Singh 1 Ishani Singh Mrs. MvB 7 February 2013 Literature 2 Mr.

Lindens Library Everyone knew there was something weird about Mr. Linden. Perhaps it was his old, creaky house that looked like it was haunted. Or perhaps it was that Mr. Linden was an extremely old man. He was an ancient artifact, which would break with the slightest touch, but at the same time he was as tough as nails. He had a look in his eye that told you he had experienced things far worse than you would ever imagine. He didnt belong in 1973, he looked like he had been alive for centuries, and some people thought he had. He had lived on that street longer than anyone could remember, and he looked like the type of person who would yell at kids to get off his lawn. All the kids were scared of him. But it wasnt Mr. Linden, or his house that the children should have been scared of, but something else entirely.

Emily was pushing through the vines, weeds, and leaves, looking every which way for the baseball. She had to find it as fast as she could; she had to get out of there. Ana said that Emily had to go get the ball from the yard, but it was Ana who hit the baseball over the 10-foot tall iron fence. How would Emily be able to catch the ball? After all, she was only 9, and she was short for her age. Ana was always picking on Emily. Thats what big sisters are for. Now Emily was right next to the front steps of the house. After making her way through the jungle leading up to this house. Sitting right in the middle of the porch was the baseball. Slowly, and as quietly as she could, Emily tiptoed up the sodden steps. She bent down to pick up

Singh 2 the ball, but another hand grabbed her arm. Emily looked up, and found that she was staring into Mr. Lindens eyes.

After Mr. Linden found her on the porch, she just kept stuttering and blabbering about nothing. Then Mr. Linden told her to come inside. And Emily never disobeyed anyone. Ever. One day this would get her into trouble. Maybe that day was today. The inside of Mr. Lindens house was extremely nice and organized, especially compared to the outside. Emily sat down with Mr. Linden in the living room, and she realized that the kids had no reason to be scared of him. He was actually nice. Mr. Linden then showed Emily the rest of his house. Her favorite room was the library. There were detailed mahogany shelves, and everything was organized, all the books were in a specific section. Mr. Linden said that Emily could borrow any book that she wanted. Except one. That one book was set apart from the hundreds of books, on its own barren shelf, that looked like it had been through World War I. Emily asked about the book. She just thought that there was something special about it, that it was important to him. It was, well, extremely old. That could have been the reason why. But Mr. Linden refused, and he didnt say why, but Emily didnt think much of it, and she left. The next day, Emily went back to Mr. Lindens house. She returned the books, and picked out new ones. She asked if she could borrow the special book. Mr. Linden said no again. This time, Emily asked why, she didnt think there could be anything that important. All he said was that could do things. But the look that came to Mr. Lindens face, when Emily asked, was a face of deep pain, and Mr. Linden seemed to sink into a dark place in his mind. Emily should have been warned by Mr. Lindens reaction. She should have realized that the book was important, in a bad way. It was dangerous. Extremely dangerous. But it just made her curiosity stronger. Mr. Linden didnt speak, and it looked as if he had forgotten that Emily was even there.

Singh 3 Emily realized that she was not going to get Mr. Linden to give her the book today. And, Emily realized that this was not like her. It was not like her to not listen, and to try to convince someone to let her do what she wants. That never happened to her. The sun was just peeking up over the hills in the distance and the birds were singing. Emily, walked down stairs, and started out the door. She was going to convince Mr. Linden to let her borrow that book. What could be that bad about it? Emily was going to find out. Emily knocked on Mr. Lindens door, and she was surprised to see that he was waiting for her. Again they went into the library, and Emily put back all the books. Mr. Linden was sitting in a chair reading a book. Emily pleaded Mr. Linden to let her borrow that book, but once again, he refused. Emily slowly dragged her feet to a brown armchair and collapsed into it. She picked up a book and started reading, with a frown on her face. With hopes to make her happier, Mr. Linden went into the room adjacent to that, the kitchen, to get them something to eat. Emily sat in the library, staring at the book. Emilys curiosity got the best of her, and she seized the opportunity to take the book. Quickly, she snatched the book of the shelf and picked out another book that looked sort of like it. She placed the other book on the shelf, and hid the stolen book in the middle of a pile of books. Seconds after she finished, Mr. Linden came back with cookies. Emily, felling bad for what she had done, quickly left without saying anything. Leaving behind a baffled Mr. Linden. There was no moon in the sky. Emily was lying on her bed, the book right next to her. The empty, white, light from the lamp was the only light that shone that night. As the last bit of light lost its battle against the vast darkness, it started. Black vines began to creep out of the book, and onto Emily. He had warned her about the book. Now it was too late.