Stranger (Happily Never After Collection) by B. Bennett

Author:B. Bennett [Bennett, B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-04-21T05:00:00+00:00

“Where are you taking me?” I ask, trying my hardest to see past the scarf that serves as a blindfold, but it’s no use. It’s been days since our little “game night,” and I’ve seen such a change in him. His smile is addicting, and his laughter – though rare – is like music to my ears. He’s awakened something inside of me: a need to fulfill his life, because of all that he lost out on. Affection, comradery, friendship…

“It’s a surprise,” He responds, and the excitement in his voice makes me smile.

I hear a doorknob turn, and a familiar smell hits my nostrils. “Can I see now?”

“Not yet. Wait here,” He whispers, and my eyelids brighten when I hear the curtains drawn. I’m tempted to yank this blindfold off my face at this point. I feel his fingers wrap around my arms before he gives them a gentle squeeze, and a chill shoots up my spine when he says, “Now.”

Leaning against my crutches, I tear the scarf from my eyes. My heart catches in my throat, and the familiar smell makes sense now that I’ve ripped the blindfold off.

Books. So many books – from the floor to the ceiling, hundreds of thousands of pages of literature stare back at me. My mouth is hanging open as my eyes travel around the parameter of the room. “Jesus,” I whisper. “I’ve never seen so many books in one place.”

“What- what do you think?” He murmurs, and I turn to face him.

“This is amazing.” I respond, and he smiles.

“Then, while you’re here, consider this room and these books yours.” He says, causing my heart to flutter. Though I haven’t read since Abbey’s diagnosis, I’ve never lost my love for literature. It’s escapism at its best.

“I’m going to leave you alone in here for a bit. Let you get a feel for it.”

I nod, turning back towards the ceiling tall shelves housing hundreds of books. “Thank you,” I breathe out, attempting to hold back the tears. Such a simple act of kindness, yet the gesture is profound. I need to escape the thoughts and delve into another world. At least until I can get back to Abbey.

I feel his presence leave the room and I blink, freeing the tears and allowing them to slither down my cheeks. Using my crutches for support, I make my way towards one of the shelves, I run my hand along the books’ colorful spines - eyeing each title until one catches my eye.

The royal blue cover garners my attention, and when I pull out the book and dust it off, my eyes scan over the title. “The Blue Fairy Book,” by Andrew Lang. I’ve never laid my eyes on such an old book. The spine is unreadable, other than the author’s name, and barely hangs on by the worn thread that binds it.

The front cover is a witch riding a broom with stars scattered around her. The moon sits in the right corner, peeking through dark clouds.

When I flip to the title page, my eyes widen when I see the beautiful illustration inside.

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