Don't stop

With her headphones on, she walks to the old local library.

She walks alone among fantasy books, self-help, fiction, religion.

She never went through that. She doesn't know what she is looking for. She doesn't know if she'll find an answer. She doesn't even know if she has a question. She just doesn't want to feel sad anymore.

The last song they heard together plays on her headphones.

Her heart races. She is lost for a few moments in her own thoughts. Memories. Missing. No book catches her eye.

Between the rows of books a smoke moves.

The girl is startled. Where would that smoke come from?

The smoke behaves in a mysterious way and makes an invitation.

The girl watches, takes courage and follows the smoke.

When making the turn, the girl looks up.

The smoke hung so thick in the library's rafters that she could read words in it.

The girl wonders if that is really happening or if it is an illusion of her mind.

"Don't stop dreaming" the girl reads and looks around looking for someone who can confirm. She is alone.

The smoke moves again and takes her for a walk.

"Don't be sad. Don't cry" the smoke traces the words on a bookshelf.

With shaky legs, the girl holds on to a table.

The smoke makes graceful movements. Family memories reach the girl.

The girl is astonished. But she is no longer afraid.

It writes again "Don't stop being happy".

The girl contains the tears and the lump in her throat.

"Don't stop clapping" she reads with a mixture of a smile and a tear.

She takes the girl for another ride this time floating over the girl's favorite book section.

"Don't stop smiling" the smoke writes.

Some books fall off the shelf. The girl kneels in front of the books.

Smoke hangs over the books.

"It's alright" the girl reads with comfort in her chest.

The girl closes her eyes. A warm hug surrounds her as she takes a deep breath and repeats "It's alright".