The Last Library

Challenger

"It's time."

He had known for some time she was going to say that. Portland faced his mother. He had been going outdoors daily for the last week, trapping rabbits in the melting snow-fields and sharpening a spear with a knife from the old man's kitchen. He was ready – well, ready as he'd ever be. "I know," he said.

Sophia stepped out of her bedroom to look at them. Her crestfallen look indicated that she'd overheard. "Oh..."

"I have to leave," he said.

She sighed. "It feels like you only just got here."

"Doesn't it? I'll be back soon. As soon as I have the book. And then you can read it."

"You can read it to me now," said Sophia, smiling faintly as she recalled the long nights they'd spent hunched over the books from the library, Portland awkwardly pronouncing words and sentences.

"We'll read it together," he said.

Theophilus came out of the kitchen. "Ah, you are leaving," he said, and rubbed his fingers together.

Portland nodded awkwardly, now that they were all gathered together – he hated being the center of attention.

"Godspeed, then."

And from that point it was just a matter of getting his things together – of which he had few. At the doorstep, at ground level, the compound was hardly visible. There was a metal hatch, and an area of bare ground. That was it. Portland stood on the roof of the library, hugged his mother, and kissed Sophia goodbye. Then he set out for the village.

The journey was easy in spring. He trod through the melting snow-patches, where there was new grass and even small blue forget-me-nots. Mid-afternoon on the second day, he saw the tents of the camp.

When he approached, he did not bother heading towards his own tent. He went straight for the tent of the Geek. Heads turned and flaps of hide and tarp rippled open. Eyes watched him as he walked down the center of the camp and entered the Geek's tent.

The Geek stood quickly in alarm, seeing Portland's spear. As he did so he pulled a cord dangling nearby. A bell jingled outside. "Ah, you...! You're alive! Oh, this is... wonderful," he said sullenly. "We all thought you were dead."

"You wish. Give me back my book."

At that moment one of the village hunters rushed into the tent, having heard the call for aid. He had a spear like Portland's, but seeing as there was no altercation between the two, he stood back a pace, looking slightly confused. The Geek just gave him a nod and a gesture to stay.

"I will not," he said. "You gave it to me in a fair trade."

"You tried to kill my mother and me for it." Portland made his eyes hard. "I wouldn't exactly call that fair trade. Now give it back to me or—"

The hunter's spear-point moved upward in reflex.

"—or I'll prove to everyone that you're a fraud."

The Geek scoffed. "You can't."

"But I will. See me outside this tent after sundown." He turned to the hunter. "You're my witness. Tell everyone to be there."