I awoke to an unfamiliar place. Tall brown bookshelves towered around me. The bookshelves were packed to the brim with books of every color, with no space to be found between the novels. The floor, which was a dark red marble, was spotless and not even a speck of dust could be found on the floor.

The room, as one would expect, was silent. In fact, it was pen drop quiet. Surprisingly, the usual stiff scent liberties generally exude wasn't present here. Instead, my nose was met with a sweet lavender that seemed to release more of my stress with every sniff I took. I would honestly be content just sitting here in this relaxed space. Sadly, I don't have that luxury. I have to find Ms. Myala and ask her some questions.

I got off the floor and onto my feet. I looked around and noticed the bookshelves were in rows in every direction that looked to go on endlessly. I was basically at an intersection for all the bookshelves.

Seriously? I thought. How am I supposed to find Ms. Myala in here? It's basically a maze. And I doubt all these paths lead to her. I don't think she's nice enough to do that. Is she hiding from me to avoid answering questions? No, It seems like she's...testing me?

I looked at the multiple pathways and brainstormed an idea. I had to think of a clue to find her. What was something she loved? Obviously knowledge came to my mind but that didn't really help. There had to be something else. Or maybe something within the realm of knowledge? There had to be a topic she liked more than others, right?

A certain quote came to my mind.

"Humans are by far the most interesting creatures on this planet."

That's what she said during our previous encounter. If that's true, that makes this a lot easier. And if this was similar to a regular library, then these shelves should be in order of genre, which meant all I had to do was find the non-fiction or history section. At least, I think that's the best strategy.

Putting my plan into action, I walked to a random bookshelf and started scanning the titles.

The book had titles such as "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and "Frankenstein". I concluded this had to be science fiction so I moved on to another bookshelf. Scanning over the books I got hit with titles like "Hunger of the Wendigo" and "Divine Retribution in another world", which I guess was about folklore and fantasy.

And so I moved on. I repeated this process until I was down to three bookshelves, which all seemed to have humans as a basis for their subject. One bookshelf was all about the relationship between humans and animals. The second bookshelf was full of books about the different mythologies, like Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, etc. The third bookshelf consisted of books about Sociology.

With just three bookcases, there were only two paths to choose from. Using my judgment, I decided it would be best to walk down the path that was between mythology and sociology. I walked down the aisle where I ran into two more bookcases right behind the first two.

I checked the bookcase to assure myself I was going the right way. The bookcase on the left was about weird myths within Christianity like "The study of the Bible" and "The Holy War." On the right were books that researched and analyzed the different type of human cultures around the world.

I figured I was headed the right way and kept walking. I didn't bother checking any more book titles because if I kept doing it I'd probably be here forever. I must've walked for at least ten minutes before I finally reached the corner where the last bookshelf was located. I looked at the bookshelf and one book stood out instantly.

"Psychology of the human mind."

This is definitely where Ms. Myala should be located. I walked to the backside of the bookshelf that was facing the wall to see her elegantly sitting in a chair, one leg crossed over the other. This time, she wore a long lavender dress with spaghetti straps. Her lavender eyes were looking down, intently reading a book that sat in her lap. The only time she moved was to turn the page of the book.

I slowly walked closer to her to get her attention. Unsurprisingly, she didn't budge.

"You know," she said, without looking in my direction and turning the page of her book, "I was hoping to finish this chapter before you arrived. Realistically, I was expecting you to wander here until I was done."

I stopped walking and stared at her.

She slammed the book closed with one hand. "Sigh. Unfortunately that didn't happen."

"Umm, I'm sorry for bothering you-."

"No you're not. Don't lie to someone who can read your mind."

...

She looked up at me, her golden eyes once again piercing through my soul. "Oh well. I'll read it later. I have a bone to pick with you anyway."

"Huh, what did I do?"

"Self proclaimed queen of knowledge?" She put her hands on her hips. "How dare you? Are you insinuating I'm delusional?"

"No," I lied.

She stared at me with a pretty aggressed expression but didn't say anything. Then she sighed again and sat back in her chair comfortably.

