On The Run

Part 7 ~ The Search

I let the door slide shut slowly behind me, the once soft click now loud and echoing down the abandoned hallways. I proceeded to creep carefully through the multitude of passageways that wound themselves through this old building. My figure covered by the shadows as I kept close to the cold stone walls, taking care to dodge the various items that cluttered my path.

The floorboard creaked under my weight and I stiffened slightly, the noise seeming so much louder in the still air, the sound easily travelling way beyond my line of sight. A slight chill coated the air and I was thankful for the jacket I had slipped on last minute, although my legs were still cold through my thin pyjama bottoms.

 It was early, very early and so I didn’t have to worry about any of the other children wandering the halls and to some extent not the sisters either, although I have learnt over the years never to underestimate them. And so despite the unlikelihood of an encounter I was still alert for sounds of anything other than my own footsteps. I didn’t particularly fancy getting even more extra chores if I were caught sneaking around at this hour.

Fortunately the library’s wide oak doors came into view and I knew I had made it without crossing anyone’s path. I ran my hand over the gnarled wood, its grain rough against my touch, but the wooden handles smoothed with use. I leaned my weight against it, the solid door opening with ease as it scraped the carpet of the library within. I cracked it open only enough for me to squeeze through and was quick to return it to its original position.

The earlier cool air seemed a distant memory as I entered, the fireplace was empty but still the room was warm, safe. The familiar musty smell of books consumed my senses, their pages riddled with stories untold. Everything was neatly tucked away, each bookcase filled row on row with books of various colours and sizes.

The newer ones tended to be situated towards the front of the room, but I knew the one I was looking for wouldn’t be placed in such plain view if in my line of sight at all. I wandered through the shelves, peering at them through the low levels of light, the only source being that of the moon as it retreated with the sun rise.

I walked towards the back of the room, the carpet now fading away to reveal the original flooring. A collection of old stone pillars, protruded from the now green tiled floor. Their shining white surface alien in the darkness. Something drew me to them, and I stepped closer, the moons light cast over where they proudly stood.

My gaze was drawn to the end pillar, situated in the corner. As I drew closer the small gap between the wall and its body became more noticeable, yet as I stepped closer the darkness seemed to have no end. The wall as I had expected it to, not meeting the pillar behind it but leaving way to a small passage. I reached out a hand as I took a step closer, immediately a chill running down my spine as I felt the sudden temperature drop from having just stepped into the shadows. I was quick to recoil and my gaze darted around the room, but the warmth seemed to return as I moved away from the darkness.

However I couldn’t shake the strong tugging sensation that pulled me towards the unknown. Normally I would say I was quite a fearless person, always one for trying things out first. But the casted shadows and murky overtone had my brain screaming a warning, but at the same time my heart quickening its rhythm at the promise of mystery inside.

I sucked in a breath and took one last look around me before stepping into the gloom. I slipped through the narrow gap, my body pressed against the cool hard stone, any previous warmth draining from my body and the library’s comforting feel now dissipated as I followed the thin passageway.

It was pitch black and I had to feel through the darkness, I regretted having not brought a torch or candle with me and contemplated going back for one. But eventually it opened up and I could now walk straight again, only occasionally catching my shoulder on the side. A small window indicated the end of the passageway and revealed that of a small grey door to my left hand side. I paused, uncertainty washed over me. However I had come this far so there was little point of turning back now.

I reached out for the round metal handle, rusted at the hinge and I twisted it in a firm grip.

The door opened and I stepped in, but once my contact was broken it quickly swung shut, shrouding me in darkness. No window came to my aid and I felt something brush past me and I stifled the urge to scream as fear coursed through me. I turned to grab the handle again, trying to pull it back open, however reality quickly struck me as I realised it was stuck. Panic started to rise in my chest as I tugged harder. The room began to flicker, the walls flashing, images appearing in the darkness.

My heart raced, my head pounding as I scrunched my eyes closed, thoughts of the worse kind flashing to the forefront of my mind, “I’m going to die, I’m going to die” is all I keep thinking as I slid down to the floor, my back pressed against the unforgiving door.

I don’t know how long I spent curled up like that, but eventually I felt a warm glow appear up above me to the left. I shuddered at the foreign sensation, but slowly lifted my head and opened my eyes. The darkness had receded as candle light now flooded the room, several holders lining the walls its fire burning brightly on top of stark white candlesticks.

I was breathing heavily still, but managed to eventually slow down my rapid heartbeat as I took a look around the small room I had entered. I had no idea what had just happened, and didn’t question it for the fear of something else happening. I got to my feet and reached for the door behind me, finding it now opened with ease. Relief flooded through me at that small fact and I had the sudden urge to run back through the doorway, not wanting to tempt fate in trapping me here again. However once again the mentality of simply turning back now didn’t appeal and I directed my attention back to the room, making sure to leave the door ajar.

Tiles occupied the floor, and the same grey stone rose up to form the four walls of the small room. Upon first glance it was bare, only the golden candlestick-holders graced its walls. However I noticed a small chair place randomly besides a tower of boxes.

I moved closer, looking at the black scrawling of numbers written onto each box. For some reason I knew it was here, the book, I could feel its presence. My gaze skimmed each box and I read the last number out loud, “46”. How on earth was I going to find one little book among boxes filled with hundreds. Ok well that may be a slight exaggeration, but you get my drift.

I sighed in frustration, surely there had to be a simpler way of locating it without spending hours rummaging through boxes. I didn’t even know what the time was anymore, the darkness seemed to taint my perspective and any logical guess I could make.