Library of Life (Larry Au)

Chapter 2

"What you don't know would make a great book." ~ Sydney Smith

"I was beginning to wonder when you would wake."Harry opened his eyes sleepily to be met with the old librarian looking down at him with a soft smile. "It still troubles me how the youth can sleep for so long when there is so much to be done."

"I'm sorry." Harry replied groggily. "I didn't realise how tired I was. How long was I asleep for?" 

"Only a few hours, the library closed about half and hour ago though. I didn't wish to wake you though, you seemed...at peace." 

Harry stood up slowly, rubbing his eyes for a moment, taking everything in. He yawned a little, covering his mouth before once again apologising to the patient old man who was wearing his usual old fashioned robes. He always resembled the wise old man people would turn to for advice and Harry always admired that of him.  "I'm sorry to be a nuisance, I'll head home now."

"Harry my boy, you've never been a nuisance. In fact you are very loyal to this library, you've helped us out during the hard times and you are here almost everyday. I'm surprised you haven't fallen asleep before." The old man assured as Harry laughed a little. "It may come as a shock to you Harry but this library holds so much more than a few thousand fictional books."

"What do you mean?" Harry questioned, tilting his head to the side in confusion. 

"I think it is time to show you the secrets on the Library." Without another word, the old librarian turned around and started walking towards the back of the library. Harry watched for a moment, confused by the whole ordeal before picking up his bag and following him. 

"What do you mean the secrets of the library?" Harry quizzed. The old man didn't respond and instead continued wondering until he reached a particular bookcase. He then stopped in his tracks and turned to face Harry.

"What do you know of this section young Harry, having been here so many times?" 

"All I know is that no one takes books from here, they are all old and on topics that no one cares about. It is like a collection of forgotten books." He replied, still unsure of what was happening. For all he knew, he was dreaming right now. It wouldn't have been the first time. 

"And you never though of that a coincidence. A bunch of forgotten book, you would have they would have been replaced by now." 

"What are you trying to say?" Harry asked.

"Harry what I am about to show, has only ever been seen by very few people. A place that contains secrets that the world can not know about, as if they did, it would quiet simply upset the balance of life." 

With that the old man, grabbed a book that Harry couldn't quite see the title of and pulled it back. Within seconds, the bookcase began to move and open up revealing a secret passage way. One by one candlelights flickered on, lighting up a pathway. Harry stared ahead in fascination, curious of what was ahead. It wasn't long before the old man was trotting down the stairs and Harry was quick to follow behind him. They walked for a while in silence, Harry trying to process what was happening until they reached a room. A room that looked endless in size, filled with shelves of old, rustic looking books. The room looked ancient but warm and welcoming at the same time. 

"What is this place?" Harry gaped, wondering over to one of the bookshelves and gently running his finger across the spine of a book. 

"Harry, welcome to the Librar de Vitae. The Library of life." The old man responded with a proud smile perched on his face. "I am the keeper of the books, number 99 in fact and soon Harry you will be the 100th."