Forty minutes later, at least as Nic perceived it, they arrived at Jordi’s chosen campsite. A simple alcove cutting into the side of a bookcase, shallow but for three nooks cut into the wall. Though made of the same wood, they would serve well as makeshift bunks once lined with their bedrolls. Making camp mostly … Continue reading Archive Ch.11 →

Nic and Jordi wasted no time clearing the area. Though it was unlikely the books would attack again according to Jordi, he also suggested it might be better not to tempt fate. Nic couldn’t have agreed more, not even bothering to take his harness off until a solid ten minutes stood behind them. Only then … Continue reading Archive Ch.10 →

Several things happened in rapid succession. The first of them was Nic giving a sharp yelp of surprise, trying to at once see the threat, get away from said threat and help Jordi do the same. None of these attempts worked, all three actions crashing into one another and leaving Nic doing nothing but looking … Continue reading Archive Ch.9 →

Three hours later Nic was seriously reassessing how freely he would be asking questions in the future. He found himself far less eager to delve the mysteries of the universe if doing so was liable to result in so much walking. Enlightenment was not worth the blisters. Not that the library was making it easy … Continue reading Archive Ch.8 →

Half an hour later they finally arrived at the alleged resting place. It sat tucked away in a little nook at the end of an aisle, the endless books broken up by a little oasis of plush emerald-green chairs and a matching upholstered couch. They surrounded a small table made of the same lacquered wood … Continue reading Archive Ch.7 →

A peculiar feeling gripped Nic as he entered the Library. Part of it were the wards set over the threshold. They were crushingly strong, the back of Nic’s neck practically burning as he crossed. Though they allowed him through without complaint, their presence lingered long afterwards, itching like the memory of a knife pressed against … Continue reading Archive Ch.6 →

“Teriyaki or barbeque?” Nic looked over at Jordi where he leaned against the wall of the elevator. They had just stepped back into it, the car rumbling its way back down from the Director’s office. “Pardon?” Nic asked, audible confusion in his voice. “Teriyaki or barbeque, which do you like more?” “…Teriyaki?” Nic said very … Continue reading Archive Ch.5 →

“So, what’d you do?” Nic looked over at Jordi as the two of them walked side by side, following the guide bot as it led them through the halls of Archive. “Sorry?” Nic asked. “What’d you do to get called into the boss’ office?” Nic shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I was at the front … Continue reading Archive Ch.4 →

‘Never judge a book by its cover’ was a phrase Nic hadn’t ever given much thought. He knew it of course, he doubted few over the age of six didn’t, though he couldn’t remember when or how he himself had learned it. One of those timeless phrases that you just absorbed from hanging around other … Continue reading Archive Ch.3 →