Taking Reins/Can't Look Back (Hitch Dreyse x Male Reader)

Chapter 2: Family Matters

After that strange encounter with Hitch, you decided to enter the library, It was quiet. Although libraries are naturally silent places, you had a looming feeling that this particular silence was unnatural. Marlo followed behind you, keeping an eye out for anything that could mean trouble. 

"If I remember... I think my mother is usually in the back." You whisper to Marlo, who looked worryingly antsy from the silence. "What's wrong? Never been in a library before?"

Marlo looked behind him, scanning for anyone who could be a threat, before turning back. "I've been to a library before, it's just that this one seems particularly too quiet."

You put you hand on the doorknob, slightly relieved Marlo was your company. "You do have a point there... this is the quietest it's ever been." You freeze a moment, contemplating if it should even be opened. 

What if that Hitch character came along in his stead? She'd probably kill the atmosphere, you thought. It wouldn't be too far off from a usual day, coming home to an argument between your mom and the Chief Librarian, was it Heirhein..?

"(y/n), is everything alright?" Marlo put his hand on you shoulder, snapping you out of your thoughts.

"Yeah... I was just remembering something." You took a deep breath, turning the doorknob and pushing open the door. 

The room was devoid of any life, the only things visible from the window's light were a hastily made bed, a messy desk, and a dirty carpet. There was an abnormal scent, one that smelled of humans. You decided to push through regardless. 

As your nose slowly got used to the scent, you took a look around you. A letter caught your eye, as well as a broken picture frame. It seemed like someone punched it out of desperation. 

Marlo grabbed the letter from the desk, he began to analyze it. "We should take this, we'll analyze it later."

"Got it-" You noticed footsteps, so you looked out the keyhole. "The Librarian... and are those..." You started to get sick. 

"(y/n)! What's the matter?"

"MPs, and they're armed. They don't look like they're here to chat either."

"Damn it!"

"We shouldn't have come here, I'll apologize later, let's just find a way out!"

Marlo immediately turns to the window, trying to pry it open. "It won't budge-" Right as he was about to finish, he noticed a handle from under the carpet. "Hm?"

You desperately pulled off the carpet revealing a secret trapdoor. "The trapdoor, of course!" You were close to sobbing tears of relief, but now is not the time.

Marlo jumped down into the tunnel. "Come on, we don't have much time!"

"I know!" You grabbed the picture frame from the desk before hastily covering the trapdoor. "I hope they don't see that."

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"Alright Bookworm, show us the room." Shouted one of the voices, an extremely smooth, cocky one at that.

Another, more timid voice, responded. "Right, of course."

You heard the door creak open, from what you could see where 2 pairs of boots, as well as a pair of shoes. 

"Is this some kind of joke, old man?" Another voice chimed in, a brash one.

"N-No, she was here a moment ago, I swear!"