The Magic of Stories | ONC 2024 shortlist

5 - Luca

Except for the eerie blue eyes, I can't recall much about my first encounter with the library's resident ghost. What I remember is that I had my mouth open but couldn't articulate a scream while my heartbeat thumped in my ears and my legs refused to carry me away.

"Lynn, aren't you done yet?" Conny's voice came muffled through the room from the front, oblivious to my plight.

At least her words had the double effect of tearing me out of my petrified state and bringing the lamp back to life with a reluctant flicker. It bathed the aisle in glaring light right in time for me to witness the blue-eyed stranger fading away into thin air. With shaking knees and a queasy stomach, I clasped the weight of Cervantes' masterpiece against my heaving chest.

"Lynn, I'd like to close shop and catch my bus. You can finish tomorrow morning."

There was an edge to the words now, and I shook my paralysis, slipped Don Quixote into its slot, and rushed back to the reception area. "All done, I'm on my way."

Conny already wore her coat, a matching cashmere scarf, and slipped into her gloves. In a hurry, I picked up my parka and backpack and followed her out of the premises on still wobbly feet. Whatever or whoever I had encountered a minute ago, I hadn't the slightest wish of remaining alone with a creepy ghost or projection of my fears in the library for a single minute.

After saying goodbye to Conny at the bus stop, I walked towards the uni district, glad I was supposed to reunite with two friends at our old meeting point near the station. Despite pursuing different careers, we had made it a habit to spend time together every other week, and seeing familiar faces and catching up was what I needed that night. Also, they knew about my messy breakup with Oliver and would avoid the topic like the plague, for which I was grateful. What they didn't know yet was that I found a job.

Becca waited at the corner, her rainbow coloured hat and scarf making her easy to pick out of any crowd, wearing a broad grin on her dark features. "Lynn, how are you?"

She enclosed me in a generous hug before she held me at arm's length to study my face. "You look tired, girl. Still not over that useless prick?"

So much for avoiding the Oliver topic. "No, I'm fine. It was just a long day on the job."

"You got what?" A muscular hand whirled me around, and I found myself face to face with Sim's sparkling green eyes and her unruly red mane. "A proper job?" She pecked Becca on the mouth but turned her attention back to me. "That's beyond fantastic—you must tell us all about it."

Confronted with so much genuine enthusiasm, I couldn't help but smile, too. "It's nothing grand, but I started today as a replacement librarian in the town library."

"A librarian? That's perfect for a bookworm like you. But I need more details—how is it?"

I knew Sim wouldn't give in and shrugged. "The place and my boss are marvellous. Still, I was only there a single day and can't say much."

Becca, who was the more sensitive of the pair, squinted her brown eyes to scrutinise me through her half-moon glasses. "And what's the hook?"

"There is none." I should have known I couldn't fool her, but I wasn't ready to talk about dissolving strangers and blue cats, not when I couldn't be sure they weren't a product of my imagination. Instead, I plunged into the cold water and told them what I could. "It was pure luck I stumbled over the note the other day in the library window, but I already love the job." I did, and I also needed the money, but they knew this. "Although there is a coworker I'm not convinced I'll get along with, and I still don't know if I'm qualified. I'm not very good with people, as you know."