Ten

I dozed off again and woke up even more ravenous. My throat was so dry it felt like I had been eating sand.

My eyes were dry too, and it was hard to open my eyelids. When I did, I saw the faint light of a candle in the distance.

The light came closer, and soon I could make out the librarian’s face. The flickering made it look demonic. It made me feel sick to see him, but at the same time I was relieved to see another human being. I hoped he’d brought me some water.

How could he be standing there in front of me? How could the elevator have come down without me hearing it?

When I tried to ask him for something to drink, no sound came out of my mouth. I must have looked like a dumb goldfish, just opening and closing my lips.

“It’s difficult to talk, isn’t it? That’s a good sign, believe me. That means you’re about to die of dehydration. It’s quite a pleasant way to go, you’ll see. They say it’s like drowning. Once the fear has passed, the euphoria comes, and you don’t even know you’re leaving this world. Oh, but before that delightful moment, let me show you my finest collection. Follow me.”

I wanted to jump on the man and strangle him, but my muscles were so stiff I couldn’t get up. I couldn’t even yell the insults that came into my mind. I couldn’t make a sound.

“It’s difficult to stand upright, isn’t it? You’ll have to walk on all fours like a dog.”

His words were so scornful, they made me muster what little pride I still had. And that gave me the energy to get up. I was unsteady, but at least I was upright.

“I am impressed, young man! Don’t worry—you won’t have to walk for long.”