"Whatever, It's not important."

Clearly it is, I thought.

"So you can read my mind even when I'm outside the blade?" I asked.

By now the irritation she had vanished completely. "Of course. It's actually easier when you're on the outside."

"What do you mean?"

"By taking over your body and your consciousness, I essentially took over your mind. This blade is special so you're relatively safe while inside it, although I can still read your mind. In the real world however, every thought you think I see as well. I can even speak to you as well, although it seems you are unaware of this fact."

"Ahahah yeah."

Her expression changed to one of disappointment. "Speaking of that, how can someone so smart be dumb enough to where your first idea is to stab yourself?"

"I didn't know any other option," I admitted.

"Good grief. Most people would at least try calling me."

"My bad."

"So you want information on the Amazons right?"

I looked surprised. "So you know about them? No wait, before that? Why have you been controlling my body today?"

She crossed her arms. "Because I was hungry of course. I was basically starving after ejecting my miasma from your friends and family."

I smiled. It makes me happy she kept her word and wasn't still in control of them.

"But what about meeting Mary's mother? You literally forced me into her room."

She shrugged. "What about it? Am I supposed to miss out on such juicy information because you don't want to be a bother? And you benefited too so why are you complaining?"

"I benefited?"

"You got to learn more about your childhood and what's happening in the mansion, did you not?"

I was at a loss for words. Even though I knew she was wrong I couldn't beat her in an argument. Her logic was sound.

She waved her hand. "Relax, I'm not going to put you in dangerous situations unless the payoff is worth it."

"The payoff being?"

"Knowledge of course. But it has to be extremely rare information. At the end of the day, I need you to overcome my weakness."

"Why not just take over me like you did my father?"

"Because then I don't get to study you. I only take over those who lack personality. You happen to have quite a lot of that. It's just a shame most of it is being dormant."

"What do you mean most of it is dormant?"

She put a finger to her lip. "I guess it'd be more accurate to say that you're unconsciously pushing down any actions or emotions you deem detestable."

"Huh?"

"No, no, that's not quite right either. I said you're the one pushing it down, but you're following someone else's standards. It seems to be a person you want to praise and shower you with affection."

I looked at her sternly. "You know who it is, don't you?"

She smirked. "Ah, most definitely."

"But you're not going to tell me are you?"

"No, that would ruin the fun. Not to mention, the amount of psychological damage you would take from learning this could make you useless and that's a detriment to me."

As usual, everyone is keeping secrets from me. Except this time, it's something I'm actually interested in. I guess I'll take her word for it.

"I guess if you don't want to tell me, I just won't know."

"Aww, don't pout. You'll find out eventually anyway."

I wanted to push the topic of my memory further but navigating the conversation away from Ms. Myala's favor was clearly impossible.

"So getting back on track," I started, "what can you tell me about the Amazons?"

"Well let's see, they're a race of predominantly women who believe in power above all. They value the bonds they have with those in their tribe and prefer to be secluded. They detest weak willed people, males especially."

"I mean, I already know that from the books, but what do you know about them?"

"So you want real information I see."

"Please, whatever you can tell me."

"So, fun fact, I used to be in possession of an Amazon woman and they are the sole reason I'm with you now."

I looked at her wide eyed. "What do you mean by that?"

"So," she started, "due to events I don't feel like explaining, I ended up in the hands of the Amazon. They became upset when members of their tribe started disappearing and believed it to be you nobles. Naturally they lashed out and attacked the mansions one by one. The police got involved but were little help against their onslaught. Eventually they were defeated by the members of your household and retreated and never launched another attack. Upon fleeing, I was left in the care of your father."

"How long ago was this?" I asked.

"Hmm. About eleven years ago I'd say, which means you would've been five or so. Knowing your family, they probably had you and your brother stay somewhere else during the attacks."

"So you were in the house a long time then."

"Yes, I starved for quite some time. It wasn't until a few months ago that I was able to take control of your father."

"How exactly did you manage to cut my father, by the way? He is a really careful person."

She lit up as soon as I asked the question. She started chuckling and then full blown laughing in her chair.

