11I'm not sure if I have said this, or this comes as common sense. But all characters are made up, along with most of the places and happenings. NOTE:: There will be some similarities with the people and my friends, that's because it's easier to think that way. But the events in which I place them and the attitudes I give them are not 100 real…or are they? :P
Chapter 2
As I turned into the lush green grass, I saw a large sign saying "CONSTRUCTION" which had been put up a couple of months ago, and would be coming down this weekend. Driving up the gravel road, I kept my eye out for unexpected animals, both two legged and four legged. My Kawasaki Ninja purred it's way to a stop in the staff car park, a 100 meters or so from the massive three-storey house.
The house was owned by Mr Davey, a middle aged rich man with a high positioned job in the factory called "Coolerah." Mr Davey's grandfather was the original owner, although half a year ago the dear old man died in his sleep, leaving the house to Mr Davey. Inside the massive house, a private library was, well, private until Mr Davey decided to make it public, to 'share the secrets it held' as Mr Davey would continually say.
Mr Davey is a nice little man, reaching the height of 1m 70cm. He was going bald, and did not seem to care much about it. He has a nice attitude although it was hard to know when he was being sarcastic or not. The first thing I noted on arrival of the house was never to fight with him, unless it was about something minor or unless you wanted to go into early retirement.
I walked up the old steps through the large door to see Amy standing behind the desk on the phone.
"Yes Ma'am…. No Ma'am…. of course your invited Ma'am…Mr Davey wouldn't have it any other way Ma'am…See you then Ma'am, have a nice day" Amy spoke into the receiver as I approached.
"Is Mrs Burns annoying you about seating arrangements again Amy?" I asked smirking. Mrs Burns was an elderly woman with a little less money than Mr Davey. There was going to be an 'official' opening of the public library in a week and Mrs Burns constantly wanted to make sure that she was seated next to Mr Davey on the day. We just didn't tell her she wasn't invited.
"Yeah, yeah Jaime, I'd like to see you handle her while having to arrange the food, wine, scenery…" Amy started counting the list off on her finger.
"Yeah, well I would handle her if it were my job, but since it's not, seeya" I replied rather hastily before Amy started rambling on again.
Amy was born in Canada and I met her in high school. She's 28 with Asian features and smarter than she gives herself credit for. At 1m 80cm and mainly wearing jeans, many people got confused on whether Amy was Mr Davey's secretary or daughter. Of course, anyone who had actually known Mr Davey would have known that he was childless.
As I was walking up the stairs to the second storey where the library, and my desk, was, I was tempted again by the M-Room. The M-Room had apparently never been entered by anyone but Mr Davey and because of the different thoughts of what M means, I called it the mysterious room. There was nothing special about this room, no oak door or odd metal chain clashing together noises. But that didn't stop me from eyeing it off everytime I walked past it.
Eventually I walked to the top of the stairs and entered through the double doors into the main entrance of the library. The library itself was rather large and had it's own section of the mansion. It followed the common medieval type theme through out the library with velvet curtains and old wooden sculptures. There were three storeys, the entrance being on the second. Directly to the left of the entrance was the office desk for the librarians on desk duty. It was their job to help visitors and return books. In the same area were two computers that kept logs of all the books stored, and had the ability to access some cameras on the third and first floor.
On the second floor itself were aisles and aisles of books all in alphabetical order, yet the fiction, non-fiction and reference books were separated into three rooms away from the office desk. Each doorway was marked with an arrow and small description of what was in each room.
The third floor could be reached by stairs or elevator to accommodate those with wheelchairs, disabilities or those who couldn't be bothered to walk up the old wooden stairs. The elevator was located in the reference room where those needing computers could access them. However, the stairs were located in the non-fiction room and a small group of sofas in the fiction room.
On the third floor in one large room were the rest of the reference and non-fiction books. The only difference this floor had was at the far left corner, in a newly built room, was a computer room. It is in this room that one of the cameras can be accessed via the office desk on the second floor.
The first floor was the darkest floor. It had no windows and the only entrance and exit was the elevator. In this room, securely stored, were Mr Davey's most valuable and prized books that the only way visitors (and most of Mr Davey's employees) could see them, was by getting a librarian to get it, and the book itself must stay within the library. Any, who thought they could get outside with one, were usually disappointed when they were crash tackled. Least to say, not many attempted to.
