Auberon the Room Monster (special preview)

Applying for jobs was a crapshoot. You couldn’t remember exactly all the places you had applied to, but you had compared it to throwing shit at the wall and seeing what stuck. Optimism was hard to maintain; but you were beginning to believe that hopelessness was really the theme of your generation.

Then you received a phone call.

A distant relative, you weren’t sure how you were related, had come into the clutch, and found you a job. Not just any job though, your dream job! It required moving, but the job offered you accommodations to stay. You were all too happy to pack up and move.

Working as a librarian had been your dream ever since you were little and had watched the rented VHS tape of ‘The Pagemaster’ over and over. You would have been happy with any brick and mortar establishment, but this place took the cake.

“Holy shit,” you murmured as you drove up. You stepped out of your car, looking up with breathless awe at the old building.

The facade was covered in vines and moss making the great pillars look like they were rising up out of the earth. You stepped onto the broken sidewalk leading up to the building and wondered if you were at the right place.

“You must be Robin’s niece!”

The voice startled you, causing your bones to jump before the rest of you caught up. Looking up at the stairs, you saw a man in dark blue coveralls. His platinum hair was slicked back, and his skin was pale. In a way, he looked like a certain horror movie character.

“Welcome!” He said cheerily. “I’ve been waiting for you.” He came down the stairs towards you as you approached.

“Hi, sorry I’m a bit late. I know it’s getting dark-” you started.

He chuckled and extended his hand to you. “Nonsense. I work during the evenings, so your time could not be more perfect. I’m Dallas, the groundskeeper.” He shook your hand heartily then slipped you a heavy set of keys.

“The cottage has been cleaned and is all ready for you. And tomorrow Lady Gustry will start training you.” Dallas spoke quite rapidly. He waved you along to follow him. “I’ll give you a tour.”

“Lady is her name?” You asked.

“No, no, she prefers it over miss or missus.” Dallas took you inside, and right away your breath was stolen again.

The entry was marble flooring, spreading out into a wide circle where there was a continuous mural painted on the wall depicting famous scenes from literature that flowed together. The marble flooring circled a mosaic of a Japanese woman with long, flowing black hair and a gorgeous red floral kimono.

“Murasaki Shikibu,” Dallas said, noticing you staring. “She’s considered to have written the first novel.”

“It’s beautiful,” you murmured.

“Ah yes,” Dallas nodded and looked all the way around the mural. “The artist is quite pleased with his work here.”

The mosaic and mural both looked old, well cared for, but old. “You know him?”

Dallas turned his head suddenly. “Oh the cottage is this way.”

You furrowed your brow but followed after him. The library was small compared to some you had applied to, but it was extremely grand. Thanks to a high ceiling the shelves were tall and there was a loft above.

Dallas took you through a door that led into a supply closet.

“Please tell me this isn’t the cottage,” you chuckled. But you partially worried it might be true.

“Oh no! Of course not!” Dallas reached on the shelf, grasping a hidden latch and the shelves opened to a secret door.

“That’s so cool!” You exclaimed as you walked inside.

“There’s an entrance to the back as well, you can drive away to unload your things.” Dallas turned on a light for the cottage, revealing a tiny kitchen and living area. The appliances were old, sink and fridge were both a pea green color. The wallpaper was harvest yellow flowers, and the table had been made to match.

“A bit out of date, but everything is clean and works,” Dallas said proudly.

“It's adorable!” You wandered into the living area where there were two doors on opposite walls.

“Bedroom and bathroom,” Dallas said, pointing to each door. “I know it’s small, but what more does one need these days?”

“I didn’t realize it was attached to the library,” you murmured. “It’s kind of cool.”

“Short trip to work!” Dallas laughed. “Before this was a public library, a woman owned and operated it herself. Simply opened her collection to the public. People claimed she was a witch because of it. Some said a demon.”