3Unable to hold back, I offered a genuine compliment, "It looks good on you," as her white hair danced in the soft light, and her bright blue eyes gave off an impish air of cuteness.She responded with a dainty yawn, her small frame shivering ever so slightly. "It seems like it's time for bed," I suggested, recognizing her fatigue. "Let's go."We left the cloak room behind and made our way to the living quarters. Upon arrival, I walked up to the first room and stood at the entrance, turning to her. "This is my room," I informed her, "You can choose any room you want."However, to my surprise, she hesitated, her blue eyes filled with uncertainty. It seemed she wasn't ready to make such a choice yet, or perhaps she still needed guidance to her quarters. I couldn't simply allow her to follow me everywhere; it wouldn't be beneficial for her in the long run. A sense of responsibility washed over me, and I decided to offer some advice."I understand that you're alone and might feel lonely," I began gently, "but it's important not to rely on me for everything, especially when we've just met." Her eyes seemed to search mine for reassurance.I continued, "There might be a chance that I'm a bad guy." She uttered an uncertain "Ar..." in response, which, strangely enough, I understood."Obviously, I'm not a bad guy," I reassured her, a hint of a smile on my face, "but what I'm saying is that there's also a chance for you to discover your own strengths and make new friends. Relying on me for everything wouldn't help you grow as a person."To my surprise, Number 102 smiled back at me, though her smile held a hint of melancholy. Her small act of courage in choosing her own path seemed to resonate with me. My heart throbbed slightly, but I pushed that feeling aside."That's the spirit, 102!" I encouraged her. "Just remember, I'm here as a friend whenever you need someone to talk to." Though I doubt if I could be considered a friend to her as she walked up to the room next door, phased through the translucent barrier, leaving off without a response. A scene that felt much like the situation with Mr. Cat, that elusive feline. I couldn't help but wonder, is he more than just a companion in this peculiar place? He vanishes without a trace, leaving me perplexed. We didn't exactly share life stories or engage in heart-to-heart talks, but there's this sense of connection, however fleeting. Perhaps "friend" is a stretch, given the lack of communication or shared experiences. The same goes for 102—we're like strangers to each other. Yet, as our relationship stand, there's a chance, a subtle hope, that these seemingly transient connections might evolve into something more resembling friendship.It's a prospect worth exploring. Though the problem lies on where the cat went?The library stands as our sole lead, its vastness revealed through towering shelves of seemingly endless books. Despite its colossal size, scouring every nook and cranny for the cat feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. Given the cat's knowledge of the plant's layout, our efforts are likely in vain. That leaves only one fact: the feline has disappeared without leaving a single trace.After confronting a harsh reality, I unexpectedly found myself at the library in a surprising twist of events.
The lights in the library blinked, momentarily plunging the once brilliantly white space into darkness.
My heart raced as I looked up, my mind racing to comprehend what was happening. In all my time within this facility, I had never heard of a blackout. The lights here ran continuously, 24/7, without any interruptions—as said by the cat. The lights blinked again, this time leaving us in darkness for a longer interval before finally returning. It was unsettling, to say the least. What could have caused this sudden disruption?"Huh!?" My immediate concern was for Number 102. I had been responsible for her since our encounter, and I couldn't afford to lose her now. I started to panic, frantically searching the area, and rushed to where the bookshelves were, peering behind them in hopes of catching a glimpse of her figure.But she was nowhere to be found.Normally, I'd dismiss this as a minor concern, but there was a palpable sense of dread and unease that gnawed at me, different from any feeling I had experienced since arriving here.As I moved from shelf to shelf, beads of cold sweat formed on my forehead. I paused to catch my breath, my hands trembling as they rested on my lap. "…Number 102!?" I called out, my voice echoing through the vast expanse of the library, but there was no response.Suddenly, the lights went out again, replaced by a faint, eerie blue glow emanating from the floor below. It cast long shadows that danced like phantoms between the towering shelves.I strained my ears, and in the darkness, I heard something. Multiple steps, slow and deliberate, coming towards me. My heart pounded louder in my chest, my anxiety growing.Then, as the light gradually returned, revealing our surroundings once more, I saw something. An unsettling sight that sent a chill down my spine, leaving me with a sense of foreboding.Knowing what I saw, I couldn't help but mutter, "What in the world…?"
In that eerie place, a shadow of a creature—a beast—a monster—a demon materialized before my eyes.
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