#Wattys2015 The Ghost of James Fitzpatrick

Chapter 22

Sarah walked through the main room of the Arden public library toward the back of the old building; a part of the library she and others only entered for the most obscure of research projects. It was the library's hallowed Reference Room, a virtual nirvana of newspaper and magazine articles dating back a hundred years or more. Sarah had always relished the room; it was hidden from the low buzz of the main library, and rarely was anyone under the age of twelve in here.

The shelves were low and displayed hundreds of magazines and books, while on the west side of the room, visitors stared into big machines that reminded Sarah of old fashioned television sets. They were microfiche machines, and Sarah already knew how to use them for research.

She had needed local news articles for a report she did two years ago on the history of Arden, and how its growth was impacted by the Mississippi River. She received a 93% on that paper, minus 5 points for not including page numbers. It was a mistake she vowed never to make again. Ever.

She filled out a little slip of paper and handed it to the librarian at the Reference Desk, then took a seat at the table to wait. She looked about nervously. The librarian returned in a moment with a stack of phone books and handed them over to Sarah. Sarah smiled at the woman, took the books from her and carried them to a private table nearby to set them down.

With much relief she spotted Lucy coming through the door of the outer library. Sarah stood to get her attention and waved Lucy into the big room.

"Over here, Lucy," said Sarah. Lucy walked toward Sarah at a quick pace.

"What the heck?" Lucy asked breathlessly.

Sarah took Lucy's wrist and walked her over to a nearby row of book shelves. Here it was quiet and safe and both girls took a seat on the floor.

They both sat for a moment looking around, until Sarah felt at ease with their privacy.

"What is up with you anyway?" asked Lucy.

"Lucy..." began Sarah, but she wasn't sure how to begin.

"Are you sure you're alright?" asked Lucy.

Sarah nodded. "There's such weird stuff going on in my life right now. I don't even know where to start, but I feel like I need your help with something."

"I knew it! I knew something was up!" Lucy caught herself being too gleeful, "Wait a second, are you sure you're alright?"

Sarah nodded and began again.

"I haven't been able to tell you, or even my mom, because I couldn't really believe it myself, and now it just makes me sound kinda like a psycho whack job."

"Which we all know you are," Lucy interjected. Sarah did not even crack a smile, and Lucy noticed.

"Joke" was all she said.

"You have to put all your trust in me right now," said Sarah. "Like I'm cashing in all my trust chips with you here."

"Just say it!" Lucy said impatiently.

"Like I said, something is...happening in my life, and I'll tell you more later, but for right now, I just need you to help me look for something."

"I'll help you with anything, Sarah, you know I will, but why can't you tell me what this is about?"

"Well, this is where it gets a little strange...I am...let's just say, privilege to some information I shouldn't be...like, I know something I'm clearly not supposed to know."

Lucy's eyebrows go up. She looked around their immediate area.

"Sarah, you're kind of being really scary right now," replied Lucy, "all of the sudden I feel like I'm in a teenage, slasher movie. And since I'm your best friend, this clearly means I die first."