Alice was ignoring the fact that she was being watched. Eyes upon you was simply the norm in the Wanderer's Library, and it was usually fleeting and not in the slightest bit malicious. Instead of worrying about being watched, she dutifully kept on with shelving the latest returns.
After a time though, it was quite annoying. Didn't her stalker have better things to do than stare at her, as if she couldn't notice she was being watched? Each book hit the shelf a little harder than the last. Eventually it happened; she shelved a book in the wrong place. Just by one space, but still. It was clearly impossible to work in these conditions.
"Alright, who's there?" Alice asked, spinning around. She narrowed her eyes. Though she would be loathe to admit it, she was still a newcomer to the library and was not always adept at obtaining the answers she desired from it. She knew how to read, and how to understand and pull meaning out of any text. Observation was a different matter altogether. None of the shelves betrayed any sign of movement, and she couldn't yet discern the eyes.
"I know you're watching me." Perhaps the others would think her bold. Reckless was the more likely word though. She knew not all who came to the library came in peace. But if this person had wanted to hurt her, why wouldn't they have done it already? "Let's stop delaying the inevitable, shall we?"
Finally, from the other end of the shelf a figure appeared, arms up in surrender. "Hey, it's just me, ya boi."
Alice could not have become more exasperated if she had tried. "What do you want, Al?"
"Just was checking up on how you're doing." Al sauntered over. "Good job shelving those. Although that last one's in the wrong-"
"I know," Alice snapped. Al did not get along with most other Black Queens, but Alice's feelings went beyond. Why they focused on her in particular was a mystery. "Was that all?" she demanded impatiently.
"Whoa, chill. You know, when I was your age-"
"When you were my age you didn't even know about library. Fifteen is the youngest of any current Black Queen to make it here."
"You're not a Black Queen yet," Al stated plainly.
"As you keep reminding me," Alice muttered.
"Hey, don't shoot the messenger. Neither am I. Not that I'm fit to be a queen or anything." Alice went back to shelving, ignoring Al once more. "Gosh, so serious, you've got it all figured out." Al chuckled. "God, I remember thinking the same way and now… wait, in four years from will I think current me was a dumb baby?"
"Did you have a point or?"
"I come bearing a message from high up. L.S."
Alice held her breath. She had been waiting for this. "Which one?"
"Unclear."
Alice immediately squinted. "Was it unclear or did you forget?"
"It was unclea- look, do you want the message or not?"
Alice hesitated before nodding again.
"A new assignment has come in, L.S. thinks you're perfect for it."
"Yes. Whatever it is, I accept." She'd heard that sometimes Alison Chaos from across the multiverse would be given tests to prove their worth to the library. Though she logically knew that couldn't have always been the case, she believed the ritual made sense. The secrets of the Black Queen could just go to any Alison Chao. Like the version in front of her, Al? Definitely should not have the highest clearance. But Alice was different. She knew it. And now she had been proven right. She needed a chance to prove herself, and here it was on a silver platter. She would go above and beyond whatever assignment she had been given.
"Great!" Al said, reaching into their pocket. Alice held out her hand in anticipation and it was only a second before she felt the few layers of paper land in her hand. With bated breath, she looked at the item.
It was a brochure, folded three times over. At the top, in bright colors and an eye-catching font read:
The Wanderer's Library Monthly Youth Book Club!
"A kids book club?" Alice asked incredulously.
"First meeting is in an hour," Al chirped.
"L.S. wants me to be a babysitter? Why are there even children in the library to begin with, don't their parents know how dangerous it can be?"
"Some of them. Probably. For those that have parents."