The guard raps on your desk. The guard wears all black gear and an opaque face shield. The guard puts a hand on your shoulder and pulls you up.
- “This area is closed. Come with me.”
- “One moment, please.” You place your laptop into your backpack. You leave the novel Silence but cradle the History book to check it out.
- “The circulation desk is closed. Come with me.”
Despite your better judgment, you look directly into the face shield. Who was this bully? There is no one in the building. I am hardly a security threat. You lower your gaze and drop your book. You allow the guard to guide your shoulders towards the elevator.
You walk together down the long hall towards the elevator. You notice that a deep black comes from the open bay windows and the interior hums in the dank cream lights. The guard punches the button for the ground floor.
The guard pushes you into the back of the elevator.
Your back crashes into the steel handrail. You stagger with crumpled shoulders but do not make a move. You do not scream. The door shuts and then opens. The guard waits outside the elevator. You pull yourself up. The guard hits the open-door button to give you more time to stumble out. There were no lights except a strip above the entrance. The guard stops six feet from the entrance. You walk out and do not look back.