Short Story; The Library

Another day in the library, it would be just as the one before and the day that would inevitably follow would be like it in every major regard.  

"I'm going to be in Historical Fiction today honey, I'll be back by five."

"Will you be taking the kids?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, I'll man the front desk then."

"Be careful, the lights have been troublesome lately, count the shadows and be careful not to trip over anything.  Your sister said someone would be by to take care of them later this week."

"Thanks sweetheart."

Nothing to worry about then, just the usual problems to worry about.  He hiked across the ninth floor reference section (Meg - Meh) and down past the complete works of Alberto the Star-Eater.  Finally he arrived at the front desk.  It was a wide hall, with space for armies of hundreds, and tall enough for giants to play hopscotch, although should either find themselves in it they'd likely have been shown out for creating a ruckus.  It was a Library after all.  The hall contained one book, which sat on a rune-carved pedestal in the center of the room.  Koren Bookminder sat at the desk that surrounded the pedestal and looked out upon the room.  

The lights flickered, and he looked up.  He heard the rustle of the lightless sweeping through the air, and placed one finger to his lips.  The lights above him blinked out and he could feel them rushing towards him.  He quietly bid them hush, and the lights reignited in time with his silent spell.  

As the day dragged on, he stood and walked over to the book.  He lifted it from its resting place and blew upon its cover, sweeping the dust away.  Then, as silent as ever, he opened it and read a single word, 'the'.  Then he closed it, and replaced it on the pedestal.  Such a potent book could not be read hastily, and the power of that one word was more than could be comprehended by even many of the immortals of the universe.  

The day drew to a close as had the last, the clock struck four forty-five, and he stood.  The doors locking with a sound that made the scream of a dying mouse seem like the roar of battle.  He walked back up, past the collected works of Alberto, the Star-Eater, past the ninth floor reference stacks (Meg - Meh), and through the door to their home.  Just as he would tomorrow.