Page 64 of Draekora

“Excuse me, Library?” she called out, standing to her feet and moving closer to the river, watching the luminescence wax and wane as if the light itself was alive.

“I was wondering when you would come visit me, Alexandra,” the Library responded, “And when you didn’t, I thought perhaps a little motivation might be in order.”

“Thanks for that,” Alex said sheepishly. “I don’t know why I didn’t think to come here sooner.”

“I daresay you’ve had a lot on your mind.”

If that wasn’t an understatement, Alex didn’t know what was.

“Can I ask a question?”

“You can always ask me anything.”

Alex only just refrained from pulling a face as she clarified, “Let me rephrase. Can I ask a question that you’ll answer in a way I’ll understand?”

The Library chuckled, the sound soothing to Alex’s ears. “Why don’t you ask and we’ll see?”

Well, it wasn’t a ‘no’ at least.

“How do you know who I am?” she asked. “We technically haven’t met yet.”

“I knew you long before you were born, Alexandra.”

She waited for more, but when the Library said nothing else, she prompted, “That’s great and all, but again, technically I haven’t been born yet.”

“You would have a hard time standing here and speaking with me if that were true,” the Library said in a strangely wry tone.

Alex’s brow furrowed. “Did you just… Was that sarcasm?” When no response came, she added, “You’re a Library. Since when do you have a sense of humour?”

“Apparently since I decided to ask Eanraka to collect you tonight.”

Eyes widening, she cried out, “There! You just did it again! Who are you and what have you done with the Library I know?”

“I am what I was, just as I am what I will be,” the Library said. “I am the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Alex blinked and tried to get her head around that. “Right. Well speaking of, uh, forever, let’s get back to how you know me.”

“Let’s instead move on to why you’re here,” the Library returned.

“You know why I’m here, otherwise you wouldn’t have sent Eanraka after me,” Alex said. “But still, I need to know. Are you able to return me to my time?”

Heart thumping, Alex waited for an answer, the sounds of the rushing water filling her ears as she strained to hear the Library’s voice again.

Finally, it came, but not with the response she was after.

“I will answer you, Alexandra, but first I want to show you something. It’s the reason I called you here tonight.”

Interest piqued, Alex said, “You have my attention.”

She jumped in fright when the river suddenly quieted and three familiar boulders rose to the surface, offering a bridge to a new doorway that appeared. It was open, but Alex couldn’t see where it went.

“Is it wishful thinking to hope that will lead back to where I’m from?” Alex asked, making her way over the boulders.

“It will lead you nowhere,” the Library said, “or perhaps somewhere.Only you can decide.”

“I really hate it when you speak in riddles,” Alex said with a sigh.

“Step through the doorway, Alexandra, and you will soon understand.”

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