Chapter 7
Old habits were hard to kill.
When Jayden asked if someone could borrow a book from the library, I volunteered in the blink of an eye. The funny thing was, they all thought that I was some kind of a hero. And now, I knew exactly why.
One, the library was in the school building, making me do that ten-minute walk again to go here from the dormitory. Second, it was a little after seven, and dinner was about to be served in a few minutes. And third, the library was suddenly nowhere to be found.
Even though they’d given enough instructions starting from where we were (the dining hall of the senior floor) and the said library, I couldn’t locate it. I had followed the direction. Now, I only knew one thing, and it wasn’t on the sketch map—I was lost.
The security guard downstairs had taken a break and was definitely taking his time. I retraced my steps through the empty hall, following the sketch in my hands, only to find myself back to where I had started.
Current progress: still lost.
Corner Stone High School building had four floors. I was already at the fourth, yet there was no library in sight. I opened the door that led to the emergency stairs, thinking that there was the slightest chance that the entire library had been moved to the rooftop. And since it was already late, I felt an eerie feeling as I was climbing up the stairs, like someone was following me.
I shivered in horror and dared not to look back. There might be someone behind me—of the living or not! If I would look back now, I was certain that I’d freak out and probably end up stumbling down the stairs, breaking all my bones in the process. I resolved to just turn around when I got there, on that safer spot, which was the even ground on the other side of that door.
So, keeping the remaining pieces of my guts intact, I continued walking. The strange sound continued on, following me. Placing my feet on the last step, I hurriedly grabbed the handle of the steel door. This was the only steel door in this entire building, from what I knew about this school, which was also, in fact, not that many. I was about to slide the bolt open, only to find that it was already unlocked.
After hurriedly finding my way to my coveted safer ground, I slowly turned back. I was holding my breath, preparing my mind for the worst. But no one was around. Was it just my imagination?
It must be. Freaking must be.
Shaking my head in bewilderment, I got back to finding the missing library and bringing that reference book with me to the dorm. That was what I was actually here for and not for some late night ghost hunting.
I scanned the rooftop area. And despite the weird things that I was doing, I realized that the world was as normal as it was before my sudden—and very odd—decision to dress up as a boy. Like any other rooftop, Corner Stone’s rooftop contained nothing. And obviously, no library had suddenly been moved up here.
They placed the usual items around, though. There were lamps flickering on each side. They should really change those light bulbs. I noticed some things scattered on the floor below the lamp post on my right. I was born curious, so I stepped forward and looked at them.
Pencils. Corner Stone sketchpad. Some erasers. A can of soda. Some left over snacks. And whoever owned these things must be acing his art classes. The sketch he was making said it all.
I remembered the masked guy at Channing’s party again. It had been over two weeks since I’d found out about his existence. The only person who knew him was the art teacher—Mr. Crooge. I’d pressed and begged him to tell me the masked guy’s name. I even mentioned that it was a matter of life and death. It was mine and my father’s reputation that was at stake. But the art teacher said that he couldn’t tell me, and it was that person’s right if he wanted to be known or not. Mr. Crooge did not forget to mention that I should respect that.
I did. There was no question about that. I knew how to respect people, their privacy, or the things they wanted to keep to themselves, but that was not the point. I was desperate to find him, because he had my freaking Fiona face on his sketchpad. The longer it was there, the more chances he could glance back and notice the strong resemblance it had to Jules Kensey’s face. What if he would do a background check on me because of that? You could never tell what a curious person could ever do. Look at me, I’d dressed up as a boy and transferred here.
I could only wish the masked guy wasn’t a senior, and that he knew nothing about the new transferee who also had the same face, only different hair and clothes. Okay, so probably another reason I was freaking out was because this year’s theme was delight. To point it out clearly, it was the pleasure you felt when you were eating your favorite food. So definitely, it sounded horribly and dreadfully familiar.
Screw those delicious crab cakes.
And Mr. Crooge had confirmed that masked guy had already submitted his entry. Of course, I asked what it was. He only said that it was exceptional, nothing more.
Beep. Bop. Beep. Someone’s calling you, Fiona.
Realizing that I hadn’t changed my ringing tone yet, I hurriedly pressed the answer button and looked around to see if someone else was here. Seeing that I was alone, I exhaled in relief before I answered, “Yeah?”
“Where are you, man?” Jayden asked on the other line.
“Err... I got lost. Sorry. Where’s the library again? I can’t seem to remember what floor,” I said to him, finding my way towards the exit and leaving the rooftop alone. There was no library here, only some mind-bugging things that reminded me of my soon to be told secret.
“Fourth floor. The one before the entrance to the rooftop,” Jayden replied. I couldn’t help but laugh at myself, covering the cellphone’s mouthpiece with my hand. It was right before my eyes, and I’d missed it. But I noticed that the door of the room before the entry for this place had a fresh varnish. It just didn’t cross my mind that it could be the library, and they must have had removed the sign while the varnish was drying.
Thinking that the library here would be the same as the one in our school, I was actually expecting enormous double doors—clear ones—to be the entrance of it. But Corner Stone was an old castle that was only remodeled to be a school. There were no glass doors that made it to the interior design.
Also, that explained a lot of my unnecessary fantasies. The structure and interior designing of this place could easily make you fall in love: brick walls, gothic decorations, and quality timber furniture. This school had this typical romantic sensation inside.
