It's no secret that people come to this place to escape their everyday lives. It's a maze of rooms and hallways, intentionally built to be confusing and disorienting. It's part of the appeal, but it also means that people can get lost for hours, sometimes even days. As the person who works here, it's my job to help people find their way out when they've had enough. But sometimes, even I get worried when people disappear for too long. It's not normal, and it's not safe.
I'm not the only one who works here. There are other people who help me keep things running smoothly. The Watchers and Listeners of the shelves are always on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary. They're like my eyes and ears, keeping me informed of any potential problems. And they're usually pretty efficient at what they do. But today, they haven't been able to find what I'm looking for. In fact, the search has taken much longer than it usually does.
I've been searching for hours, and I'm starting to get worried. I've asked around and checked the shelves, but I still haven't found what I'm looking for. It's like playing a game of hide and seek, but in a huge library. I know I'll eventually find what I'm looking for, but it's taking longer than usual. Just when I was beginning to think that all hope was lost, one of the Watchers found me. I knew it was bad news as soon as I saw the look on their face.
The Watcher's words made my heart sink. Crossing the tape is something that should never happen. It means that someone has gotten lost in the stacks, and there's no telling where they are or how to find them. I try to stay calm, but it's hard. This is a tragic situation, and I can't help but feel sorry for the person who's been lost. Even though I've been in this line of work for a long time, it never gets any easier to hear news like this.
The Watcher gave a silent nod. I knew what I had to do next. I made my way back to my desk, my thoughts racing as I prepared myself for what was to come. I collected the supplies I would need, and thanked the Watcher for their help. As I left, I asked them to let the others know I was on my way. It had been a long time since I'd had to venture past the tape, and I felt a knot.
I donned my helmet, its lamp gleaming like a beacon in the darkness. Though it was necessary, it also drew attention to me. After all, a light in the darkness is hard to ignore. I gathered my supplies - non-perishables, tinctures, aspirin, and a mysterious compass - and set off on my journey. Every step took me further from safety, and I knew I had to be on my guard.
I slung the sack across my body, and secured a utility belt around my waist. It was packed with supplies that would make even the most prepared adventurer envious. There were floss, lighters, matches, and other tools that were unique to The Library. Last but not least, I picked up the flamethrower. Though it felt heavy in my hand, I knew it might be the only thing that could help me on my mission.
Allow me to be completely open and honest with you. Contrary to what you may have thought, I am not the Librarian. Instead, I am the Librarian's Assistant. It may seem like a stroke of bad luck, doesn't it?
