Chapter 1

It's huge.

That's the first thought I have as I step into the library. My eyes travel across the seemingly endless shelves of books, to the ceiling, to the windows that filter in the fading afternoon sunlight. The place seems deserted, however, and a layer of dust covers many of the shelves.

I tentatively step forward, footsteps echoing through the still air. The door closes behind me, I don't notice. This place. . . it seems. . . lonely.

I peer into the walkways between bookshelves, unsure what I'm looking for. Then, a faint melody fills my ears. I jump involuntarily, whirling towards the source of the noise. Someone's humming, the song. . . it's. . . familiar. I don't recall when or where, but I've heard it before.

A moment of deliberation, then curiosity pulls my feet towards the sound.

I turn a corner. There – standing on a stepladder, arranging the books on the shelves. A girl with pale lavender hair in two low twintails.

She turns. Startling crimson eyes like rubies meet mine. She's wearing a school uniform, and in her arms are a short stack of books.

She smiles. "Hello there. Welcome to the Library of Lost Souls."

I stare blankly at the girl in front of me. "What? Wh-what did you say. . ." She blinks, then smiles again, understanding and sweet, "Welcome to the Library of Lost Souls. "

The Library of Lost Souls?

"My name's Luna. You're in the Library, as I mentioned, which means that you are a lost soul that found their way here. I'm a Librarian, tasked with keeping the books in order and taking care of lost souls like you."

Oh.

"So. . . I'm a lost soul?"

"Well, do you have a goal in life – a reason to live?"

No. . . Not really. . .

"Here, you can find a meaning of life. It's hard to say when or how, but all who come here eventually find themselves."

So I just hang around here? Read? Am I stuck here?

"You don't need to stay. You're free to leave whenever you want."

"So I can just leave? It's. . . There has to be a catch, right?"

"This is a place to rediscover who you are, to question yourself. We have nothing to gain. I. . . I once was lost as well – I lost my memories after an accident. But I chose to stay after I recalled the details of my life, to guide others like me."

A pause.

"This is your story, you make the choices."

"So if I decide to stay. . . What do I have to do? To 'find myself'?"

"I'm afraid I can't answer that, it's different for each person."

"Are there a lot of people – lost souls – here?"

"You're the only one at the moment, I should think."

Since I've nothing else to do anyway. . . And. . . Well, I actually want to know. . .

Who I was. Who I am.

"I guess I'll be staying then."

Luna smiles. "Alright. Here, I'll need your thumbprint." She pulls a small notebook from her pocket and opens it to a blank page.

"There's no ink?"

"Don't need it, you'll see."

Alright then.

I press my thumb to the paper, then pull my hand back. There's a soft golden glow, a glimmering print on the paper.

"There. Now you can leave if you want, but you'll be able to find the Library again if you want."

Luna peers out the dusty window. "Evening already, I see. You'll be needing this then."

She picks up a lantern, a globe of translucent glass, and blows gently into it. It glows soft amber, illuminating us in warm light. "Here.You can look for me or the other Librarians if you have any questions."

"Wait-" But she's already gone, leaving me with a lantern and a mind full of questions I push away. I scan the shelves, eventually finding something that seems interesting.

«Alice in Wonderland»

Like many things here, the title is painfully familiar yet unable to ring a bell in my head. I settle down in an armchair near the window and flip the book open, drifting into a world of enchantment and wonder, where dreams are twisted and logic does not exist.

* * *

It's night when I awaken, and I panic for just a moment, not knowing where I am. Then I remember. The Library, Luna. The book I was reading is on a side table next to me, someone draped a blanket over me while I was asleep. The lantern still glows, a comforting light in the vast space that is this place.

I close my eyes again, and just as I drift off into slumber, I think, for a moment, that Luna reminds me of the White Rabbit that led Alice into Wonderland, with her pale hair and ruby eyes.

I wonder what adventures I'll have here, is the last thought I have as sleep overtakes me.