Redlayn

This scribble is unfinished, and the following post is a sample.

”... are you ready to explore the unknown?”

I sigh and close the book. I put it in my lap, resting my hands on top of it, and ponder about the ending of the story I just finished. An open ending that invites readers to stay tuned for the next installment of the series. Quite an underhanded cliffhanger move, but alas, some writers keep their fan base with such methods. I look out the library's window. There are plenty of young adults walking around or just chatting away in the grassy parks that surround the University, beyond the library's walls. The University's library is my quiet, solitary respite. One of the walls is lined with big windows, letting some daylight in for reading, but to preserve the books, none are near the sun rays – the shelves are on the opposite side, many meters away. The whole interior is mostly made from mahogany wood, giving the library an antique, dark look. There are many tables, couches and sofas scattered around, but the biggest highlight for me are the fireplaces. There are a handful along the walls, with a single, big fireplace at the end of the library – opposite the doors. Many legends get passed around – the students, teachers and even the librarians themselves keep talking about tales of ghosts, secret rooms and strange occurrences like shifting ladders, flying books, talking lamps. I've been studying here for 3 years now and most of my afternoons are spent in the library, so I can tell you – I've not seen any. When I first came to the library, I was overwhelmed by it's sheer size. The bookshelves are so tall, there is a floor in between them, and still, to access all the books – be it on the ground level or the top – you need a ladder. I instantly fell in love with the quiet darkness of the mahogany wood. I spent some days just admiring every nook and cranny of the library – sitting by the fireplace, brushing my fingertips across thousands of book spines, leaning against the railing on the top floor just looking out of the big windows, observing the other students and their daily happenings. As I sit there with the book in my lap, my eyelids start to feel heavy – and so I close them, to rest my eyes for a little while. When I open them back up, the grassy parks are empty, spottily illuminated with lamps. It's dark outside now. I fell asleep. I shift in my seat a little bit. I look at my lap and see that the book is now gone – instead, I am covered with a blanket. Normally, one would think that it was a thoughtful gesture, except for the fact that the library should definitely be closed right now – and no one is allowed to be here after-hours. The library is dark. The fireplaces have been extinguished and the lamps turned off, yet there is a faint orange hue enlightening my immediate surroundings. I look to the right of my seat, where a couple of tables and chairs are arranged for sitting. One of the lamps on the tables is turned on and there is a girl sitting there, reading a book. I try to take a glimpse of the time on my wristwatch, but it is too dark for me to see, even with the hue. I get up and sit across the girl at the table. She pays me no mind, not even looking up. I look at my watch again. It's midnight. How come none of the librarians spotted me when locking up? They always go around the whole library, checking if anyone has stayed late – and I am not really somewhere in a corner tucked away – rather, I am in the middle, so how come they did not wake me up? After stumbling over my thoughts a couple of times, I manage to cough up some of the most pressing questions I had. “Excuse me,” I call out to the girl sitting across me, “I uh.. I just wanted to ask if you were the one that put the blanket on me. I was wondering why you did not wake me up – or why the librarians didn't – because according to my watch, it is past midnight, and eh, we shouldn't be at the library after it closes – that is a, uhm, rule we've been told by the staff.” She finally looks up at me. The first thing that strikes me as slightly odd are her eyes. The ambient darkness coupled with the faint glow of the lamp makes her features hard to see, yet her irises are seemingly glowing in the dark – with the color of a striking turquoise blending with emerald at the edges. Another feature of theirs is that they do not have a circular pupil – rather it's slit, like a cat's. I pass and observe a lot of students, but I've never seen her before. Her lips curl into a little smile and she speaks up. “Yes, it was my doing – I put the blanket on you, and also shooed away the librarians.” She closes the book, and I notice it is the same book I finished reading a few hours ago. She puts her elbow onto the table, resting her chin in her hand. With a mischievous grin, she gives me a look that screams “yeah I did, so what are you going to do about it?” Damn. “Okay, uhh, may I ask why, exactly? You could have approached me anytime during the afternoons I spend here, if you, uh, wanted to talk to me specifically...” I put my elbows on the table and lean forward slightly, “Frankly, I don't think there is a reason for you to keep me here unless you wanted to talk to me, so why do it like this?” “It's because I couldn't do it any other way.” “You couldn't? Why?” “I've an agreement with the librarians – I will not come out until the library is closed. and besides,” she added, “there were too many people around.” Excuse me, come out of where? “Sure, uh... Well then, did you want to discuss something with me, or are you just making fun of me?” She raises her eyebrows in surprise. “Stingy. But yes, I do want to talk to you. I have been observing you for some time to make sure I can talk to you openly, and I've come to the conclusion that your attitude and thinking processes are developed enough for you to not dismiss me as a fool right away, but instead, you will listen to me and inquire further. You ready?” I lean back on the chair to make myself comfy, then nod to signal her to go on. “Alright. My name is Aileen and I'm actually a ghost, and an ancient one to boot,” I raise an eyebrow, quickly making her stop for a moment and pout. “Don't look at me like that, and listen!”

Made with love by Red.