Fear, love... and betrayal; that's what I feel about my new life.
It's a life I never asked for, at least not like that.
I certainly dreamed of adventure, of escaping from my ordinary life, but nothing prepared me for what would happen when my norma...
The sound of turning pages and footsteps are the only ones admitted here, and believe me, the guardian of the location is very firm on that one. My boss, Gisèle, I never found out her last name, rules the library with an iron fist. She never smiles, not even small ones for approval, she offers only a permanent cold, authoritarian front. She is most impressive to look at: salt and pepper hair pulled into a tight bun at the back, crooked nose punctuated with a wart on the end, a prominent chin and a humpback. She has always inspired fear, and not only in me. As popular as the library is, everyone respects the law of silence in order to avoid the old biddy's rage. If anyone dares speak or cough, she comes out of her reverie and brandishes her cane while barking at the offender; it's pretty shocking, let me tell you. I know, I shouldn't submit to the anger of such a bully, but I can't see myself doing any other work at the moment, so I do what I can to stay out of her way.
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One of the advantages of working in a library is that I can always get first crack at the new arrivals. I love the fact that we are allowed to read the book before anyone else, even before the book is stamped. Now I only have one goal in mind and that's to head for the back room and grab the book I've been expecting for months: a book about the impact of mythology on current culture, five hundred pages of pure pleasure.
Sadly, to reach my destination I have to pass in front of the old goat. So, I give her my most winning smile and a nod and hope to get by her in the most nonchalant way possible. She raises her eyes briefly from her paperwork to scowl at me, without even moving her head, and returns immediately to her work without even a "Hello Lou, how are you?" Not that I would be expecting one. Anyways, I prefer that she ignores me and lets me exit quickly with my book.
I head towards the back, towards the object of my desire. I push open the door and spot it there, on top of a pile of newly arrived books. I smile as I think about all that I will learn from this book. There's an illustration of Thor on the front cover, the superhero of popular films who was inspired by Scandinavian mythology.
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While quickly turning pages, I notice a glowing light out of the corner of my eye. I turn towards the light and it seems to be coming from Gisèle's private office. At that moment I hear her launch into a tirade about someone who is walking too loudly through the building...that lets me know that she's still on guard at the front desk. I dare to approach her office to better identify the strange glow. Normally the old bat always locks her office, but I'll try the door anyway; maybe she didn't bother with the lock, as I wasn't supposed to be here today. I must have missed my calling and should have been a detective; I was right, it is unlocked.
