The Scroll

The day was coming to an end, and I was looking forward to settling in with a hot cup of tea and a book. I kept checking my watch and looking over to the door for any final stragglers that might wander in. I was accustomed to this, but so far today was a quiet day, with few people visiting the local library.

The minutes ticked by like hours, as I rounded the desk and picked up the paper work I needed for tonight. As I reached the door my heart sank. Of course he would come in right at 6:59.

Like clock work, he could be depended on to arrive right at the end of the day. He smiled sheepishly as he passed by me with a quick statement of ‘it will only be a minute, I promise’. This was always his moto. This was the only way I knew him. In fact, that is what I called him. The ‘only a minute guy’. Because he was never only a minute, and always waiting till the last minute.

I locked the door in frustration and made my way back to the check out area slapping the papers down on the desk. Mr. I will only be a minute was already lost amongst the rows of books. I sat begrudgingly waiting for him to return so I could finally go home. But the minutes dragged on, and a half an hour passed.

I forcefully pushed the chair behind me and decided to go looking for him. His hushed voice came from a corner of the library that made my steps quicken. Mr. I will only be a minute’s voice didn’t raise, but his tone changed. As I rounded the corner facing the glass room, I saw him. Crouched down between the rows with the light off and on his cell phone.

His hands roughly grabbing at the fragile leather bound books and discarding them to the floor. My blood was boiling at this sight. I no longer cared about his ability to have access to the public library, he was handling rare books he shouldn’t be with the ease of a bull. The word parchment hit my ears before I flipped the light switch.

He looked up and simultaneously clicked off his phone. His cool blue eyes gave nothing away, not even remorse for the ancient books he negligently tossed to the floor.

“SSSHHHH”! Was my automatic response from years of growing up and working in the library. “What are you doing back here? This section is off limits without proper employees help!” He shifted from on leg to the other, but other than this slight movement he gave nothing away. Mr. Only a Minute seemed at ease with the situation, as I stood there waiting, with my arms crossed.

“I’m sorry Grace, I was just looking for something I needed for a research project and I didn’t want to disturb you.” His voice was smooth as silk as he spoke, but his eyes gave off another response I couldn’t pick up on. Plus, he knew my name. How did he know my name? I am sure I never said it to him, and I don’t wear a name tag. “I should go.”

“Yes, you should.” I replied to him as he walked past me without a second glance. I quickly caught up to him and met him at the entrance. Our eyes locked as I pushed opened the heavy wooden door for him to leave. There was something familiar about those deep blue eyes. Something that stirred a memory that was locked away. As Mr. Only one minute crossed the threshold, I was jolted back to my senses, as the summer evening air washed over me.

Once he was gone, I walked over to the counter and collected the papers and headed over to the children’s section. My hand easily found brass decorative flower on the third row, and pushed the concealed button to release the hidden bookshelf door. As I entered the passage way, I turned and pulled the shelf back behind me and slid the heavy bolt in place. The wooden stairs let out their harmonious creeks with each step I took. Reminding me that I had made it home.

Most people never knew about the apartments above the libraries. Most are gone now, or were never kept up. My apartment is filled with the history of my ancestors.

For over a hundred years, my family had resided in these walls as the caretakers of these books and their home. I grew up here in this library and know her every secret. It was an adventure to live here amongst all the different worlds and times. Within my apartment the past and future collides. The relics still remain while I add my own touch to keep the place updated. I also added a new member to these walls. My cat.

My cat waited for me up the stairs to welcome me home. Taffy was light brown and white with golden eyes. Her calming nature kept me company on the evenings I stayed in. I sighed as I prepared her food and mine. Trying to decide which food might be better. Her salmon cat food from a can, or my premade frozen microwave dinner which usually came out half volcano hot and the other half Arctic cold.

“Taffy, Taffy, here you go little girl.” She stretched her front paws out massaging the blanket lazily as she prepared to launch herself off the couch. I made myself comfortable on the 1980’s retro tan couch. This Couch held so many memories that I just couldn’t bear to part with it. My parents added this to the apartment when they moved in.

By the time I picked up the paperwork to work on it, my eyes were heavy and my brain was tired. I reached over and scratched Taffy’s head and listened to her purr. Her head snapped up suddenly as I also heard the noise from downstairs.

