A Town Called Nowhere

After Class

Mr. Hendersson sits at his desk as students, eager to leave, exit the classroom. Noah and Niilo hang back, packing their backpacks with the kind of excruciating slowness that can only mean they need to talk to the teacher. 

Noah's always dreamed of escaping Nowhere, of boarding a plane or a bus or a train - he's not picky - and saying goodbye to the landscape he's known all his life. He hates it here, hates that "fun" is going to the Pit and that everyone in his school lives in bigger cities and better houses. He's about to exit his teenage years, though, and that means freedom is on the horizon. He can hardly wait.

Niilo, for his part, wants to help Noah. He also doesn't love his town. But he has a girlfriend and the ability to talk to other people, and that somehow makes it bearable. He is willing to stay here after he graduates. Noah is not. 

Mr. Hendersson looks up and notices that there are two students still in his classroom. "What are you still doing here?" he asks. "Don't you have math next or something?"

"We, um, we wanted to ask you something," Niilo says, speaking for both of them. "You said you used to live in the big city?" He phrases it like a question, voice edging upwards at the end, fearful of igniting his teacher's temper like before. 

"Yes. I lived in Stockholm-- the big city. It was a long time ago. Is that all?"

"We were also wondering what it was like, if you could tell us..." his voice trails off. 

Mr. Hendersson sighs. "You should go to class," he says. He nods towards the door, telling them to scoot, skedaddle, leave him be. 

Noah and Niilo practically sprint out of the room. Being in Mr. Hendersson's class is like being taught by a ticking time bomb. They're not sure if they just came one second closer to it exploding.