You Don't Want That Book
(inspired by the "Mysteries of Harris Burdic")Haley pushed open the door to the bookstore and was immediately engulfed by darkness. As her eyes adjusted, she began to see the faint outline of the room. Bookshelves lined every wall of the small room and were jam-packed with dusty, old books. A huge mahogany desk sat at the center of the room and a small, fragile looking man sat hunched over scribbling away at a piece of parchment. He hadn't seen her enter.
Haley cleared her throat and the man jumped.
"I'm sorry. I didn't see you enter," the small man said adjusting his glasses. Haley smiled politely and began to walk towards one of the large shelves. She pulled out one of the old books and stared at the cover. It was blank. As she opened it, the binding creaked and moaned. The pages were yellow and crispy, but filled with words. Haley began to read. She flipped page after page thoroughly being sucked into the story.
"Um, excuse me. We're closing now."
Haley was yanked violently from her deep reading. It was as if someone had pushed her into a cold stream and she emerged surprised and very shaken.
The little man was staring at her.
"Huh?" Haley slammed the book closed.
"We're closing." The man's eyes gleamed strangely over his glasses.
"Could I buy this book?" Haley asked holding it up. The man stared at the book and his eyes widened. The wrinkles on his forehead deepened as if he was becoming older by the second.
"You don't want that book," he said it under his breath, but it was so clear, it repeated in Haley's mind like hiccups. She didn't know what to say, but the man looked at her expecting something.
"Why not?" she asked.
He rubbed his forehead stirring up all the wrinkles on his forehead like cookie dough.
"Many, many people have bought that book. But it has always been returned the very next day," he hesitated, "but if you want it… by all means, it's yours."
by Cara
Young Writers Camp, Oakland
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