Dawn walked past the head librarian, who didn't even seem to notice her, as he filled out paperwork for the state, and helped other students. Dawn didn't have much homework tonight, but she had promised D.D. aka Laurie, her foster mother that she would do at least an hour of studying for her biology test. She headed for the back of the library where she knew she could find a quiet, hidden alcove where she wouldn't be bothered. Along the way, she found a great reading book; historical fiction about Incas to read after she studied.

She got to the alcove and settled herself in the back, and checked the time, 4 PM. The Library closed at 7 PM today, she had plenty of time. She put on her headphones and set her watch.

She didn't even hear her watch go off as she was working so hard, studying evolution and the scientific names for this and that, and Kingdom Phylum... When she finally checked her watch, 2 hours had passed. 6 PM? Geez where had the time gone? She inhaled. That was some good studing! The library still had an hour before closing - she had some time to read the book that she had picked out. She opened the pages and immediately immersed herself in the story.

There was a lonely Incan Princess being trained for a marriage she did not want. What she did want was to be a Warrior and to have friends to laugh and joke with, but it was forbidden. She was to be married and that was the end of the conversation. One day a servant boy, captured from the enemy lands, was brought in. They were shy at first - living in two different worlds. But when she was crying - he made her smile then laugh, and soon they were lovers.

And suddenly, she was to be married to an ugly Nobleman who cared naught for her but for the position his marriage to her would bring... and the servant boy, where was he... the soldiers had taken him to ....

The batteries in Dawn's CD player finally died and as she was scrabbling for some new ones, she realized how dark it was in the library and also how quiet. That's odd. She thought confused. It's too quiet. Suddenly the large clock in the center of the library gonged just loud enough for all the library to hear...one...two... three...four...five...six...seven...eight? NOOO! She started to panic - the library closed at seven and it was after ... nine... ten ... eleven... twelve... It stopped. Cauldron! It's midnight!??!! I must be locked in the library! OMC!

Horrified she went to look for people but no one was there, and she had no phone. She hated to do it, but she guessed this counted as an emergency. She picked up the library desk phone and called emergency services. She was going to be in so much trouble.

"Emergency Services, what is the nature of your emergence?" "I kind got myself locked in the library overnight, by accident." Dawn told the lady, her face red already. "Excuse me, you did what?" The woman was in a little shock. Dawn calmly but still embarrassed, repeated herself. This would be a long night.