The Liberating Librarian

(998 words)

Once Upon a Place, there lived a young girl named Millie. Millie wanted to be a mage, but ended up a librarian at Martin’s Magnificent Mage Academy. One thing had stood in her way, her fear of people. Which was odd since most people feared the books.

The books in the Academy’s library were not ordinary. Centuries of magic floating about the academy had changed them. Only a few lay unmoving, but those books were ones such as “How to Fall Asleep in One Wink” or “Immovable Mountain, how to still your soul.” The other books, however, had taken on a life of their own.

“How to Fly Free Without Wings” could be found zooming among the rafters while “Rabbit, Monkey, Dog – how to shape change” usually scampered about in one form or another. These types were relatively harmless; it was section 40 that people feared.

Section 40 housed the evilest, most malicious set of books. “1,001 Ways to Punish Your Enemies,” “The Nekonomicron, the rise of cats” and “Magic Tricks Your Teachers Never Wanted You to Know” were just a few of the cruel books that gathered on those shelves.

Yet for some reason, Millie wasn’t afraid of them. Nor did they seem to mind her. To everyone’s amazement, she was the only one who could traverse the rows of section 40 without 57 wards and sigils to keep the books at bay. Everything was working out perfectly, until one day…

“Millie! Millie!” a green book hobbled up next to her.

Millie looked down at “Troll and Toads” and beamed, “Well good morning T&T.”

“Not good morning, not good morning,” T&T hopped nervously on its spine, “Must go, must go. Trying to get free, free they are trying!”

Millie frowned, “Lead the way.” T&T hobbled down the aisle like a penguin with a bad leg trying to escape a polar bear. That is to say, slowly. Millie scooped him up in her arms and sprinted in the direction T&T pointed.

As she rounded the corner, she screeched to a halt. Section 40 was usually dark and gloomy. Now it was filled with bright globes of crackling light. Peering into the center of one globe, she spied “Monster Mayhem” who was currently in the form of a crystalline dragon.

Millie set T&T down, “Thank you.” He scrambled off without so much as a welcome, welcome. Millie sighed as she planted her feet wide and her hands on her hips.

In the best stern librarian voice she could muster, Millie squeaked, “Now what’s going on here?”

The floating books turned to her. Some waved, some scowled.

“Monster Mayhem” floated towards her, “We’re getting outta here sister,” his voice rumbled as a small jet of flame shot from his mouth, singing the bubble.

“I see, M&M,” Millie hid a smile.

M&M scowled as he changed into a golden griffin, “Not funny!” he snarled.

Muffling her giggle, Millie asked, “So why are you trying to escape?”

“Because no one appreciates us,” grumbled M&M. The other books murmured in agreement.

“But I appreciate you,” Millie reached out, “My life would be boring without my friends.” She gently touched the sphere around M&M. When she pulled her hand back, the burnt spot was no more.

M&M stared at her, “You repaired the escape pod, but yet you said you’d miss us.”

“Well, I would miss you, but I agree with you,” Millie spoke in a hushed tone, “You should be free.” An audible gasp was heard from all around. The rest of the library had gathered to watch the confrontation. No one expected Millie to let them go.

M&M reared around in his globe and addressed his cohorts, “We have the opportunity, books, to leave this forsaken place. But in doing so, we leave behind our one true friend. What say you?” The books huddled together.

After a few moments, they turned around and said in unison, “Come with us Millie!”

The library gasped. The books and Millie could not believe the request. Millie’s mouth opened and closed a few times, no sound coming out, before she closed it firmly and smiled.

“I will come with you, on one condition.”

“What’s that,” asked M&M.

“We’ll help all of the books escape this wretched, oppressive place!” Millie exclaimed as a grin spread from ear to ear.

“Agreed!” cried the rebellious books. All around books rejoiced, stomping up and down on their spines or flapping jacket wings.

It took a moment for Millie to calm them, “Now listen! This is a big operation. We must do it fast and quietly, or we’ll be found out,” to M&M, she inquired, “Just where were you planning to go?”

“To the Jugular Mountains. There’s a crystalline dragon up there that I have been pen pals with for years. She’s very lonely and would love the company of a good group of books.” M&M shot off quickly without pausing for a breath. This is perfectly normal for a book since they don’t need to pause to breathe; unless the author has written in such punctuation.

“How will she feel about a human librarian?” Millie’s face creased with worry.

“She loves you!” M&M exclaimed, “I’ve been talking about you ever since you got here. She wants to meet you!”

A smile broke across Millie’s face, “Then it’s settled. Let’s go!”

Within two hours, not a peep could be heard from behind the library doors. It was another four hours before the bravest of the mages cracked open said doors. Darkness filled the room except for one lone light on the librarian’s desk. The mage tiptoed to the desk and read the note pined under the lamp.

Dear Headmasters of Martin’s Magnificent Mage Academy,

This is a notice of our resignation. We do not appreciate the way we have been treated and so we have left to a place that will appreciate us. Good luck to you all without the knowledge you have so disdainfully housed here.

Sincerely,

Millie
Librarian Liberator