Laila was pulled into a small house behind a stand which she didn't get to see what they were selling. The "door" was a dark purple curtain with beads behind it. She tumbled in and could hardly see anything 

"My goodness girl! You make quite a racket." The voice said with extreme exasperation. 

"I beg your pardon!" Laila shot back. She slowly stood in the dark but didn't move a muscle once she was up. 

"That's right!" The voice said confirming his previous comment. "For heavens sake too, stop looking so tense." 

She heard a click from her right side and was blinded by a little lamp. Finally able to see the room she looked around. The room was square but each wall was a lined with books. Built in book cases. There were old papers scattered throughout the floor with stacks of books here and there. A desk on her left with a few utensils.In the corner in front of her was a little old man in a leather recliner. Beside the recliner was a small table with a Tiffany lamp on it.

The man himself was thin with age, and from the looks of it, very short. He wore blue, flannel pajamas with a gray jacket over them. On top of his head was a small night cap. His face had many wrinkles but they weren't particularly droopy like they could be. Large, round glasses fell into place on the tip of his nose which made his eyes seem magnified, by the way they were a speckled gray color.

He placed his intertwined fingers onto his lap and looked at Laila expectantly. 

"Who are you?" She questioned and frowned. 

He sighed. "Not even a thank you for the little old man who saved you from those savages? Well someone must have a lost their manners on the trip down here- but I won't say any names." He then mumbled on about that he actually didn't know her name. 

"You're quite unusual." She bluntly replied. 

"Look at you! You think you can just waltz in here looking like that," He gestured to her almost dry clothes. She herself was surprised that they hadn't even dried. "You're the unusual one."

Laila actually agreed with the old man on that one. She was a tad out of place here, but it wasn't like she was going to stay in the town forever. "Well then," She started. 

"I know what you're going to ask," He leaned forward a bit. "The answer to that is I noticed you from the moment you walked into the market place. As soon as that wretched fruit man accused you, I knew that you would need a bit of helping. However you just moved so fast. But I quickly saw my chance to pull you into safety when you turned down my street." His voice went up and down with emotion as did his eyebrows. It was like he was telling a story.

"That's interesting." Laila said as she remembered the rough hand that grabbed her. It kind of hurt. She rubbed her arm, wondering if there was a bruise because of how tight his grip was. For an old man he sure was strong. 

"I'm Laila," She said and stuck out her left hand. 

"Nice to meet you. I'm Monty Murdock Morr. Oh, but most people just call me Mr. Morr." He took her hand and shook it. 

Mr. Morr then began rambling on about whatever he could think of. Laila was shocked that he could talk so fast, the proof was on her face. 

Of course she wanted to thank him but she felt almost as if this city was a cage for some reason. Maybe it was because she was standing in a room filled with nothing but books that seemed like bars keeping her in. 

First thing's first, She thought to herself. Find out where I am exactly then ask for a way to go. She didn't care which direction he gave her, she just wanted one. 

"As I was saying. I wanted to be a great sculptor and sought for this city. I heard from someone that this was the place to be for starting an artist career. So I came here and began. Of course in my head I was thinking that I would only stay for about a year or so, but this place is just so captivating. It's alive with unseen history and art. I just wish others would recognize." Mr. Morr sat back in his chair looking quite exhausted.

"Why didn't leave this city even after a few years?" Laila became interested. 

He sighed once more. It seemed to  be his trademark now. "To tell the truth I love this city. However, it's like a jail. It always keeps you in and doesn't often let you see the outside world. For a beautiful place it's such a shame."

Laila wanted to leave right then and there. "So... I think I should be on my way. But I still have a few questions to ask."

"Don't be hasty. Just ask away." 

"Well, I first want to know where I am. To be more specific, this world."

He suddenly had a confused look on his face. "Eh... I never thought about that."

It was the same exact answer as Darcy's. 

"You see," He struggled to find the right words and fumbled with his hands. "Goodness gracious child. It seems I have forgotten."

Laila felt a bit of hope drain. "Um. I guess you don't need to answer that. You obviously don't know the answer, so."

"I'm truly sorry. My age has finally caught up to my memory." Mr. Morr put a hand to his head. He looked so sad. 

"Don't worry!" She assured. "It's okay. The last thing then..." 

"What's that now?" He asked as Laila trailed off. 

"I would like to know where to go next. I mean I'm quite curious about this place so anywhere would be fine."

Mr. Morr squinted. "You should go where ever you feel like going. If you follow others direction it will be by their will, not yours. That's no fun," The little old man smiled and then said, "Now go. There are a few things I need to take care of myself, plus I can tell that you don't want to be here for too long."

No matter how much Laila wanted to stay and converse, maybe even argue, with the man a bit more something pushed her out the room and past the curtain. But it wasn't Mr. Morr. For she was looking back at him the whole time. During that, he was in the leather chair smiling and waving. 

RATE THIS CHAPTER!

Author guidance for This story

Inspired by the quote,

"I am imagination. I can see what the eyes cannot see. I can hear what the ears cannot hear. I can feel what the heart cannot feel."

P.S. I want to try going as rating-less as I can on this one... but all I really ask is that you at least don't rate very first page. It's just info on the story and doesn't need a rating.

P.P.S. New chapters are coming in the summer (I'll be able to focus more on the story then, anything I put out now will just be horrible haha)

:)

updated Mar 9 by llmay