Pipsqueak waves me over, and with a deft twist of the key, she unlocks the door leading to the mysterious room. We enter the forbidden darkness together, and the musty scent fills our senses. The many cobwebs hanging in the corners suggest that no one has ventured into this hidden space for years.
The room stands in stark contrast to the rest of the library. While the main section boasts plastered white walls, this hidden chamber features bluestone walls and aged wooden beams across the ceiling. It's as if the library was constructed around this room, deliberately concealing it from prying eyes. A series of old, rickety wooden bookshelves line the walls, laden with ancient volumes. Some books have leather covers, and others have steel clasps and intricate jewels.
We approach a stone-carved table and find a few small, half-melted candles alongside old brittle matches. Pipsqueak takes the initiative and lights the candles, partly illuminating the room with their flickering glow. My attention shifts to a fire torch sconce mounted on the wall. I nod at Pipsqueak, signalling her to light it, and as she does, a large flame bursts forth, revealing the hidden details of the medieval room.
Side by side, we take in the magnificence of the space, its secrets now exposed by the warm glow. 'You start with those books, and I'll start with these over here,' I suggest to Pipsqueak.
'But I don't know what I'm l-looking for,' she protests, glancing nervously at the aged tomes surrounding us.
'I need you to find any information on how to break a curse,' I tell her.
'What are you getting m-me into?' She squeaks, a mixture of fear and curiosity in her eyes.
Sighing, I decide I can trust her with the secret. 'You can't tell anyone, okay?' I say in a serious tone.
'O-okay,' she agrees, placing her hand on her heart.
'It's Nina. Someone has cursed her, but we don't know what the curse is yet, how it affects her, and the curse is also affecting me by making my shifts unbearably painful,' I reveal, watching her reaction closely.
'H-how do you know all this?' She asks, clearly stunned.
'Because a witch came over and told us,' I confess, bracing for her reaction.
Pipsqueak gasps. 'A w-witch? But they haven't existed in over a hundred y-years,' she exclaims, struggling to fathom they still exist.
'Sorry to break it to you, but they do. You can't tell anyone anything about this,' I caution Pipsqueak.
'I won't tell. Your secret is s-safe, but I have to ask, if Nina is the one who has a curse, then how is it affecting you and not her?' She asks curiously.
'That's just another reason we are here. We need to learn anything we can that will help us figure all this out,' I explain, emphasizing the urgency of why we are here.
'W-well, we better g-get reading then,' she says with determination.
As I pull a book from the shelf, Pipsqueak begins her search on the other end. Unlocking the steel clasp, I carefully flip through the pages. Each one has strange patterns and symbols, accompanied by descriptions of their meanings and effects. Unfortunately, there's nothing here that seems helpful. I return the book to its place and move on to the next one, which, despite my efforts, appears to be in Latin.
'Found anything yet?' I ask, turning to Pipsqueak.
'No, this one just seems to be about the history of witches. I'll keep looking,' she responds.
Another book catches my eye, its cover bearing the title 'Spells and Hexes.' As I open it and scan through the pages, my fingers trace along the words, revealing a cautionary passage. 'Casting spells or cursing ill fortune on another comes with the cost of one's own curse. Only spells that mean well will have no negative effect on the caster. Please proceed with caution.'
'What does that mean?' Pipsqueak asks, seeking clarification.
I shrug, engrossed in my reading. 'Spells and hexes can be cast through many sources. Witches are the most popular known to cast spells and hexes. Spells cast in a group with their coven are longer lasting and harder to break. Arcane Mages have similar magic to witches and can also cast spells. Items such as relics can summon ghosts and demons, and some may even have the ability to curse someone. These items could be a voodoo doll, a small statue, or symbols drawn or made from twine and other materials. They are usually placed under the victim's pillow or bed. Praying, wishing, or cursing to one's God or Goddess may also be granted by the deity. A powerful sign will occur, such as an earthquake, lightning strike, or a loud rumble, if the God or Goddess accepts your prayer, wish, or curse.'
Pipsqueak's face lights up with an idea. 'Maybe you should check Nina's bedroom for any relics when you return home?'
'That's a good idea!' I exclaim, seizing the opportunity. I unzip my school bag placing the book inside.
'What are you doing, Magnus? You can't take the book. It would be -s-stealing,' Pipsqueak says, expressing concern.
'I'm just borrowing it for now. I'll return it once we break the curse, okay?' I assure her, trying to ease her worries.
'I g-guess that would be okay,' she replies, still uncertain.
'It's time to get out of here,' I declare, signalling the end of our secret mission.
We extinguish the candles and open the door slightly ajar. Once the coast is clear, I step out and engage the librarian in more flirtatious banter, providing Pipsqueak the opportunity to lock up the room and return the keys. We share a victorious high-five, and then we part ways.
'See you at school tomorrow,' I say with a smile.
She waves in return and hurries off down the road, leaving the forbidden room and its remaining secrets behind us.
Returning home, the aroma of dinner fills the air. My mother asks me curiously, 'How did you go with your assignment?'
'I think I found some helpful information,' I reply with a smile, intending to slip away to investigate Nina's room. However, my mother intercepts me, insisting I join the family for dinner. 'Your meal is already getting cold,' she adds.
'Okay,' I groan, placing my bag down. Eager to search Nina's room for relics or strange symbols.
‘What’s the assignment for?’ My father asks.
‘Um, it’s for… science,’ I reply.
‘I didn’t know we had an assignment,’ Nina says.
I give her a ‘be quiet’ look.
‘Oh, you mean that assignment?’ She says, catching on quickly.
‘Yes, that one,’ I reply and sit down for my meal.
'What's the assignment about?' Amelia, Nina's mother, asks curiously.
I answer, 'Weather, how different weathers form,' trying to sound casual.
Amelia nods appreciatively.
'This dinner was delicious,' I compliment after scoffing it down and suspiciously approaching Nina. I gently take her arm, 'Since I'm about to finish our assignment, you may as well come to help me with the last part,' I tell her, laughing nervously.
'Yes, our assignment,' Nina plays along, understanding I have something else in mind.