Hollow Creek /Finney Blake X Male Oc/

Chapter 10 Factory

Evening, August 16, 1978

The sun had nearly set, casting an eerie glow over the abandoned factory as Ethan and Finney made their way deeper inside. Shadows played along the cracked walls, and their footsteps echoed through the empty hallways. The place felt frozen in time, left behind by workers and years of stories no one remembered.

"I wonder what used to happen here," Ethan murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he glanced around. Pieces of old equipment lay scattered, and broken windows let in faint streams of dying sunlight.

Finney looked at him, brow furrowed. "Probably nothing good if your dad's interested in it."

Ethan nodded, then hesitated, feeling the weight of their earlier conversation still lingering between them. "You know, it's okay if you ever want to talk about your dad more," he offered, his voice quiet.

Finney shrugged, looking away. "I don't know... it's just how things are now, I guess." He paused, then added, "I just wish he'd see me-see that I'm trying."

The sadness in his voice made Ethan ache for his friend. "Hey, he's missing out, then. You're... you're pretty great, Finney."

They shared a small, appreciative look, but before the silence grew uncomfortable, a strange noise echoed from deeper within the factory. It sounded like something metallic scraping against the floor, distant yet distinct. They froze.

"What... what was that?" Finney asked, eyes widening as he looked over at Ethan.

"Probably nothing. Just... old pipes," Ethan replied, but his voice lacked confidence. Despite his words, he found himself drawn toward the sound.

As they crept forward, curiosity getting the better of their nerves, they passed rows of rusted metal cabinets and abandoned crates. The building felt alive with history, each shadow holding secrets of its own. They paused beside a large door that led to another part of the factory, both of them staring at it in silence.

"I think... I think this place is haunted," Finney whispered, half-jokingly, though his tone held a hint of genuine worry.

Ethan chuckled, his nerves lessening as he nudged Finney. "Haunted by what, old machines?"

Finney gave him a half-smile, though his gaze lingered on the shadows. "You never know. Maybe some people who worked here never really left."

As he said that, Whiskers and Rocky crossed Ethan's mind-his loyal pets that seemed to know whenever he needed comfort. He wished they were there, somehow easing the tense silence in the factory.

The two boys continued exploring, letting their steps guide them into the mystery of the old building. In the quiet moments, they shared more about themselves, piece by piece. The walls around them seemed to echo their stories, as though the building itself held onto their words.

But eventually, the growing darkness became too much to ignore.

"Maybe we should head out," Finney finally suggested, casting a look back the way they'd come.

Ethan nodded, glancing one last time down the darkened hallway. "Yeah... but we're definitely coming back here."

As they left, a chill followed them out of the building, the unanswered questions of the factory trailing behind like shadows.

MEANWHILE

James Carter drove home from the station, the weight of the case pressing heavily on his mind. Leads were thin, and every dead-end left him feeling further from the truth-and further from his family. The gnawing guilt of his long hours weighed on him, and he promised himself he'd check in with Ethan, hoping they could talk for a bit before the evening slipped away.

As he pulled into the driveway, the familiar glow from the kitchen light greeted him. He stepped out of the car, feeling a rush of relief that he was home. Walking into the house, he called out, "Sarah?" and made his way into the kitchen, where he found her putting away some dishes.

"Hey, James," Sarah greeted him warmly, a tired smile on her face as she wiped her hands on a towel.

"Is Ethan home?" he asked, glancing down the hallway toward his son's room. "I thought I'd catch him before bed."

She nodded, giving a slight shrug. "I haven't seen him in a bit, but he usually heads to his room around this time."

James nodded, still feeling that lingering need to check on him. "Just wanted to make sure he's adjusting alright. It's been a lot for him, with the move and... well, everything else." He let out a quiet sigh, knowing how much the recent cases had pulled him away from home. "Feels like I'm always one step behind these days."

Sarah rested a comforting hand on his arm. "James, he's doing just fine. He's settling in well, and he's even made a friend. You don't have to worry so much-he knows you're doing your best."

He offered her a small, grateful smile, though the concern didn't fully leave his eyes. "Thanks, Sarah. I just don't want him to feel... forgotten."

"He doesn't," she reassured him. "And you'll have time to catch up with him. For now, maybe you could take a moment to unwind?"

James nodded, appreciating her support. But as he looked down the hallway again, a small part of him wondered if he should check on Ethan, just to be sure. Yet, as he lingered in the kitchen, he pushed the thought aside, trusting that his son was safe in his room.

But neither of them knew that Ethan had quietly slipped out into the night, venturing out into a world filled with shadows they couldn't yet see

The night air was crisp as Ethan and Finney stepped out of the factory, their breaths visible in the dim glow of their flashlights. They walked in silence for a few moments, the excitement of exploring the abandoned space still fresh, but also feeling the weight of the conversation they'd just shared.

As they made their way down the quiet streets, Ethan found himself wanting to reach out again, to keep that connection they'd shared in the factory. Finally, he reached over, his fingers brushing against Finney's. To his relief, Finney didn't pull away.

The streets grew darker, only a few scattered lights casting faint shadows as they neared Ethan's neighborhood. The familiar houses and trees took shape in the dim light, a comforting contrast to the eerie setting they'd just left behind.

Before they parted, Ethan turned to Finney, hesitant but emboldened by their quiet understanding. "Thanks for coming with me tonight," he said softly. "It was... nice. Not just the factory, but... everything."

Finney's face softened. "Yeah. It was." He held Ethan's gaze, his expression saying more than words could.

They lingered for a moment longer before finally letting go of each other's hands. Finney gave a small wave as he headed down the street toward his own house, while Ethan watched him go, a small smile on his face.

Meanwhile, back at Ethan's house, James Carter had just finished checking Ethan's room, a concerned look crossing his face when he found it empty. He returned to the kitchen where Sarah was cleaning up, the worry clear in his voice as he asked, "Have you seen Ethan? His bed's empty, and it's getting late."

End of Chapter 10

Author's Note:
Thanks for diving into this suspenseful chapter with me! 🕵️‍♂️ It's getting intense as Ethan and Finney's friendship deepens-and the mysteries around them continue to unravel. Did you feel the tension of exploring that eerie factory? And with Ethan's parents and Finney unaware of what's to come, things are only going to get more unpredictable!