The Magic of Stories | ONC 2024 shortlist

22 - Nightly conference

As I had promised to Marjorie, I returned to the library after my visit in the rehab centre. My original intention had been to place the manuscript back where it belonged before Conny would find out it was missing. But by now, I knew it wasn't so easy, not if I wanted to help Luca.

It was already dark, and a drizzle set in while I walked from the station back to my workplace. I pulled the hood of my parka over my curls, shivering in a sudden gust. For a moment, I was close to give in to the temptation to return home, but the manuscript weighed heavy in my backpack. If I wanted to sleep tonight, I needed to get this done despite the hardening rain.

Amidst a downpour, I reached the library, glad to switch the damp chill of the night with the cozy warmth inside. Late on a Saturday evening, the place was quiet and dark, a stark contrast to the friendly premises I was used to. The door clicked into the lock behind me and I listened to the chime, its sound forlorn and louder than I had in mind.

Through the tall windows, the streetlights filtered into the room, the head- and taillights of the cars dancing over the shelves and the ceiling. I stood on the doormat until the last note of the chime faded away before I took off my soggy parka and hung it to dry by the entrance. Since I didn't want to attract suspicion, I resisted the urge to turn on the lights and crossed the reception area in the spooky half light, surprised to hear the floorboards creaking under my steps. I had never realised they made a sound before.

In the office, I turned on the light and closed the door. In here, everything seemed normal, ordered, and the familiar smell of printer ink and coffee embraced me. With a relieved sigh, I dug the manuscript from my backpack, removed the envelope, and placed the now slightly crumpled sheets in Conny's desk. With a last indecisive glance, I shut the drawer, ready to brave the weather outside on my way home.

The library was extra dark after the well-lit office, but I didn't turn on the lights. The last thing I needed was the police turning up and accusing me of burgling my workplace—after all, I had returned something and not stolen it.

I was almost at the door and glad to leave the eerie premises when a sudden blue glow flashed up behind me. I glanced over my shoulder at the window, thinking of a patrol car or an ambulance. Instead, I stared straight into a pair of shiny blue eyes as the hero of Conny's story manifested beside me in a pronounced ghostly glow. I jumped aside and pressed a hand to my heaving chest.

"Luca, I told you I'll suffer a heart attack if you keep doing that." In the dark library, his glowing form was striking, but more frightening than ever.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, but it is a kind of hard to approach without surprising you if you cannot hear my steps."

"True, but you could—well, whistle perhaps?" Probably this would frighten me even more, though. "Or just greet me before you pop up? Anyway, how can I help you?"

"Cat told me you found my story?"

I took a deep breath and looked into his amazing blue eyes, now filled with apprehension. "Yes, and I even wanted to tell you about it this morning, but we were interrupted, and I had to leave to catch my train at noon. Just as Cat suspected, the story remained unfinished. I'm sorry."

His shoulders slumped as he stared at the floor. "So, you also believe it means I will be caught forever in this stage of in-between?"

"As you know, I'm not an expert on otherworldly things. Cat seemed convinced that you are bound to this place by the unfinished manuscript, though, and Marjorie confirmed this might be the case."

"You talked to Marjorie?"

"I payed her a visit this afternoon, since I thought it might be the moment to run some research. Also, she was the best source of information that came to mind."