The bold signage identified it as the Quiet Corner of the library.
More than a dozen library users, mainly students, were taking advantage of the spot. It was located as far away from the entrance and the front desk as possible. There was a reasonable hush throughout the library, but far more so in this special corner. Heads were bowed over books, laptops and papers. Nobody knew that the thing was among them. But it was there. It was present. Only one woman, reading intently, had any suspicion. This was only the merest inkling of something biding its time. It had been lying in wait for some time and seemed to be content with not showing itself before it was ready.
For the woman, the distraction of becoming aware that something was coming was put aside, giving preference to the content of the book she was reading and the extent of her written notes. However, this was never going to last. She quickly looked around, unhappily considering the fact that none of them had any idea it was coming.
When she finally sneezed, everybody knew!
