As he passed through the rows of moldy books, Ben took in the smell of the old paper. The building had managed to survive the ravages of time and he relished the opportunity to peruse the ancient volumes which remained. He passed sections labeled “Shakespeare” and “fiction” as he navigated the stacks. No sound fell upon his ears as he went, save for his own footfalls dampened by the mossy carpet. He took a book down, “In Dubious Battle,” and turned to the first page to read in the serene stillness.

Halfway through the novel, the calm was disturbed by the sound of doors being opened. Leaping from the fragile chair and taking cover, he was careful to not damage the book in his hand. He scanned the library in the direction the noise had originated and saw shadows approaching through the light that filtered in from the windows. A small group of teenagers rambled through the halls, turning over furniture as they roamed.

They carried on throughout the library, vandalizing the building and infuriating Ben, who treasured the priceless articles contained within. He sat waiting for them to draw nearer and prepared to defend himself. Soon, he heard their footsteps in the next aisle and punched out a handful of books as they passed, shouting “GET OUT,” knowing how superstitious most people were.

Half a dozen volumes fell to the floor at their feet and all but one of them turned and fled. Their receding steps soon disappeared as they left the library and Ben, now armed with an ancient flagpole, turned the corner and confronted the boy. He stood still as stone until Ben pointed the pole at him, leveling the pointed end at him and adjusting his grip.

Ben roared at him and took a step toward him aggressively, but with no intent to harm. His action worked as the young man turned on his heels and sprinted after his friends, shouting for them to wait for him as he went.

Ben sat down and picked up his book.