I repeated this sequence loudly and copied it on a paper.

Cassie shifted away from the bookcase she was scrutinizing.

« Have you found something ?

- I think so… »

In a gesture I got my laptop out of my bag and checked the university library catalog.

Deception.

My discovery didn’t match with any entry.

Cassie, who was looking over my shoulder hold the computer, turned it to her without a word and changed of website.

« That’s it ! she said after a minute. Municipal archives, second basement. This is not a book and they close in an hour. Do you follow me ? »

Once again she impressed me so much. A bit long to react, I gathered my stuff and exited tracking her steps off the History and Mythology department.

Because I remained without flinching she pilled up the works and started to replace them on  shelfs.

« What are you doing ? I lost my temper. I did't ever have time to list their topics.

- I think that the Fates’ myth is the only one which matters. This story teaches us that our lives can be interrupted at any moment, then we have to take advantage of our time. Let’s do not waste anytime on useless readings. Hannah would not use the same trick twice. »

I helped Cassie put the books away according to their class number, taking care to underline them a little bit. One of the books was so heavy that I had trouble putting it back and I saw the tag on its spine. « 213.87.2 »

Six figures. A flash crossed over my mind.

A bookcase was made of six shelves. I moved back.

One book on the first shelf. Three on the second one. Nothing on the third. Seven on the fourth, four then three on the last ones.

« 130.74.3 »

I was loosing ground, the floor became soft under my feet. I was trying to formulate clear ideas but nothing coherent was coming to mind. It would have been impossible to read all these books in so little time. Hannah would be already so far, maybe in danger… I plunged my head into my hands.

Cassie was trying to remain pragmatic.

« Hannah always loved puzzles, codes and everything like this. It mustn’t be that hard to make this kind of fake cards, aiming to implement a paper chase. Let’s try to think differently. »

« This is strange… said Cassie comparing the cards. The writing is sometimes really old, as it was noted with a quill. And the date is not readable. »

Cassie examined the annoying stack of books. I hesitated for a second before sharing with her what I had just discovered, it was blood curdling.

« Neither of the dates is visible, I said slowly. But on this one the next loan is distinct. This book has been borrowed for the time after in 1987. 1965 for this one. »

I had goose bumps, I didn’t dare to touch the other books anymore. Then I heard Cassie whispering :

« 1946… »

We shared a frightened gaze. 

Everywhere the same name. « Hannah Reeves » and a date mistakenly erased by some water, decades ago.

Loan sheets were sometimes so old they nearly fell into dust when I touched them. However I had the chance to find more recent entries on some cards. Several time I saw the name of my friend on the lists and each time my heart missed a beat. Cassie may have had the same feeling because I saw her starting with surprise from time to time, then she added a book to the pile she was building at her feet.

When we finished to check all the bookcases, finding about twenty works with the mention « Hannah Reeves » on their last page we dropped the fruit of our labour on a desk.