Little Nowhere

By Elnette Pentz

It's a small town where twisted things are happening. Will Adeline run? Or will she stay?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ellie
• Release date: Feb 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393098003

Book preview

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

LITTLE NOWHERE

First edition. February 24, 2021.

Copyright © 2021 Elnette Pentz.

Written by Elnette Pentz.

Table of Contents

Copyright Page

Little Nowhere        Ellie

Little Nowhere        Ellie

It was that dream again. At least, she hoped it was a dream and she’s not reliving the worst moment of her life. She saw flashes of newsreels and newspapers with photos of a young woman, herself, Adeline. The TV and newspapers focused on a tragedy. Then she saw him. A man was walking in the street, he was looking lost, but she couldn't see his face. Then the blood on the bed and floor, a steep hill where screams and cries are heard.

She woke up with a start. The room was dark and quiet, almost too quiet.

The clouds were gathering over a town that rarely sees the sun. It’s a small town in the middle of nowhere, the sign she passed on her way in actually says Welcome to Little Nowhere. She followed the road to the centre of the small town with a few buildings and a few homes visible as she drove by. Blink and you will miss it. Leaving so soon? The sign on the other side reads. Must be a joke around here. Adeline wondered how many people actually get to see these signs, the joke. Probably not a lot, which makes this perfect. She drove a little ways up the road, just a few farms and a lot of open field. Even more perfect. She turned around and drove back to town. Another sign, Welcome to Little Nowhere.

This time she saw a little more in town. People sitting in the windows of the diner, reading newspapers. Here and there she saw people in the street in deep discussion. She couldn’t hear what was said, but their facial expressions said that this was a very appalling topic of discussion. She did not have to look far to find the library. She parked her car and got out, looking around in wonder at the tiny little town. She snapped out of it and looked at the watch on her wrist before hurrying across the road to the open doors of the library. She was late.

Adeline had an interview to be the new librarian in Little Nowhere. The strangest thing was that the interview was conducted via letters, in the mail. A phone call would have been easier. She applied with an email after seeing the ad on their website. Looking at the tiny town now, she was surprised they even knew what the internet is. She waited for weeks and finally let the idea go, thinking it was a bad idea to begin with. Right upon losing hope, she received the first of many letters in the mail, asking about her experience and her love for books. Her love for books clearly outweighed the qualifications and experience, since she had more love than experience in the field. That was probably the only reason she considered a job as a librarian.

Coming into the library, she could hear people talking. She took one look at them standing right by a colourful sign saying Shh... Quiet!, then her eye caught the librarian who was standing at the counter, looking at the people in disbelief over their disregard for her and the library rules. She then went about reading her book. It was a mystery that Adeline knows well, she loves reading mysteries.

Good afternoon. Adeline had not noticed the elder lady was aware of her presence.

Good afternoon. Mrs. Baker?

Call me Sandy she said with excitement. You must be Adeline. It was a statement rather than a question.

What gave it away? she asked jokingly.

It’s a small town. Newcomers stand out in the crowd. Somehow, she was even louder than the whispering people when she spoke. And apparently, though the people of Little Nowhere were nice people, they were as lost with humor as their town was lost on the map.

Were it not for the very precise directions and a drawn map Sandy had sent her in the mail, she would not have found the place.

I know it was short notice, but I am so glad you could make it.

I was already packed, I just needed someplace to go.

Well, there you have it! This must be meant to be. Sandy exclaimed.

Adeline felt like normal people would have a million questions surrounding her blunt statement, but she also felt like there would be nothing normal about this town.

Adeline had to pack in a hurry. The most important stuff had been in boxes for weeks. She didn’t think that she would have to be in Little Nowhere mere days after being hired as the new town librarian. Sandy must be eager to retire, not that there was much more to do in this town. As far as she could tell, Sandy was not going anywhere.

Now, if you take the road out of town, opposite of where you came in... Sandy was giving her directions to the cabin where she was to stay. She was nice enough to organise everything for Adeline, she says it is the least she can do after insisting she come on such short notice.

Adeline drove according to the directions she was given. A patch of open field before the woods took over, just like Sandy had said. Adeline saw a little boy in the field. He was playing with a red kite. The kite was just hovering in the slight breeze above the boy, but the boy was really enjoying every moment. He looked around and stared off just past Adeline’s car, with unease written all across his face. Adeline looked in the direction the boy was looking at, but saw nothing. Looking back at the boy, he was no longer there, just his kite flying higher into the sky. Oh well, she thought, this town is probably not used to strange visitors. The clouds became darker and Adeline took one last look at the red kite before the trees formed a roof over her. She really hoped this was a good idea.

~~~

Having settled in the previous night, Adeline returned to the library to start her three day training for her