Many aisles had been set up with most of the books stacked alphabetically, yet there was still half a dozen or so boxes full of books still down there. Some fiction, some reference, some non-fiction and some Mr Davey's special books. Lately it had been Janelle's job to sort through the books.
Janelle and I met in university. Both being the same age and total MSN freaks, we stuck like glue and paper with our daily MSN chats. At the end, I graduated my degree with medium results while Janelle passed hers with flying colours.
Janelle wasn't the tallest of girls, never was since I first met her, and we both admit, she hasn't grown much over the years, but while her height lacks, her personality is like an atomic bomb going off. Can't keep a good woman down was generally a description best fitting for her. Janelle had wanted a job in something that she wanted to do. With a large passion for music, she wanted to become a music teacher, unfortunately as the first year went on, an accident involving a trombone and band camp made her realise that that occupation might not have been as dandy as she first thought of.
Luckily we still kept in touch and since Janelle knew me, I knew Amy, Amy knew Mr Davey, Amy got her a job as 'security personal' though we prefer the term, 'Bouncer' better.
Walking past the office desk, I wondered why no one was there. Sneaking a quick glance at the computer screen of one of the computers there, I noticed that the lights on the first floor were on. Frowning slightly I tried to remember if any construction men were due to come in to adjust the wiring. Losing the fight with my memory, I decided to check it out myself.
Going down the elevator, I thought once again why anyone would want to go down there at the start of someone else's shift, giving up yet again I noticed the security camera in the elevator had turned off. Now normally I wouldn't notice something as small as a security camera turning off, but when you work night shifts and you see that bright red light constantly on, it gets quite obvious after awhile...and really annoying.
The elevator pinged softly, yet the noise echoed against the walls to make it louder than it was. Stepping out, I looked around cautiously. Not to see if there were any signs of movement, or machinery, course not. It was to see if there was anybody around the elevator about to hack my head off with an axe.
Upon seeing no hooded axe bearing murderers, I decided a little trip to the wiring system wouldn't hurt as much as the axe, besides, if you went along the back wall, you could see down all the aisles as you walked past. Looking again around for anybody, I grabbed a large book of the nearest shelf. It might not be as good as a baseball bat, but it was better than air.
Walking slowly along the back wall, whenever I came upon a new aisle, I would fling the book (while still holding onto it obviously) around the corner. I continued to do this until I reached the last aisle, where the electrical panels were located.
It was by this time i could hear soft sounds. Considering I was in an echofull room, whoever, or whatever, was making the noises had have to be very quiet. Creeping closer and closer to the back wall, my heartbeat raced, and my thoughts ablaze with uncertainty and strangely enough, songs. What if it's a books bearing hooded murderer instead? Who would feed Jess if i died? When would someone find my body? How could i survive without cheese? And why am i singing Bob the Builder in my head?
All of these questions were unanswered. Some, like the song, I would never know the answer to. Which is kind of sad if you think about it. Anyway, back to the being killed thought pattern.
Taking one silent and oh so long breath in, a stepped around the corner, book above my head, ready to thump someone and a battle cry escaped through my lips. In front of me a small figure jumped, spun around weilding a toothpick as a weapon. Taking a good look at her, all I could do was burst out laughing.
"What are you lauging at?" Janelle asked, clutching her heart yet at the same time trying not to laugh.
"YOU! I thought you were a axe bearing murderer, i never knew you could kill with a toothpick"
"Try looking at yourself who uses," she looked at the book, "A world atlas to kill someone?"
"What were you doing down here anyway Janelle?"
"My job, unlike SOME people."
Lost of breath, embarrassed and a severe case of wanting to thump Janelle over the head anyway, I left soon after. Walking down the aisles once again, I laughed at my silliness. Axe bearing hooded murderers? HA! Replacing my faithful World Atlas weapon back to it's home, I walked into the elevator and looked up at the camera. The little red light must have come on while I was away because it's redness came back.
The elevator, pinging again, opened for me to find some strange men standing at the desk, waiting oh so patiently for me. Oh and no, I'm not talking about my Dad, he's out of the country, travelling, being a strange stranger elsewhere.
