The Library of Powers

Chapter 10 - Part 2

It was not a missed cooldown.

Jackson felt the unmistakable feel of paper between his fingertips. Over the literal decades of pouring through books in The Library of Powers, the sensation was unmistakable. His heart was overflowing with adrenaline, which probably had a lot to do with the potential consequences of being caught, but also because of what it meant. The Writing Well had something for him to read.

This must be why it had asked him to come back today. He could barely stop himself from opening the folded sheet right then and there. Quietly, he put it into his pocket and followed the construction worker (who had since ungrasped Jackson).

He was lead to the other side of the fountain, where a folding table had been set up with large blueprints strewn across it. Except, of course, they weren't blue, because blueprints are rarely blue anymore. Across the table, a blueprint thin man loomed over the diagrams, adjusting his green hard hat which contrasted with his pure black suit. The worst part was his face, because Jackson recognized it.

"Hmm..." he said, raising his head to gaze at him.

"Found this kid trying to receive his message. Don't know how he got through the fence." the construction worker grumbled.

"He got through the fence because it's not set up yet, obviously," the man replied, before staring at Jackson. "Mr.Reil, do I have to call your parents?"

The man was none other than Oddie Rex, a family friend, and co-worker of my parents. This guy was so close to his parents he came over for Christmas Eve once. Jackson tried to remember how they met. Did he go to High School with his dad? he wasn't sure. Either way, he knew Oddie well enough to know that he would be talking to his parents the moment Jackson had left his sight. All he could do now was damage control.

"This is all a misunderstanding, Oddie," Jackson started before realizing he didn't know how he would finish that sentence. "You know how I'm here every morning."

Oddie's face softened, and he looked over at the fountain. "Well, your mother told me it wasn't usually on weekends, but yeah, it's one of your many peculiarities."

"Wow, harsh," Jackson joked, trying to ease the tension even more. Now was the moment that would make or break his next phone call with his parents. Would there be yelling? "I didn't realize construction had started. I thought maybe I could get a message one last time before the renovations."

"Well, obviously," Mr. Rex mused, shaking his head ever so slightly, "But you of all people should know that it's technically a felony to trespass on Containment Division sites."

Jackson shot back, "Why would I ever think this was a containment division job? It's a city landmark, not a villain lair."

They stood in silence for a moment. Oddie bit his lip, which Jackson knew meant he was just as uncomfortable with the job they were set out to do as Jackson was. Why would they be here? If even Oddie didn't really understand, who would?

"Alright, kid. Here's what's gonna happen. I'm gonna turn around, and you're going to get out of here real quick."

Jackson started to move before Oddie continued. "Wait a second. I'm also not going to tell your parents about this, but, they did tell me to check up on you every once in a while while I'm down here. So I'll see you next Saturday and we'll grab a bite to eat, okay?"

"Thanks, Oddie."

"You know it. Have a good weekend, Jackson," Oddie turned around to talk to another construction worked, and Jackson darted to his left towards another spot where the fence had yet to be erected. Once he passed that he stopped and put his hands on his knees, panting. he had done it. It might have been mostly blind luck, but still. It was at this moment when Jackson realized he knew how to lie, and could convincingly do it. Was that a good thing? Certainly not. But was it a necessity? He wasn't sure, only time would tell.

He looked around the square for Melanie, but could not find her. Her car was still there, but it didn't look like she was in it. Deciding she would show up unexpectedly as always, Jackson looked for a covert place to read the note. One he found in the glass crystal that towered like Oddie always did over him. Vera City Public Library, Central Branch.