The first raindrops start to fall as I'm about to close the library. Outside, the wind blows strongly and the cold manages to pierce through my thin protection since I mindlessly rushed out this morning. My raincoat does its best, but I demand a lot from it. I put on my hood to protect myself from the downpour before stepping outside.

Just as I'm doing so, I look behind me and see a tall guy, almost soaked, running the last steps to reach me in the rain.

"What a storm!" he exclaims, "Did I make it on time?"

His honey-coloured eyes shine intensely, contrary to the dull grey sky, and his drenched hair lets thick drops of water fall on his face.

"Uhm, no. I'm closing right now", I reply loudly so my voice can reach him over the noise of the rain. Who would come at this hour and with this storm?

"What? The sign says you close at 5 pm", he points at the sign, "it's 4:55 pm!"

"Yes we do, but it's past 5 now", I said, convinced it is already time to close.

"Five to five!"

"That is not..."

"What?!" he shouts, the rain getting louder.

"I said..." I interrupt myself, there's no use to continue.

I try to put on my best face as I make my way back to the library inviting him in. He smiles in gratitude. I take off my hood and walk a few steps towards the counter leaving wet footprints as I do so. Behind it, there's this huge wooden clock my boss acquired from his paternal family in Italy. I don't have my phone with me so I don't know the time exactly.

"Look, it says it's... " I face the clock, "Huh?" My words stop as I notice that the clock's hands are not moving. I turn around the counter and approach the clock. I tap it gently, hoping it will start working again, but it remains motionless.

Has it stopped working just now? This day is clearly conspiring against me to make me lose my patience at all costs, but it won't defeat me.

"Alright... Today's your lucky day. The clock gave out."

"I think you need to get it fixed", he suggests, also looking at the clock, "so?".

"Most likely... " I crack my neck and massage it a bit, "Alright, it is indeed five to five. So, how may I help you?"

I almost overlook the fact that he might be a university student in urgent need of some material for a project. It's possible; it's not the first time it's happened. My librarian instinct takes over quickly.

"A Bible."

I raise an eyebrow.

"A Bible?"

"Don't you have Bibles here?"

"W-well, it's not that. We do, it's just that... Is it for a university project?"

"No. Must I give out the details or can I omit them?"

Wow how rude of him, and I just wanted to help him.

"Just tell me what you need exactly so I can help you".

"The Bible, I'm interested in its apocryphal version."

His answer surprises me. Is he interested in apocryphal literature? Wow. The last time someone around my age came to this library was six months ago, and he had mistakenly come to the wrong place. Considering the small population of this town and its demographics I can't say this happens every day.

Because it simply doesn't.

I clear my throat. So much effort and getting soaked just to ask for something he could have waited until tomorrow to get?

"It's an interesting request" I admit after a few moments of silence "Those versions are quite enigmatic and little-known. Especially because of the controversy they've caused in the world."

And my response seems to surprise him too, since he raises his eyebrows slightly.

"Indeed", he murmurs, "I came across it on the internet recently, and it caught my attention. Three Bibles, isn't that crazy?"

"Actually, it isn't" I move my pen pretending to work, "I still can't grasp how they take seriously a canon formed by anecdotes and stories passed down from elders sitting around village campfires year after year."

"Are you saying that because it contradicts everything that's believed about the creation of the world?"

"Uhm, it could be."

That book is complete madness. I got obsessed researching it a few years ago. It was a teenage nonsense because it was precisely when the news about it broke out in the media, and everyone was talking about it. A planet created by a god who lives on it and is, by itself, both chaos and order, fleeing from a greater punishment? It's absurd and fictional. I believed it at the time, it was good while the fantasy lasted.

"Can you show it to me?"

I step out from behind the counter and go to fetch the Bible. It's only then when I realise I'm soaked, not as much as he is, but enough to feel the cold I didn't feel when I was dry. Fortunately, I quickly found the books and handed them to him, both the Catholic version and the 'third book.'

