A house, or what was once a house, lay hidden in the overgrowth. It seemed ancient, far older than the College buildings. The door stood ajar.
“Hello?” she said in a voice scarcely louder than a whisper. A tinge of fear crept into the back of her mind. She had to hide, in case he was still trying to find her. She walked through the door.
Dust and cobwebs covered the walls. Parts of the floor looked clean; the wind had blown the hardwood bare. A movement made her freeze. She held her breath as a tiny mouse scampered across one of the patches of light streaming from the windows. The mouse wasn’t bone-white, it was brown. She exhaled slowly.
Large bookcases lined the walls. Ancient-looking volumes with torn but colorful spines filled the bookcases, adding color to an otherwise bleak room. One of the bookcases jutted away from the wall in an unnatural angle.
She heard something far behind her. Was the albino still looking for her? Was Luc back? She walked to the angled bookcase and it swung forward. Expecting a secret passage, she was surprised to find a wall with two large words “Librvm Exelcior” in gold writing. She touched the letters and her hand sank into the wall. She pulled her hand back.
Trying again, she touched the letters, and her hand passed through them. She took a deep breath and stepped through the wall. Behind her, the bookcase slammed shut. She turned and peered back. She saw straight through the wall and over the books of the bookcase. One book with a red cover leaned toward her, while the others leaned away. She reached through the strange wall and pulled on the red book. The bookcase swung open. She stepped out into the room. Suzie pulled on the same book and walked through the wall again, closing the bookcase behind her.
Behind the wall, a staircase led downward. A thick layer of dust covered the walls and stairs; she couldn’t stop coughing. White flowers on either side of her lit up with a faded light, as if they hadn’t illuminated for many years. Dust and cobwebs covered each flower, muting the dim light even more. She walked down the spiral stairs, holding her sleeve over her mouth.
At the base of the stairs, she came to a large open room with a vaulted ceiling. The room must have been beneath the house, and was older than anything she’d seen since she fell into the ruins on Widow’s Peak. Strange paintings on the walls of the chamber reminded her of the pictures of Dragons and Lovethar, though these were paintings of Deaths. More white flower-lights, each covered in dust, struggled to light the room.
Stacks of books covered the floors and lay in heaps. Some old bookcases leaned against the far walls, but most had fallen over.
“It’s an ancient library,” she said to herself. Books were everywhere, many torn. Loose pages crumpled under her feet. To her left were scrolls, like the one she had signed. Behind piles of books to her right, she found heaps of stones covered in strange runes. Stones, scrolls, and books lay in pieces on the dusty floor. Many of the books had scorch marks.
“Someone tried to destroy this place,” she said. Her voice echoed in the chamber and something screeched back. She ducked when two bats flew toward her, landing somewhere in the dome above.
She’d found an ancient library, but why here? Why put a library outside the College, beneath an old abandoned house? And what had happened here?
Suzie pulled a scroll from one of the piles. The smeared writing was in a language she couldn’t read. She tossed the scroll back and reached for a book. When she opened it, the binding snapped and pages scattered onto the floor. She started to pick them up but stopped herself. No one had been here in years, if not centuries. What did it matter?
She glanced at one of the fallen pages, and read a list of names followed by dates. It meant nothing to her. She let the page fall and made her way across the paper-covered floor. She lifted a piece of carved rock. An image of a Dragon’s wing covered one edge, with flame images visible on the other side. She put the rock aside and lifted another piece of stone. This one showed Deaths in a boat, holding scythes. Floating above them was an image of a key. She peered closer. The Deaths were crudely drawn stick figures; a child could have etched them. Yet the key above them was intricate and covered with tiny curves and filigree. A hint of color stained the rock around the key as well.
She put the stone down and glanced at a large stone lying in the floor. She saw another picture of the war between Deaths and Dragons. Deaths stood on one side with Dragons on the other, and flames in the middle. She started to turn away when she noticed something drawn in the middle of the flames. She walked up and rubbed away the dust. An intricate key, identical to the one on the other stone, had been carved in the midst of the flames and the battle. Odd.
She looked through books and stones until her stomach growled. She needed food. The albino must be gone by now. She turned and walked back toward the stairs. She would have to come back to this strange library sometime. Maybe she’d show Billy and Frank. Maybe.
Suzie walked over loose papers and started to wonder. Maybe she shouldn’t show this place to anyone. Luc had found where she lived. He’d attacked her in her home, a place she was supposed to be safe. But where could she go in the College? Sindril had claimed he’d help her, but had done nothing. They distrusted her. Billy, Frank, and Jason were friends, but they were still boys. They’d never completely understand.
Now here was a place only she knew about. A place filled with forgotten books, forgotten stories. A hidden place. Suzie smiled as she climbed up the stairs. She took a last look back at the library. At her library.
When she reached the top of the spiral stairs, Suzie stopped to catch her breath in the tight, dusty air.
“No, they will never suspect.”
Suzie froze.
“Yes, yes my lords, of course.”
The voice came from the other side of the wall. She peered through the wall, over the books of the bookcase. She prayed it wasn’t the albino.
“She is here now. As you requested, the girl is a Death at the College.”
