly. I liked this woman, she had a sense of humor and that was something that helped me relax in this place. 

"Alright. I guess that's fair. Truthfully, the Underworld has many secrets and the in-between is one of them. The in-between was created by Hades after Persephone left him. She had always claimed that souls who were stuck deserved better treatment, but Hades didn't see that until she was gone. Until he was stuck in between a life of what could have been and what actually was. The in-between is different for everyone who goes to it. Some, relive their most treasured memories and that helps them either cross to the world of the dead or go back. Others find what they believe in heaven and they see what they want to see, what their beliefs help them see. There is actually a memoir, a story written by a soul who was here for a long time. 

Time passes differently here. You might think ten days have passed but in reality, in the mortal world, maybe only one or two have passed. So this girl was in a coma for so long that she even had time to write a memoir. She wrote about her mortal life, about the in-between and how it was all an illusion and she wrote about what it was like to feel stuck between two worlds. I know it might not be a very... how can I say it? An academic story, but, it does teach you a thing or two about the Underworld. You'll see it through her eyes and won't think it's a bad place. Because it isn't. It's far from it, actually, but a lot of people have trouble seeing that," Rubie finished with a smirk as she eyed me.

I pursed my lips together as I pondered. It did seem like an interesting story and it didn't sound like something that would bore her easily. 

There was a clock hanging over the exit and I realized only a couple of minutes had passed since I came here. So I sighed and I made up my mind.

"I guess I could give it a try," I said with a shrug and Rubie's smile widened.

"Excellent. Then follow me. I'll show you where it is," she said as she led the way up the stairs to the second floor of the library. 

It was a beautiful place, but it wasn't a place she saw herself in often. At least not out of obligation. 

Rubie quickly grabbed a book, without doing much searching, and she handed it to me. It was a small book. Its covers were made out of leather and its pages looked a bit thick and yellowish. I opened the book and was surprised to see beautiful cursive handwriting on the pages as, Annette, told her story. 

"I'll leave you to it, dear. There are some chairs and tables to the back of this floor and even some couches if it makes you feel more comfortable. If you need anything, I'll be at my desk in the first floor," Rubie said kindly and I nodded my head and thanked her. 

She walked away and I headed to the couches she mentioned. They were so clean that they looked like new and they were also surprisingly comfortable.

I didn't expect to stay so long in the library, I thought I would get tired of being in the same place for so long. But the book made me lose track of time and soon, I couldn't put it down. I had to know how it ended. I had to know what Anette decided, to go back home to a place she had been abused of all her life even if that meant running away with a girl she loved., or to stay behind and give up her chance.

Apparently, she was a girl born in the seventeenth century, so she wasn't sure if it was worth it to go back, not even to see her loved one, one last time.

By the time I was done reading, I was glad of the choice Annette had made. It was what brought her the most peace. And even though she wouldn't see Rebecca again, at least not until she crossed the bridge of life and death herself, she was happy with her choice. 

Taking a deep breath, I put the book down as I tried to process everything. 

So this is what Joan would feel every time she finished a book. This feeling of closure and excitement and mixed emotions about the choices the characters had made.

A small smile crept into my lips and I sighed. Getting to my feet, I walked down the stairs, feeling more relaxed now. I wasn't sure where Rubie's desk was and I searched for it throughout the first floor until I saw her at her desk reading. 

She heard me coming and she smiled kindly as she marked her page and set the book down. "How was it, dear?" She asked as she leaned forward and I set the book on the desk.

"It was... it was eye-opening, actually. It made me think about my own life, about what choice I would make if I were stuck in the in-between. And you were right, I learned more about the Underworld in that book than I have by being here," I finished with a chuckle and she nodded her head. 

"What are you reading?" I asked as my eyes wandered over to the book next to her. It had no title on the cover, so I wasn't sure if I was supposed to know. 

Rubie smiled, "it's an academic book about the gods' history and origins."

I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms in front of my chest. "Really? I would have thought you had already read all of those books."

Rubie laughed and shook her head. "Oh no, dear. I might be the librarian, but my job isn't finished until I read every last book. That's when I get to retire to my afterlife. But believe me, I have postponed these types of books for a very long time," she said as she pointed to the book.

I tilted my head to the side in confusion. "Why? What's wrong with them?"

Rubie shrugged and shook her head. "Nothing's wrong. But it took me a while to accept that. I am not as young as I look. I have been here for decades, maybe even centuries, I don't know. But I was a very religious person, I believed in my faith with all my heart and I couldn't accept that it wasn't all true. Up until recently, I steered clear of these types of books."

Nodding my head, I pursed my lips. I wasn't sure of what to say, I guessed she was on her own learning process.

"I get it. I know a couple of people who would feel the same way," I said with a frown and she nodded her head. 

We stayed in silence for a couple of moments until I looked at the clock on her desk and my eyes widened. It was noon. Time really flies when you're having fun.

"I should get going. It's almost lunchtime and my friends are probably wondering where I am," I said nervously and Rubie smiled.

"Alright dear, you take care," she said softly and I smiled. 

"You too. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" I said and she nodded her head.

I walked out of the library, feeling much better after being able to talk to another being that didn't seem to hold a grudge against me. I sighed and a small smile appeared on my lips as I walked up the steps in the hallway, all the way to the common room.

When I got there, Andrew was sleeping on the couch with the TV on in front of him. He looked tired and I couldn't help but wonder what Aileen had said to him. 

He was a good guy, I was sure of it. But it wasn't my place to intervene, at least not now. 

Taking the TV remote, I turned off the TV, and Andrew's eyes quickly flew open. They settled on me and he stretched before sitting straight. 

"Good morning," I teased and he blushed slightly.

"I must have dozed off. How was your morning at the library?" He asked with a raised eyebrow and I chuckled.

"It was surprisingly educating and... fun," I said with all honesty and Andrew opened his mouth to respond when Alex and Mason appeared at the door. Their eyes scanned us quickly but they didn't say anything as they walked inside. 

Instantly, I began to stiffen uncomfortably but I tried to push the feeling away. I had to get to know them. I had to learn how to trust them or else I would always feel like an outsider around them.