Chapter 3
Macy
The door opens to a dark narrow stairway and I flip the switch just inside the door. The light that illuminates doesn’t help much. It’s still very dim and I make sure to grab the handrail.
I hear the man move behind me as we slowly go down and I realize I just did the stupidest thing ever. I’m going down into a dark, basically soundproof room that nobody knows of with a man I have no clue about. He could be the next Ted Bundy for all I know. I need to say something…get to know him…get to know his name for God’s sake.
My free hand slides down to the waistband of my skirt where I usually keep my phone tucked and I’m comforted knowing it’s there.
“So, you’re into science eh?”
“Oh, you have no idea,” joy glows in his voice.
We reach the bottom of the stairs and the dark space opens up in both directions. I reach for the switch and flip it and am relieved when the light is much brighter down here. It’s been about a month since I’ve been down here and I’m just glad the bulbs still work.
The air between us is silent and goosebumps crawl up my arms for a moment.
What have I gotten myself into?
This was a really stupid decision!
My legs tense and I consider jerking myself around and making a dash up the stairs and to safety, but then his voice calms me, “Holy crap, would you look at that!”
A breath escapes me in relief as I roll my eyes at myself and am convinced he is simply down here for the books. I’m pretty much chopped liver at this point…and I’m not sure I’m mad at that.
He makes his way to one of the tables set up with machines to rebind old books, “This is so cool.”
He looks like a kid in a candy store with his goofy smile and it makes my lips tick up as well.
I clear my throat as I stand and watch him. I really don’t want to spend much time down here. I’m just going to let him see what I promised and finish this visit up.
His eyes match mine and I’m struck by a force I’m not familiar with. I immediately want to look away and break it, and I do.
I nod, “this way,” I turn to the opposite direction and lead him deep into the room until we get to a glass wall that opens up to a room full of irreplaceable books. The room is climate controlled with the exact mixture of temperature and humidity to preserve the books and the one he’s looking for is in there.
“Oh, no way,” his voice raises as he keeps my gate and approaches the glass door with me.
I giggle, “way.”
I find the key for this door and slide it In, then I press the numbers on the keypad attached to it to unlock they double entry, “We have to be quick,” I remind him and he nods as he follows me in.
We enter the cool space and the door clicks shut behind us.
I swear I feel his eyes boring holes through the back of me and when I turn around to see he’s jerking his head away.
He was.
I sure hope he doesn’t think this is some way to get closer to me. This is all probably part of some elaborate game of his. God, why didn’t I realize this up there? First, he gets me to let him into the secret room and then what…my panties? No sir.
“Okay,” I let out a breath and move to the far corner pointing to a slew of very thick, old books standing in a row, “I believe this is what you’re looking for.”
He moves toward me and I swear I feel the air crackle between us; so, I move away to break the feeling. I’m sure my mind is playing tricks on me since we’re in this deep dark cave like area. Yup…that has to be it…
I stroll to some books on the other wall of the little room and pretend to straighten already straightened books. I check the humidifier system and the temperature gage as he begins to pull one of the books out.
I turn, shocked at the touch and he notices with a sudden stop, “Oh…is this okay?” His hand flies up in the air, “I’m sorry I just wanted to have a look.”
“Um,” I walk back to his corner, “I really should be the one to handle it. These books are delicate.”