The Library of Secrets

Chapter 3: Hidden in the Library

The next morning, Lily wasted no time. She grabbed her backpack and stuffed the book and note inside. As soon as her mom agreed to let her head back to the library, she raced out the door, her mind swirling with possibilities.

When she arrived at the library, it was quiet, just the way she liked it. Mrs. Jenkins gave her a warm smile from behind the desk. "Back already, Lily?"

Lily nodded, trying to act casual. "I think I forgot something yesterday. I'll just look around for a bit."

"Take your time, dear," Mrs. Jenkins said kindly.

Lily made her way to the center of the library, right under the grand chandelier. The golden light streamed down, bathing the bookshelves in a warm glow. She looked up at the ornate fixture, wondering where to start. The note said to look under the light. Was something hidden nearby?

Lily scanned the shelves around her, searching for anything that seemed out of place. Nothing. She stood on her tiptoes, trying to peer at the top shelves, but even then, nothing caught her eye. Frustrated, she sat down on the floor and thought hard.

Then, she remembered something. Spencer had said to stay curious and look at things from different angles.

Lily lay on her back on the floor, staring up at the chandelier from below. From this perspective, she could see every detail of the fixture. And that's when she spotted it: a small, folded piece of paper wedged between two of the decorative arms of the chandelier.

Her heart leaped. How was she going to get up there?

Quickly, Lily went to the front desk. "Mrs. Jenkins, do you have a ladder I could borrow?" she asked, trying to sound as innocent as possible.

"A ladder?" Mrs. Jenkins looked surprised but nodded. "It's in the storage room. You're not planning on doing anything dangerous, are you?"

"No, I just want to reach a book on a high shelf," Lily said, hoping her little white lie wouldn't get her into trouble.

Mrs. Jenkins handed her the key to the storage room, and soon, Lily was carefully carrying a small step ladder back to the center of the library. She positioned it under the chandelier, her heart pounding as she climbed up. When she was close enough, she reached out and gently tugged at the piece of paper.

It came free easily, and Lily hurried back down the ladder, her pulse racing with excitement. She unfolded the note.

"Well done, Lily.
But this is only the beginning.
Meet me tomorrow after school,
and we'll continue the adventure.
—S.R."

Lily grinned from ear to ear. Spencer was leading her on a real mystery—one that was just beginning. Lily stayed in the library for another hour or to reading a book until she had to go home. 

As Lily was walking home she couldn't contain her excitement for tomorrow and her adventure to come, with Spencer. When she reached home she did her few chores and then went up to her room to lay down for bed. As she was trying to fall asleep, all she could think was tomorrow can't come fast enough.