My memories of childhood and teens are kind of hazy, i cannot recall most of them perfectly.

Let me tell you a tale, as much as i can remember of it anyway. It had to do with a house.

My parent's forbade me to play anywhere near the house at the end of the street but I was a kid, of course i was not going to listen to them. So i decided, i would play there and I sneaked out one morning, ran towards the porch of the house and decided to play. (what? i don't remember) . I remember this distinctly, Strange but familiar smell came from the house and it was almost hypnotic. It smelled like comfort. It was kind of like a siren song. It drew yourself toward it. It was then that i realized something but i couldn't put a finger to it.

Something had changed after that day, i cannot remember. I found myself, in my home, next day. My house was empty. Maybe my parent’s went to work.

Anyways, the house, It has always been there. I had a strange affinity to it and i didn't know why, but it was before i realized the house was haunted.That was before it was changed to a library or so i thought.

I kind of remember things like the time when I was 14 and my crush, who was also my best friend, had dared me to do something, i cant remember what? But i did stay that night in the library.

I remember a piece of conversation.

"There's a legend that after the twilight, the library kinds of gains sentience. I dare you to stay until midnight and bring me a book, any book the first thing in the morning. Can you do it? or are you a baby?" she had said, i suppose.

I remember this part vividly; Her eyes had mischievous glare to it and that of indifference. I,being a teenager and all, had to prove to my girl, that i too was brave; that i could too be an alpha male, so i accepted despite being a coward.

"I'll do it." said I, i suppose.

I saw a chance of a lifetime and i dared to take it.

"But if i came back with a book, you'll have to kiss me" I think i might have said that.

I jogged towards the library. I didn't look back to see her reaction. Was she surprised? Will she kiss me? Will she hate me, now? Did i ask for the unspeakable?

I remember now, i used to work in the library, of all the things i could have done I worked there, the house had a strange aura and i felt i belong, that's why she dared me to stay there until midnight maybe she knew. I guess she was trying to prove it was not haunted or maybe not.

I went and started my shift in the library like a pathetic love stricken guy trying to prove his love.

Hours later, the dark of midnight without the moon, enveloped the sky. I was tired of waiting for something to happen and i started rearranging the books. I think that's what I was doing, I don't recall. The one thing that i do recall is that I started hearing voices which then turn to a whisper and then a growl and after that there a whole cacophony of them. It was maddening. It just happened in an instant.

Then there was Silence.

Now, there were sounds of crackling fire.

Silence again.

Then there was sound like that of thousand hissing snakes.

Silence.

That's when i saw it, the book, which had a fiery red glow within the pages, was hissing. I don't know why but when i touched it -it stopped.

Fear started to take hold. My hands were already trembling and this sinister book, started melting in my hands, burned my hand as if molten plastic was clinging to it but there were no visible scars, my skins weren't swollen. I tired running the hell away towards the street, screaming...panting, i couldn't escape, my legs were paralyzed. I just sat there.. The book started to solidify again and this time it mocked me by making a sound of that of a dying animal.

It whined, growled and then there was combustion. The book turned to ash and it solidified again. Now there were apparitions in the library and there i saw the girl i had crush on, and there was some sort of party going on.Then it dawned on me, she didn’t want me there, she just wanted me away, that’s why she made me stay in the library. I didn’t know how I was supposed to feel, i didnt know I was clinging to her, I just wanted her to like me. Maybe, that’s too much to ask.

The apparitions melted and there was smell of molten wax, bony hands appeared from the ceiling, and one of them brushed my hair. I fainted.

I remember laughter.

Next day, I was with her, sitting on a park bench, I didn’t know how i got here. I handed her the book.

I haven’t seen her since and neither have i seen my parents.

Can anyone tell me where are they? but i feel happy even if i can’t remember why.

The book is still in the library. I can still hear the screams of a girl. I don’t remember the voice.