Deviation Actions
Literature Text
“And what about this book?”
It sat on a lectern behind his desk, closed. The cover was faded and plain with no embellishment, and no title; just a number. 217.
“I don’t know.”
A stunned silence.
We’d walked round vast halls, lined floor to ceiling with shelves heaving and groaning under the weight of their load. Wherever we’d stopped, he’d stroked the leather-bound spines as if greeting old friends. Then he’d spoken of the secrets contained within.
Hidden worlds, ancient knowledge, tales of lives both ordinary and extraordinary; he knew them each and every one. And yet here, sitting pride of place in his office, was a book he’d never opened. I shook my head in disbelief. “But you’re the Librarian.”
“It is the last book.” He traced its cover with his finger then stepped back. “Once I open it, once I read it – there’ll be nothing new. No more mystery.”
I blinked.
“You may look if you wish to. One day, somebody must.”
I laid my hand on it, felt the coarse fabric and the embossed numbers. Felt the powerful draw of curiosity. Felt something else too, and savoured it.
I withdrew my hand. “Perhaps… Some other day.”
He nodded, his eyes crinkling into a smile as we closed the door and left his office behind.
If anybody's read my submission from the flash fiction day on 24th of this month, this is very similar to one of the stories I posted then - actually what reminded me of the concept. It's a fairly old theme for me, though I don't believe I've posted much to do with it. I leave it up to you how literal or metaphorical the library is!
-Lyrrie