Eldritchville

By Shawn O'Toole

John Elderberry thought he knew who he was and where he came from... until he found himself lost in a town that should not be. Monsters may snarl or smile, but all of them seek whom they may devour. John fights for his life but is losing his mind and soul. He realizes that dying within would be a fate worse than death. He must survive... even if he must perish.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shawn O'Toole
• Release date: Sep 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301709960

Shawn O'Toole

Shawn O'Toole is an avid reader who expresses his love of literature by writing his own. Though his favorite works are classical fiction, most of his actual reading is historical or scientific non-fiction. He combines his inspirations to create yarns that are fantastic yet believable. He is restless and eager, so one need not wait to delve into his adventures.

Book preview

ELDRITCHVILLE

by

Shawn O’Toole

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*****

PUBLISHED BY:

Shawn O’Toole on Smashwords

Cover Art Illustrated by:

Shawn O’Toole

Eldritchville

Copyright © Shawn O’Toole 2013

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this story, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Your support and respect for the property of this author is much appreciated.

This story is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

*****

ELDRITCHVILLE

*****

Chapter 1

Lost in the Storm

John Elderberry was watching television when a firm yet feminine touch squeezed and massaged his shoulders. Martha, his wife, whispered into his ear, You’re putty in my hands.

John chuckled, Yeah. I don’t mind.

Martha kissed his cheek then left him to his television program.

John heard Grace, his nine-year-old daughter, rambling to her best friend, the cute and perky brunette, Annie DeSilva. Totally, his daughter said about something obviously important.

I know! Annie agreed.

John pointed the remote control at the television and amplified its volume.

Later: Dad? Grace addressed him, coming into the room with Annie.

What?

Can you take us to the mall?

No.

Why not?

Because you can order whatever you want online.

Going to the mall is not just shopping!

Ask your sister.

Where is she?

I don’t know. You girls only tell me where you’re going when you need me to take you there. Grace huffed and rolled her eyes. John suggested, Ask your mother.

I already did.

Later, the man shooed his daughter out of the room.

Later: John was on the computer when his daughter came into the room. Dad?

What?

Are you okay?

John laughed at himself. He smiled at his daughter, telling her, I’m just tired, sweetie. Sorry about earlier.

It’s okay. The child massaged her father’s shoulders before leaving the room.

Dinner: John, Martha, Grace and Annie were all together at the table when Mrs. Elderberry told her husband, You need to take Annie home, after supper.

I thought she was spending the night.

She was, but her brother is coming home tonight. Her mother wants to have a surprise party for him.

I’ve been playing chauffeur all week. Her mother can pick her up.

Martha coughed and hinted towards embarrassed little Annie. John tittered.

On the road: John was driving towards the sunset when he read aloud the sign, Eldritchville? He wondered, Where are we? He continued on.

The dark, rainy night flashed with lightning and boomed and cracked with thunder. John Elderberry drove his van through the storm. He could barely see ahead of him for all the rain and blackness. Only lightning and the van’s headlights shed any light on this otherwise completely dark town!

Dad, you’re passing the same monument again, Grace told him. He glimpsed the statue of a naked young girl atop a pedestal as he passed it.

Annie commented, I think we’re going in circles.

How? Mr. Elderberry disbelieved. I haven’t made any turns.

Maybe the road curves a little.

I don’t think so.

Grace insisted, Dad, we’re going in circles. Maybe we should stop and ask for directions.

Don’t sound like your mother.

We’re going to be late!

Not now, Grace. I need to keep my mind on the road.

We need to ask for directions.

From whom?!

The storm knocked out the power, but I’m sure there’s people in some of these places. It’s not that late.

Maybe. Mr. Elderberry drove straight ahead... but still passed the same monument! What the...?

It’s the same monument, dad.

I know! He made a left turn. He drove on awhile.

There it is, Grace pointed ahead at the same monument of a naked girl.

I don’t believe this!

Dad, ask for directions.

Mr. Elderberry pulled into a filling station and honked. No response. Annie speculated, Maybe they closed and went home because of the storm.

Mr. Elderberry grabbed his raincoat. You girls lock up. Get some sleep. It might be awhile before I find somebody.

Dad, you shouldn’t walk around..., she was interrupted by a boom and crack of thunder. You might get struck by lightning.

I’m not worried about it.

I am!

You’re not your mother. Stop acting like her. I’ll be fine. You girls just lock up and maybe get some sleep. I’ll be back. With that, he darted out into the rain.

The pouring sky flashed and rumbled, but Grace and Annie were dry, warm and comfortable. They helped themselves to snacks and warm drinks. Suddenly they heard a noise: Someone was trying to open the side door. Dad? Why was he keeping himself below the door window?

Don’t open it, Annie whispered her plea.

The girls hid together on the floor and pulled a blanket over themselves. The flash of lightning sporadically filled the vehicle. Rain pelted the roof and thunder boomed. Whoever was trying to open the side door... stopped.

Maybe it was your dad, Annie hoped. Then why had he not identified himself and asked them to let him in? Why did he hide below the window? Suddenly someone tried to open the back hatch! The girls hoped it was Grace’s dad playing a trick on them. No: Whatever was out there made the stomach sick, the heart faint and the blood run cold. It was