Exercise Caution

It was raining heavily around six pm when I was in Absolem. I had just given Simon his cup of coffee and came up. I gathered the books that were left by the readers and began sorting them into groups, depending on which shelfs they'd go to. Sorting books was my favorite thing to do at Absolem. I'd always wondered what people were reading. The only thing missing in Absolem was a coffee corner but there was always the risk of readers spilling their coffee on the books and Simon would never risk that, nor would I.

The smell of old books filled the air, I could hear faint sounds of rustling pages from books that people had left behind. I take out my diary to make note of all the details I remember from making contact with people. I neatly write down the name, "Victor Gibson"

I write down whatever I remember and how different each contact was, how I kept seeing the same visions all over again. I was trying to understand why I was seeing these visions, if they actually made sense. I remember seeing a friend of mine as well, Liza. I somehow did not remember who she was.

I suddenly hear a thud downstairs. I immediately run to fins Simon collapsed on the floor. I rush to his side, and call out his name.

"Simon, Simon wake up." I say hysterically. I check his pulse; it was faster than usual.

I call the ambulance from the telephone downstairs; I go back and sit with him. He was still breathing; his heartbeat was slowing down. Once the ambulance arrived, they take him into the van and I lock up his cabin and come up.

Ivan was at the entrance with the book he borrowed in his hand. I look at him, I was on the verge on crying but I was holding back because I did not want to show him that I was weak.

"Sof, he's going to be fine" he says as he comes closer. I really needed a hug right now, but I did not want a peak into Ivan's life. He somehow did not initiate the hug either. Victor came in running through the door, he looked at Ivan and seemed pissed.

"Sof, are you ok? I saw the ambulance outside and I got worried, I thought something happened to you." He said. He was panting.

"I'm fine, it's Simon. I gotta go, Ivan, I'll check out the book later, I hope you don't mind." I say as I look at him.

"Oh, don't worry about it. I'll come by later, actually let me come with you." He offers. He was so kind.

"I'll come too; you need to be taken care of" Victor joins.

I don't protest. I lock up Absolem and walk out.

Ivan offers to take us in his car.

"Oh no, we're fine, Sof will come with me" Victor says

"Dude, it's freezing outside. She'll stay warm in the car." Ivan argues looking pissed.

"Victor, let's go in his car" I say looking tired.

"I'll follow you guys in the bike, it's faster" he says and walks away.

I was in no mood to argue so I quietly get into Ivan's car. All through the way, I look away from Ivan, my eyes on the road. I suppress my tears and blink about a million times. He was quiet and I was very grateful for that. When we reach the hospital, I go to the room where Simon was and sit by him. He was on IV and had a mask on his face. He looked so weak.

I held his hand, knowing what was going to happen.

I got sucked into another zone that seemed like it was some kind of memory. A young boy, having dinner with his parents in a large room. Silence. The boy walking in a large garden with someone who seemed like a nanny. The boy looking ahead, as if he was missing something in life, the love of his parents perhaps. They seemed so detached.

The scene shifts to him being bullied at school for being too good. A girl helps him get up and they become friends. They grow together and get married. She gives birth to a girl, who grows up and becomes distant. The mother dies, waiting for her daughter and Simon, who is now in his mid-40s looks sad. He looked so young than he was right now.

The scene shifts to Absolem, a young girl comes in with her uncle. It was me. I run around and finally stop when I look at the fairy tales. Simon walks up-to her and picks a book from the top shelf and gives it to her. Sleeping beauty. The girl looks at Simon and smiles, they were now friends. Him giving her a birthday present on her birthday. A slipper keychain with 'Princess Sofia', engraved on it.

I open my eyes, they were teary. I couldn't see things; I blink and drops of tears fall on Simon's hand. He had been awake for a while now.

"Do you miss her?" I ask, sobbing.

"Everyday" he says and looks at me with sympathy.

"So whatever I'm seeing is the truth? A peak into someone's past? Whatever I saw about Victor, is it true?" I ask.

"We can't say Sofia, we can't say for sure" he nods

"I'll let you rest." I say and get up.

"You can read the books kept on my table, maybe it'll help" he says as I walk out.

"Sure, I'll be back soon." I say and walk out.

Victor grabs my hand and pulls me to a corner.

"Victor, what the hell" I ask getting irritated and free myself from him grasp.

"Sofia, that guy, Ivan, he's lying to you. He's not good." He says

"What do you mean?" I ask him.

"I heard him talking to someone, saying it's working out. That he's managed to get close to you and soon you'll trust him according to the plan. He was also talking about some diary of yours, something related to some ability." He says.

My blood left my face, I had never felt more humiliated in my life. Did Ivan think I was a joke? I did not want to believe Victor, but the details he had given me spoke otherwise. I was surprised to see Ivan Radcliffe showing interest in my life, but now it was clear. He was using me.

I ask Victor for a favor and rush back to Absolem, he drops me and leaves. I had managed to escape Ivan, I ran around looking for my diary. Missing. How dare he, Ivan Radcliffe thought he could make a fool of me and get away with it. I did not want him to see the contents of the diary, but how was I going to get it back?

I walk out of Absolem, on my way to Ivan's house when I meet Ivan at the door.

"Hey, you ran away" he said.

"Hey Ivan." I say looking at the guy I currently hated the most.