What Can You Find In a Library?

I've been searching for him all afternoon. No one seems to know where Big Ogre is. They are all deeply amused that I am looking for him though. Every person I ask if they have seen him looks stunned, then their eyes begin to twinkle, and they inevitably smile at me like they have just heard the most amusing story. They are all as helpful as they can be, which isn't very much help at all, but I begin to feel that Big Ogre is a bit of a recluse.

Finally, one of the techs in the computer lab gives me what could be my best clue. By this point, I am starting to feel that I may never be able to show him the card that I worked so hard on. Its envelope is getting a little soggy from the sweat on my hands, and my spirits are starting to droop as well. I wander into the computer lab without the faintest hope that I will find him hulking over a keyboard with his eyes intently scanning the screen, but I intend to at least look in every possible place.

Thus I am not disappointed when I find he is not there. The technician in charge of making sure all the systems are working properly and everyone is getting a chance to use the machines looks up at me with a warm smile. Then a bit of concern causes the corners of his mouth to slip downward again as he notices my obvious disappointment. I have seen him many times before but haven't caught his name so I am surprised when he greets me.

"Ah, poor Bellabooo, why so down this afternoon?"

"I can't find Big Ogre," I say, expecting him to inform me that he also has no idea where such a large, easily identifiable superdude might be hiding.

He looks at me speculatively, "You may not believe this, but if I were you..."

He pauses as if to re-evaluate the statement he is about to make and I prod him impatiently, "Yes, I am me..."

"Well, you may not believe this, but I would check the library."

"The library?" I ask.

"Do you not know where the library is?"

"No, I didn't even know we had one," I reply.

He pulls a piece of paper off of the pile next to the printer and makes me a crude drawing, going over the route with me aloud as he does so, "And that should get you there and cheer you up."

I beam at him and throw my arms around his neck. He seems surprised by my hug, but returns it and then smiles at me as I turn and skip out the door. My card is still gripped firmly in one hand while the other holds the map in case I lose my bearings in the labyrinth of the academy (for want of a better word). I follow his directions carefully and find myself before immense double doors. The doors are covered in plush leather and have golden handles that have been polished so well that my distorted reflection is visible on their surface.

I grab one of the handles and pull as hard as I can. That is when I realize that the handles are placed deceptively. The door doesn't budge. I giggle a little to myself and push the door open. As it swings inward, I am immediately aware of the dry, dusty smell of old papers. Rows and rows of sturdy wooden shelves fill the room. Each shelf is filled with books that have been carefully arranged and left to wait for some scholar's touch. Each aisle is neatly labeled in bold script telling me where to find my PNs and PQs and Bs. I am not sure what all of letters and numbers mean, but I am not concerned with locating a book and I am sure that Big Ogre is not squished onto a shelf labeled B or O anyway.

The image of his hulking frame doubled over on itself one of these narrow shelves makes me giggle again. My hand instantly flies to my mouth, stifling the giggle but not in time to keep me from being noticed by the librarian. She looks up at me disapprovingly with green hazel eyes. As she looks at me, I almost get the feeling that she somehow realizes why I was laughing. A wry grin spreads across her face, but she tries to hide it by tilting her head back down into the book she was reading.

Dark hair cascades across her face, but somehow I am sure she is still aware of my every move. I turn around to quietly pull the door closed. The leather of one door slides against the other with a most intriguing sound, like rubbing my hands together to warm them up in the winter time. I am tempted to open and close the door just one more time, but I don't want to get kicked out before I even get a chance to see if I can find Big Ogre.

Approaching the desk quietly, I clear my throat. The librarian looks up at me again, looking very serious though a glint of amusement still dances in her eyes, "How can I help you, Bellabooo?"

"I...wait...how do you know my name?"

"I like to learn as much as I can," she says, "Looking for something or someone, perhaps?"

"Well, yes," I reply not satisfied with her answer yet unsure how to get the response I want.

"Well, the only other person in here is Big Ogre, and he is hiding in the back with some books."

I am certain that she winks at me as she says his name. It could just be a coincidence though. After all, she could have just decided it would be easier to just tell me who was here. I thank her quickly and wander off in the direction she pointed to. I turn the corner and find myself facing the hulking back of the very person I have spent the past hour searching for.

His muscles ripple a bit as he shifts in his seat. Without that movement, his stone-like skin would make him appear to be the most inappropriate statue for a library. Books are piled on either side of him and papers scattered before him on the desk. He pulls a book from one of the stacks and begins poring over it as I step up behind him.

"Big Ogre?"

He grunts but does not respond, so I come to stand beside him. He really does have glasses perched on his nose like I thought he did when I was half asleep. His eyes are quickly scanning the book in front of him as if I am not there. I watch him. I am at a loss as to what to do. I am excited to give him the card I made, but he doesn't seem to even want to talk to me. I sigh and turn to walk away.

"Not so quick," he says, one hand reaching out to gently grasp the hem of my sleeve between immense fingers.

I stand quietly, waiting for his permission to speak or move. His eyes continue to scan the volume in front of him for a minute. Finally, he picks up a piece of paper from the desk in front of him, slips it into the book, and closes the book.

"Feeling better today, I hear."

"A little."

"So what brings you to the library? You aren't up to writing research papers yet, are you?"

"Um, no. I made you something," I say, holding out the card and lowering my head shyly as it he takes it from me.

"What's this?"

"Open it."

His large fingers are surprisingly adept as he pulls the card from the envelope. He looks at it for a moment and a huge grin spreads across his face, "That almost looks like me, too. Thank you."

I beam. I can barely mutter "You're welcome" because I am so pleased.

"Let me introduce you to the librarian, kid. She's more fun to hang out with than me. Besides, I have a lot of research to do. Can't ever let Decay get the upper hand in knowledge, you know."

I find myself trailing after him back to the main desk. The librarian looks up at us and smiles as we approach, "I see you found who you were looking for."

"Yes, she found me. Made me this card, too. Isn't it cute?"

"Oh, Big Ogre, you know the ladies can't resist you," the librarian says, leaning over to plant an affectionate kiss on his cheek.

His cheeks turn pink for just long enough for me to notice how nice that shade of pink goes with gray. Slightly flustered he introduces us, "Leda, Bella. Bella, Leda. You ladies be good and please don't plot against me."

"We'll try," she replies with a wink, and I find myself giggling with her as he walks away shaking his head.