I couldn’t take it anymore. The masked man at the exit still blocked my path, arms crossed, patient as stone. My voice came out small, shaking. “Please… just let me out. I’m not—I can’t—”He studied me for a beat, then stepped aside without a word. Relief flooded me. I yanked the mask off, shoved it into my pocket, and bolted through the hidden door.Back in the main library, the severe librarian was still at the desk, sorting books like nothing had happened. She looked up as I burst through, cheeks flushed, hair wild. A slow, knowing smile spread across her face.“You liked what you saw, didn’t you?” she said softly. “Come back next time. We’re always open for the curious ones.”I froze for half a second, then flipped her the middle finger—hard, defiant—and ran. Out the door, down the sidewalk, heart slamming against my ribs the whole way home.Mom was in the kitchen when I burst in. “Angela? You okay, sweetie?”I didn’t answer. Didn’t even look at her. Straight to my room, door slam
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