Hollow World Theory

Part 7

Along the border of Northern California and Nevada, it was nighttime. The sound of tapping on a rock could be heard along with owls hooting, crickets chirping, and sometimes, a small toad croak. The tapping came from a young woman carrying a backpack that held a radio, a journal, a sketchbook and art supplies, a bag of jerky, and a bottle of water.

The moon was full that night when she walked. That was her preferred most nights to walk. Reaching the edge of the rock plain, she stopped. 'I'll rest here', she thought as she sat down. When she sat down, she pulled the radio out of her backpack. Tuning it to the right channel, she listened to soft pop. As she listened, she looked around. She noticed, besides the road, the trees, and the open plain, that there was a bus stop and telephone poles. She smirked a bit at the sight. 'Kind of funny how far I've come', she thought. She then frowned when she looked down. Her heart clenched as thoughts started to race. 'Maybe I should go back?' A part of her said. 'No! I've come too far to back down.' Another part of her exclaimed. 'But what about your siblings? You left them to face her alone?' 'Emily made her choice to join mom's side.' 'Not Mary and John.' '... I can't go back.' 'Why can't you?' 'They'll hate me for leaving. And I'll be punished badly.'

One tear fell from her left eye, before she could wipe it away. It was true. The worst case scenario was that her mom would punish her for leaving. As consequences for her actions. Of course the punishment would most likely have her phone and computer taken away. Not that they weren't already taken. And many people would think that she deserved it, and that they were just electronics and that she should go out more. But they were more than that to her. To her, they were the only way she could express herself to others, the only place where she could find people that understood where she was coming from.

But it doesn't matter now. She left her house to get some space, and maybe create a new life where she wouldn't have to hide her true self. That will be hard to heal. But she can do it. She lived under that roof. She can handle this.

She looked over the horizon again. 'I just hope they don't find me quickly.' She thought, as a little fear stopped her heart for one second.