seen from Italy
seen from Türkiye
seen from China
seen from China
seen from Singapore
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from Slovakia
seen from China
seen from Austria
seen from United States
seen from China
Where did Logan go?
Thomas sighs.
Thomas: Well, you see, Logan is... a very fast learner and... well... sometimes strangers aren’t all that nice to him, so he’s very... cautious.
All your kind words take Thomas by surprise a bit. He keeps glancing behind him at something you can’t see, but you ignore it and keep trying to coax Logan out.
Eventually, you hear some rustling behind the tree, and out pops a familiar-looking head.
—–
Chapter 2 Masterpost
<=First | <-Previous | Next ->
Oh Logan, it’s alright. Hey, guess what? I have a riddle for you: Mr. and Mrs. Mustard have six daughters and each daughter has one brother. How many people are in the Mustard family?
(thank you to everyone who submitted a riddle! There were so many, I couldn’t include them all, but I had fun solving them on my own <3)
Logan stiffens. He doesn’t retreat, but he doesn’t relax either. For a moment, the library stills along with him.
Logan: There are six daughters... one son... nine. There are nine people in the Mustard family.
Logan puts his right hand to his head as he thinks.
Logan: My right hand... my left. I cannot hold my left hand with my left hand.
The longer riddle seems to keep Logan’s attention. The lights start to flicker less, and his left shoulder starts to sag down to a more relaxed position. Finally, after some thought, Logan answers.
Logan: While the riddle is long, it is merely meant to confuse the reader. There is only one person going to St. Ives, the narrator. Everyone and everything else discussed in the riddle is merely a person the narrator passes on the way to the town.
The lights stop flickering as Logan contemplates the riddle. After almost a minute, he starts to mumble a few words.
Logan: I’m unsure which option would be more suitable for a body. Is there no wrong answer to this riddle? Is it one I have to argue my reasoning to get the correct answer? I do not understand. What is a car exactly anyway?
Thomas chuckles to himself, and he tries to help him out.
Thomas: I know you haven’t seen one before, but cars have doors too.
Logan’s body stiffens, and he hums to himself.
Logan: Oh, I see. You must exit the car first, therefore opening its door. The car door is the first thing you would open.
Thomas: There you go. Are you feeling better?
Logan: Yes, very much so. I apologize for losing my... cool, as Roman would say.
Thomas: Roman, there’s an idea. Hey, do you want to come to the theater with us?
Logan: I... am unsure. I don’t often leave. You know this. Perhaps, especially after my emotional turmoil, it is best I stay within the safety of the library walls.
What Logan says seems to disappoint Thomas, but he doesn’t argue. Instead, Thomas turns to you.
Thomas: I’m not going to push him after all that, but I want to show you the rest of the town before the sun comes up. Would you like to accompany me to the theater? It’s got the heart and soul of this place down to an art.
After watching Logan’s meltdown, you’re inclined to agree. Perhaps it’s best to say goodbye to Logan for now. After all, you can always come to visit later.
—–
Chapter 2 Masterpost
<=First | <-Previous | Next ->
"Nice to officially see you, I'm (insert name)." I smiled brightly at Logan, curious but not afraid, something tells me if he had wanted to hurt me he would have done some when alone.
(There were so many wonderful responses that I can’t include them all! Thank you to everyone who submitted an ask <3)
Logan sneaks a little farther out from behind the tree. You knew he was tall when you explored the library, but nothing really prepared you for his full height.
Logan: Ah, forgive me, but this is as comfortable as I am getting close to you. It’s lovely to make your acquaintance.
Logan towers well above you, but he doesn’t look at you while he speaks. In fact, you’re not quite sure where the voice came from, because he doesn’t have a mouth to speak.
Logan gestures to the tie around his neck. He’s not looking at you, but you can feel his attention on your body as he speaks.
Logan: Thank you. It assists the stitching that keeps my neck and cranium attached to my body.
Thomas grows surprised at Logan’s comment. He laughs nervously and glances over at you.
Thomas: Wow, now I know he trusts you. He didn’t tell me about that until I was 9 years old.
Logan stiffens upon hearing Thomas’s words. He takes a step back, his head never leaving your direction.
Logan: I... I do apologize. I don’t know what came over me. That’s usually not information I burden others with so early on in the conversation.
Logan’s head darts up toward the library maze, and he looks ready to bolt. The lights begin to flicker. Thomas tries to reassure Logan that it’s okay, but Logan doesn’t seem to be listening. He looks over at you, pleading with his eyes for help.
Thomas: M-maybe we can distract him with some riddles. You know, make him forget- make him think about something else. Do you know any good ones?
—–
Chapter 2 Masterpost
<=First | <-Previous | Next ->
[Sidestone Urban Legends] Chapter 2: Introduction - The Librarian
Chapter 2 Masterpost
⇐ Chapter 1 | | <-Previous | Next ->
Unsettling? Why would anyone think that?
Logan lets out a long sigh but doesn’t answer. Instead, he steps off to the side. The lights brighten, making the hallway seem less eerie.
Logan: Follow me. Please try to keep up, and if you lose me, call my name, and I will find you, no matter where you are.
You round the corner, and true to Logan’s words, he is waiting at the end of the hallway for you again. The lights dim to keep him hidden in the shadows.
The compliment seems to freeze Logan in place, even as you approach him. However, he rounds the corner before you can make out any of his features, still keeping you at arm’s length. The lights return to normal as he disappears once again.
Logan: If you’d like to pass the time with some riddles, I’d be happy to oblige. However, if you don’t like them, I understand.
His voice seems hopeful like he’s trying to encourage you to play with him, but the additional sentence makes you believe he’s been rejected before.
—–
Chapter 2 Masterpost
<=First | <-Previous | Next ->
Ummmm.... Im looking for Thomas
Logan: Ah, I understand now. Yes, you should’ve listened to Thomas. The Library is particularly difficult to navigate if you do not know how to follow the lanterns, as well as the pathways constantly changing. It’s a figurative nightmare.
Logan pauses, and he tilts his head to the side.
Logan: Though, I am curious. What could Thomas possibly want with me?
—–
Chapter 2 Masterpost
<=First | <-Previous | Next ->
Sorry to scare you, Thomas!
Thomas: Next time, please listen to me. You could’ve gotten hurt. I mean, I know that Logan wouldn’t hurt you, but not every place is as safe as this.
Thomas’s shoulders relax, and a relieved look crosses his face. He shakes his head and sighs.
Thomas: At least I know you were okay. I’m glad Logan found you. And yes, he does like his riddles.
You look around, but Logan seems to have disappeared. There’s nowhere else for him to go, other than the way you came, so you’re not sure where he’s gone. Still, you can’t shake the feeling that you and Thomas aren’t alone.
—–
Chapter 2 Masterpost
<=First | <-Previous | Next ->
To introduce us to you of course. Love the place by the way.
Logan seems to hesitate upon hearing that. However, he soon replies.
Logan: Thank you. The library is my pride and joy. I’m the one who brought it to life all those years ago.
Logan pauses again. He seems to shift uncomfortably at the end of the hall.
Logan: Forgive me for being rude, but I do not receive many visitors here. Most new residents that arrive find my appearance particularly unsettling and avoid me. However, if you follow me, I can bring you back to the main lobby of the library, perhaps even before Thomas realizes you are missing.
—–
Chapter 2 Masterpost
<=First | <-Previous | Next ->