"Ahh, I'm sorry, it's just, your father lost to pure luck. You see, I had no hand in what happened. Taking control of him was indeed difficult due to how paranoid he was. How he was taken control of was, are you ready for this, him accidentally cutting his pinkie."

Ms. Myala resumes cracking up in her chair.

...I couldn't believe it. All this happened because my father was careless one time in a decade. That's just sad. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't even laugh.

I looked up to see that the woman who was previously sitting comfortably in her chair had disappeared. I looked around but couldn't find her. It wasn't until I received a hand on my shoulder and jumped that I knew where she was.

She chuckled. "You really are jumpy, aren't you?"

I looked back to see her snowy white hair looked as soft as before. Her expression seemed a lot softer than when I remember. She looked relaxed and happy. Her presence felt so inviting despite how erratic her personality was.

Don't get drawn in. You know has dangerous she is.

"Ms. Myala-."

"Please call me Mya," she said. "I've heard my name a few too many times in the past day and quite frankly I'm beginning to get sick of it."

"Ok, Ms. Mya. This may sound weird but, do you like being around me? Or is it troublesome for me to be around?"

She looked mildly confused for a second but quickly reverted to her earlier grin. "Well, first is the notion that you have to please me; it's wrong. I'm not like your family. All I need from you is to feed me and gather knowledge from time to time."

She started playing with her hair as she spoke. "But that's besides the point. To answer your question, at least for the one day I've been with you, I would say you are very enjoyable to be around. It's rare I get to be around someone so easy to get along with. Although that may just be a result of your people pleasing tendencies. But most of the time around me at least, your thoughts and actions seem genuine. A big bonus is you don't hide too much when I talk to you. It makes the conversation flow a lot smoother."

"But can't you just read my mind?"

"I mean I could, but where's the fun in that? I'd rather learn about a person through their behavior. In fact, I rarely ever read your mind. I generally tell people I can read minds just so I don't actually have to. They become so scared of getting caught that they blurt out everything they're thinking."

I can't lie, that is a pretty smart tactic.

"Just remember Arthur, I chose you for a reason."

I couldn't hold it in. A smile formed over my face that I couldn't push down. It's not often I hear genuine words of kindness directed at me. Usually it's just empty compliments. Hearing it even from a demon like Ms. Mya made me happy.

"Aww look at you blushing. How cute."

I turned away from her. Except this time, she appeared right in front of me.

"You can't run from me."

I could feel the hairs on my arm and legs stand as she spooked me.

"W-w-well I'm out of questions so I should really be going."

She shrugged. "As you wish. One thing though Arthur. Stay around your friends Mary and Tucker. The world isn't safe enough for you to be alone."

That sounds so ominous...Not to mention, haven't I heard something like that before?

"Weird, someone else said something similar earlier."

"Hmm? Who would that be?"

"It was a girl with orange hair and hazel eyes. She was really goofy at first but later on she was very calm and composed, almost elegant by nature. She told me something along the lines of be careful and that the world doesn't take kindly to lone wolves. Something like that. She also somehow knew my name without me ever telling her, although I don't know hers."

Ms. Mya looked genuinely puzzled. "Strange. Was there anything else weird about her?"

"I was umm, I guess for a lack of better words attracted to her despite not liking anything about her. At a certain point I couldn't even look at her."

Ms. Mya's demeanor hardened. "Arthur, you met two very dangerous people today. Both of which you should stay away from."

"Two?"

"The girl with the purple and black hair. She's just as dangerous as the girl you met in the restaurant."

"I'll stay away," I said.

Her expression eased up. "Good. Now leave so I can finish this book."

She walked back to her chair and grabbed her book. She automatically flipped to her page somehow and started reading.

"So, uh, how do I leave?" I asked.

"Try grabbing a book," she advised me.

I looked at the bookshelf and scanned the titles. One particular book read: "Return to world." I grabbed it and waited but nothing happened. Then the book magically fell out of my hands and onto the floor. It opened up by itself and created a vacuum of air. Before I could react i was sucked inside the book.