The library had a way of swallowing sounds wrapping everything in a hush that felt almost sàcred
Rolls upon rows of books towered around her the scent of old paper thick in the air it was a comfort _one of the few places where the world felt steady
Until a loud thud shattered the silence
Lena!
She hissed whipping around just in time to see her best friend sprawled dramatically across the counter her usual entrance
There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you bookworm
She gave Lena a flat look
You know iwas here
Obviously that's why I checked everywhere else first _adds to the drama
Lena grin was bright all untamed energyand mischief her dark curls bouncing as she propped her chin on her palm
You're impossible
She murmured returning to the starkof books she was sorting
And yet here you are_still stuck with me after all this years
Lena said hopping on to the counter like she owned the place
Rowena rolled her eyes but didn't argue if there was one thing about Lena it was the fact that she stuck
Through high and low she had been there_whether invited or not
But as much as she appreciated Lena's presence exhaustion clung to her bones
Today the dreams had been worse flashes of a please she didn't remember a voice calling out a name that left her chest arching
And Lena preceptive as ever noticed
You look like hell
Lena said tilting her head
Did you sleep at all
Sort of
Lena narrowed her eyes
Lier let me guess_more weird dreams huh?
She hesitated
They're just dreams lena
Her best friend wasn't convinced
No they're not Rowena
Her voice was softer now concern bleeding through the teasing
You're had them for months and don't try to deny it_i see it in you face every morning
A lump formed in her throat how could she explain the feeling of waking up with a heart full of longing for something_or someone _she couldn't even name?
I just...don't remember them clearly
She admitted
It's like walking up and feeling like you lost something but don't know what
Lena studied her for a long moment before signing and swinging her legs over the counter
Alright you obviously need a distraction lucky for you I happen to be the perfect person for the job
She raised a brow
Huh?
Yes we_and by we I mean you because i refuse to let you say no_are getting coffee and food real food not that sad excuse of a granola bar I saw you with yesterday
A small laugh escaped her lips
Lena_
Nope no argument let's go
Lena grapped her wrist tugging her towards the door surprising strength for someone her size
Relenting she let herself be pulled along shaking her head
The sky outside was a stormy gray the air carrying the scent of rain the moment they stepped onto the sidewalk a gust of wind sent a chill down her spine prickling at her skin
And thats when she felt it
A presence
Not just someone watching her but something unseen pressing in on her senses whispering at the edge of her awareness
She turned sharply
The streets wasn't crowded just a handful of people walking by lost in they own lives but at the far end near the alleyway
She could barely see the figures that stood beneath the shadows of a building
Still
Watching
A shudder ran through her her heartbeat quickened she blinked and they were gone
She inhaled sharply her chest tightening with something she couldn't explain
You good
Lenas voice snapped her back
She forced herself to nod
Yeah just.... thought I saw something
Lena frowned
Something bad?
I don't know
Lena studied her expression a little while before signing dramatically
Alright that settles it coffee and desert you need some sugar in your system maybe a cupcake or two....
Desprite the unease curling in her stomach she found herself smiling as Lena trailed off
She was greatful the disturbing girl didn't question further
but as they walked away she couldn't shake the feeling that whoever or whatever had been watching her wasn't done
not even close