Two below zero

It was really freaking cold outside, yet everyone I saw was wearing almost nothing. I knew something must have been wrong with them because I could see my own breath, let alone the redness that started to form around my nose. Talk about common sense-I was the only person for miles wearing a winter coat and boots. I started walking with no particular destination in mind, assuming I'd get to an area where everyone else was behaving properly. 

I could feel the stares of creatures that knew I was an outsider. They definitely knew that I wasn’t from here, more of them started pacing towards me like an angry mob. So I walked faster, clutching both of my hands in my coat pocket. I had to get somewhere safe, somewhere that wasn’t riddled with these weirdos. 

I made it about a block or two away from the mob, thinking to myself “what the hell is going on? It's literally December”. Nonetheless, I knew that I had to get inside, somewhere. It felt like it was getting colder by the second. I looked up and read the signs of buildings I passed trying to find a place that was actually open, but everything was closed. It seemed like a ghost town. I was reaching the end of the stretch of buildings, desperately hoping that some place was open. My hands were starting to get frostbite and It was getting to a point where I couldn't feel them at all. 

The very last building on the edge of the street was a giant library that read the name “Sevêr’s book shop”. The light was on, and amidst losing my hands, I went inside.   

It smelled of the typical book shop, old paper coupled by years spent on the shelf. The store was kept in great condition, not a book on the floor, not a scrap of paper, but most importantly no weirdo’s. 

It was warm here, and at that moment that was all I cared about. 

I looked around just trying to gage the scene. The rows of books seemed to have gone on for miles, they extruded so far, the rows faded into black. I looked to my left and saw a large reddish brown couch as well as a huge glass coffee table. 

I decided to take a seat, trying to gather myself. It was one of the comedowns from the cold that made you feel pain. My hands were shaky, and out of pity for myself I just curled up into a ball and let the time pass. About 30-45 minutes later I gained warmth, during the unraveling of the arctic chaos, I was able to just sit there and marvel at the detail and artwork of the building. Now I am by no means artistic but this place was incredible. They probably had every single book you can think of. 

I was desperate to take a look around. 

This place was good for my head, It took my mind off the weather, the weirdos and the fact that I was alone. I started thinking about how I was going to make it out of here alive, between freezing to death or facing a mob of peculiars I decided that It’s better that I just remain here in the warmth where it's safe. 

~

The overhead bell to the front door rang out, someone or something else had entered the library. Startled I hid behind a bookshelf. I didn't initially catch much of a glimpse of anything, my first instinct was to throw something in the direction of the creep. But then I saw it.

It was a girl, she wore glasses and had dark hair with freckles. Her nose was bright red from the same harsh weather I had once felt. She clearly was sensing the same things that I had when I entered; confusion, awe, and cold. 

She walked over to the nearest shelf and grabbed a book. She sat down on the big red couch. I could tell she was freezing, she kept her coat on. And rather than reading she sat the book down on the table and closed her eyes for a moment. I wanted to say hello, but I didn't want to frighten her. So I softly whispered “hey”. She didn’t hear me, so I decided to come from behind the shelf. I walked slowly towards her and I said “Hey”. She suddenly woke back up, frightened. She screamed and threw the book in my direction. It hit me directly in the middle of my head. 

I fell to the floor, holding my forehead in pain. “What was that for?!” She quickly got up from the couch feeling sorry. She came over and comforted me, checking my forehead for blood.”

“I'm so sorry, I- I thought you were one of those freaks”. She said while helping me up.

“I’m Lisa,” she said

“Flynn,” I responded 

~ 

“How long have you been here for?” she asked

“I'm not too sure-maybe 3 hours?” 

“What should we do?” She asked

“About what?” 

“Getting out of here... It might be difficult with those things everywhere, but we can't just stay here” she said  

“But It's freezing out there, and then we'll have to deal with those things” I responded 

“Well we’ll have to fight either way, so I suggest that we prepare for it” she said

I found a broken umbrella, to use just in case any of those freaks came after us. She grabbed a cane that someone had left behind. But before we could gather ourselves to head out to fight-we heard the door open. I looked at the door, I was suddenly overwhelmed with what I had seen. There were literally thousands of them coming. 

All at once the glass shattered and the windows that bordered the library were broken. They had made it inside with least effort. She was right next to me, we both had nothing to lose nor a choice but to fight. I felt the cold rush in along with the creeps. She took the first one, swinging the cane and hitting it in the head, it fell unconscious. I was going to take the next one… petrified and obviously unprepared, I was shaking while holding the broken umbrella. It came towards me and I froze. She swung again and knocked that one out too. 

“FOCUS!!” she shouted to me in the midst of chaos

I shook off the fear and started to fight back. We fought as hard as we could. Then eventually we were smothered and pulled away from each other. The last thing I saw was her hand reaching out towards me, I reached back grabbing hers. Then we were eventually pulled apart. 

~ 

I woke up at 8am, I hated getting up early especially for school. Then again it was my fault for choosing my classes late, and living off campus didn't make it any better. I caught the bus and headed to my first class of the day, Spanish 201. The one thing I was excited for in college was studying abroad, so I was going to take this class seriously. I arrived and took my seat, tired but ready. 

I paid attention to the other students who entered. Seeing who I was going to be compatible with and who I probably wasn’t. Everyone took their seat, and class was to begin shortly. The professor began to greet herself. I heard the door open and the last student walked in. She took the only open seat next to me. 

Out of random curiosity I looked over to see who it was, she at the same time looked over to me. The look on her face was of utter shock. As if she’d seen me somewhere.

“Flynn?!” she whispered 

I thought to myself, do I know her? 

Then instantly it all came back to me. The creeps, the cold, the shattered glass, it was her... 

Lisa!