1 Strange Book

Frank jolted awake, frantically looking around with heavy breaths. "I'm safe?" He checked his body for any injuries. "Thank God, it's just a nightmare." His face eased up. He looked around again to see where he is.

It's dark. But he could still make out a faint silhouette of bookshelves slightly illuminated by moonlight. "I'm still at the library?" He asked himself unsure of the current situation. Frank took his phone from his pocket. A bright light assaulted his vision, his eyes squinted trying to adapt to the sudden change in lighting. He turned his focus to the screen.

A notification, Twenty-two missed calls. Fifteen of which came from his roommate, the rest came from his job. "Oh… shit!" His eyes widened in realization. "I missed my shift!" He exclaimed, his voice echoed through the empty library. "I'm screwed." Frank whispered, his eyes looked lost. "No! Calm down, calm down Frank you need to think!" He said, both his hands clutched his head as if trying to squeeze an idea out.

He really had no excuse for missing his shift today. Minutes of deep thought passed, "I've got nothing." Frank sighed in frustration. 'Maybe it's best not to think about it for now.' Frank thought. He looked at his phone and decided to call his roommate.

The call connected and a soft voice was heard. "Frank? Where have you been?" She asked Frank, worried.

She's been worried for Frank all night when he didn't show up at dinner when she said that she's gonna cook Lasagna, Frank's favourite food. The call from Frank's job asking why he didn't show up only worried her more.

Frank smiled when he heard her worried voice. "I'm at the library." Frank said, looking around the library.

"What? What are you doing there?" She asked in worry.

"I passed out, when I woke up, the library is already closed." He said in a joking manner to not worry his roommate any further.

"Wait there! I'll get you out!"She said with urgency.

"Wait! No! I think I'll just stay here and wait until morning. I need to catch up on my reading anyway." He said not wanting to inconvenience her.

"What? Are you sure?" She asked with a tinge of worry on her voice.

"Yeah I'm fine, I just called to let you know." Frank said in a comforting voice.

"Okay, be careful, call me if you need something." She said in a more relaxed tone.

"Alright, bye." He ended the call.

"Okay, what do I do now?" He asked himself while looking around the library. "I need to find the light switches on this place." He opened his phone's flashlight and looked for the light switch. "Alright, here it is." After searching for a few minutes he finally found the light switch. With a loud click from the switch the lights turned on and lit up the whole library.

It was an old library judging from the intricate details on the wooden pillars that holds this place up. The beautiful archways, the waxed wooden floor, and even the bookshelves added to the library's beauty. Even though Frank frequently went to this place to read, it was the first time he could truly appreciate the beauty of this place.

A loud thud from the corner brought Frank out of his reverie. "What was that? Wind?" He looked at the windows. They're all closed. "Maybe it's a ghost." He chuckled and walked towards the source of the sound. Lying on the floor, a book. Leather-bound with no text on the cover, no title, no author. The book is really thick, scuff marks marred the beautiful leather cover. 'How can such a heavy book fall off the shelf for no reason' He thought.

Frank approached the book, burning with curiosity. As his hand neared the book, it sprang to life and opened, a mouth with rows of sharp teeth bit down on his hand. "AARGHHH! WHAT THE FUCK!" He screamed in abject horror. He repeatedly smashed his hand on the floor to get the book out of his hand, but no matter how many times he smashed the book to the ground it just tightened, further increasing the pain on his right hand.

Inside an old antique shop, an old man looked at the sky. His piercing gaze seem to see beyond the stars. "The final piece has been chosen." The old man said as he turned his head to the library's direction.

Frank screamed, twisted, and turned. The pain he felt was so horrible, he wouldn't wish it on his worst enemy. Seconds, minutes, hours, He didn't know how much time had passed, the only question on his mind is 'When will the pain stop.' His prayers were answered, the pain suddenly stopped and he collapsed from exhaustion.

"Hey! Hey! Wake up." The old librarian gently slapped Frank's face to wake him up.