“Grace you locked the doors, it is only a rat or mouse.” I said out loud to no one as my heart hammered away in my chest. The noise happened again, and Taffy decided it was time to investigate. With her ears perked up she ran to the edge of the stairs and perched there with head leaning over the first step. “Well if she is ready, I guess I am too.” I slowly descended the stairs, and slid the metal bolt out of place, and with my attack kitty by my side we went back into the library.

The small lights hanging between the shelves put off a soft glow. I quietly walked along the walls taking my time to listen for anymore noises. It came again, back in the archive section. I went directly to it. Sighing, because we always get mice and rats in that area. I opened the door and went inside, keeping the lights off. I kept a bucket off to the side of the door just for this occasion. I picked it up and waited for the noise again.

That is when I heard his voice. It was a whisper, but I knew it was him.

“I am sure it is not in here. I have checked every spot you said you put it the last time you were here.” Mr. Only a Minute said. I recognized that voice. There was pause as he waited for a response. “No! I don’t think she suspects anything.” Another pause. “Really, I don’t think she would have taken it out of this room. No one ever comes in here. It wo”

Another pause as the other person cut him off. “I am telling you she has nothing to do with this!” His voice was still a whisper, but he was stern when he said it. I kept myself flat against the wall in the shadows as he continued to talk. “Would you just listen for a second. I am telling you, the parchment is not here. Where else could it be. Remember it was placed in here in 1915, right before we came back to this time. Then in 1999, we knew Grace was still little, and told her to keep it in this room, but that doesn’t mean it was moved by someone else. Where else could it be?”

I was ready to fall out. 1999. I was just five-years old. If, what he is saying is true, how in the world could he have been in this library during these times and not changed at all? I was about to come out of hiding when Taffy made her appearance known. She pulled her body up tight and launched herself towards Mr. Only a Minute. In that second he dropped the phone as he saw Taffy fly through the air towards him.

“What the….” Mr. Only a Minute said as he caught Taffy. I had to do something. My attack kitty was already attacking the rat. I quickly turned on the lights, and went to get Taffy before anything else happened. I scooped up Taffy into my arms and faced him. “What are you doing in here!” I screamed at him. Clearly seeing he wanted to take something out of the archive. I was glad I had Taffy to hold onto, even though she was digging into my arms to be let go.

“I think we should go talk about this someplace else.” He said with his arms slightly raised as if to admit defeat. I wasn’t sure if I should trust him, or not. After all, he just broke in to the library. But something deep inside me was saying it was ok.

“Fine, let's go sit over in the reading nook.” My voice remained harsh as I waited for him to pick up his phone and once again click it off. I could hear the person on the other end protest before the line went dead. Before Mr. Only a Minute passed the door, he stopped and faced me.

“By the way, my name is Dakota.” He held out is hand for me to shake, as a peace offering. I hesitated before placing my hand in his. His eyes soften a little as he held my hand. Dakota seemed to know that this meeting was going to happen.

I followed him over to the reading nook. Which was just a small area set up like a living room. There were two couches that faced each other, a coffee table with old magazines spilled a crossed it, and two end tables each with small lamps sitting on them. It was designed by my mother to make the library more cozy for reading clubs. I took a seat on one of the couches and Dakota sat a cross from me. Taffy decided to follow us and jumped straight into my lap.

“I know this appears to be strange. But I can explain everything.” Dakota started, but then paused. He looked down at the magazines in front of him, seeming as though he was trying to draw some inspiration from them. “I don’t know how much of this you will believe. But you and I have met before. In fact, I have met your ancestors. By the way, you look very much like your Great-Great- Grand mother.” He said with a smile on his face.

“Yes I know. I have seen the photos, and have been told by my mother, and my Grandfather. It’s the eyes, and the hair. But this doesn’t explain anything.” Becoming more frustrated.

Dakota set his phone on the table. Only it wasn’t a phone. It was shaped closely to a phone, but it held buttons on the screen. The only way to see the buttons was when the phone was flat on its back and he pressed a side button to make them appear out of the screen. Each of the buttons had designs on them I had never seen. Even after studying the ancient texts, I still had not seen these types of graphics. There were a total of six buttons that appeared.

