CHAPTER 2: Unlocked

I watched as Gwen packed our clothes into one bag and urged me to prepare something to eat before we left. I quickly tied my hair up in a ponytail and made some toast with scrambled eggs, accompanied by chocolate milk. We munched on our breakfast and hurriedly set off, knowing that the drive to her grandmother's house would take three hours. Thankfully, Gwen had a car.

"I just wonder what suddenly triggered all of this... What if I hadn't gone to the mountain at all? None of this would have happened, right?" I asked, feeling dejected. 

"No, baby. As far as these supernatural things go, they're beyond our understanding. Que sera, sera... what will be, will be. So don't beat yourself up about it," she replied quickly as she navigated the road. I couldn't refute that, so I remained quiet.

"Livvy, Livv," I heard Gwen's gentle voice as she tried to rouse me. Opening my eyes, I was surprised to find that we had already arrived. I had inadvertently slept through the journey—quite unusual for me.

"I dozed off? Why didn't you wake me sooner? I can only imagine how tedious that must have been for you," I remarked as I quickly exited the vehicle and headed to the booth to retrieve our bags.

"Oh, dear sleeping beauty, I couldn't bring myself to disturb you. Besides, you looked quite peaceful with your brows furrowed," she replied, assisting with one of the bags as she made her way to the front patio. I followed her, curious to see what she was up to. 

She skillfully turned over a flower vase, discovering a hidden compartment at the bottom, from which she extracted a bunch of keys. "My grandmother left already, so this is where she keeps her spare keys. She's always embraced an air of mystery, so it's best not to inquire about the vase's secret," Gwen explained while sifting through the keys, eventually finding the right one for the door. 

"Welcome to my grandmother's haven!" she exclaimed dramatically, reminiscent of the grand reveals in magical films. I chuckled as I placed our bags down and began exploring the houseThe bungalow exuded a charming and inviting atmosphere, ideally designed for the comfort of the elderly. Its polished wooden floors, elegantly covered with plush cream artificial fur carpets, provided a warm and cozy feel underfoot. The doors were particularly striking, adorned with intricate carvings and enigmatic symbols engraved on their ornate handles, hinting at stories from the past. 

In the heart of the home, the sitting room served as a central hub, radiating a sense of warmth and togetherness. From this inviting space, three distinct passages branched out: one led to a cluster of three well-appointed bedrooms, each promising restful nights; another pathway opened into a spacious kitchen, filled with modern appliances and ample counter space for cooking; and the final passageway guided visitors into a delightful library, lined with shelves of books begging to be read, offering a peaceful retreat for quiet contemplation or casual study.

"Ugh I'm famished, let us see what Grandma kept for us" Gwen exclaimed as she rubbed her tummy while going through the fridge. I must admit the house been on the outskirts didn't make it any more inferior to those in the city seeing how well-equipped the house appliances were.

"Oh goody!! There's some creamy pasta, garlic parmesan fries, mac and cheese, chicken and brownies…this is definitely not a wasted trip" Gwen gleamed as she stuffed her mouth with brownies and brought out the creamy pasta to heat up.

"Oh my! This is delicious" i exclaimed as i chewed on the brownie Gwen stuffed in my mouth. She grinned before saying "Once the timer is up bring out the pasta…i wanna change this dress, I'm so uncomfortable".

I did as she told me and added forks with 2 cups of juice and bottled water for each of us. She came back downstairs after putting on some shorts and a camisole. "Oooh that looks good" she said as she hurried down the stairs

We digged into our food and damnnn, Gwen's grandmother cooks really well! We soon finished eating and Gwen did the dishes before we took a quick nap for an hour or so.

"So what kind of books are we gonna find" I asked Gwen as I followed her into the library still feeling dull from my nap earlier.

"you'll find out soon!" She replied before yanking me into the room which jolted me awake. "So these are just normal books…here's the real deal" she whispered as she pulled a lamp holder on on the side of one of the shelves.

"My Grandma has no idea that I'm aware of this secret…it all started when I was twelve, that fateful day when I witnessed her unlock this hidden space," Gwen recounted. As she spoke, a shelf at the back of the room silently split in half and swung open, revealing an enchanting chamber that was both tranquil and steeped in mystery. 

This new room, though filled with books like the previous one, possessed an otherworldly quality that set it apart. The shelves were adorned with intricate carvings of bizarre symbols and geometric shapes, each more peculiar than the last. Overhead, a transparent ceiling stretched into darkness, devoid of moonlight or stars, leaving us bewildered by the absence of daylight, especially since it was barely past two o'clock in the afternoon. The look of perplexity mirrored on Gwen's face echoed my own thoughts.

"Wow, is this library in a different time zone or something?" Gwen exclaimed, voicing our shared confusion. We exchanged looks of astonishment, captivated by the surreal beauty that surrounded us in this magical sanctuary concealed within her grandmother's home. Who exactly was her grandmother, I couldn't help but wonder.

Gwen reached out and selected a random volume, flipping through its pages with curiosity before deciding to return it to the shelf. Following her lead, I began to explore some of the books that caught my eye—many were emblazoned with Pentagon symbols, while others intriguingly featured the word 'witches' in their titles, drawing me deeper into the secrets this hidden library had to offer.

After some time we gave up as we had no lead as to what might have caused my transformation. As Gwen settled onto the shelf, a heavy book perched precariously on the highest shelf began to tilt dangerously. In that fleeting moment, something inside me snapped, fueling a rush of adrenaline. Without thinking, I dashed forward and managed to catch the book just before it could tumble onto her.

"Holy shit!!" Gwen gasped, her eyes wide with surprise. "What kind of inhumane speed was that?" She tugged at my hand, her expression a mix of awe and confusion.

"I honestly have no idea," I replied, feeling just as bewildered. It was as if a wave of clarity washed over me, urging me to protect her. As she steadied herself, she reached for the book, but its weight nearly made her fumble.

"Livana! How the heck did you carry this with just one hand?!" she exclaimed, clearly struggling to comprehend it all.

"Is it really that heavy?" I asked, feeling Confused and curious all at once. I decided to try lifting it again, and the moment my fingers brushed the cover, it glowed and opened to a specific page titled 'Vampire.' A chill ran down my spine, and I felt my throat go dry while my heart seemed to slow.

"You're not a witch but a vampire?!" Gwen exclaimed, her voice a blend of questioning and astonishment..

I couldn't help but focus on the words 'super fast reflexes' and 'superhuman strength' that shone before me. A wave of uncertainty washed over me. How had this happened? I hoped this book might hold the answers I desperately needed.