Hollow's Grove (The Revised Version)

Chapter Two: Emptiness

Scotland and I stood upon the white sands. Our eyes gleaming with mischief. We wore our bathing suits. Our hands were filled with shells and sea glass. I was about seven in the photo. While Scotland was about ten. I held the picture closer. Nothing about me had changed. I was still that lanky kid with the messy auburn hair and curious violet eyes. Yet, something about me had changed.

I pulled my gaze away from the image. I put the picture down. My breathing had become heavy. I was standing inside Scotland's bedroom. My eyes swept over each and every little thing. His photo collection, the many unorganized stacks of applications for colleges, his unmade bed, the piles of dirty laundry. I still couldn't believe that he was gone. It had been over a month now. My eyes landed upon his closet.

It was wide open. Boxes were strewn about. Some were closed. Tape with the words To Donate was plastered on their sides. Others were still open. Clothes were thrown into them carelessly. My mother wasn't really the organized type. "Toby, what are you doing in there?" My mum's voice startled me. I spun around. She stood in the doorway. Her arms were crossed. A pout upon her lips.

"Come out of there this instance," she snapped. She tapped her foot impatiently. I walked towards her. My figure was slouched. My hands were in my jean pockets. Mum grimaced. "Tobias, stand straight. Don't you give me attitude young man." I had always been her least favourite child. Scotland was more of a mummy's boy. I was more like my father. Always curious about the world around me.

Once I was out of Scotland's room, mum slammed the door shut. "I don't want you to go in there anymore, understand?" She said. Her voice was strict. I nodded. I dared to give a glance upwards. My mother stared down at me. Her grey eyes were tear filled. I looked away. It was hard on her. She had lost her life partner and now her eldest son. "Mum, I-" She waved her hand, hushing me.

"Toby, I am going to go downstairs and start supper. Why don't you go out for a walk?" With that mum turned away. I stood there. I watched as she walked down the hallway. I could tell that she was trying to hold back the tears. She turned down the stairway and headed down to the second floor. The old stairs creaked as she made her way down to the first level of the farmhouse. I waited until I heard the radio begin to play. That meant she was in the kitchen.

I was alone. It was an odd feeling. I moved my sights back onto the now closed door of Scotland's old room. I pulled my left hand from my left jean pocket and reached out for the door. I cringed as the door creaked loudly as I pushed it open. I still couldn't get over the fact that mum hadn't made any effort to clean up the room. It looked exactly like it did the day Scotland lost his life. I couldn't stand it any longer. Without another glance I shut the door.

I headed down the hallway. I passed the stairway. I wasn't interested in going out for a walk. Instead I was headed for my own bedroom. My room was at the very end of the hall. A large sign hung on the door. It read Keep Out: Genius At Work. I inwardly laughed at the sign. I was no genius. In fact, I hadn't even managed to stay in the education system. After the accident, I had no intention of ever going back to a school. Fear gripped my heart at the very thought of being around others.

My room was a sight for sore eyes. The blue wallpaper with the many posters of my favourite movies. My desk with the pencil scratches and many papers with different drawings that sat in the far corner. My bed was made and the pillows were fluffed. My bed sat near my room's only window. Soft, golden rays of light fell upon the bedspread and danced playfully upon the hardwood floor. My closet was in the back of the room. It was closed. I hardly used it. My bed had drawers built underneath it. I mostly used them.

I closed my door. I needed to rest. I was exhausted. Everything that had happened lately was taking its toll on me. As soon as I reached my bed I fell into a restless sleep...