Komorebi [Complete]

Part 1 - TREE

"You should be more precise when you ask for books," her nurse replied, handing her one of the three books. "There were three Midnight Dance books in the central library. I figured it'd be better if I borrow them all."

"You got all of them?" Amelia asked, her eyes widening at the other two books in Celia's hands, amazed. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" She tackled the nurse with a manic glee and squeezed her in a hug.

Celia nodded several times. She eased out her chest and lifted her chin, taking pride in her accomplishment. "Well I did go through a lot of haggling. There was another kid who wanted to borrow all three of them as well, but I got them anyways. Cost me five solid greens, though."

"Please," Amelia puckered. "You owe me more than five bucks." She got off the nurse's space and skipped along the paved sidewalk, clutching the first book of the trilogy like a prized trophy. "You lost the bet!" She reminded her.

"Be careful, Amelia," Celia said, smiling affectionately as she followed her half-prancing, half-dancing patient to the hospital rooms.

___

Amelia loved stories. Children stories, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, comedy, thriller, mystery, horror—it didn't matter; she loved them all. When she first woke up in the hospital, she was greeted by the sound and sight of her nurse, Celia, flipping pages of a paperback novel. When asked, the nurse told her that she was reading a fantasy and readily read the story to her. Both knew that they had found a new friend that day.

"Have you read this book before?" Amelia asked as they walked in the hallways of the hospital. Amelia being a few steps ahead, she walked backwards to face her nurse.

Celia shook her head. "I'm afraid I haven't. You should pay attention to where you are going. I've been telling you this ever since you've been here," she scolded.

"I will if you promise that you'll read it to me." Amelia grinned.

Celia sighed, stopping. "I'm sorry, Amelia, but you know what day it is; I have to go back to the city again for the orphanage. You know how much the orphanage needs help, right?"

"But can't you stay a little longer and at least read me the first chapter? Please?" Amelia begged, holding the book in front of the nurse with her pleading face peeking from the side.

Celia let out a sigh once more; being reminded of how stubborn Amelia can be. She knew that the situation would end up with Amelia's demands if she bargained. "I have to go now. I promise I'll read it to you when I get back tonight, okay?" Celia promised, handing Amelia the other two books in a hurry. She turned to head back to the exit. "I promise!"

"But Celia!" Amelia called, but Celia was already gone, leaving her alone in the hallway with the three hard-bound books in her arms. It was this instant when she noticed two different things that she hadn't been aware of when she entered the building.

First, black and orange streamers covered the walls along with several pieces of pumpkin and ghost cut-outs. There were cut cotton balls strewn across the ground, imitating a spider's nest. The sight of this somehow made her feel giddy inside for the hallway, which practically screamed: Halloween!

Second, there was a body on the ground, which she wouldn't have been able to see if she didn't admire the Halloween decorations for it was blending with the cotton balls. It looked like a young man—far older than the kids; maybe around her age. His raven black hair stuck out like he'd just woken up. Since he was faced down, she recognized the hospital's logo on his back. He had a small physique, which attributed to his camouflage under the group of cotton balls.

Quickly, she put down the books and rushed to the side of the fallen boy. "Hey, are you okay?" She asked, nudging the boy's shoulder.

There was a low rumble that very much resembled a growling thunder in the midst of an approaching storm.