Suzie almost fell backward. Girl? They were talking about her. She peered over the books again but couldn’t see anything. The room on the other side was empty. The open door, the dusty bookcases, and nothing else.
“What of the girl herself? Do you need her alive, or just the body?”
Suzie’s heart skipped a beat. What were they saying?
“She’s been attacked already,” said the voice. “But I will try to keep her safe. You will have her for yourselves.”
No, this is wrong. Someone wanted to hurt her. Maybe even kill her.
“I will deliver the girl as promised. It will be ours soon.”
Suzie started to back up as she heard a faint grumbling. Someone was answering the voice, but she couldn’t make out the words. Should she hide in the library? Who was speaking? The voice sounded familiar.
“I understand,” said the voice. Something moved between two of the bookcases. A curtain pulled back and a Death strode into the room. He glanced around, and Suzie held her breath. The face looked around the room. She gasped when she recognized him. Couldn't he see her? The Death pulled his robe close and hid under his black hood.
Headmaster Sindril turned and left the house.
Suzie didn’t move for what felt like an hour. She stayed behind the bookcase, looking through the wall into the open room. She expected Sindril to return, or someone to come from the curtain. If they came now, she’d be trapped. She had to get out before they found her.
After she couldn’t wait any more, Suzie pulled the red book. The bookcase slid open and she sprinted through the wall, out the front door, and toward the College.
She skirted the woods, still running. Fear ebbed into the back of her mind, but was it the albino or her fear of being found? Should she be afraid? Sindril had offered to help her.
Panting, she passed the dark, twisted trees. She saw the Ring of Scythes far in the distance. Yes, Sindril had offered to help her, but Sindril had been acting as Headmaster in the College. The man she had watched was terrified. He had been wearin
g a black robe, probably hiding, hoping people didn’t recognize him. Suzie leapt from theory to theory, her mind filled with dark plots and conspiracies. What was going on?
She reached the Ring of Scythes and kept running.
Wham!
Suzie flew backward through the air. She landed hard, rolling on the dirt. She got up and stared at the Ring. The scythes looked like they always did, enormous arches of metal surrounding the College. She walked to the ring and put her hand out. Her fingers halted in mid-air.
The Ring of Scythes was shut. She was locked out of the College.
Chapter Ten
Suspicion
Suzie ran down the Ring, but an invisible wall sealed each archway. She remembered the villages, but wasn’t sure which direction to walk. Finally, she started to yell.
“Hello? Can anyone hear me? I’m trapped out here.”
She continued to yell off and on for several minutes before a tall man with bright green hair walked to the Ring.
“What are you doing outside?” he said.
“Please, sir,” she said. “I walked out for some air. When I tried to get back, the Ring had shut.”
“It’s a drill,” said the man. His eyes glowed like fire. He must be a ’Mental. “It’ll be over tomorrow. Come back then.”
“I don’t want to be here all night,” said Suzie. “Please, can you send someone for help?” She pictured Sindril sneaking out of the strange house. Had he locked the Ring, afraid people might follow him?
“I’m only a servant,” said the ’Mental.
“My housemates Billy and Jason, can you get them? I live in Eagle Two, room six.”
The ’Mental shrugged and stared at her.
“Please, sir, get them for me.”
“You are a Death,” he said. “I am yours to command.” He nodded and walked away.
Suzie didn’t understand, but didn’t care either. She hoped the ’Mental brought Billy back. This was Luc’s fault. She hated the fat bully more than ever.
She sat down on the grass outside the Ring, looking up at the stone mounds and massive mountainous towers of the College. The forest stood far too close for comfort; the nearest trees grew less than twenty yards away. She suspected the albino was lurking in the forest, still waiting for her.
The sun passed behind a cloud, darkening the sky. It must be about three or four in the afternoon. A raven cawed high above her, swooping over the Ring of Scythes and toward the towers of the College. Shafts of sunlight slipped out from the cloud behind her, reaching down toward the trees. Rays of light lit up the bottom of West Tower, while the top grew dark. A cool breeze blew from the forest.
“Hey, it’s the girl,” shouted a familiar voice.
She looked up.
Frenchie stood on the other side of the Ring with some of his friends. She didn’t see Luc.
“What’re you doing?” taunted Frenchie.
“I wanted some air,” she mumbled. She refused to mention Luc.
“They don’t open the Ring ’til tomorrow,” he said. “And it’s supposed to get nice and cold tonight.”
“If the wolves don’t get her,” laughed another Death.
“That’s right,” said Frenchie, “you’ve got more to worry about than the cold, with the forest lurking right behind you.”
Luc had told them. He must have. Yet she refused to give in to their taunting.
“I’m stronger than I look,” she replied.
“She didn’t seem strong at the field,” said another Death. Frenchie turned and glared at him.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said, walking off. The try-outs must still be a sensitive subject.
As they left her view, Jason ran up to the Ring.
“Suzie,” he said. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” she said. “But I’m stuck out here.”
“We know,” said Jason. “What’re you doing outside of the Ring?”
“Never mind that, can you get me in?”
“Billy’s talking to Headmaster Sindril now.”
