Chapter 5: Paper cut

                                    

                                          
"I know! Heavy stuff right!" 
☆
                          
A few days go by before John makes his way back to the city library. He's tried his best to stay focused, keep busy and not go out. He had not skipped his meals and that has suppressed the need only slightly, but John can feel the familiar urges building up again. 
                          
John enters the grand building and looks to the reception desk. Christine, the dragon was sat behind it. John's soul plummets slightly as he approaches. "Excuse me..."
                          
Christine looks up, with the same deadpan face as before. "Can I help you?" 
                          
"Your colleague saved a book for me a few days ago." John smiles. He will crack this woman's hard shell. 
                          
"Oh yes, the reference book" she replies with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. She gets up, pushing to one side a new book collection by rising author, Paragon King, which she was cataloguing and a few moments later, returns with the big book, which looks like it's been dusted. 
                          
John takes the book from her and just stands there momentarily, looking for the helpful guy... Toby was it?" 
                          
"Anything else?" Christine looks at John over her glasses. 
                          
"Um... Toby?... is he working today?" 
                          
"Third floor, children's section!" She replies. John senses that this is not the first time she had been asked that question today.
                          
John nods in recognition and makes his way to the third floor via the lift, leaving Christine to carry on with her cataloging. She discreetly takes a glimpse through the book on the top of the pile called 'Silver Eyes' when she thinks no one is looking!
                          
He heads in the direction of the children's section, where he can hear a familiar voice. 
                          
"His eyes are orange, his tongue is black, he has purple prickles all over his back!"
                          
John peaks around the shelf to see Toby sat crossed legged, reading a book to a group of young children. They are all submerged in the story, John even gets caught in the moment watching in interest how Toby captures their interest with just his voice. Soon the story is finished and the children along with a lady, presumably their teacher get up to leave.
                          
"Thank you Mr Thomas!" They say in unison, as they leave the cushioned seating area. Toby returning to his feet, waving them off, before going to place the book back on the shelf. 
                          
"You had quite an audience there!" John steps out from behind the shelf. Toby jumps, dropping the book on the floor. 
                          
"Oh thanks!" Toby grins, hurriedly retrieving the book from the floor. "I like to read stories to others, especially the young ones. You need to get them young," Toby smiles a wide smile. "Sorry I sound a bit preacher but I just love books, you know!" 
                          
John chuckles. This guy is cute. "It's great that you have such passion. My mum tried with me but I just wanted to play video games or watch tv. But if you have read a story to me back then, maybe I would be a book worm too!" Toby blushes slightly at the comment. He looks at the heavy 'History of blood' tucked under John's arm. "You're here, reading now. It's never too late!" Toby then stops suddenly, looking at John in thought. "I don't know if you'd be interested but there was this article I came across a while back in a newspaper, about a death. It was blood related.... I don't know if you're interested?" 
                          
John thinks a minute. Yes he's interested. Very interested. This may be a direct link to his condition. He doesn't want Toby to see his eagerness, so tries to play it cool. "Yeah, I guess I could take a look!"