He sits at one of the tables nearby, and I turn on the light so he can see better. I tuck my hair behind my ear as I glance at the clock behind the counter. I want to leave. He picks up one of the books and starts reading, running his fingers over the pages. And I just stand there, arms crossed, watching him. Does he plan to stay longer?

"Do you mind if I read a little...? It'll take a few minutes."

"You'll have to..." Just as I'm about to politely ask him to leave, the landline phone starts ringing throughout the library. Very timely "I won't be long, just wait here."

I trot back to the counter, not sure if he listened to me or not, and answer the call.

"Chlorine?"

"Mom?"

"Who else? You never answer your text messages, where are you?"

"I left my phone at home, what do you need? is there something wrong?"

"Chlorine, can you tell me where you are?" She asks again, this time with more seriousness "It's half-past five, and you're still not home."

Half-past five, what?! Time flew by.

"Mom, do you know where you're calling? It's the library's landline, so I'm not anywhere else but working..."

"Alright, now you know more than me" I cover my face with my hand, how can she be so stubborn? "Shouldn't you have closed half an hour ago?" She grows even more upset. "Don't try to fool me, Chlorine."

Yes, I wonder the same thing.

"Can you take a deep breath, mom? I'm working, I'm still here, not on the street. Something came up last minute; I'll tell you at home. I have to hang up now..."

"Is there someone there with you?"

I hold the phone cable tightly and glance at him. He looks so carefree and quiet while reading that he could easily pass for a marble sculpture. In the library's faint yellowish light, his figure appears perfect, thanks to the clothes clinging to him due to the rain and the drops of water from his hair still trickling down his cheeks. He's going to catch a strong cold, I'm sure.

I wish my act of goodwill it's over soon, otherwise I'll have to kick him out, regardless of whether he gets offended and we lose a customer.

Just in time, he looks up, catching me watching him.

"Oh..." I quickly turn away "... Yes, there's a last-minute customer. Why are you asking?"

"Is he young?"

"Yes...?" I furrow my brows.

"Get out of there now." He commands firmly.

"Mom, please..."

"I said leave."

"Mom..."

"I said get out of there, don't make me repeat myself. Call it mother's intuition."

I take a deep breath. I can already imagine the long argument that will take place as soon as I get home.

"Alright, I'm done" I jump as I'm surprised by his deep voice. Where did he come from? "I'd like to borrow another book to take" He smiles crookedly. I don't think twice and lower the phone, ending the call.

I muse for a moment before paying attention to him.

"To borrow books, you need to become a member."

"I want to be your associate."

"My what...? Oh, yes, sorry" I clear my throat "An associate member of the library... I need your full name, please." Before a rebellious lock of hair obscures my view of his eyes, I tuck it behind my ear.

"Tyler Joseph." He says softly. Maybe I imagined it, or maybe not, but I thought I saw a brief wink from him.

Yes, I probably imagined it.

While I type his personal information, his gaze remains fixed on me. I erase, for the third time, what I wrote thanks to my unsteady typing. With nervousness I head to the printer, take the paper and place it with the rest in the drawer.

I'm done.

"Alright" I barely manage to widen my lips without showing my teeth in a poor attempt at smiling "So, whenever you want to borrow a book, you just need to show your ID, and then I'll send you an email with the information about the monthly fee. Now tell me, which book are you planning to borrow?"

The sound of an incoming call on his cell phone interrupts his intention to answer. He doesn't look at me, he doesn't say anything, he doesn't even answer, neither does he apologise. He leaves the place before my eyes slowly as in slow motion, with the book under his arm making the doorbell ring as he steps outside.

"Hello?" I say, although I see him crossing the street through the glass.

He vanished just as he appeared. Although, did he just rob me after asking for a Bible and giving me all his personal information?

I close my eyes and immediately open them again when I hear the ancient clock's hands moving.