The Librarian (Book Two: Unhappily Ever After) by Eric Hobbs Read Free Book Online Page A

scary."
    "That's just it," Randy said. "I don't know what any of this is about. I don't know what the heck is going on."
    "It's complicated."
    "I'm too dumb to understand." Randy hung his head in a pout.
    "That's not what I meant, and you know it."
    Douglas wasn't going to explain any further but changed his mind when he saw his son's long face.
    "When I was a kid – about your age, actually – the librarian and I were... well... we were friends."
    "So you really did win the writing contest?"
    "I did ," Douglas explained. "And when I won, the librarian promised to give me something very special. And then he never did."
    "What was he supposed to give you?"
    "A book."
    A laugh came rushing out of Randy's mouth before he could catch it. "Sorry. A book? Really?"
    Douglas nodded but his interest was beginning to wane as his eyes moved to something in the distance.
    "What kind of book? What's it about?"
    "Finally," Douglas whispered wearily.
    Confused, Randy followed his father's gaze to see what had stolen his attention. The boy's mouth fell open when he saw what was waiting on the horizon ahead of them.
    Barely visible through the mist, a dark castle was perched on a stone spire in the distance. Though built of brick and mortar, the strange building looked like the tangled roots of a centuries-old tree stump. Randy couldn't help but think the building looked alive. Inside, candles lit up the castle windows like tiny eyes looking out into the murk. Its drawbridge entrance was shaped like a mouth, ready to consume any visitors that dared approach.
    "I was beginning to think we were going the wrong way," Douglas confessed.
    "That's where we're going?"
    "Don't worry. We'll be fine. We'll get some rest and wait for Bones before we find a way to cross."
    Randy couldn't believe he wanted the Headless Horseman to return. He'd seen the villainous visage waiting beneath the dark man's hood, but at least the Pumpkinhead was on their side. Whatever waited in the castle beyond was unknown, and yet, Randy was sure it was an evil beyond anything that had ever set foot in Sleepy Hollow. He wasn't even sure the chasm between them and the castle was enough to keep them safe.
    The little voice in his head was back.
    You should have gone back when you had the chance.
    It's too late now, Randy.
    Too late.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

    THE ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN was marching Wesley and Taylor up the stairs that led out of the library's basement. She had Taylor by the arm and was pulling Wesley by the ear.
    "Oww! That's my ear!"
    "Stop," Taylor whined. "We can explain!"
    "I should have known the two of you would show up again," Hope snarled. "Don't you think you've caused enough trouble?"
    She forced them onto a long wooden bench in one of the building's dark corridors where she made them sit.
    "Doesn't mean you have to be so mean about it!" Taylor rubbed her arm. "Dang!"
    "You just threw a rock through our basement window. How do you think I should treat you?" The kids clammed up, neither answering. "But I guess it does pale in comparison to the trespassing offense from yesterday."
    "Trespassing?" Taylor tried to act offended even though the words coming out of Hope's mouth echoed her own.
    "As if I don't know about your little jaunt into Oz." The kids looked surprised. "Didn't I warn you? I specifically said, 'Don't touch the carvings.'"
    "We're here to see the librarian," Wesley said defiantly.
    "Oh? You are? Why didn't you say so?"
    Taylor clenched her jaw, and Wesley shook his head. Neither appreciated the woman's tone.
    "He's not here," Hope said. "After all, someone's got to clean up the mess you made." She turned to walk away. "He left for Oz late last night."
    "Wait," Wesley said. "How?"
    "Through the carving, kid. Just like you."
    Wesley and Taylor came off the bench and hurried after her into the main hall. There was an eerie atmosphere in the library this afternoon. It was empty, and none of the lamps were lit, leaving most of the building enveloped in