The Library Hunter

The Library Hunter
Sarah's POV

Near my head, the book fell off the shelf.

I leaped and scanned the deserted basement of the library. Even though no one was around, I could sense that someone was observing me.

I muttered to myself, "Just keep your cool."

For the past three days, I had been acting like a shy college student. A backpack full of textbooks I didn't understand, different clothes, and fake glasses. Everything was being recorded by the wire concealed beneath my sweater.

I couldn't see Elena, but she was somewhere nearby. I had never met anyone who was as adept at hiding as she was.

After picking up the book, I returned it to its shelf. My hands were trembling slightly.

A quiet voice behind me said, "Pardon me."

A woman with brown hair and gentle eyes, about thirty years old, caught my attention as I turned around. She had on a staff badge from the college that read, "Susan Cole - Research Assistant."

She smiled softly and said, "I'm sorry." "I didn't intend to startle you. Yesterday and the day before, I observed you studying down here. It looks like you're having problems locating what you need.

My heart began to race. It might be a helpful librarian, or it might be the murderer.

"Oh, um, yes," I said, using the subdued tone I had been working on. "I'm researching local history for a research paper. Finding reliable sources is quite difficult.

Susan gave an empathetic nod. "Local history can be challenging. Special collections contain the majority of the best documents. They are typically inaccessible to regular students.

"Really?"

Susan remarked, "But I might be able to help you." "Upstairs, I possess the keys to the restricted study rooms. They have computers that can access databases that aren't accessible down here.

I hoped the wire was picking up everything when I felt it beneath my sweater.

"That would be amazing," I replied. "I've been trying to find out more about the town's historic homes. particularly those in which odd events occurred.

Susan's eyes glowed. "Unusual things? Like what?

"Murders, abductions, and such incidents. For my paper on the origins of local legends.

"How fascinating." Susan stepped toward me. "This town has some interesting tales about its homes, you know. tales that were never officially documented.

I feigned excitement. "Really? Could you show me?

"Obviously. Come with me."

Susan guided me to the basement's rear. We went by a number of study spaces, but she continued on toward a section of the library that I had never seen before.

I said, "Where are we going?"

"Back here are some dedicated study spaces. Very private and quiet. ideal for studying delicate subjects.

We reached a hefty door that read, "Authorized Personnel Only." Susan opened it with a keycard.

There were three small rooms in the hallway behind the door. I saw that there were no windows and that the walls appeared to be very thick.

Susan clarified, "These rooms are soundproof." "Students use them to avoid distractions while working on important projects."

My mind was raising red flags. The ideal setting for someone to harm others without anyone hearing was a soundproof room.

I tried to sound appreciative rather than afraid when I said, "This is great."

Susan opened the first room's door. There was a computer, one chair, and a small table inside.

She said, "Go ahead and sit down." "I'll set up the computer for you."

I watched Susan type something on the keyboard while I sat in the chair. A database I had never seen before appeared on the screen as it came to life.

"There," Susan said. "Everything you need to know about local homes and their histories should be included here."

In reality, I was listening for any sounds of Elena nearby as I began to read the screen. The computer fan was the only sound in the room.

"May I ask you a question, Susan?"

"Obviously."

"How long have you been employed here?"

Susan took a seat on the table's edge. Six months or so. I got started as soon as I got to town.

"Where did you move from?"

"Various locations. I frequently travel for work.

I felt uneasy about the way she said it.

"What sort of work did you do prior to this?"

Susan grinned, but it wasn't a friendly one. It appeared to be hungry.

"I assisted people with their issues. individual issues. family issues. People occasionally face issues that call for highly specialized fixes.

I continued to type on the computer, feigning research while actually attempting to determine whether Susan was the murderer.

"I find that intriguing. What sort of remedies are there?

"Oh, you understand. Sometimes it's necessary to temporarily disappear. Occasionally, permanently.

My blood froze. "Permanently?"

Susan stood up and went to the door. A faint click reached my ears.

We were locked in by her.

Susan said, "Sarah," and her voice had changed entirely. icy and hazardous.

I gave up acting. "How do you know my name?"

"Sarah Chen, the detective. 42 years old. lives alone, with the exception of a cat. has a nephew named Tommy who is staying with me right now in a secure place."

I slowly got to my feet, keeping my hands visible to her. "Where is Tommy?"

"If you don't follow my instructions exactly, you'll never find him somewhere."

Susan took a small knife out of her pocket.

"You don't want to do this, Susan."

"I do, in fact. Detective, you've been getting in the way of my work. You and your friend who is supernatural."

"Elena?"

"Elena believes she is a jury and judge for murderers like me. She can't save everyone, though. Amy Foster had to learn that lesson the hard way.

My chest was filled with rage. "You killed Amy."

"Practice was Amy. A note for Elena. to let her know that I'm free to work on other cases while she's occupied with playing hero."

I surveyed the tiny space. There are no windows or other doors, and the walls are too thick to penetrate.

Susan remarked nonchalantly, "The wire you're wearing won't help you." "All radio signals are blocked in these rooms. Elena is unable to hear what is going on inside.

My heart fell. Elena was unaware that I was having problems.

I said, "What do you want?"

"I want Elena to realize that she is not as strong as she believes she is. that two more murderers will replace each one she stops."

Susan brought the knife closer. "And I'm going to teach her that lesson with your help, Detective."

"How?"

"By becoming my next victim." Elena will hold herself responsible for your demise. Her supernatural abilities will be eroded by the guilt until she is too weak to pursue anyone.

I pushed back against the wall. "You're crazy."

Perhaps. However, I'm also quite skilled at what I do.

Susan swung the knife at me. We fought for control of the blade as I took hold of her wrist.

Despite her appearance, she was strong. Much more powerful.

As we battled, Susan growled, "You can't fight what you can't understand."

"What are you talking about?"

"Sarah, I'm more than just a killer. I am something far worse.

The color of Susan's eyes changed abruptly. They became bright yellow, like a cat's eyes, instead of brown.

She became twice as strong. I had to release her wrist after she twisted my arm.

"What are you?" I let out a gasp.

When Susan smiled, I noticed that her teeth had grown pointed and sharp.

"Ellen hunts me. And Elena is being hunted by me.

The blade was aimed at my throat.

The lights went out at that point.

I heard Susan scream in fear in the total darkness.

"No!" she yelled. "You're not allowed here! Your powers are blocked in this room.

Somewhere in the darkness came a voice that sounded like silver wind chimes.

"Susan, you made a grave error."

Now that she was closer, Elena's voice sounded more menacing than I had ever heard it.

"A child was harmed by you. You're threatening someone I care about now."

In the darkness, Elena's hand touched my shoulder.

"Close your eyes, Sarah."

"Why?"

"Because you're afraid of what I'm going to do to Susan."

The room was filled with light, but it wasn't just any light. Susan's scream was amplified by the cold, silver object.

Susan was gone when the light went out.

The smell of old roses and a heap of yellow dust replaced her.

Where Susan had been, Elena stood, but she had changed appearance. Her skin was nearly transparent, and her silver eyes shone so brightly that they illuminated the entire room.

"Are you okay, Elena?"

Elena stood unsteadily. "We must locate Tommy, Sarah. "Now."

"Why? "What's wrong?"

Elena fell to the wall. "Because Susan wasn't working alone." And the person she was collaborating with simply felt her passing.

"What does that mean?"

Elena looked into my bright eyes
. "It indicates that Tommy will be killed in precisely one hour. Additionally, I destroyed Susan by abusing my power.

"What are you saying, Elena?"

"I may not have enough strength left to save him," I said.