I was almost done packing when I remembered the books I'd borrowed from the library. I stood up, went to my study desk, and gathered them all into one pile. Then I walked to my closet and picked a larger backpack bigger than the one I'd used earlier. I placed all the books inside.
I also needed to change my clothes. I'd been wearing jeans and an ash-colored t-shirt from the hike, so I switched into a checked shirt and black jeans instead. I grabbed the backpack of books from my desk and left my room.
I went straight to Mom's room to tell her, so she wouldn't start searching for me again like earlier. But when I got there, she wasn't around. Instead, I told Alita.
I had to walk to the main road before finding a taxi because there were no cars passing through our area today. I wondered why.
I walked calmly, holding the bag by one strap in my left hand, the other strap hanging loose, while carrying three more books pressed against my chest. One moment I was walking steadily; the next, something shoved me hard, sending me tumbling to the ground.
All the books flew everywhere even the ones inside the bag because I hadn't closed it properly. Leaves covered my scratched hand, the dry kind falling from trees this season.
I lifted my head and saw a guy in black jeans and a light-brown t-shirt. His hood was pulled up from the jacket he wore. He looked annoyed, not even a trace of kindness in his face not even after knocking me down.
"What are you looking at?" he snapped, glaring at me like I was trash.
"Excuse me? What am I looking at? What are you looking at?" I shot back as I stood up. "A sorry would be nice. Even if you don't help me pick up the mess you caused."
"No, but you must be some spoiled brat with no home trai..."
"Sorry about that," another voice interrupted. A figure appeared behind him.
"How dare you talk to me like that? Do you know who I am?" the rude one continued, still furious.
"Iethan," the second guy said firmly, placing a calming hand on his shoulder. "Elyen lyran vanea eleas thanea."
* peace my friend we don't have much time *
Then he turned to me. "I'm so sorry, ma'am."
Without another word, the two of them walked away.
"What an asshole," I muttered, looking down at the books scattered around me, waiting to be picked up.
"Suckers, huh?" a voice said behind me. I turned and saw a bald man, probably my father's age, standing there.
"Yeah," I said, bending down to gather the books. He bent down too and helped me pick them up. I thanked him and continued on my way.
When I finally reached the main road, I saw taxis moving again mostly the new round models imported from the Benders, the ones powered by elemental energy instead of fuel or solar.
I managed to get one and headed to the library. When I arrived, there weren't many people outside or inside. The library wasn't usually crowded, but today felt unusually empty.
I went straight to the receptionist and returned the books. After that, I wandered between the shelves, suddenly feeling a strange sadness like I was going to miss this place. Not because it was my favorite library, but because it was definitely Alita's.
Something vibrated in my pocket, followed by my ringtone.
"I've been calling Maty since morning but he isn't picking," a girl nearby said to her friend.
"I heard there's a problem with Belton's network. Must be something to do with the news…" the guy answered. I couldn't hear the rest of their conversation.
I checked my phone, but the call had already ended before I could pick up. I didn't bother checking who it was. My mood had suddenly shifted, and I didn't feel like staying anymore.
The guy's words replayed in my mind:
"Something to do with the news."
What news?
The one I heard at Abigail's house?
Something about the Gyents?
Or maybe it was unrelated. Maybe the news I heard was just about history or books that's usually the only time anyone mentions Gyents or the Forbidden North.
I stepped outside the library and something inside me changed. A blend of uncertainty, confusion, and something far deeper twisted inside me. I couldn't even name it. This was only the second time in my life I'd felt something like this.
The first time was last night, when I woke everyone with my scream.
And now - here it was again.
My heart pounded faster, as if it wanted to escape its cage.
My phone buzzed again. I pulled it out quickly, Mom was calling.
"Hello, Mom, I"
She cut me off immediately. "Beeda, where are you? I told you to pack your things. Come home right now we're leaving." Her fear was clear in her voice, even through the shaky network.
"Okay, Mom. I just came to return the library books."
Suddenly the call broke, replaced by static. "Shhhshshsh—"
"Mom? Hello? Can you hear me?"
The call ended.
"What is wrong with the network…?" I whispered.
The feeling inside me grew stronger, stranger worse than last night.
Something was wrong.
But I didn't know if it was Mom,
or me,
or the world itself.
I started walking again. There were still very few taxis, and most were already full. I kept moving. Three minutes passed when I heard a noise coming from my left