Buried Within II: Buried Without (Lockwood & Co Fanfic)

One in Many

She smiled.

For all purposes, the job was a dream job for anyone who loved books, yet libraries and, in particular, books always felt like a safety net in that day and age where life was a walking horror story. In that vein, Avery Farris refused to read anything of the horror genre because life was a walking horror story for everyone. Yet, this fact made her ponder the few souls who still read the works of Mary Shelly and Tanith Lee, but even more perplexing were the ones who tried talking to her and others about their fascination with horror and how life became a walking horror story.

The students from the school came and went, all dressed in their school uniform and all children of particular privilege, including the ones who were able to see the walking horrors in their lives. However, so far, none of the students mentioned having a talent, far more likely because even in front of the new school librarian, those who bullied those with talents likely preferred staying under the radar, particularly since they didn't know how much of a goodies-two-shoes the teacher would be.

She wanted to avoid the subject altogether, with that odd classmate who enjoyed horror and boasting of their talent creeping her out the most.

"I wonder if they survived or if they became ghost-touched," she wondered, brushing aside the thought as she ran a finger down the spine of the books, taking in the smell of something old lingering there for everyone, avoiding the horror section altogether, mentally siding with the schools which got rid of such sections altogether.

She then returned to do her work, watching the students stare at her, giving her funny looks.

"Does she know about the previous librarian?" came the whisper through the day, followed by.

"Why would they?"

It didn't bother her or make her think twice when some used the word " librarians " instead of " librarian, " as if the school went through many. Still, she brushed it aside, thinking that's how things were after The Problem occurred and everyone's lives became a living horror when a national curfew was enacted to protect people.

"Be sure not to stay after your curfew," the principal who hired her said. But then, he also said, "But be sure to finish your work. Everyone is expected to pull their weight around here despite the curfew."

When the bell rang, she certainly planned on taking a good look at the books before leaving the school, yet her love of books—

Sometimes what was too tempting was just that, and she lost track of time, only realizing—

Something went bump, and her eyes drifted up to the time. Taking a deep breath, she shoved the book into her purse and started to leave, swallowing, realizing she'd lost track of time, and not in a good way, having walked into her own horror story she wanted to avoid, her feet clicking as she went across the floor, no talent to allow her to know where the ghosts were coming from.

"Why?" she muttered. "Why does a school have ghosts? You think that would open them to libel, and they'd hire an agency..."

A shudder ran down her spine, and then she started to sprint, opening the door, hoping a taxi made of steel would be outside, waiting, or somewhere in the road, and upon spotting one, she waved. She slipped into the back seat, letting out a sigh of relief before giving her address.

"So, another staff member they've lost?"

She tensed then, realizing she'd been hired without being forewarned.

"They did tell you to finish your work before curfew, didn't they?"

She swallowed, the taxi driver shaking their head, driving down the street until they dropped her off at her house, which she hurried to get to, opening and closing the door behind her, breathing a sigh of relief. "I'll just do a better job of paying attention to..."

Thoughts about paying attention to curfew left when she felt a chill again, something she shouldn't have felt in her own house, not unless...

She glanced down at her purse, realizing something important. Taking a deep breath, she reached into her purse, grabbed the book she'd slipped in there, and flung it out the door, slamming and locking it. "I am not going back there! Not when there is no telling what books there are relics that ghosts are attached to! I quit!"