The Phantom School - 65 The Librarian

“Mister!”

Even with my eyes closed, I could feel that there was someone in front of me.

“Hey!”

I opened my eyes and looked up to that person. He was a rather old man with white hair and beard. He was looking at me behind his brown, round glasses. I couldn’t understand if he was angry, or if it was his neutral face expression. I slowly got up from the spot I’ve crumpled up to.

“I can confidently say that I’ve never seen you before. Who are you?” he said.

“I… Well, that’s true, it’s my first year in the school.” I nervously answered.

“I see, you are a new teacher.” he said. “What are you doing here this early in the morning?”

“Well, I saw the door open, so I thought I could take a look inside…” I tried to explain myself.

“That didn’t seem quite like that, but I will believe you.” he said.

“Actually, I was a bit frightened of all the books falling off, and the sudden noises all around the room. I thought I was alone in here, so I was a bit startled.” I told him.

“You are never alone in the library.” he said and turned away.

“H-hey!” I said. He turned back around and looked at me.

“Did you need something?” he asked.

“Actually, I have a few questions.” I said. He grumbled and came closer to me.

“May you introduce yourself? I’ve never seen you in the teachers’ room.” I told him.

“I am not a teacher.” he said. “I take care of this library, hence, people usually refer to me as ‘The Librarian’.”

“Don’t you have a name?” I asked him. He looked at me like I’ve said something wrong, and avoided the question like he didn’t hear me. I didn’t ask him again.

“Is there anything else?” he asked.

“No, I… Actually, yes, one more thing.” I said. “I found a book laying around in the library, but it’s cover was damaged. I would like to learn more about that book.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“Which book is that you are talking about?” he asked. “Can you show me?”

“Of course.” I replied and started walking towards the wooden table, where I have left the book. The table was rolled over, and the book was on the ground; just like how I left it. Some pages were scattered around on the floor.

“It was this one.” showed him and leaned down to collect the pages from the floor. He suddenly held me by my shoulders and pulled me back.

“Don’t touch that book!” he yelled. I was startled.

“Why?” I asked him. “Because it is cursed?” Although I was joking, the possibility wasn’t too far-fetched because of all the weird drawings found all around the book. It could very well be some sort of ritual guide belonging to a secret cult.

“No.” the librarian answered, calmly. “Because it’s pages fall apart very easily.”

“They already did, unfortunately.” I told him, showing the pages I was trying to collect. He looked at the pages on the ground, and grumpled.

“Then we have to collect them.” he said. “I hope we didn’t lose any pages.”

“That’s what I was just about to do.” I angrily murmured. He didn’t hear me. We started collecting the pages and put them on the table we lifted off the ground and straightened up. When I was about to open the leather cover, the librarian held my arm.

“Leave it to me.” he said and pulled the book away from me. I stared at him in frusturation, trying to imply how annoying his behaviour was. He silently looked away, turned his back to me and started putting the pages back inside the book.

“What?” he finally said. “What are you looking at?”

“Can I take a look at that book?” I asked him.

“No. I can’t lend it.” he said.

“I won’t take it away.” I told him. “I just want to take a look.”

“No.” he replied.

“But why!?” I raised my voice. “Then, why is that book in the library? What is the point of this?”

“Mr. Kenan’s request.” he said. “I can’t give it to anyone without his permission.”

Now, I had some questions to ask Mr. Kenan instead.

“What is the name of the book?” I asked The Librarian.

“I don’t know.” he said. I sighed.

“How long have you been working here?” I asked him.

“Why did you ask?” he asked in return.

“Well…” I said. “I graduated from this school. I don’t ever remember having a librarian dedicated to the job. Either the teachers or the literature club would take care of the library, within school hours.”

He stopped working on getting the book’s pages back together and looked at me.

“It is not really my job after all.” he said. He stood up, took the book with him and walked away between shelves of books. I didn’t follow him. After a while, I couldn’t hear anything from him. He was gone.

“Hey!” I yelled. Nothing happened.

With my curiosity unsatisfied, I slowly walked out of the library.

During the time I spent in the library, people had began arriving at school. Hallways were filled with students. I made my way to the teachers’ room, exchanging a few ‘good morning’s on my way with some students.

I got inside the teachers’ room. All the teachers were busy doing something except Sinem, who was sleeping on the chair. It was wonderful how she could get herself so comfortable in that position.

I looked around to see someone I could bother before the beginning of the lesson. I noticed Okan reading and revising some of his own notes for the upcoming lesson. I walked up to him and put my hands on his shoulders. He slowly looked up and saw me.

“Good morning.” I said.

“Good morning.” he replied. “While you are at it…” He moved his shoulders. “…could you please push it a little, from there?”

I started massaging his shoulders.

“What are you doing?” I asked him.

“You know, I was imagining scenarios on how I could teach limits the best way.” he replied.

“Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?” I said.

“Go on.” he said. “It would be a good morning excersize nonetheless.”

“No, it’s not mathematics.” I said.

“Oh? Well…” he said. “In any case, I’m listening. Just ask away.”

“How well do you know The Librarian?” I asked him.

“Come again please… Who?” he asked me.

“The Librarian.”

“Excuse me… The what?”