After going down the flight of stairs, the two discovered a smaller, darker room with a single torch of fire burning bright against the wall. A table with potions and markings lay at the far end of the room. In the center of the room was a bookstand with a large book in place.
While Isabelle examined the table, Benjamin walked up to the book and picked it up. He brushed the dust off it before flipping through a couple of pages. He placed his hand on one of them, making it glow. Benjamin and Isabelle took a step back and looked up as the words flew out of the book and circled the area all around them.
Isabelle bumped against the table and knocked some potions off the floor. Fortunately, the corks in the vials stayed shut, and none of the dangerous contents got out and spilled all over the floor. Isabelle composed herself, placing a hand on her chest as she glanced up at the new change of scenery.
Benjamin’s eyes stayed glued to the images and words being displayed before them. Something about all of it was familiar to him. Maybe it was the way they structured the tales or the order of how it happened, but it seemed like something he’d read before. Then it hit him.
“I recognize this book. I read this years ago. It showcased the history of our schools and traditions surrounding it.”
Isabelle gasped. “Really? That’s so cool!” She exclaimed. Her smile faded, recalling what Benjamin had brought up the day before. “Is this the same book that mentioned you guys being ‘monsters’?”
“Oh yeah, you’re right. They did bring that up...”
“But why would the author write stuff like this, then?”
“I’m not sure, but whoever this author is, I want to have a word with this person and give them a piece of my mind!” Benjamin thundered at the ceiling. “Who made this anyway?” The imagery and floating words in the book disappeared. He picked it up and examined the front and back. He squinted his eyes and came across a name in small letters. Benjamin materialized a magnifying glass to get a closer look at what it said.
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“Gris...”
As he read the name, footsteps echoed outside the room. Benjamin's and Isabelle’s bodies jolted in place as they turned to the door. The door slammed open before they had time to react, as a shadowy figure entered the room. The two yelped and jumped back, nearly bumping into the table again. They had nowhere to hide and were forced to confront the mysterious figure head-on. However, once the figure came into the light…
“What are you two doing here?” Glenda asked, placing her hands on her hips. “The library’s still in renovation; you shouldn’t be here just yet—” She paused, noticing the book behind Benjamin’s back, before gasping. “Why do you have that?”
“Oh, well...” Benjamin looked away, hesitating.
Glenda marched over and snatched the book back. “You’re not supposed to read this!”
“What? Why not?” Benjamin inquired, feeling offended by the remark.
“Well, this one’s outdated,” Glenda replied. “Any other book would be better.”
“Is that why it’s sealed here?” Isabelle asked. “And what about the author of this–?”
“It’s none of your guys’ concern.” Glenda glanced down and saw the potions on the floor. She took out her wand, twirled it around, and placed the vials back on the table, safe and sound. “If I could right now, I’d send to the principal—”
“AWOOOO!”
Although muffled, the howling from the bell bellowed on the school grounds. Glenda explained how that indicated the start and end of their night classes.
“We can continue this later,” she told them as she checked her watch. “We can’t get late for your first day of class this semester.”
Benjamin frowned. “But, what about—?”
“There’s nothing we can do about it now.” Isabelle interrupted, whispering to him. “We have no choice but to leave it for after school.”
“Did you two say something?” Glenda turned and asked.
Isabelle shook her head. “Not really.”
“Ok, we’ll talk about this later...”
Benjamin lowered his head as they headed back up the stairs.