Whispers in The Void

CHAPTER ONE: JUST A BOOK.

“Adella, honey! Come down here please.” My mom screamed from downstairs. I did not want to leave the comfort of this attic; I was happy here. I spend most of my time reading books or searching for new books to read. The characters feel more like family to me than my parents do. Sad, I know, but when you grow up with a pile of books looking after you, it’s sort of hard to see things otherwise. “Adella! I am not going to ask again, come down here!” Mom screamed again. I closed my book, and headed downstairs to see what all the fuss was about. “Finally, for goodness sakes Adella, I have been calling your name for at least 15 minutes! What on God’s earth were you doing up there?” “I was reading mom, sorry.” She always does this, she screams my name and asks what I was doing, like the answer will ever change. “I wanted to ask you a very important question.” “What is it?” I replied confidently, but I was honestly very scared, she never asks me anything important. It’s always, “What are you doing” “What would you like for dinner” or “How was your day?” Never important things.

“So, your father and I have to go away for the weekend, boring business things. I was wondering if you would be okay on your own? Delilah will be around if you need anything” There it is. They never have any interest in being with me. Not that I mind, that’s why I have books and Delilah, the maid, is always around anyways. I just hate that I was excited for moment. I really thought she would ask me something important. “That’s fine” I responded shortly. “Can I go back up now please?” “Sure honey. Dinner will be ready at 6 o’clock. I am making your favourite!” I’ll bet she is. Every time she says that she makes steak or lobster. I do not understand where she would get the idea that stuff is my favourite. I’m 11, my favourite food is mac and cheese or hot dogs. I dare not correct her though, she will make it a problem for weeks to come. So, back to my books I go.

I wanted to find a new book to read, something different. My parents used to collect books from all of their travels, they had so many they created a library, right here in this house. My mother will come with me to look at the books, but typically she forbids me to go in when no one is around. I do not understand why, what could I possibly find that I shouldn’t? I came up with a brilliant idea, while my parents are away this weekend, I will sneak in and look around. I will have lots of time to clean up if I make a mess. I was so excited about the plan, I was not even bothered by the fact that my mother made lobster, again. So, the next day, I said goodbye to my parents. Mother was crying and father was comforting her. “I will miss you so much darling!” my mother sniffed. I am sure she will miss me, she rarely acknowledges my existence when she is home.

As I watch the car drive away, I can hardly contain my excitement. Delilah was taking her usual nap that lasts far longer than she intends it to. So, I grab the key to the library from my father’s study, and race to the door. I carefully unlock the door to the library and step inside. It is absolutely stunning. Walls and walls of books, endless amounts of knowledge, stories and connections. I study each shelf carefully and look at hundreds of books. One of them is different from the rest, however. It’s dusty, the rest seem to be perfectly clean. I dust it off and read the title “Chuchote Dans le Vide” French. I think that means “whispers in the void.” I open the book to the first page. It is very strange, the book is written in English, but the title is French. I can’t say I have ever seen anything quite like it.

I read the first blurb of text,

Welcome one and all to the incredible land of Mavetara! This is a safe and welcoming place for all! Please, take a seat, get cozy and enjoy your time with us!

What an odd way to start a book. I was so intrigued, I had to keep going. The book started off by explaining the land of Mavetara and all of its inhabitants. The pictures were beautiful. It all looked so peaceful. “Adella, dear, where are you?” Delilah called out. Oh no, I thought to myself, I better head back to the attic before she suspects anything. But just as I stood up, a whirl of dust circled around me. It was so intense that I could not see anything else. I felt dizzy and sick out of nowhere. Then, everything went black.