Ghost park

Chapter 17

Tolkien POV (new pov 🤯🤯)

"God damn that took a while to get up here" sighed Clyde as the two of us walked down the cold and slippery path towards our old houses. We had about 50 minutes until we needed to meet the others back at starks pond. I really appreciated being able to come up here and check on how everyone I care about is doing.

"Yeah but it's better than staying down there" I argued as me and Clyde approached the big gates signalling the entrance of my childhood home.

I let out a sigh as I gazed up on the large snow covered house, anxiety swirling around in my stomach. Guilt and worry swam through my veins as I pulled myself over the large fence surrounding my old home and snuck towards the window to the living room.

I heard footsteps behind me and snapped my head towards them to see Clyde shuffling towards me with a pity full smile on his face.

"Just remember why we're doing this dude. We have to make sure they're doing ok even if it's hard" He whispered, pulling me into a gentle hug before pushing he towards the big window. I squeezed my eyes shut as he pushed me towards our destination and let out a deep exhale, preparing myself to be greeted with the familiar emotions of longing and sorrow. It had been 3 years since I had seen my parents and frankly, nothing could prepare me for seeing them again, but not being able to be in their warm embrace.

I sharply inhaled as I opened my eyes and let them adjust to the light. A small smile crept across my face at the scene unfolding through the brightly lit window in front of me.

My parents were in the living room plopped on a couch in front of a roaring fire. They were quietly chuckling to themselves at the show silently playing on the TV, perched above the fire. But they weren't alone.

My eyes settled on a small boy curled up against my fathers lap. He looked to be around the age of 6 or 7, same age as Ike broflovski, and had a tuft of ebony hair on his head.

I smiled at myself and placed my hand against the cold glass window, leaning in closer to get a better look at the boy i assumed to be my new younger brother. His skin was tinted a warm olive brown and small beauty marks were spotted around his face. I glanced towards the back wall of the living room to stare at the photos.

Many were of me as a child but one set of papers hung on the pale yellow living room walls. Adoption papers. I smiled to myself.

My attention was ripped from the far wall and back to the centre of the living room where my beloved family sat, when I heard my father whisper something inaudible to my mother before gently shaking the small boys shoulder. I pressed my ear against the glass in an attempt to hear the conversation taking place more clearly.

"Aabid, do you want to go for a nap?" He asked as the chocolate brown eyes of the small boy groggily stared up at him. Aabid nodded, and dug his head into my fathers shoulder as he was picked up and carried upstairs.

"Oh my god dude" I muttered, seeing Clyde awkwardly shift from side the side out of the corner of my eye "I have a little brother!" I exclaimed, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.

Clyde let out a dramatic sigh "oh thank god I thought you'd be upset"
"Upset? Why would I be upset?" I questioned. Clyde awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact.
"Well because they replaced you and all"

An uncomfortable silence fell over us for a moment until i interrupted it with a slight chuckle.
"They didn't replace me dude. They're still my Mum and Dad. I know them well, they still love me and they know having Aabid doesn't make up for their loss. I'm just happy they can move on and even help another child!" I chuckled issuing a toothy smile from Clyde.