“This device is not just for communicating. I can communicate with someone I am tied to in the past or in the future. I can also travel through the loops of time.” He paused letting the heavy weight of what he said settle between us. I stared at this machine, no bigger than my cell phone wondering if it was really true. “The person on the other end a few minutes ago was in the future. We are trying to locate a scroll we left here back in 1915, and checked on in 1999. See we need this scroll to help out humanity.” He struggled with the last word. I sat back in the couch. Shocked at what he said.

“Nope! I don’t believe this? First off, there are ways to make a cell phone look like this. I am sure of it. Second, it is public knowledge online who my family is and what they look like, since we are all connected to this library. And third, well, third this is just crazy!” I shouted the last statement and Taffy jumped off my lap.

“Ok, How did I know you had met me when you were five years old?” Dakota asked. I was thinking of a response when his machine begin flash a vibrant blue color. Dakota reached out and pushed the button with a green and orange design on it.

“Dakota.”

“Why did you hang up?” The disembodied voice spoke. “Did you find the scroll yet, what’s going on?” The questions rolled into each other. Dakota looked up at me and smiled. “No I am looking for it. We are on the case.” Dakota said. I didn’t understand why he needed to include me.

“We? Who is we? Did Grace find you? Did you tell her about the scroll? You better be careful, you know this could end badly if you aren’t.” Again this person rolled his questions over each other. Almost as though he already knew the answers, or he just didn’t want her to hear the answers. Dakota simply smiled at the phone as if this was a normal conversation.

“Yes, Grace found me. No I have not told her about the scroll other than I need it, yes she knows I can loop through time.” Dakota answered.

“Just remember, we need that scroll by midnight. You have less than three hours to get it, and loop back.” The line went dead. Dakota looked up at me. He tapped the button on the top of the device and the buttons disappeared into the screen and became flat.

“So, do you know what we are looking for?” Dakota asked? Leaning in closer. I honestly had no idea. I did not know where the scroll was, if it was still here, or loaned out.

“I am not sure. But if you could tell me more about it, and why you need it, I can help.” I leaned in to match his stance.

“Honestly we don’t have much time. This one scroll deciphers the _Voynich Manuscript_. You are the key to helping us with this. With your help, we can finally read the manuscript and understand all its secrets.” Dakota was becoming more animated with each word. I wasn’t sure I even believed him. This manuscript was impossible to read. How can one scroll be the key to unlock it. I thought about this for a moment letting the weight of each of his words settle over me. The silence and tension grew between.

“Honestly, I am not sure what to believe. But, where, or more importantly what will happen to this scroll if I still have it?” I asked him. I worried what would happen if he managed to get his hands on this scroll. Dakota sat back again. Clearly looking frustrated with all this. He glanced at his watch, and back up to me. His leg constantly shaking.

“Look we are running out of time.” My loop will close, and I may not have the opportunity to make this right again. There are only so many times you can travel through a loop before it seals for good. Please trust me on this. You will not regret it.”

His hands pressed together in a prayer as he pled his case. His eyes held something that left no room for doubt. I stood up and motioned for him to follow me.

I opened the employees only door and lead him into the back room. Only a few of us knew the vault existed, and only I held the combination. The vault held the oldest archives in the library. If Dakota had any chance of finding it, it would be in here.

I punched in the code and rotated the wheel. The vault door lurched open. The shelves of the vault were covered with all kinds of ancient artifacts. I walked into the vault and turned on the lamp sitting on the table. Dakota went straight to the wall to search.

An hour in, Dakota Shouted; “This is it!” His hands shaking, almost crumbling the old fragile paper. His face lit up realizing he had found the treasure. He came over and kissed me quickly before walking out of the vault.

“Wait! What is the scroll?” I asked him. I wanted to see it. I wanted to know what was so special on this scroll that would unlock the manuscript that has been completely unreadable. He stopped and turned back around.

“I promise I will be back to explain this to you soon. But right now, I just don’t have time.” He kissed me briefly and left. His phone trilling a sing song I had never heard. I went after him, only to see him disappear in front me with the scroll.