Ivan sat stiffly in the library. The tall shelves surrounded him, but the books in front of him were just shapes and shadows. His hands rested on an open book, but he had not read a single word. His mind was blank. His chest felt heavy. The silence of the library pressed on him, but he did not move.
The world outside had already darkened. Shadows stretched across the room, covering every corner, but Ivan did not even notice until the sound of footsteps pulled him back.
Boris came in quietly. He carried a small lamp in one hand and a jug of oil in the other. Without saying a word, he set the lamp on a nearby table and began lighting the other lamps in the library, one by one. The flames flickered, pushing the darkness away.
When the room had grown brighter, Boris finally spoke. His voice was gentle, almost cautious. "You still have a habit of hiding in the library when you want to be alone."
