Not Too Late

Write about someone going to extreme lengths to return an overdue library book.

Clouds were starting to roll in, I glanced quickly at the sky to see how much time I had before it rained. I ran faster when the first few drops started to wet the sidewalk. I weaved through busy people heading to work, nearly pushing people over. I clutched the book tightly to my chest. I had the bus stop in my sights. I looked down at my new watch. I had a minute and thirty seconds before the bus would be here and I was too far away. I had to run faster, this was the last day to return my book before I was charged and I needed every penny I could muster in order to live, living wasn't cheap.

"Oi! Slow down, this isn't a 5k" Someone shouted as I ran past. I waved them off and continued to run. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a green city bus round the corner. No, I'm almost there.. If I could just get there....

The bus stopped at the stop and opened its folding doors, letting the line of people through.

"Hold up, I'm almost there!" I shouted. The people in the line gave me a few stares, but no one said anything as the last person filed on. The bust closed its doors and started back up. Dang it. I looked back at my watch. Great. I had two hours to figure out a way to get to the library.

In all honesty, I should have made an effort to return this book days ago, but it was the best book I had ever read and I had trouble letting it go. It helped me find a way to escape as I dealt with the most stressful time of my life. College entry exams could determine the rest of my life, and I couldn't fail, otherwise I would have nothing.

The book grew heavy in my arms. I tried my best to shield it from the heavy downpour covering the city, there was nothing worse than returning a book almost late, nonetheless damaged, they would have my head if it was damaged.

"Need a ride?" A man in a full leather biking suit rolled up to the sidewalk. I considered his offer, and graciously sat on the back behind him. Everything I'd ever heard of stranger danger flooded my head as I fastened on the helmet he handed me and the thought did occur to me that he might take me to an alley and murder me or something.. But I had no choice. I was willing to risk death for this book.

The man floored the gas pedal and we sped through the city, rain plastering my hair to my head and stinging my face.

"Where to?!" He said. The rain drowned out my voice significantly, so I had to yell over that and the sound of the motor bike.

"The library on tenth avenue, please"

He nodded and made a left turn, the bike went so low to the ground on the turn I thought we were done for.

Relief flooded my system as we sped through the streets, approaching the library. I could see the domed spires through the skyscrapers and sat back, enjoying the ride.

He dropped me off on the sidewalk outside the library, and just as I was getting ready to open the door, I was knocked to the ground by something larger than me. I struggled underneath it, clutching my book in a death grip. I felt a clawed hand run its fingernails down my arm, and curl around the book.

"No! Anything but the book" I yelled. "Here, take my wallet if you must, just don't take that!"

I heard a rough growl as the book was wrenched violently from my fingers. Whatever it was was off in the next second, running down the sidewalk. I took a deep breath to prepare myself for more running and I took off after it.

There was no option for me to fall behind. Ahead of me, there was a cloaked figure going at full speed through the crowds. I followed, keeping my eyes on it as it took side streets and even went through a busy intersection at one point.

"Why would you need to steal a fantasy book?" I yelled at its back. It turned its head briefly and set its unnaturally yellow eyes on me. They seemed to pierce my soul, set in the shadows of the hood, the eyes were the only thing I could see of its face.

We continued to run through crowds, almost knocking down the owner of a hotdog stand.

I was getting closer, catching up. The thing started to slow, looking back and forth rapidly, like it felt stuck. We were in an alley off to the side of thirteenth avenue.

"Looks like you're stuck." I said. "If you'll kindly return what's mi--"

The being suddenly leapt up impossibly high, landing on an awning above my heat. Leathery black wings erupted from its back as it flew to the rooftop. Then it occurred to me. The yellow eyes, the leathery wings, this was like a creature from my book. A gargoyle. I'm not sure how it was possible, but the proof of its existence was right in front of me.. or should I say above me..

How the heck was I supposed to get up there.

Thoughts ran through my head and I noticed the building next to me had its doors open, a doorman welcoming people through. I approached the door and stood close enough to a couple going in that it looked like I could be with them. They approached the front of the line and went in. I was about to follow when the doorman held up a gloved hand in my face.

"Who are you? you don't live here." He said.

I bit my lip with anxiety and thought through my options. I couldn't come up with a convincing enough lie so, I just pointed into the distance, down the street. "What's that?!" I said.

He looked in the direction I was pointing, and I dashed inside, pushing him over in the process.

I ran past him into the lobby of the apartment complex and found the door to the stairway. I yanked open the door and started on the first step.

"Stop that girl!" The voice of the doorman echoed through the lobby and I saw several faces look at me before the stairwell door closed loudly. I frantically ran up the stairs, hoping to reach the third floor before they started following me, but to my dismay, the door opened, and security officers were hot on my heals. I was nearly to the second floor when an officer grabbed me by the hair and tried to yank me down. I kicked him in the shins and started taking the stairs two at a time.

I heard the officers getting farther away, so I sped up. I slowed as I saw a door in front of me. Finally, I'd reached the eighth floor, the top of the building. I wrenched the door open and saw the creature perched on the ledge of the building hunched over my book. It was poised as if it was about to start ripping out pages. I slipped on the rain puddles and hurried over to it.

"Oh no you don't!" I yelled as it set its creepy eyes upon me.

I barreled towards it at full speed. It spread its wings as it was ready to take off again, and I would never see that book again. I ran forward and tackled it off the side of the building. Wind rushed through my hair as we fell, freefalling off the tallest height I had ever been. My scream was drowned out by the wind as I grappled for the book. The creature flapped its wings and we flew over the tops of the buildings.

"You will take me back to the library, and you will give that back to me." I commanded. The gargoyle hissed and, to my surprise, swooped towards tenth avenue.

We flew toward the ground at top speed, I closed my eyes as we got closer to the ground, it looked like he wasn't going to stop.

I looked at my watch quickly, I had two minutes.

"Please don't crash." I said.

The gargoyle landed gracefully on the sidewalk, attracting stares from the people passing by.

I yanked the book from its claws, nearly ripping it, and ran towards the doors, hoping to make it in time.

"You were a worthy opponent this time, don't expect me to be easy to beat next time." A voice pushed its way into my thoughts. I looked back to see the gargoyle's stare one last time and then it was gone, up into the inky black night sky.

Someone was putting up a "Closed" sign when I got to the door.

"Please let me in" I pleaded.

As if out of pity, the man sighed, and unlocked the door for me.

"Thanks!" I said and approached the counter. Rain drops fell off my coat and my brown hair was in disarray, like a bird's nest on my head. I slammed the book down on the counter, trying to catch my breath and looked into the eyes of the frightened librarian.

"I'm here! It isn't late." I said. She took the soggy book from the counter and stared at me in disbelief.

"Was that you outside?" She asked?

I nodded and she scanned the book back into the system.

She sighed. "While the book isn't late, it is damaged." She said.

"Please don't charge me. I'll do better next time."

She considered me for a second before saying, "I won't charge you, but you need to come in for the next two weeks and do community service" She said.

I scoffed. As if that was a punishment. I tried to keep my face as unenthusiastic as possible and agreed to her terms.

"Agreed." I said and walked towards the door, my outlook on life a little different.