Mr. Linden's Library Creative Short Story

“Mr. Linden?” cried Kiran as she entered the mansion that belonged to Joseph Linden. “Hello? It’s Kiran; I’m here to talk to you about that book you recommended.”

She stood in the marble-floored entry hall under the colossal crystal chandelier. An elderly man appeared at the top of the spiral staircase in front of an extensive painting of a woman in robes. “Ah Kiran, I have been awaiting your arrival,” the man said. “Please, follow me.”

He stood at the top of the stairs and watched as the young woman came up the stairs to meet him. “Good evening, Mr. Linden.” Kiran greeted as she reached the floor where he stood. He welcomed her and told her to follow him down the hall.

They stopped in front of an elaborately detailed wooden door. There were carvings of fairies, dragons, and other fantastical ideas. Mr. Linden led the way through the door, which was followed by another embellished door. Once through both sets of doors, Kiran stopped in her tracks and dropped her jaw. They had entered a library, but not an ordinary library. The books that filled the shelves were oversized and had something special about them that Kiran could not describe. She was amazed by the diverse selection of books that she did not notice Mr. Linden already walking up and down the aisles in search of a book.

After her moment of astonishment, Kiran took off in the opposite direction of Mr. Linden to explore the library. She turned into the seventh aisle on the left and skimmed over the titles of the books on the shelves. Kiran stopped at a golden book, which lay on the floor, with the title “Naima in the Sky.” She quietly whispered to herself as she picked up the mysterious book. “Why was the book on the ground?” Kiran wondered aloud. She studied the cover of the book and slowly opened it. Flipping through the pages, she noticed that the book had been handwritten.

Finally, the book came to an end; however, there were still many blank pages. Kiran pondered if the author had intended to leave the pages blank, or if he had never finished.

“Kiran,” she heard Mr. Linden’s voice echo, “Kiran, where are you? I’ve found the book.”

She hurried out of the aisle where she had found the mysterious book. Immediately she saw Mr. Linden walking toward her with another book, not nearly as motley as her own. When they met up, Mr. Linden let out a slight gasp, which left Kiran bewildered.

“Where did you find that book?” he asked in astonishment.

Kiran paused in confusion. “Um, i-it was lying o-on the floor in an aisle,” she hesitated; his semblance petrified Kiran.

“Don’t open that book to page 115. Horrible things will happen,” Mr. Linden explained with a nervous look on his face. After a moment of silence he continued, “Here’s the book I was in search of. It will help you with your research paper,” he said as he handed her an ordinary-looking book. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s getting late. I am going to go to my study and finish some work. Feel free to browse and leave at your own will; but remember, do not open that book. Goodnight, Kiran.”

He left the library and Kiran counted his