Lena stayed in the school library the longest of all. The rain was tapping on the window and the clock was ticking like a metronome. Mrs Hela was sorting books, but she had gone out to the basement to get the boxes. "I'll be right back," she chuckled, leaving Lena between the tall bookcases. The roof was leaking in the corner, a bucket clanked under the dripping water. Lena actually had a lot of courage and a fair amount of curiosity. On the desk lay a large atlas, smelling of dust and sea. On the cover was the inscription: "Map ward, for staff only". She swallowed her saliva and opened the book to the middle. In the margin someone had written in pencil: "Do not open after dark". On the first page was a loan slip dated fifty years ago. There was a dash and a small drawing of an anchor under the heading "Returned". The pencil rolled off the desk on its own, as if pushed by the wind. But the windows were locked with a bolt and padlock. The clock suddenly ticked louder, as if it was very much confirming the ban. Lena saw an ink blot moving across the map. The shape grew, twisted and arranged itself into a narrow alley. An X grew out of the alley and the word "Entrance" was written next to it. "Mrs Helo?" she called out, but only the rustling of pages answered her. Then an old bell, the one from the door, buzzed from behind the bookcase. No one entered, but under the atlas something tapped twice. Lena slid her fingers under the cover and encountered cold metal. Something clicked and a narrow panel in the desk top slid open. Pale light and a short, quiet call flowed from within. Lena held her breath and leaned over to look inside. A shiver ran down Lena's spine, even though the library was warm. She glanced at the door to the basement and down the dark corridor. "Ms Helo, please come back, there's something going on here." And then someone whispered just behind her ear....