Hollow Creek /Finney Blake X Male Oc/

Chapter 14: Unsettling Changes

Chapter 14: Unsettling Changes

Morning, August 18, 1978, 7:15 AM

Ethan woke up to the familiar sounds of his pets bustling around the house. Rocky's excited barking and Whiskers' soft meows blended into a comforting symphony as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, his feet hitting the cool wooden floor. He stretched, taking a moment to shake off the remnants of sleep before heading to the bathroom to wash up.

After brushing his teeth, Ethan dressed in his favorite striped t-shirt and a pair of worn jeans. He glanced in the mirror, running a hand through his messy hair. "You're gonna be late," he murmured to himself, grabbing his backpack and heading down to the kitchen, where the enticing smell of pancakes filled the air.

"Morning, sweetie," Sarah said, flipping a pancake in the skillet. "You're just in time. Want some?"

"Always," Ethan replied, grinning as he slid into his seat at the table. He piled his plate high, the warm pancakes melting in his mouth as he ate. He enjoyed these quiet mornings with his mom, the chatter light and filled with warmth.

After breakfast, Ethan took Rocky for a quick walk around the block. The crisp morning air felt refreshing, invigorating him for the day ahead. As he returned home, he caught sight of the school bus approaching and hurriedly said goodbye to Rocky before racing out the door.

At School

Ethan arrived at school, his mind buzzing with excitement for the day. Today was Friday, and the promise of the weekend loomed ahead. He headed to his first class, history, his favorite subject. As he entered the classroom, he noticed an unusual hush settling over the room. Finney was already there, sitting at their usual desk.

"Hey, Ethan!" Finney greeted, a smile lighting up his face. "Ready for some history?"

"Always! What's on the agenda today?" Ethan asked, settling into his seat next to Finney.

But instead of the familiar face of their beloved history teacher, Mrs. Davidson, a substitute stood at the front of the class. He was a tall man with a stern expression and dark hair slicked back neatly. Ethan felt a pang of disappointment. Mrs. Davidson had always made history come alive with her engaging stories and passion for the subject.

"Good morning, class," the substitute said, his voice commanding yet lacking warmth. "I'm Mr. Hargrove, and I'll be your teacher for today. Mrs. Davidson is unwell, so I'll be taking her place."

Ethan exchanged glances with Finney, who shrugged, seemingly unfazed by the sudden change. But as the class began, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Mr. Hargrove. The way he looked at the students, his sharp gaze sweeping over them as if assessing their worth, sent a shiver down Ethan's spine. It was unsettling.

Throughout the lesson, Ethan tried to focus, but he found himself glancing at Finney more than usual. Finney, for his part, was scribbling notes, seemingly oblivious to the strange atmosphere. Ethan couldn't help but wonder why a substitute was in for Mrs. Davidson and what exactly was wrong with her.

"Hey, what do you think of this guy?" Ethan whispered to Finney, nodding subtly toward the front of the room.

Finney shrugged again. "I don't know. He seems... intense, I guess?"

Ethan frowned, not quite satisfied with that answer. Mr. Hargrove continued to speak, but Ethan's mind was elsewhere, distracted by the nagging thought that something about today was just not right.

Ethan tried to shake off the strange feeling as Mr. Hargrove continued to drone on about the American Revolution, but his gaze kept wandering. He couldn't help but steal glances at the substitute teacher. There was something unnerving about him, an intensity that made the air in the room feel heavier.