Page 79 of Lost and Bound

He caws back before looking up at the night sky.

I follow him and instantly know I’m where I need to be; seeing the stars is as healing as sharing secrets with Orion. There are hundreds of them tonight, twinkling like reminders of where I’ve been and promises of what is to come. They’re the link from my past, anchoring me to better times. Mr. Kenney’s voice stirs my memories. Take the time to look up at the stars. They’re the same ones I’ll be looking at, the same your parents always did too.

I miss him and my parents so much; there’s a physical ache in my chest. What happened at dinner was beyond shitty for so many reasons. I can’t believe the level of shade thrown at me by my fellow Noms. How am I to blame for the other students at Thales treating them like shit? And then to top off my dinner, I also had the brothers publicly humiliate me. The actions of every being involved could be used in bullying awareness programs, but out here, looking at the stars, it brings a perspective of hope and highlights a major weakness. I landed in their world knowing the government back home was responsible for horrific atrocities, and in doing so, I disregarded anything negative to do with the others. Naively, I saw the others as victims, and not the predators they are.

Under us a twig snaps, and I climb to my feet, catching only the literal tail end of the source. The shock of black fur in the night is only visible because of the shimmering aura that accompanies it. Cane. I wait for him to reappear in asshole professor form and yell at me for being outside, but it doesn’t happen, and when the nighttime insects and critters restart their chatter, I sit back on my butt.

His intrusion on my private time outside is purposeful. As is the direction of my thoughts. Both are confirmation of what I’ve just now realized but can’t ever afford to forget—do not underestimate the others.

Without question, I need to find a way to survive in their world. I need to be better armed, and to do that, I need information.

“Feel like a quick trip to the library?” I ask.

Bugby swivels, the moonlight catching the intelligence in his golden eyes. I swear I also see them roll, as if he’s saying, took you long enough. I know I’m on the right track; “know your enemy, know your sword” is a quote that’s been around for a very long time for a reason. The cornerstones of the concept include researching the enemy’s capabilities, resources, and history; knowing your own strengths and weaknesses; then assessing the environment and conditions. I know myself, but I don’t know them.

I check my pocket, feeling my Thales ID card tucked safely inside. I’m sure if I had to go back to Orion’s room to find my card, I wouldn’t go.

With a new direction to focus on, the flailing sense of failure that’s been riding my ass since I arrived lessens. I move so quickly, Bugby takes flight. I twist the door handle to get back inside, but nothing happens when I go to pull it open.

Panic flares until I remember Orion telling me about a wedge he uses to keep the door from locking. It’s no one’s fault I forgot, and it’s not the worst thing to happen to me today by any means. However, I now need to use the rickety maintenance ladder and evade Cane’s wolf.

I walk over to the hole, and feel somewhat better being able to see the ground. It’s still a long way down, but I’m comforted by the oversized bushes directly under it. If I fall, landing on them would have to be better than on the ground. But the noise will draw the wolf back, making a shitty situation a slightly perilous one.

After triple-checking no one is around, but before I chicken out, I grab the top of the old steel ladder and hover over the gaping hole. My imagination conjures a hundred different scenarios, a lot of those involving me breaking bones or getting trapped on the ladder by an other—aka Cane—but the drive to get to the library is stronger.

The metal bars are icy cold, and the entire ladder sways as I step onto it. I narrow my world only focusing on one step at a time, making good progress until the ladder starts swaying like a pendulum. I cling on for dear life, squeezing my eyes shut and not moving.

As soon as the ladder stills, I lift my foot to place it onto the next rung, and the world falls from under me. I drop the remaining distance, which isn’t far at all, and thankfully the bushes do what I hoped they would, cushion my fall. Before shock can set in, I sprint to the tree line, driven faster by the presence behind me.

The Thales grounds might appear deserted, but I no longer trust what I see. I stay off the main pathways, racing from tree to tree in my attempt to outrun the shifter stalking my every step, eventually making it to the library in one piece.

The final hurdle is unlocking the door, which, if you were watching a horror movie, would be when shit goes south. Considering where I am and who is getting closer, it could still happen.

Thankfully, getting inside the door is as simple as using my student card. Holding the door open wide enough for Bugby, and once he’s through, I firmly shut it to seal us inside. Then I hope like all hell that Professor Cane’s wolf doesn’t have the ability to open doors or carry an access card.

I wait. And wait some more.

I nearly faint when I sense his presence so close I hear him snuffling through the heavy library door. Time stops, as does my heart. Fear bounces around my insides, making me question what the hell I’m doing.

Bugby caws softly, grounding me and reminding me of my purpose. I am where I need to be, and I am safe. After a few more drawn-out minutes, the heavy press of the wolf’s presence fades, which is my sign to hurry the hell up.

I turn, seeing the library for the first time.

“Fuck off,” I whisper, stunned by pretty much everything in view.

My attention is pulled in a million directions, and I’m completely spellbound in seconds. Soaring ceilings and architectural intricacies that scream of a bygone era are impossible to look away from. Without question, history buffs and tourists alike would flock to visit, given half a chance. While the honey-rich-colored parquet flooring and the rest of the architectural features deserve more attention, it’s the sheer number of books and bookcases that steal my focus.

Bookcases line the edges of the walls and jut out into the body of the library, reminding me of the ribs of a giant whale, if whales were the size of an Olympic swimming pool. And while the scale of the library is enormous, the space looks decidedly like a scene out of a fairy tale, with spiral staircases leading up to floating mezzanine floors that hold even more volumes. Running down the center of the library are wing-back chairs, velvet chaise lounges, and a collection of glossy deep cherry timber desks and tables. I can’t even count the number of library lamps dotted around, glowing invitingly.

I don’t think I’ll be able to study in my room again, and I’ll risk running the bully gauntlet daily if this is where I get to be.

A soft chime echoes through the library and brings back the reason I’m here in the first place. I walk toward the help desk, as even though it’s late, there’s a light on in one of the offices, and by the time I’m at the desk, a librarian is there waiting.

“You must be new,” she says, her voice soft but easy to discern.

“I’ve been at Thales now for a few weeks, but this is my first visit to the library. I’m Maya, and I know it’s late so I don’t want to bother you, but I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction.”

“And what were you looking for?”