“I think I know where it is. Be there right away.” I lifted the doorknob of the steel door and pulled it open. This was one thing that stood out for being out of place.
I was the other.
“Okay. Oh, and no need to hurry. The guys are having dinner right now,” he said on the other line.
“All right.” I ended the call.
It must be a war field in the dining hall right now. I could surely take my time if only my stomach was not revolting with hunger. Taking in another breath, I heard something move from behind me. I looked back, only to find that no one was around... again.
“Seriously, if someone’s there, show yourself. You’re creeping me out,” I stuttered.
No one answered.
I hastily picked up my steps and scrammed out of the place without another glance back. I didn’t bother shutting the door close or anything. That would only prolong my stay. Clacking my feet loudly at each step, I stumbled my way back to the main hall of this floor.
That was scary.
I swore, I heard someone snicker as I quickly found my way out. The boys should have told me that there were ghosts around here. I should have been more careful. Actually, not really. Warned or not, I was far from being cautious.
Looking at the door beside the one for the emergency stairs that led to the rooftop, I was at least glad that I was closer to getting that book.
I opened the library door and someone behind the front desk greeted me. “This is rare. Isn’t it dinnertime already?”
“We need a reference book for an assignment,” I told her.
She smiled, showing traces on her face. “Feel free to check out any book you want.”
“Okay.” I headed to the first aisle. Jayden said it was where the book was located. Picking it up in a hurry, I placed the book on her desk and the librarian asked for my card.
As she was processing my request on the computer, she suddenly said, “Can you do me a favor, son? My arthritis has been so bad since this morning, and I can’t move around with ease. Someone came in a moment ago. I think he didn’t notice the time. It’s almost eight. Can you tell him I’ll be closing at exactly eight o’clock if he’s planning on staying around?”
“Sure,” I replied, looking over at the endless rows of books behind me.
“Just go straight ahead. You’ll find him at the other end,” the librarian further instructed me.
I trod my way down the quiet hall. It was quite expected that no one would be around. I scanned the place, but all I could see were piles of books from all sides. So many spooky things kept on happening to me, and the list just went on and on.
Letting my thoughts run wild again, I picked a random book just in case for, you know, self defense. It was larger than your usual storybook, and thus, I felt somewhat safer. And not to say that it had a hard cover. Someone could attack me, and the librarian wouldn’t be able to help me because of her arthritis!
Halfway across the rows of books, I stopped and caught my breath. It must be because of what happened a moment ago, the lingering threat of my exposure by the masked guy, and the flickering light on my right. I hated flickering lights. They sent shivers down my bones.
“Anyone there? I just need to tell you something.” I continued walking, looking around for any signs of humanity.
I traced the corners of the hall with my eyes, walking carefully. Why did he really need to be at the other end? Couldn’t he read around here, where it was nearer the front desk or the exit door? And seriously, the tables and chairs were on the other side.
I looked over to my left, confirming the existence of the exit door. If I ever got attacked, I would use that door. Better safe and ready than sorry.
Passing the second to the last row of shelves, I said, “The librarian said that—”
Eek.
That was the door, probably the entrance. It had this squeaky sound. Aside from repainting the varnish, they should have that fixed.
I stopped from walking when I reached the end of the hall, and my eyes widened in absolute surprise. No one was standing or sitting or maybe floating in the air at the said place. It was empty.
Beep. Bop. Beep.
It startled when my phone started ringing again. Grabbing it from my pocket, I saw it was Jayden. I was about to answer the call when I felt a hand dropped on my right shoulder, heavily. Jumping out of surprise, the phone slid from my hands and fell to the floor.
Beep. Bop. Beep. Someone’s calling you, Fiona.
My head was still in the state called shock, and I could not move, thinking that someone would pounce me dead if I would do so. I was actually thinking that the person behind me was KN. He was the sole definition of creepy and weird, the ones that made up the package of serial killers.
The hand on my right shoulder wasn’t moving. The sinewy touch made my heart beat even faster. I couldn’t help but think about what others had said about him. After all, there was a rumor that KN was a serial killer. There were a few who speculated that he was part of a secret organization of assassins.
The flickering light, which was now behind me, was the one that had started all this. Okay, so maybe not that. It was probably that rooftop and the emergency stairs that did those sinister sounds.
Beep. Bop. Beep. Someone’s calling you, Fiona.
The phone kept on repeating my ringtone for four times now, but I ignored it. I focused on predicting what this guy behind me would do next. A million thoughts crossed my mind. He could strangle me to death or hang me on my feet.
‘Oh, KN. I should have known. I should have realized your obsession with me. We could have talked it over. You don’t have to kill everyone and then go after me in the library right when the librarian has arthritis. And even though you have an annoying personality, I could probably sympathize with what you’re going through, which is, you know, obsessing with me. We should talk it over. I will understand. We don’t have to end like this. Um, you don’t have a knife, right?’
But as all those things ran in my mind, I missed the most believable scenario of what could have been going on. The sturdy hand that was placed on my shoulder eased up. With a stunned tone, I heard a voice behind me ask, “Is your name Fiona?”
FINDING FINN JOURNAL NO. 7
Is your name Fiona? No!!!
~Author's note~
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