The Story Teller
Akeel Dubaun
"The Wizard of Oz"
-Akeel Dubaun-
Dorothy walked on, wondering why the boy was so frightened. This town wasn't large enough to have a madman, and besides fairy tales don't really exist. She moved her hand to push the grocery bag further up her arm, but it continued to slide back down time after time. I'll just leave it here. She thought setting the bag down on the grass just behind the bench.
Brushing herself off once again, she continued to walk towards a small, but elegant looking building, Trees, vines and moss surrounded it as well. She cocked her eyebrow, "I can't believe the library is this small." She said out loud grasping the copper handle. "Here I go. Let's hope no warlocks get me." She said sarcastically, pulling the handle. The door slowly opened and Dorothy could smell the faint scent of peppermint filling her nose. The library was rather dim, and the light from the outdoors made her eyes black out. She started to feel around, following the dim lit hallway. With a squeak the door fell shut once again and her eyes started to adjust to the light.
The building was rather decretive and it looked as though it was 100 years old. "Hello?" She yelled, walking slower. "Anyone here?" She yelled again, only to hear her own voice echo off the walls. The smell of peppermint was growing stronger and her head began to throb. I feel dizzy. She thought moving her hand to her head, leaving one against the wall for balance. A squeak echoed through the walls, and a cold hand was placed on Dorothy's shoulder. "A-ah!" She screamed turning around revealing the smiling face of a young man. She felt her heart return to it's normal pace, and she gave a relived sigh.
"I'm sorry, I certainly didn't mean to frighten you miss." He said with a chuckle. His eyes were a dark gray and his hair fell to the sides with messy blonde strands. His torso was all black including black gloves that were cut of at the fingers. "Welcome to the Knox Public Library, my name is Akeel Dubaun, and I'm the care taker as well as the story teller for this library." He said with a pause. His mouth turned into a frown and his hand came to the side of his head in confusion. "Well I used to be the story teller. But the children don't come here anymore, and I can't read to them. They show no appreciation for the fairy tales I read or the characters in them. But every once in a while a visitor will come of any age, and I tell them about my favorite fairy tales." He implied taking a glance at Dorothy's puzzled face before turning around, his hands folded behind his back. "Well anyway, how can I help you? He asked with the same bright smile returning to his face.
Dorothy paused, her face looked as though she was in deep thought. "Can you find a book for me? It's called the secret garden, I'm not sure about the author." She asked with one of her hands folded across her heart. He turned back around and gave a sigh. "I'm sorry, we don't have that certain book in, but I'll be glad to order it for you. Funny… a young girl about your age asked for the same book a week ago, she had the most radiant black hair I've seen." He laughed scratching at his head. "Come. Follow me and I'll order the book for you." He ordered, motioning her to follow him. He turned back around and led her into a small room with a wooden desk and several bookshelves. "Excuse me, but the girl you were talking about… does the name "Mai" sound familiar to you?" She asked yearning for his answer.
"Yes, Mai Black. Such a fitting last name for her if I say so myself. Why do you ask?" He said his gray eyes staring at Dorothy. Dorothy smiled shaking her head side to side. "It's nothing, I have a old friend named Mai Black. She went to High school with me." Dorothy replied, her eyes scanning the room until she found a very antique looking sword hanging from the wall. "What's "Zen?" She asked glancing at Akeel then back to the sword. Akeel paused and gave a smile. "That's the ancient sword called "Zen", which means holy one. The sword is beautiful, but it's known to do the unimaginable. But I won't bore you with that story now. May I request a book for you Dorothy my dear?" He asked gliding his hand across a golden book. She stared at his hand and nodded her head. She wasn't sure what the golden book was, but if it was something to read then she was interested.
He lifted the golden book handing it to her. "The Wizard of Oz?" She asked giving a staggered look. He laughed shaking his head. "It's ok if you don't' want to read it. This might sound funny, but you reminded me of the Dorothy in the story. Your name and braids if you know what I mean?" He said scanning Dorothy's expressions. He needed her to rent the book, no matter what it took. She smiled and put the book under her arm. "If you insist. Don't you need a card or money?" She asked placing her hand on his desk. He lifted his hand and shook his head. "No, no. No need, I trust you. You probably won't return it for a while anyway." He said showing her to the door. Dorothy gave a sarcastic laugh. "Don't worry, you will probably have it back by tomorrow." She said waving goodbye. Akeel watched as she walked down the path towards the town, then he slowly shut the door. That's what you think…He thought lifting a pair of two identical silver keys in the air. A wicked smile flew across his face. That's what you think….