CHAPTER 62

A blur of the next few days went by as Amelia tried to get ready for her first shift. Burying herself in the thick tome Margaret had loaned her, she studied the employee handbooks, the structure of inventory, and other guidelines. She also bought fancy shoes and was ready to be comfortable all day since she knew she would be on her feet most of the time.

Finally, Saturday arrived. The day could not come soon enough and Amelia woke up early with butterflies in her stomach. She attired herself appropriately in black pants and, a white shirt which was a uniform of the store made her hair simple and tied it.

Looking at the white building in front of her and thinking about what is inside it as Amelia was walking to the bookstore, she allowed herself to have pride. So far she had come from the broken girl who had run away from the hospital some few weeks back. Here she was in an unfamiliar city ready to start her new job. It was not elaborate or elegant, but it was her life which she had carved out on her own.

it was rather surprising for Amelia to witness the morning high traffic at the bookstore. Margaret introduced her to the facts as the clerk in charge of sales and the methods of paying for products.

“Mistakes don’t matter,” Margaret said soothingly to her. ‘We all do at first’. The concept is to remain quite composed and seek assistance from a fellow learner if any assistance is required.

Amelia said that as the day progressed she discovered that she was getting into a rhythm. She took great pleasure in making recommendations based on a customer’s preferences, for example, when enthusing over a new series of books hitting the stores. Every met customer, every completed sale, is something that gives a sense of achievement.

One day as the afternoon happened to be a little slow, Margaret decided to take Amelia round the stockroom and introduce her to their means of stocking and ordering and the methods used in arranging the newly received consignment. Amelia took all these keenly and vowed not to be outdone in quickness in learning.

‘You’re doing wonderfully,’ Margaret told her as they came out of the stock room. ‘’Whatever you want to currently describe how you feel about everything, go right ahead’’

Amelia's smile was genuine. ”I like it” she replied. ‘I understand that it has only been one day that we have been seeing each other but it feels like I have found the one’

Margaret nodded her head in agreement and there was mischief in her eyes. “I had the same feeling when I first got a job at a bookstore, something is enchanting about being surrounded by books. ”

Amelia also joined in the closing activities which included restacking the books and putting back any book that was out of place into its rightful place. She enjoyed it; it was something simple she could do that made a difference to a certain extent before she became ill.

The last customer left and the door was closed Margret then called everyone to a brief meeting with the only permanent employee Amelia and two other employees who worked part-time.


Good work done today every one of you ‘’ she said to them ‘’ Amelia you have been very good considering that it is your first day at work. What is your attitude towards the permanency of your status with us? "

Amelia's heart leaped. "Really? I'd love to!"

"Wonderful," Margaret beamed. ‘Okay, let me give you the basic schedule; three shifts a week to begin with and we shall slowly increase your hours as we go along typing ‘Welcome to the team official,’ on your letter. ’

That evening when Amelia walked out of the store, the red blush of accomplishment tingled all over her. It was not a highly paid position or a glamorous one, but she had done it – she had a job, and she had a start in her new life. It was not just about the money (as much as this is not to downplay the role of the paycheck). It was about telling herself that she could do it and that she was capable of creating her life on her own.

As for the next few weeks, Amelia gave her best to her new position and enjoyed herself. Many a time, she arrived early for the shift with the zeal of mastering various tasks in the outlet. She immediately liked books and was also friendly toward customers and soon became an indispensable employee of the small team.

On this particular day, something took place. It started as an ordinary day when Amelia was shelving some books in the mystery category and eavesdropping on the two buyers.

The following incident happened; “Have you seen this?” said one woman to her friend, showing a newspaper. He said, They are still looking for that girl who went missing, the Hybrid, do you believe that?

Amelia was nervous; the girl barely put a book on the shelf without her hands shaking. They continued to make assumptions even though she knew they were making them about her.

”Oh, that’s terrible”, said the friend. “And I hope that they find her, her poor family must be extremely worried at this moment. ”

For a moment Amelia felt the familiar stab of guilt. The next thing that crossed her mind was Bruce, Elijah and the pack that was back in where she had left. Were they expecting something bad to have befallen her? Were they still looking, perhaps they prayed to see her again?

For a brief second, she wanted to text or call, to let them know she was okay and where she was. But the emotion of pity that was suffocating her and making her feel like a helpless victim only seemed to motivate her even more. She had made her choice and nothing on this earth could make her switch sides again. This was her life now had a home and she was in a job that kept her busy all day.



Sweating and ignoring the overheard conversation that was in her mind Amelia got to work. While arranging the shelf, she had allowed herself to be enveloped in the smell of books that surrounded her as well as the quiet chattering of the store. This was where she belonged now.

The following day, in the evening time when Amelia was almost getting out of the office, Margaret pulled her inside the office.

Amelia, there is something I need to discuss with you,’ Margaret told her, her voice stern but not unfriendly. ‘I have noticed how hard-working you are and how you manage to interact well with your customers. ’ ‘I wish to give you a full-time job offer here with a slightly higher pay and expose you to some other responsibilities here. ’

She stared back with large wonderful eyes and said: ‘Margaret, that’s… that’s amazing. ’ ‘Yes,’ Amelia's tone was sure, ‘absolutely!’

Margaret smiled warmly. “That’s good to know! When you met me during the interview process I could tell that you were in search of a new beginning here and I trust that you have found that here. ”

Amelia felt the corner of her eyes stinging as if tears were going to well up. To this, she responded with, “I have” said in a very humble tone. "More than you know. "

Amelia could hardly put on a happy face when she left that store in the evenings. She had not only sought employment since leaving the rebels but she had gained a place where she fit, a position that would make her happy.

That unfamiliarity so evident in approaches to the city streets had been erased, leaving them as a familiar neighborhood. As Amelia strolled – She pondered and let herself wander into different dreams of maybe one day saving up enough money to get a small apartment all to herself, perhaps go back to college and maybe get a job that would allow her to be surrounded by books and knowledge.

For the first time in a long time, Amelia felt something that can be described as hopeful. No matter what could be waiting for her she felt within herself that she could handle it. She had no doubt surmounted the worst period in her life now a new book was opened for a new story was about to be penned down.

For that night, while in her hostel bunk, Amelia could not help but smile to herself. The next day was another day at the bookstore, another day of her new life as she began anew. And she was much looking forward to knowing what the new idea would come up with.