The Other Librarian ✔

2.

*****

Once it was lunch period, I had rushed out of the class, and straight to my locker to pick up my books in order to finish up the essay I had, and the box of cookies. I walked over to the library, wondering if I would see the other librarian today, since I never used to see him before the day he saved me. I knew how much it would weigh on my mind if I didn't see him at the library.

A sense of security overwhelmed me immediately I stepped my feet into the library, it never changes, no matter how many times I step my feet into this place. It was home away from home, or better yet, home like no other. I said hi to the librarian at the door, wondering if I should ask her about the other librarian, but I thought against it and moved over to my usual spot at the far end of the room, close to the shelves.

This was a spot where I get to avoid every one possible, including my chatty little sister, Eunice. I dropped the books and box on the desk, and stared around the library, scanning the area for him. But it seemed like my luck wasn't playing out today because I didn't see him a sign of him, all I saw were the many heads of several student buried in books.

I decided to work on my essay, while I wait for him, but my mind wasn't really on it, because with every little movement I would look up, and with every time I looked up, I got more frustrated with waiting. It felt to me like we had made some secret arrangements and he had failed to show up, was that normal?

Just as I thought my frustration had reached it peak, I finally got up only to realize that I had wasted the whole lunch break without really doing anything but looking about. I picked up my books and the box, reassuring myself that I would come back to check once school is over.

It was right then I saw a sudden movement from the corner of my eye, I turned my head immediately to see a jet of black hair disappear among the rows of shelves. I instinctly got up and followed after him, clutching the box of cookies in hand.

I wanted to call out to him and have him stop, but I knew I would only get a detention for disrupting the library. So I instead hurried after him with agility.

A part of me wondered if I was truly fine for what I was doing, because for one I hadn't really confirmed if he was really the one. But that was soon settled when I followed him into the corner I had seen him turn into only to see him make a right turn once he reached the end of the aisle.

But by then I already got a good look at his back and side view. He was in a white shirt once again, black pants, and white sneakers very similar to the ones he was wearing that day. Maybe it was the one.

I hurried behind him, following him into the corner, but immediately I made that turn I stopped.

There was nothing there except a door that had 'restricted area' boldly written on it. I knew this was me trespassing. Never have I made it to this part of the library ever since I started at this school.

I stood there contemplating what to do. I knew he had walked into the room before me, but walking into that room after him could get me punished. Was I willing to risk?

I knew I wasn't, but I really did want to see him and give him the cookies I made for him. I wanted to see the approval in his eyes when he had a taste of the cookies. Would that be too much to ask for?

Deciding that it wouldn't harm no one, I walked over to the door and knocked gently.

I waited patiently to receive a reply, and it wasn't far in coming.

"Come in." I heard his gruff masculine voice say from within, reminding me of the day he had saved me.

A warm feeling rushed through me as I slowly pushed open the door. I hesitated a little at the door, seeing how dark it was within. An eerie feeling settled deep within me. I looked behind as though asking for help, for as much as I wanted to give him a thank you gift, I wasn't willing to risk walking into a dark room.

"Step in, and switch on the light, Janice," I heard his voice say gently again.

Without even wondering how he got to know my name, I stepped in and switched on the light as he had said, only to let out the worst scream that ever came out of my mouth in my fifteen years of life.

My hands went straight to my mouth, the box of cookies now laying scattered on their floor as I stated at the horrible sight before me. It was horrible because, one the librarian I had followed into the room was nowhere to be found, neither could I procure the voice that had spoken to me.

The only thing that laid in sight was a decomposing body, dressed in the same white shirt, black pants, and white sneakers I had seen on the librarian, laying in what must have being dried blood. It was at this point the stench got to me, and it was then I came to realization, finally understanding the reason I had never seen the other librarian before.

"What do you mean by the other librarian?"

"I had no idea there was such a person at this school."

Eunice words ran straight through my brain once again.

There really wasn't such a person at this school, if there was, he was dead, and his body now lie at my feet.

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