The Librarian

Nga suddenly woke up to a series of rustling sounds. She had fallen asleep, and the clock showed 11:07 PM. The clear rustling came from the cardboard box near the left corner of the room.

The library building, imposing and grand, stood south of the University, distinguished by rows of sycamore trees and ancient oak beams that separated it from the administrative and lecture hall areas. The French architectural style of the 1950s had been renovated, with thick walls, square rooms painted in light yellow, and a curtain of time-worn moss casting shadows on each tier. It was a treasure trove housing countless books, publications, theses, and ancient to modern scientific research works. 

This intellectual maze was the pride of the university, a sanctuary for students dedicated to learning.The building comprised three floors. The first floor housed the lending and returning of books, along with a few stationery counters. The second floor held communal study rooms with closely packed tables and chairs for students who wished to study individually or collaborate during exam seasons. The third floor, also known as the Reading Room, featured tall bookshelves neatly marked for easy reference. Cameras were installed on the walls, monitoring the aisles between the bookshelves.

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For Nga, a literature student, this library had become her second home during the years spent in the university, especially as a senior student preparing for her upcoming graduation thesis.6 o'clock... The bell rang, signaling the closing time for the reading room. 

Nga reluctantly stacked her books on the shelf, feeling a sense of regret as the Reading Room closed too early, wishing it had stayed open a bit longer.

The next evening, Nga found the book "The Art of Learning," which she had been searching for, tucked away in the innermost shelf, hidden in a corner created by two closely arranged bookshelves. She noticed that this secluded corner was out of the camera's reach. A bold idea crossed her mind. Why not hide there tonight, with the light from her phone and some snacks, allowing her to immerse herself in this precious book without being disturbed by the noise of fellow roommates?Thinking and acting on her plan, at 5:30 AM, Nga stealthily moved towards the bookshelf corner, avoiding the camera's view. At 6 o'clock, the prolonged bell echoed, and the librarians checked the last camera screen before locking the door and leaving. 

 

The sound of the lock clicking informed her that the Reading Room was now secured. Shortly after, the large room sank into silence and darkness. The vivid paintings, illuminated moments ago, now disappeared under the faint glow of the setting sun filtering through the dusty glass. Nga unfolded the newspaper and sat down, simultaneously nibbling on some fast food, her fingers flipping through the worn and yellowed pages of the book.

Suddenly, the sounds ceased, and the vast space became as silent as the African Savanna grasslands. Nga felt as if every cell in her body had frozen. A long, soft whistle and a faint rustle in the gap. The sound crawled through the air, as if the bookshelves themselves were trembling. Gradually... Shelf 15, shelf 14. Nga's corner was nestled between shelves 12 and 11. She recoiled deeper, her eyes wide open, staring into the space in front of her.A dim moonlight illuminated a pair of eyes, or perhaps two bright spots, shining directly at her. 

 

She felt as if they were burning the surrounding air, making it hard to breathe. The vast Savanna darkness turned her into prey for a hunting predator. Suddenly, all the lights turned on, and simultaneously, a deep voice echoed:

-Don't be afraid!

Turning to her right, she saw a scholarly-looking young man. Just as she was about to comprehend who he was, the lights abruptly went out again:

-Leave immediately!

Before Nga could react, she was pulled away by a strong force. It seemed like the red eyes were still following her closely. At the door of the room, more surprising was that the originally locked door was wide open. The stranger dragged her down the stairs, rushing out of the library's large door.

-Go back to your room right now and never come in here again!

-Who are you?

-Hurry!

Momentarily hesitating, Nga ran as fast as she could back to her room right next to the university.

In Nga's mind, the image of an elderly face with red eyes briefly flashed. And what about him, who was he?