System Discord-Chapter 51: SysDi : Into the Highest Floor 2

The stairs were... very long, slow walk ascending. Evan felt that it is familiar somewhat. It felt like the stairs he had gone to at the stone hill cave.

Minus the darkness. Minus the torches.

Minus the weird corridors...

Technically, it was just the stairs that it reminds him of it. The length at the sides, mostly.

At first, Evan took the lead going up. But soon, Clara is following right beside him. He had waited for her to lock the gate when they both got in and then he began to ascend.

The walls were filled with murals of books mostly. There are some painted pictures of children reading some books or some trees and saplings. They were very colorful, it was just weird that this is here and won’t be seen much by the common patrons.

"Why are there so many paintings on the stairs?" Evan couldn’t help but ask.

There’s the silence around them that is making him bored out of his mind. And there is also that curiosity that wants him to know immediately about the why.

"That’s because the higher floor used to be where the children books were." Clara explained. "But because there are a lot of people coming to visit and the researchers wanted some peace and quiet, well, grandma made the switch."

"But there aren’t any children’s book corners I have seen anywhere." Evan replied. "It’s just categories of books for fiction, non-fiction and the like. No storybooks."

Clara shrugs. "Not sure. I mean, you read a lot of books for a child."

Evan raised an eyebrow. "You’re a child too. Wait. You don’t read?"

"I do read." Clara giggles. She put up one hand with four fingers up and the thumb folded. "I read four books a month!"

Four... In a month? Evan felt ridiculous reading all of those books in the past three weeks.

"Only four?" Evan echoed after a while.

Clara nods her head. "Yep! You read more than a some of the patrons here. I think that’s why Grandma seems very happy whenever you’re around. Says I should follow your lead with reading more." She blows a raspberry.

Their conversation was cut after they arrived at the top of the stairs. Clara took the lead this time, placing an entire arm to stop him from proceeding.

"From here on out, we need to whisper. There’s still some categories for aisles in here, but if you have something specific, let me know."

Evan nods his head. "Will do."

The highest floor of the library looks much cleaner than the lowest. Or, at least, the maybe it is because there is no one around that Evan could see. The books were more neat and orderly as they passed by the shelves. The walls were painted in a light peach, not harsh in the eyes than the light yellow floors below.

The windows are closed, but there are fans to keep cool. So far, even with their echoing footsteps, no one seems to come to them to issue them a warning of any sorts that they are not supposed to be there.

Evan looked around and finally saw a label on a door. The sign says that it is a forbidden area and they cannot enter without permission.

He points at it. "What’s over there?" He whispers.

Clara looks at where he is pointing. "Oh, that’s where they keep forbidden books. They say it is forbidden but really, they are just books that grandma didn’t want anyone holding because they are very old and might fall apart when touched."

Evan’s eyes widened at that before he nodded softly. "Right. In that case, can we get there? Take a small peak?"

Clara shook her head. "I don’t have the key to that. Only grandma has the key. Sorry."

Evan sighs. That’s too bad. He’ll try if he can get in there next time. For now, he could look around and see if there’s anything of interest here.

There is an aisle on the right called second hand books. He felt drawn in there for some reason.

"Clara, I’ll go check something out on the second hand books aisle. If you find any books about basic magic, let me know I’ll try and borrow it."

She looks at him for a moment, as if searching something on his face before nodding her head. "Okay. We’ll meet back at the stairs then. I’ll be on the opposite side of the room. Stay as silent as you can, okay?"

Evan nods his head.

That is the only reply she wanted from him as she walks away.

Evan turns to the aisle and made his way towards it. There are several very worn books in there. He pulled out one and it even had a name on the owner line.

He didn’t know why he was called here. But one thing’s for certain, it is the only aisle close to the forbidden room. He might not have the key, but it doesn’t mean that it is lock unless he is really sure.

Peaking a little at the side and seeing that Clara isn’t around, Evan slowly made his way towards the door. He held the doorknob and turns it. He couldn’t completely, because it was locked.

Clicking his tongue, Evan pulls back a little. Would there be people inside the door, probably not. But how does one try to see if it can be opened?

Knocking.

He place three knocks on the door and immediately runs towards one of the shelves to hide.

The door opens, much to Evan’s surprise. He wasn’t expecting it to work.

"Huh. Weird." Evan heard a woman’s voice from the door. It didn’t open fully but he was sure of it.

"What’s weird?" Another person’s voice, woman too.

"I could’ve sworn there was knocking."

"Didn’t hear anything. Look Mariel, this is an old library. It’s probably just some howling. Close the door."

A sigh. "Okay, closing the door."

The door closed before Evan could stop it. This time though, he didn’t hear the door lock’s click. Looks like he still has a chance to get in.

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