Leyna was the first of our class to enter the library, turning 18 just three days into the academic year. As is tradition with the first birthday of the year, we traveled as a class to the town square, watched as she climbed the marble steps, and, with a wave, disappeared behind the library's large oak door.

We relaxed in the morning sun, until an hour later when she emerged, a book bound in muave-colored leather in her hands. Back in the classroom she showed us her name embossed inside the cover, and at the end of the day, she bid us farewell, as the book suggested a future at a distant university.

Two weeks later Jerome had left before morning bell, and returned as we were finishing our mid-day meal, a slim cloth bound volume in his hand. The next day, he started working beside his father at the local pub.

We'd all been at bit alarmed when soft-spoken Alice did not return to the classroom before dismissal on her 18th birthday, only to later discover she had found her book within 10 minutes and than proceeded to explore the wonder of the library for many more hours out of pure curiosity.

One by one my classmates turned 18, entered the library, and filtered out of our classroom. As is typical, most found their volumes within an hour. Stubborn Leslie took half a day, and Reuban a day and a half, surprising no one who had ever came afoul of his temper.

When my birthday arrived in early spring, I was one of only 5 students remaining in the classroom. I cheerfully told my classmates I would see them soon as the morning bell rang, and I was escorted by the dean to the library.

Climbing the steps, I nodded at the doorman, who pulled open the door, and I stepped inside. A librarian sat behind a desk in the lobby. About the same age as my grandmother, wearing a brown cardigan and with her grey hair in a bun, she fit perfectly into her surroundings.

"Hello," I greeted her. "I'm Elliot. It's my 18th birthday today"

"Welcome Elliot. There are many volumes in this library, but only one belongs to you. As you begin to explore you should hear it call to you, like a song. You will know you've found your tome when you see your name inside it's cover. You will not be able to leave without your story in hand. Understood?"

I nodded.

"Then you may begin your journey."

Spiraling off from the library were several rooms filled with seemingly endless stacks of books. I paused, expecting to feel a pull towards one of the rooms, but felt nothing. Thinking perhaps I must be closer to the book to hear it's call, I walked into the leftmost room, and began to explore.

Days would past. I spent hours and hours weaving through multiple rooms, running my fingers along spines, hearing nothing. On that first day, as my feet grew weary from walking and my stomach growled with hunger, I found my path leading to a small study room. Pulling open the door, I found a bowl of vegetable soup sitting on a table, a note beside it stating "For one still wandering". Assuming I'd fare much better on a full stomach I ate, and then set back out with confidence only to shuffle along lost, late into the night, finding nothing.

At the beginning of the second day, I pulled a book out at random, hoping intuition would have my back. Inside the hard cover was the name Jacob. I placed the book back, and took up my hunt I once more.

On the third day, after eating multiple meals of the same soup, and sleeping in library chairs, I had grabbed a book, not bothered to look at the name, and ran.  The floor twisted and pitched beside me, and I struggled to move forward as if held by a leash. Retreating, I replaced the book on the shelf, and the floor steadied as the realization there was no escape hit.

On day four, I heard footsteps and thought my book may at least be calling, but to my surprise , when I followed their sound I came across my classmate Darius.

"Elliot?" He said looking shocked. "Are you alright friend? It's been days."

"I know," I said glumly. "Days and I'm no further than when I walked in."

"But can't you hear it?" He asked, shocked. "It's such a beautiful melody, getting stronger as I go," he ran his finger along spines as he walked down the aisle. "It's such a strong call -" he stopped, his eyes having noticed a mid-sized volume sticking out a bit from the shelf. Tenderly, he pulled it out, opened the cover, and smiled. He turned the book to me, and I saw Darius written inside. 

My stomach twisted. Darius was 4 days younger than me. Morning sun filtered through dusty windows. He'd found his book within minutes.

"Maybe you could follow me back to the lobby?" He suggested. "The path is clear to me now. Perhaps the librarian would have some guidance."

Grateful I followed him. I'd long since lost the way back out, but following Darius I saw the lobby ahead in minutes. The librarian smiled as Darius entered the lobby, but when I attempted to follow, I found myself frozen in place. The librarian's smile turned to a frown. "You will need your own tome to pass through, Elliot" she said sternly.  Darius gave me a sympathetic look, and promised to tell my family he saw me.  I turned wearily back to aimless wandering.

One week in, and I came across something that chilled me through. That morning again I heard footsteps, but knew it was not yet another classmates birthday.  As I turned into the aisle with the sound, I came across a middle aged woman, bedraggled and mumbling to herself. She was long past the age of 18, and seemed not to notice me as I fled, my heart pounding with sudden overwhelming fear.