Originally published on gohavok.com.
“Some people never come out of there,” Jabril said.
Daniel gave him a flat look. “Do you really believe that rumor?”
They stood in front of a neglected library sandwiched between a bank and a corner boutique. Cracks and water stains spread across the faded yellow facade.
Jabril secured his long black dreads with a purple tie. Built like a boxer, he looked at home in his sleeveless hoodie and skinny jeans.
Daniel straightened his collar, conscious of the way his bony frame made sharp angles under his polo and slacks.
“When enough people tell the same story…” Jabril said.
Daniel shivered as a cold wind rattled the smudged windows. “I can’t do this without you. You know this is her last shot.”
It was all he needed to say. Daniel’s mom had practically raised Jabril as well.
Jabril let out a breath. “We’ll leave in time for dinner?”
“Of course.”
Daniel reached for the rusted door handle. Jabril put a hand on his shoulder.
“Just… promise you’ll be careful.”
Daniel flashed a smile. “I promise.”
He led Jabril inside.
“Welcome to Alexander’s, where the mysteries of life are laid bare,” droned an elderly man as he made notations in a ledger. “I’m Alexander. All guests may stay for as long as they’d like and not a moment less.”
Row after unorganized row, pile after haphazard pile, the books never ended. Lamps hung from low wooden rafters. Ladders at unpredictable intervals led to levels above. Walls of books opened abruptly to new passageways.
Daniel smiled and drank in the welcomed smell of dusty books. He wound his way through the maze. With every turn, he crawled deeper into the belly of the beast, stopping here and there to read dust jackets.
“There you are!” Jabril exclaimed. “Finally.”
Daniel looked up from the book he’d just picked up. When had he and Jabril separated?
“Finally? We haven’t been here that long.”
Jabril rubbed his forehead. “We’re already late for dinner. Let’s go.”
“Not yet.”
“You promised.”
Jabril slid his arm around Daniel and steered him to leave, but almost instantly he sucked in a sharp breath and stumbled away, shaking his forearm where an angry red mark formed. The surrounding lamps flickered and dimmed.
“What the—?”
“Just come back later,” Daniel snapped.
Jabril’s desperate eyes pleaded with Daniel.
Daniel turned his back before the look could thaw his resolve. I will find what I’m looking for.
Jabril left.
Daniel kept reading.
Jabril reappeared a few minutes later. Something about his tank top and joggers tickled the back of Daniel’s brain.
“I’m worried about you,” Jabril said.
Daniel rolled his eyes and picked up the next book. “Mom won’t mind if I’m late to dinner.”
“Dinner was yesterday,” Jabril said.
Yesterday? Daniel shook himself. “It doesn’t matter. Once I figure out how to heal her, she’ll understand.”
“What if it isn’t possible?”
Daniel glared at Jabril. “If you were my friend, you’d understand how important this is to me.”
Jabril left in silence.
Over the next few hours, Jabril returned less frequently. Each time, he pleaded with Daniel to leave. Daniel tried to be patient, but why couldn’t his friend understand how close he was to a solution?
Then Daniel found it.
He held the leather book with reverence, hands trembling as he traced the embossed title: Foundations in Transplants via Entanglement.
“It’s time to go,” Jabril said. He wore a gray hoodie, matching sweats, Converse, and ski gloves, despite the library’s warmth.
“Almost,” Daniel promised. “I found the book! I just need to read it before we leave.”
“Do you have no idea how long it’s been?”
Jabril grabbed Daniel’s bicep with alarming force and hauled him forward.
“What are you doing?” Daniel demanded.
Jabril didn’t answer. Smoke wafted from the glove where it touched Daniel’s arm.
Daniel fought back. “I can save her!”
The glove caught fire. Jabril snatched it off with his free hand, then grabbed Daniel’s other arm. Daniel tried to break free, but Jabril was too quick.
Daniel’s mind clouded in panic. He screamed and flailed. It slowed them, but Jabril dragged him on.
Smoke curled from the second glove. Jabril dragged Daniel around corner after corner, but the exit was nowhere in sight.
“Your hand is burning!” Daniel cried. The foul stench stung his nose.
Tears spilled down Jabril’s face. He pressed on.
“Jabril!”
With a cry of pain and frustration, Jabril dropped Daniel, then used his hoodie to smother the fire consuming his hand. He stood still, taking ragged breaths. His hands shook. Sweat covered his dark face, rolling over wrinkles in his forehead that hadn’t been there just hours before.
“What—”
“I hope the book is worth your life,” Jabril spat.
He turned and left.
Trembling, Daniel found a comfortable spot among the books and began to read.
He finished the book just as Jabril approached.
“I need to tell you something,” Jabril said.
“I’m ready to go!” Daniel exclaimed. His heart was light with joy and relief. I finally did it. “I know how to save her!”
Jabril ran his burn-scarred hand over his short gray hair. Tears pooled in his eyes. “It’s too late.”
Fear lanced through Daniel’s chest. “What do you mean?”
“I should have told you before.” Jabril’s lip quivered. The strong boxer seemed to disappear before Daniel, replaced by a weary, aging man. “Your mom died over a decade ago.”
Daniel dropped onto the nearest pile of books, starting a miniature landslide.
She’s dead. Gone. Over a decade ago. How…? But somewhere deep within, he knew.
“Daniel?”
Numb, Daniel stood and waded through the books.
“She asked for you.” Jabril’s voice was thick with emotion. “I didn’t know what to tell her. She died asking for her son.”
Daniel picked up a book and examined it.
“Daniel, did you hear me?”
Daniel nodded. “I know I saw something in here about resurrection.”
He barely noticed Jabril leaving for the last time.
