Dusty Signs

Chapter 1

"What do you mean she's gone?" I asked Simon,the guy who's in charge of the front sections.

"She. Is. Gone. What can't you understand?" he said,dusting the shelves around him,not stopping for a second to look at me.

"Explain! That's not enough. Okay,did she resign? Is she on holiday?Did her daughter have a second baby? I want a reason,she can't be gone.."

"Look,Alexandra,I know you really care about her,I know. All I can tell you is that her son came here on Tuesday to get all her documents." His face was blank while he said it,still I could see that he wasn't happy either.

I gave him a small nod and headed to my safe spot,behind the Philosophy section. Outside was pouring,I was soaking wet and freaking cold,I wanted a cup of tea and to see my old friend,but she was gone apparently. How could she be gone?Without saying something?No,that's not possible,she's probably on holiday or maybe she resigned. That's fine,I mean,she is old,she deserves some rest,I get it.

When I stopped in front of the library,it was like I just got out of the shower,only I was fully dressed and on a bike. Thank God I left the drawings in the locker,they would've been ruined.

I was eager to tell my friend about my day and to give her the little sketch of her niece that I promised to finish before the weekend.

"Great.." I whispered only for myself.

I can't deny that I was a bit sad,but I thought that it wasn't a big deal and that she will be back next Thursday with a hell of a story,like always. She loves to tell me stories about her family,especially her niece,Mary. The little bundle of love is two and will turn three in four months and she's all her granny talks about. Last week, Mrs. Adams brought a picture of her granddaughter,a butterfly was on her mothers hand and she was starring at it,charmed by the little thing's colorful wings. Her little bright eyes were full of joy and she looked like a little fairy,I just couldn't refuse the opportunity to draw her and I promised her granny that she will be able to frame it when I'm finished.

I threw my backpack and kneeled on the floor,trying to reach for the book that was behind the Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant. When I got it out,I was dumbstruck. She managed to get the first book from the Old Kingdom Chronicles. I've been trying to find this book for more that two months and she really found it. Not only that she found it,she let me read it,because it was in the New Arrivals section and Simon refuses to let people read them before he's done cleaning and stamping them and that usually takes about a week or two.

I opened the book and noticed the bookmark. Doodles,like always.. My unknown friend left me a message,probably an answer to my latest request. I am a curious being,I need to see what he or she can really do,so I asked if I could see a bigger drawing,because I was getting used to the doodles.

"Hey,A.

In the last few days I've been thinking about your request. And I thought,meh,why not? Look at the back of the book,I'm sorry it's folded,I had to hide it.Simon is a nasty human being.. By the way,the book is awesome.I'm trying to find the second volume,I promise I'll let you know when I do,I'm sure you'd love to read that too.

Have you seen Mrs. Adams lately?

J. "

So Mrs Adams isn't only my forbidden books provider,hm. I turn the book around and a folded paper falls out. I take it,without unfolding it and I just look at it and smile like an idiot. It's the fifth drawing my unknown friend gave me and everytime he or she remembers to write on the back "For A.,my unknown friend". What if it's a she,what if she thinks I'm a he? What if she thinks we're flirting using some dusty notes,folded and hidden in the books we both like? That'd be the most ridiculous thing,to be honest.