Still a little giddy after my encounter with a short toothpick bearer, I cheerfully walked up to the duo and asked if I could help them. Both of them were smartly dressed, black tuxedo and all, they even had black sunglasses to match. These guys either meant business, or they were lost, looking for Mr Davey meaning to do business. The first one was about 10cms taller than myself with dark brown hair, spiked maybe with gel. Or maybe he just had one good hairdresser. He had soft features, but not so much a boyish look. Black sunglasses hid his eyes, though why he was wearing them inside, I'm not too sure.
The second was a lot larger. His suit seemed to just be able to fit him in. He wasn't so much fat as bulky. He had no hair for it looked as if he shaved it off and not by usual balding process. His dark sunglasses hid his eyes too. Who knows, maybe wearing sunglasses inside was the new fashion.
The duo looked at each other, as if unsure that I was actually of a high enough importance to know if I could help them. Waiting patiently for them to get over their egotistical meaners, I kept my eye on the door in case someone else happened to come in.
"I'm looking for something, something in particular," the second man said in a rough macho way. Did these two really think I was stupid? They come to a library, waiting for help and they expect me not to think that they're looking for something?
"Yes, I figured as much, would this 'something in particular' be a book? If not, then you're obviously in the wrong place" I replied, putting emphasism on speaking clearly. My giddy behaviour started to die away, these two are really party poopers.
"Of course it's a book, I wouldn't be wasting my time by being here if it wasn't," His harshness caused a frown out of me, he was the one who started it by being an ass, and now he's insinuating I'm incompetant.
"If you gave me a title and author than I'd be skipping down the aisles for joy at the fact that I was honoured by such a presence as yours, but, you know, since we're both being ignorant, how about we cut the crap and get on with it."
The first man got a bit of paper out of his pocket and handed it to me. This guy definately didnt have anything to say. Intelligent or otherwise. Looking down at it, I read the words, "Achievements & Accomplishments Of Everyday People," the author was nowhere to be found.
Believe it or not I actually remembered this book. It was old and large, frailing at the edges a bit. Janelle was having troubles putting it to a good home so I put it in a little pile of my Homeless Books. Quite a few books there too. Since it was old, we all figured that it was a special book, one that couldnt be loaned and taken outside. So as usual, I had to go through the proceedure of asking questions. Even if I wanted the men in black to leave.
"What will you be using this for?"
"Nothing"
"When will you return it?"
"Unknown"
"Where will you be looking at it?"
"Away from this shithole"
"You want this book?"
"Yes"
"Then answer the goddamn questions properly or your filthy hands aren't going anywhere near it!"
Just then the elevator pinged again, this time Janelle came out of it. Looking at the duo then at me frowning she got into her gruff menacing manner.
"Is everything ok?" she asked me. Looking at the duo I thought I saw a look of hatred on the buff mans face. It was getting too intense so I did what I could without dropping the piece of paper going round the desk, getting a pole and going kung-fu styles on their but.
"Janelle, if your not too busy could you please see these two men out. I'm sure they won't mind going away and coming back when they are polite and arent so much like donkeys."
One half of the duo looked surprised, the other upset; I'm sure noone needs three guesses who was feeling what. Upset, they both stormed out of the library, obviously not needing someone to slam the door in their faces. The day had only started and I realised it was going to be a long one at that.
Lauren - Yes i do own a cat! But I'm lucky that i dont have ping pong balls around hahaha. Thanks for the critisism too, Ido tend to limit my descriptions which i know can annoy alot of my friends
Alteng - :P If i remember i'll go back and review a story you actually like, that way you can hate and like me at the same time -Thanks for the comment on this chapter to reread it! Next time I'll be sure to type this out in WORD so it capitalises the 'I' for me. Though I won't be changing the library description, I shall have to go back in time and make everybody in the medieval era have a library just to fit my description: D don't think it would work though
Toxic Demon - I know it's a tad boring, i was in one of those moods where the best thing i could create was something that turned out boring. But at least this way those who read on will get a shock!
shadowscall - At least you came to comment. I like any and all comments, even if they consist of "HIIIIIIIIII" It would be a little odd, but at leats it was a comment :D