MIDNIGHT IN KOSCO

Esther yawned heavily as she twisted sideways to pick the book she had accidentally spilled from the oscillating desk before her; she'd dozed off while studying again. Ever since she made the town library her second home in preparation for her upcoming junior high final exams, sleeping had become a norm once she got to a complex topic.
Her stomach rumbled lightly, prompting her to turn to the window behind her seat: daylight was gone! Wild thoughts of what her parents would say filled her head...
'No decent girl should be out alone on the streets at night, it just isn't safe for girls,' her mother would say. Even though she wouldn't say the reason why the street wasn't cool for girls. Mother could forget to wrap a nicely packed lunch, but she'd never forget to warn Esther about the time she was to return home from the library.
'Your father says you should be back by three in the afternoon, but, I give you extra thirty minutes. So be home by four!'
Deep down, Esther knew her parents wanted the best for her, hence, she always did her best to love and respect them in return. But, today was different. Today her body clock had failed her. Even Miss Enny, the straitjacket librarian hadn't woken her like she always did....

The new thought made her cringe: The ever efficient Miss Enny forgot to wake her? What could have happened? Miss Enny was aware of the curfew her parents had set for her no doubt. Maybe it was the cold. Her pallid face had caught Esther's attention when she arrived at the library earlier. Or could it be the rumors in town about her husband running off with another woman true.
A silent whisper escaped Esther's mouth as she dared herself to inspect the wall clock adjacent to her seat and she quickly checked her wristwatch to confirm what she saw: 8 p.m.... She needed no further invitation to stand.
A loud snore greeted her as she took the right turn down the hallway leading to the library's exit door. The petite librarian's heart must have been really broken thought Esther, as she kicked two empty bottles of gin away from the exit door.
"Isn't that what they say? A broken person is an unreliable fellow," Esther said jokingly, as she gently shut the library door behind her.
Esther knew her father won't return till after supper was served as usual. But she was worried about her mother. Something must have kept her from coming to look for her daughter. Mother always attended thursday evening service in her church and she would be back home by now unless something came up.
A cold harmattan wind hit Esther in the face as she scanned the empty street in front of her, it prompted her to grip her cardigan closer and descend the stairs at the entrance with extra caution. Her legs felt better from the activity and she also felt her system become accustomed to the harsh weather in the same instance.

She tried to think of happy memories, but she couldn't ignore the thoughts lurking at the back of her mind. What if something bad happened to her? Bad stuffs that happens to indecent girls who walk on dark, empty steets at night. What if she got home and met father and mother; what would she say she'd been doing? Sleeping sounded ridiculous.... How could she've slept for five hours? How come Miss Enny hadn't sent her home?
"What may you be doings outside so late, young lady?
Esther froze as the voice penetrated her thoughts. It sounded smooth (too smooth for her liking), and sly.
"I'm talkings to you," the stranger said again.
This time Esther summoned the courage to turn around, and face the stranger.