Frank opened his eyes and sat up, shaking his head to alleviate his lightheadedness. "What happened?" He asked the old librarian, confused.

"I don't know, I just found you right there, passed out." The old librarian answered.

Frank tried to recall what happened. His head started hurting as he remembered what happened last night.

When that book bit him, he started hearing loud ghastly voices on his head and the overwhelming pain started. He remembered pleading for the voices to stop but they just got louder, and the pain on his hand increased until he passed out.

Frank's eyes widened, "The book? Where is it?" He hurriedly asked the old librarian.

The old librarian's face crumpled, the crease on his forehead deepened. "What book? I didn't see any books with you when I found you." He asked Frank, confused.

"What?" Frank looked around. Nothing, the book was nowhere to be found. He looked at his right hand. A tattoo of the number Seven in roman numeral now covered the back of his right hand. 'Just, what in the actual fuck happened to me?' He thought to himself. 'first I got trapped inside the library then I missed my shi–' His thoughts broke as he remembered.

Frank looked at his watch. It was 9 o'clock. "Shit! I'm late!" He bolted out of the library leaving the confused librarian behind. 'I need to find out what happened last night' He thought while running towards his work. 'But first I need to fix this mess' He thought.

Frank arrived in front of a restaurant, he leaned back to a wall for support, trying to catch his breath. He went to the back where the kitchen entrance is located. He fixed his wrinkled clothes before entering. He opened the metal door making a loud creaking sound. Everyone in the kitchen stopped and stared at him. "H- Hey sorry I'm late." He said, cold sweat dripped down his face.

The restaurant manager looked at Frank coldly. "In my office, now." He said slowly, putting stress on every syllable.

Frank sighed and walked towards the manager's office with small steps. He entered the office, and was about to sit down but.

"You don't need to sit down, this will be quick." The manager said and took an envelope from his drawer.

"Here." He gave it to Frank.

"What's this for?" Frank asked even though he already knew what it meant.

"It's your paycheck." The manager said, not even looking at Frank.

Frank gritted his teeth, his hands balled to a fist. He sighed and left without saying anything.

Sitting on a bench outside the library Frank is in deep thought. He looked at his right hand and sighed. 'I'm gonna have to find a new job, but first I need to find out what happened last night' He thought.

Frank entered the library and saw the old librarian reading at his desk. "Hello! It's ah… it's me again, sorry for running out earlier." He said while scratching the back of his head.

The old librarian looked at him and smiled. "Don't worry, I didn't take offense" The old librarian said.

"Alright, but I still apologize for the way I acted earlier, it was very rude of me." Frank said apologetically.

The old librarian smiled and nodded.

"So, What can I do for you?" He asked Frank.

"Yes, I was wondering if you know about a thick leather-bound book that had no text on the cover." Frank asked.

The old librarian touched his chin, his eyebrows crumpled in deep thought. "I can't remember such a book in this library" The old librarian replied.

Frank sighed in disappointment. "Alright then, thanks anyways" He said.

"Oh! Wait! I remember seeing a similar book that fits your description." The librarian took out his pen and started writing something on a piece of paper.

"Really? Where?" Frank asked in excitement.

"Here's the address, it's an old antique shop downtown." The old librarian handed Frank a piece of paper.

"Thank you." Frank thanked the old librarian and left the library.

Frank arrived at the address the old librarian gave him. He saw the antique shop and entered directly.

The shopkeeper looked at Frank, more specifically his right hand. "Hello!" Frank greeted the shopkeeper.

"I've been expecting your visit seven" the shopkeeper stood up, pulled a lever. The wall shook slightly and moved to reveal a secret passage way. "I'm sure you seek answers, come! There is much for us to discuss!" The shopkeeper disappeared into the passageway.

Frank stood dumbfounded, not knowing what's happening. "What the hell have I gotten myself into?" He asked himself. 'Should I follow creepy old man to the murder basement?' He thought, conflicted on what to do.

He looked at his right hand and decided. "Ahhh, Whatever! Murder basement it is!" Frank exclaimed and then disappeared into the passageway.