Lyra stood before the library, gazing up at the notice board. "Time... Library opening time 8:00 am. Closes at 10:00 pm." A sly smile spread across her face as she whispered to herself, "I've been denied before, but tonight, I'll take matters into my own hands."
The librarian's previous refusal to grant her access to the prohibited area still lingered in her mind. "No permission, no entry," he had said. But Lyra was determined. She waited until the cleaners and employees had left for the day, then sprang into action.
With a swift motion, she pulled her hands forward, twisted her neck, and sprinted toward the outer wall. She leaped over the barrier and landed silently on the other side. Next, she slipped in through the back door, avoiding the CCTV cameras.
The darkness was almost palpable, but Lyra knew the motion-sensor cameras were still watching. She donned a black mask and cap from her bag, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I always get what I want, no matter the cost," she thought to herself. "If the ghee won't come out with a straight finger, I'll bend it."
Lyra crept towards the restricted area, her phone's torch casting flickering shadows on the walls. She slowly turned the handle and slipped inside, the door creaking softly behind her.
Just as she began to move deeper into the room, the security guard appeared, his footsteps echoing off the shelves. Lyra darted behind a towering stack of books, her heart racing. The guard hesitated, his eyes scanning the area, before shrugging and continuing on his patrol.
Lyra let out a silent sigh of relief and began to edge forward, her eyes fixed on the shelf where the mysterious book was kept. But as she reached out to grab it, her foot caught on something, sending her tumbling to the floor. A faint cry escaped her lips as she scrambled to break her fall.
Books scattered everywhere, their pages rustling softly as they hit the floor. The sound echoed through the room, drawing the security guard back to the scene. His stick banged against the floor, making Lyra jump. "Who's there? Get out!" he bellowed.
Lyra froze, holding her breath as the guard's eyes scanned the room. But just as he seemed about to spot her, a plump rat scurried out from beneath a nearby shelf, distracting the guard. The guard's face turned red with anger. "That careless fool must have left the door open again," he muttered, shaking his head. "I'll have words with him tomorrow."
With a final glance around the room, the guard stomped off towards the back door, leaving Lyra shaken but relieved.
Lyra's eyes widened in dismay as she watched the security guard lock the door, the metallic click echoing through the silence. He pocketed the keys, his belt creaking with the added weight. Lyra's face contorted in frustration, her palms meeting her forehead in a soft thud. "Oh no, how am I supposed to get out now?" she whispered, her voice trembling with concern.
The dimly lit room seemed to close in around her, the shadows cast by the faint moonlight outside making her feel trapped. Lyra took a deep breath, willing herself to remain calm. She waited for what felt like an eternity, ensuring the guard wouldn't return unexpectedly.
Once she felt safe, Lyra emerged from her hiding spot, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. She continued toward the prohibited area, her footsteps quiet on the cold floor. The air was thick with the scent of old books and dust, making her nostrils flare.
Finally, she stood before her coveted book, nestled in a special section of the neatly arranged shelves. The book, bound in worn leather, was titled "The Chronicles of Eldrida" – a mysterious tome rumored to hold secrets of the ancient kingdom. Lyra's fingers itched to touch the cover, to feel the weight of the book in her hands.
The librarian's warning echoed in her mind: "Stay away from that book, Lyra. It's not safe." But she was determined to uncover its secrets. According to legend, Eldrida had vanished under strange circumstances, leaving behind only whispers of its existence. Perhaps this book held the key to understanding its disappearance.
Lyra attempted to take a photo of the book with her phone, but the darkness thwarted her efforts. She dared not turn on the light, fearing the motion sensors and security guards would detect her presence. Instead, she committed the title and author to memory, her mind racing with possibilities.
Lyra's fingers trembled with anticipation as she knelt down, her eyes fixed on the ancient tome. She gently lifted the book, feeling its worn leather cover and the strange, thick lining that seemed to hum with an otherworldly energy. "The Chronicles of Eldrida," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
As she ran her hand over the embossed title, a faint tinkling sound echoed through the air, like the soft chime of tiny bells. Lyra's heart skipped a beat. At first, she thought it was just her imagination, but when she repeated the gesture, the sound returned, clearer this time.
Intrigued, Lyra traced the words "The Chronicles of Eldrida" with her fingertips, and the bells rang out once more. "There's something inside this book," she breathed, her curiosity piqued.
With trembling hands, Lyra opened the cover, revealing the first page. A yellowed map of Eldrida lay before her, intricately drawn with symbols and markings she couldn't decipher. "What secrets do you hold?" she wondered, her face inches from the parchment.
As she examined a peculiar mark, a blinding light erupted from the book, enveloping Lyra in its radiance. The world around her dissolved, leaving only darkness.
When the light faded, Lyra found herself transported to a realm beyond the library. Her bag and phone lay nearby, abandoned and silent. The book, however, had vanished, leaving behind only the faint echo of tiny bells.