Wake up you sonofabitch!”

Nick opened his eyes, the bright sunlight filtering through the dust covered window blinding him for a second. As his sight adjusted he looked up to see his disgustingly obese landlord standing over by the door. He yawned and was about to speak when the landlord butted in
“You heard me then? You know what day it is” he said, rubbing his fingers against his thumb to indicate he wanted money before reeling in a series of wheezing coughs.
“You’ll get your money Jones, just take a week or so”
“No good Nick, It’s today or your out. I warned you last time, if you ain’t got it then…”
He looked over at the complex computer system that sat on the desk by the window, the keyboard lost beneath piles of paper. Aside from a sofa and a battered old television set it was the only thing in the room. Even the floor was but a carpet of cracked wooden floorboards.
Nick quickly jumped up from the sofa “Touch that Jones, and you won’t live to regret it” he said threateningly. Jones was taken aback, nobody ever stood up to him…especially not those that owed him two months rent. He looked at his tenant and for the first time he saw a man. He had always viewed his tenants as money, not people. Nick wasn’t a muscular man, but he was strong. Jones looked worried for a second, knowing that in his condition he stood no chance of taking him down if it came to it.
“Ok, Ok, you’ve got three more days” He said reluctantly “But if you don’t have it then, I’ll take your legs” He added in an attempt to hide the fact he was scared.
Nick Smiled
“Thanks Jones….Now if you don’t mind” he motioned Jones toward the door as he began to walk to the bathroom. As he stood over the sink, gazing into the shattered mirror, he heard the front door slam shut.
He sighed “And my name is Zampano"

He turned the faucet and splashed cool, refreshing water over his face. It didn’t help his hangover. Monday nights at Club Messiah were the worst; he couldn’t remember how many Whiskies he had knocked back but that was a sign that it was too many. Every Monday he drifted into the club after work, hoping to find answers but usually finding nothing but the bottom of a glass.
He went back into the front room and glanced over at the computer as it searched through the endless pages of the Internet. Searching for answers to the questions that had plagued Zampano for so long. As he looked at the screen he noticed the time. 09:13 “**bleep**” he uttered as he realised he had missed the tube downtown. Quickly he grabbed his coat from the rack and dashed out of the door.

* * * * * *

It started to rain as he left the taxi that had carried him from his apartment in Tabor to the crowded streets of Chelsea. He still had quite a walk to the Library where he had worked for the last few years. It wasn’t a bad job, the work was easy and it gave him plenty of time to peruse the countless manuscripts that lined the many shelves. He must have read over half the books in there yet there were still some he wanted to get his hands on; The Librarian’s Private Archive. The Librarian, as he was always known, was a powerful man in the city. He was a great source of information for the many businessmen, politicians and officials that came to his doors. While he lacked the ruthlessness of businessmen he wielded a greater weapon; Knowledge. High up in the library, sealed from prying eyes, was his office and his archive. Zampano knew that somewhere in those ancient tomes lay the truth; the truth that most did not seek but a few dedicated their lives to finding.
He had forgotten the rain as he walked quickly along the pavement through the masses of people flocking here and there. Yet something else caught his eye as he turned the corner of 49th street. High above, on a building across the road, stood a figure, dark and threatening against the grey skies. He was merely stood there, watching, watching the Library. As Zampano stared a chill went down his spine; for a moment their eyes had met and Zampano had felt a connection. A connection that he did not understand but somehow knew was there. Then in a moment the figure disappeared leaving Zampano gazing at the clouds. As he reached the Grand Entrance to the library the figure still beleaguered his mind.
“Who was he?”
“Why was he watching the Library?”
Even more questions had know laid siege to Zampano’s mind.

* * * * * *
As the clock tortuously displayed the passing of another hour Zampano sighed. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy his job, it was just that he felt there was something more…some greater destiny for him. He looked around at his colleagues that sat parallel to him on nearly identical desks. They were all working hard on meaningless tasks; Collating bibliographies, organising registrations, tracking down overdue books. A long time ago Zampano had been the same, an unthinking workhorse, but now he was different. The change had started when his father died. Well, Zampano had assumed he died, in reality he had simply disappeared. The strange thing was that Zampano’s father had been bed-ridden for years, the victim of some “unknown virus” as the doctors report had stated. Yet one winters morning he had just gone. Zampano had asked the nurse that had been with him all night but she was as bewildered as him. Zampano never saw the nurse again after that, he had tried to find her but the Hospital had told him that she had been transferred overseas. It was that event that changed his life and set him on a new path. He had started with one question “Where is my father?” but it soon became many as he learned new truths and riddles. Deeper into the rabbit hole he fell until there was nothing else left. Now Zampano could feel the darkness closing in around him. It was nearly the end, he could not go on much longer with his questions unanswered. He had made the decision, the deadline, a long time ago and it was nearly upon him.
He glanced at the clock again. It was nearly lunch time. He stood up, grabbing the teacup that sat empty on the desk. Slowly he made his way to the canteen, past the familiar surroundings and stacks of un-shelved books. He gripped the cold metal handle of the door and was about to open it when there came a noise. A screaming Siren suddenly resonated through the building.
“Goddam fire alarm” Zampano thought as he began walking back to the other side of the office where the exit lay.
Another sound reverberated through the building…an explosion…a crash. Zampano stopped as he reached the stairs, the sound had come from above…high above…from the sealed floor of the Librarian. With only a seconds hesitation Zampano took the stairs up to the forbidden floor where he hoped his answers lay.

To be continued...

Great stuff Zamp

 

can't wait for the next chapter