The Library of Powers

Chapter 16 - part 4

Jackson exited the Library and set the book down. "Shit."

"Yeah, that sounds about right."

Jackson thought back to Ivory's personal connection to The Calypsos. "And you knew these people?"

"Yes," Ivory stood from her chair, "Of course, we weren't born when this went down, but I remember them being at our apartment fairly frequently. I didn't understand how my dad knew them at the time. Then they stopped coming, and my dad told me everything."

"Did he say why they stopped visiting?" Melanie asked.

"I never thought to ask. Then Dad disappeared and I couldn't pay for the apartment on my own, so I moved into Dino & Sons. Funnily enough, it's technically still a certified AHB hideout, so I don't have to worry about rent. Although I keep the store open so I can make enough money for food and shit."

"Are you... Stable, money-wise?" Melanie probed the waters. Jackson bit his lip.

"I don't spend much, and the artifact market is fairly lucrative. I've even been able to save up for college."

"That's good," Melanie didn't know how to interact with financial instability. She'd certainly never experienced it, nor did anyone she hung out with. Until now, aparently.

Ivory motioned for them to leave. "I don't think it's here, Jackson. We should go back to the car."

Jackson hung his head low, but nodded. They stood up and made their way to the door. Jackson took one last longing look at the blank wall. It was sad, really. Such a blank wall. So blank. Strangely blank, as in The Library's version he remembered windows looking outside near the left side of the door. Why would a renovation remove windows?

"Wait," Jackson told them, "Let's check the alley."

"Why?" Melanie asked.

Jackson simply motioned them forward. They left the building and walked down the accompanying sidewalk. They reached the alley, narrow and uninviting. They headed in anyways. The vintage store on the opposite side, a large green dumpster rested to their left, and a large puddle glistening on their right. It was an uneventful alley, all in all. Which is what confirmed Jackson's suspicions.

"How old do you think that building next to the library is, Melanie?" Jackson questioned.

Her eyes went shut for just a moment. "1930s at the latest. The wear and tear are severe, but the brick hasn't been replaced. This building is on its last legs." She had used her power. Surprising, but more so concerning. Did she use it for him? Did he coerce her into it somehow? He didn't even really need her help. He knew from architecture books in The Library of Powers that it had to be built around 1912. He wanted a second opinion, but why did he ask Melanie? Because he, subconsciously, thought she would use her power? What did that say about him?

Ivory waved her hands, "Earth to Jackson?"

"We're almost positive the version inside the Library of Powers is from the seventies, right?"

"I saw an original pressing of Neil Young's Harvest," Ivory said, "Definitely."

"Then," Jackson concluded, "Why would there be windows? Where would they look to? This gross alley?"

Realization dawned on their faces. Melanie started to examine the library wall, while Ivory pulled out her phone. 

Ivory's face was not one of realization anymore. It was the kind of face that immediately preceded an "Oh shit."

"Oh fuck," Ivory said.

Close enough, Jackson thought. "What's wrong?"

Ivory looked around frantically. "Remember when I put the yuck sticker on Sam and Chase? I told my phone to ping me if they got within a thousand-foot radius. They're less than a hundred feet away.  I should have turned the radius up when we left town, god damn it."