Sindril again.
“Did the ’Mental tell you I was here?”
“Yeah, I was checking on you before our final classes. I found Billy and told him. He told me to come here and went to find Sindril.”
“Well, thanks, Jason.”
“What are you doing?”
“I’ll tell you on the other side,” she said.
She heard a commotion behind Jason and watched a large group of Deaths walking toward the Ring. Headmaster Sindril, in his purple rode, walked at the front of the crowd, followed by Billy. Sindril held out a scythe with a golden blade and lowered it slowly between the blades of the outer Ring. The air shimmered. He held the golden scythe in place.
“Susan, my dear, you may come in now.” He extended an arm through the ring and grinned at her.
Suzie walked through the Ring. Sindril pulled the golden scythe back and the air shimmered again. The way must have resealed.
“My dear,” he asked through his grin, “What in the world were you doing outside of the Ring during a drill?”
The sight of him made her sick. Had he seen her in the house? Had he guessed someone was there and closed the Ring? Did he want to kill her? What was going on?
“I needed some fresh air. I wasn’t feeling well today.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Sindril. His smile oozed like slime. He reminded Suzie of a snake.
“We’ll take her home,” said Billy. He put a hand on her shoulder, leading her through the crowd.
“Lucky for you, I was able to open the Ring,” said Sindril behind her back.
“Thank you, sir,” said Billy, turning over his shoulder.
“All right, the rest of you get back to class, this isn’t a show,” snapped Sindril. “And Susan…” He moved fast for someone his age. He leaned over her. “Do tell me if there’s anything else I can do to help you. The first female Death in a million years, and the first time we’ve needed to open a sealed Ring, even partially, in as long as I can remember. Times are surely changing.”
Sindril spun on his heels and walked away, his purple robe flapping behind him.
“Let’s go home,” whispered Suzie. “I have a lot to tell you guys.”
* * * *
Jason sat at the kitchen table, watching Suzie. She finished her gorger and looked up.
“Took me a while to find him,” said Billy, leading Frank into the room. Suzie hadn’t told them anything yet; Frank was her friend. It didn’t seem right to exclude him.
“Billy told me you were outside the Ring,” said Frank. “I guessed you were skipping some classes ’cause of what happened at try-outs. You okay?”
“I’m fine now,” said Suzie. She glanced at the door behind Frank. Luc wouldn’t come back, not now. Would he?
“What happened?” said Billy. “Don’t tell me you were getting some air.”
“No,” said Suzie. “I was attacked.” She took a deep breath.
“Attacked?” asked Billy.
“After you guys left, Luc knocked at the door. He blamed me for embarrassing his brother.”
“Frenchie embarrassed himself,” said Frank.
“He had a man with him, I’m pretty sure he was a ’Mental. An albino, with white skin and red eyes.” She shuddered. “He terrified me.”
“What did he do?” asked Jason.
“I’m not sure exactly. Wolves and snakes appeared, and I ran from them. He seemed to turn on Luc at one point, right outside the Ring of Scythes. He chased me into the forest, and I felt terror. He didn’t do anything. I just had to get away. I’ve never been more afraid in my life.”
“A fearmonger,” whispered Frank.
“A what?” asked Billy.
“Fearmongers,” said Frank, “are ’Mentals who manipulate fear. They were killed off a long time ago. We learned about them in class. Apparently there’s one still around.”
“And Luc just happened to find this fearmonger ’Mental?” a
sked Billy.
“I suppose,” said Frank. “If he did, he was trying to scare her out of the Ring. He probably wanted to get her outside the Ring before the drill.”
“And he succeeded,” added Billy. “She was outside, but we didn’t find out about the drill until breakfast at the Hall. Did Luc plan this?”
“I didn’t believe any fearmongers were left,” said Frank. “Not any more. What happened to him? How did you get away?”
“I kept running.” She hesitated. She had to tell them about Sindril but didn’t want to reveal that she’d found the old library. These were her friends, but they were still boys. She was still alone, and she needed a place to get away. However, if Sindril had been in the house, how could she go back?
“Suzie,” said Jason, putting a hand on her arm. “You can trust us.”
Sindril hadn’t been in the library, only in the house. The library would still be hidden. Still, her place was vulnerable.
“Suzie?” asked Billy. “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk. You’re a girl, and the only one. I can only imagine what they might do. If this albino hurt you, or touched you in any way—”
“No,” she said. “It wasn’t like that. I got away from the albino. I found an abandoned house past the forest. I hid.” She paused again.
“And?” asked Jason.
“Take your time,” said Frank.
“A man was talking, but he didn’t see me. He was doing something secretive. He kept talking to someone but I didn’t see anyone else. He asked if he needed the girl alive. I think he wanted to kill me.”
“Who was it? Did you recognize them?” asked Billy.
“Yes,” said Suzie. “Headmaster Sindril.”
She expected them to look surprised, but no one moved.
“Okay,” said Jason, “the headmaster was in the house. I’m sure he goes out of the College at times.”
“You don’t understand,” she said. “He didn’t want to be caught. He was in a black robe, not his usual purple robe. And the conversation he was having…he was plotting something.”
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