Monday, 23th May

Dear diary,

three weeks ago, I moved to this small village, called Paperville. I almost immediately got a job at the library! The people here seem to be suspicious of the library, which is weird, but I won't be the one complaining.

I'm sitting in the library right now, writing this. It's kinda cold and dark, the shelves are tall and gloomy. The books are dusty and old. I want to say, older than this village, but I honestly had no idea how old this village is. Time and reality feels different here. Surreal and non existing.

Coming from a busy city, this village was like another world, another dimension. But I needed a fresh start. After everything that has happened.

Until now, no people visited the library yet. If it was going to be like this everyday, I'll have to bring a TV. Or I could just read the books.

A man just came in and gave me a small, folded note. He muttered something about 'our rules'. I didn't know villages had rules. I'm just going to list them here in case I lose the note.

1. Don't look over your shoulder. You hear something? Don't look over your shoulder. You see something in the corner of your eyes? For the love of anyone, don't. Look. Over. Your. Shoulder.

2. If you hear voices, no you don't. They're there, but they're not real. Don't listen to them. Don't follow them.

3. If you see a stranger, be wary. Don't talk too much, but be polite. Try to avoid them They're not human.

4. If you feel like you're being watched, you probably are. Don't look for them. They won't harm you if you don't look for them.

5. Don't go to the library at night. It's dangerous. If you are the librarian (unreadable words) to survive. Good luck.

The first four were weird, but the last one truly worried me. I mean, I was the librarian after all. But should I even believe it?

I do hear voices, since I arrived. I did felt watched and when I think back to the reaction of the villagers, when I was new, then this third rule seemed to make sense too. And honestly? Since arriving here, I began to doubt everything I ever believed in. And I couldn't help but to fear, what would happen if I wouldn't follow the rules.

I'll make sure to disappear from the library before dusk.

It has been several hours. The sun has begun to set a few minutes ago and with every second, I feel stalked more and more. I feel like a creature is watching me from the shadows and it's getting cooler and cooler. The goosebumps just won't go away. I'll clean the last shelf of books for today.

Till tomorrow. Goodnight

L.M