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Chapter 1
THEA
How did I never notice how dark it is out here before?
My car is the only one left in the parking lot, surrounded by an expanse of asphalt and shadows. The streetlight near the entrance casts a weak glow that doesn’t come close to reaching my destination. All the buildings nearby are long closed, leaving behind rows of dark windows and an eerie silence.
I haven’t given much thought to the lighting because I’ve never closed up the building alone before. When it’s my turn to work a closing shift at the library, there’s always someone else scheduled with me—one of the assistants, a volunteer, or when we have a special event going on, one of the other librarians.
But today Danielle left early—she started feeling sick around four, and by six she looked absolutely terrible. So of course, I told her to go home, that I’d be fine manning the library for the next two and a half hours on my own. It’s not like we get a lot of evening business, especially when school is out and high schoolers aren’t panicking when the project they’ve been procrastinating on is suddenly due tomorrow.
And I was fine. Until now.
Until I’m standing outside the library staring at my car, which seems to be moving further away the longer I look at it.
And I’m realizing it’s one thing walking across a darkened parking lot when I’m with Amanda or Penny or Danielle, chatting about something funny that happened that day or what we’re going to watch on Netflix that night.
But alone? It’s kind of creepy.
I should bring this up at the next library board meeting. Although as soon as I mention spending more money, I know I’ll get some pushback from some of the board members.
Mrs. Elliot will say something like, “Thea, dear, we do have a budget. And if we spend our money on lights, what will be left for the books?”
Elderly Mr. Simmons will utter some iteration of, “Sleepy Hollow is a safe town, Miss Nichols. We don’t have crime like they do in the city. Why, when I was growing up here, people left their front doors unlocked. Anyone could come in to borrow a cup of sugar, even if no one was home.”
I know he will, because he’s written about two dozen letters to the editor saying almost the exact same thing every time the police department wants to raise their budget. He’s not entirely wrong—Sleepy Hollow is a safe place, usually. But usually doesn’t mean always, which is why this darkness is getting to me.
It’s silly. I’ve spent most of my life in this small town, spent hundreds of hours at this very library as a kid, and now as an adult—I shouldn’t be letting some shadows freak me out.
As I linger on the stone steps outside the library door, my phone buzzes. Glancing down at the screen, I’m unsurprised to see my best friend, Ari, texting me.
The DVR is on and I have the snacks ready. Can’t wait to see what happens tonight! Are you out of work yet?
I’m about to text her back when I realize that standing alone in the dark while staring at my phone is the kind of thing too-stupid-to-live people in movies do. Come to think of it, just standing here contemplating the trip to my car and not actually moving is pretty stupid, too.
Just go. I sternly tell myself to act like the thirty-three-year-old woman I am and get my butt to the car already.
So I hold my phone at the ready—finger poised over the emergency call button—grit my teeth, and go. My head is on a swivel as I hurry across the parking lot, my shoes tapping softly on the pavement. Every small sound seems magnified—the crickets chirping, a far-off door shutting; even my footsteps are louder than normal.
My phone buzzes again, and my heart leaps into my throat, jittering nervously. I pick up my speed, almost jogging now, my pulse moving right along with it.
What is wrong with me? I never used to be such a chicken. But ever since Ari was abducted by her brother-in-law—talk about a crazy story—I haven’t felt as safe as I used to. Even though that wasn’t random at all, and had nothing to do with me or possibly dangerous strangers lurking outside the library.
But I still breathe out a massive sigh of relief when I finally get to my car. Once I’m inside, I sink back into my seat, feeling like I just ran a marathon instead of walking less than a hundred feet.
Maybe I should follow Ari’s advice and buy some pepper spray. And there is that self-defense class at the gym—it might not hurt to check that out, too.
Feeling much better in the confines of my car, I take a second to text Ari back.
Just left work. I’m going to head home to change and feed Daisy, then I’ll be right over. Can’t wait for all the BiP drama!
BiP is our abbreviation for Bachelor in Paradise, the guilty pleasure we wait all year for. I’m a sucker for cheesy reality romance shows, and BiP is up there as one of my favorites. Ari and I watch every single episode together, eating junk food and laughing about which person is going to cause drama this time.
My phone dings with a reply.
Great! See you soon!
Glancing at the time, I realize it’s almost nine o’clock already, which means I really need to get moving if I want to get to Ari’s before it’s too late. I don’t have to work early tomorrow, but she’s seven months pregnant and gets tired easily—not that I blame her. I’m tired and I wasn’t carrying around another little person in my belly all day.
