THE STUDY, FILLED WITH BOOKS

THE SUN SETS FINALLY. I CAN GET TO WORK. THE WORDS SPILL OFF MY PEN LIKE BLOOD FROM A DEEP WOUND. INSPIRATION! IT HAS COME LIKE A PLAGUE AFFLICTING ME. A KNOCK? WHO DARES TO DISRUPT ME? AT THIS HOUR? I FLING THE DOOR OPEN AND STAND ON THE PRECIPICE. NO ONE. A PRANK. LIKELY THE CHILDREN OF THE GUEST HOUSE, GETTING THE LAST OF THEIR ENERGY RESERVES OUT BEFORE REST. I RETURN TO MY DESK. THE FAMILIAR FEEL OF THE TYPEWRITER CLACKS BENEATH MY FINGERS. CLICK. CLICK. TEAR. IT REPEATS. CLICK, CLICK. TEAR. I FELT POSSESSED. THE WORDS FILLED THE PAGES AS THE SAND DRAINED FROM THE HOUR GLASS. I WAS UNSTOPPABLE! CLICK. CLICK. TEAR. AGAIN! I AM ANIMATED, I AM ENCHANTED BY THIS ROOM! AND THEN, ANOTHER KNOCK. ENRAGED BY THE DISTURBANCE, I OPENED THE DOOR IN A HURRY AND A PLAINTIVE LOOKING CHILD WAS STANDING THERE, HANGING IT’S HEAD WITH A SHAMEFUL EXPRESSION. “YES, WHAT IS IT?!” THE CHILD DID NOT BREAK HIS GAZE WITH THE FLOOR. “THEY’VE ASKED ME TO FETCH YOU. I AM SORRY TO BOTHER YOU.” “WHO? WHO HAS ASKED?” “THE FAMILY. THEY NEED TO MEET YOU.” “YOUR FAMILY?” “NO, THE CARETAKERS.” CONFUSED, AS I HAD MET THE OWNER WHEN I BEGAN MY STAY, AND WONDERING WHY SUCH A MEETING WAS NECESSARY AT THIS HOUR, I BEGAN TO GROW AGGRAVATED. “I AM NOT ENTERTAINING GUESTS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE RETURN TOMORROW. I HAVE LITTLE PATIENCE FOR THIS.” THE CHILD, TURNING ITS GAZE TO MEET MINE…IT’S LIFELESS, SAD GAZE…RESPONDED WITH “THAT’S QUITE OKAY. I KNOW YOU INTEND TO STAY A WHILE.” AND AS HIS SENTENCE FINISHED, HIS FACE CONTORTED AND VOICE CHANGED TO A DEEP BELLOW “AND WE ARE PATIENT. AND WE HAVE FOREVER.” NO SOONER HAD THE LAST WORD ESCAPED THE CHILD’S MOUTH WAS I GONE. I RAN THROUGH THE THRESHOLD OF THE DOOR TO MY ROOM, AND DOWN THE STAIRS, OUT THE FRONT ENTRANCE. AND I NEVER FINISHED MY NOVEL. AND I NEVER SPOKE OF THIS AGAIN.