The Whispers Of Identity

Chapter 1: Departure and Doubts

Elias Campbell

I waved goodbye to Grandma as she stood outside, then hopped on the bus.

I held my bag tight on my lap, leaning against my seat. My mind was racing with worries. Sure, I finally got the guts to go home, but I had a feeling it wouldn't last long... maybe?

"We'll be back, Son... just wait for us."

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to calm down and get ready to face my them again. Their words kept echoing in my head, confusing me.

Fear gripped me. I was scared of how they'd react when they saw me. But maybe this was my chance to finally fix things with them. But for what? Isn't it too late? After all this time apart, I didn't know.

"A-ahh... ah-" I panted, feeling a twinge in my head, gripping my hair. What was that? Some kind of karma for everything I did?

I exhaled sharply, and the pain started to fade. I had to be okay. I needed to make it to the celebration.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I finally made it home. Everything looked so different. The house was big and full of people in fancy clothes. I hesitated, unsure if I should even go in, but I didn't really have a choice.

"Buddy!" My brother Dwayne ran over, pulling me into a big hug. "Thanks for coming! I missed you!" he said, letting go. I missed him too—his wild hair, his bright eyes, his sharp nose, rosy cheeks, and that smile. He was wearing this flashy red suit, looking all happy.

I glanced around, and it was like stepping into another world. Everything had changed since the last time I was here, six years ago. I didn't recognize half the faces, and they probably didn't know me either. Everything looked so fancy, and then there was me, in a beat-up denim jacket over a plain white shirt and ripped jeans. As a Campbell, I felt embarrassed.

"Dwayne?" I looked away as some familiar faces approached—faces I didn't want to see.

"Dad Alfred, Mom Candace, Sister Abigail, Elias is finally home!" my brother said, excitement in his voice. I didn't want to look at them, but I forced myself to. I had practiced for this moment, but my nerves were all over the place. It had been way too long.

How did it feel? Weird. Mom's face showed nothing, Dad smiled awkwardly, and my little sister hid behind Mom's leg, scared. She was just four when I last saw her, and now she didn't even know who I was.

"Welcome home, Son," Dad stammered. I tried to smile, but it felt awkward. I was so uncomfortable around him. We used to be close, but now everything was different. He didn't look at me the same way anymore. I wished we could go back to how it used to be.

But the real question was: why didn't they come back for me? I wanted to ask them, but it never felt like the right time.

"Uhhh... Dad, Mom? I'll take him inside," my brother jumped in, sensing the tension. He led me into the house.

Once we stepped inside, a wave of dizziness hit me. I knew this place; it was my home. But everything felt off.

Wasn't this the life I was supposed to have? You might wonder why I had to stay in the province, robbing houses, when I could've lived here. If I hadn't left, I would've had everything I wanted.

But it wasn't up to me. Fate had other plans.

"Wait, Buddy. I'll grab you something. Stay here, okay?" I just nodded at my brother as he walked off. I really appreciated him; he was the only one who looked genuinely happy to see me.

I took a moment to look around, trying to take it all in. Should I stay here for good?

I didn't think so.

I noticed the photos on the wall—Dwayne in his medals, graduation gowns, trophies, family pictures... but not a single one of me.

In that moment, it hit me hard. It felt like they were trying to erase me from their lives. I knew there was a reason, and I was determined to find out why.

"What's wrong with me, Mom, Dad?" I whispered, staring at their picture. "Why did you leave me?"

Growing up alone, not a day went by without wondering why they weren't there. I was supposed to be lucky, not struggling for what I wanted. I should've been like Dwayne, like Abigail. But did I not have what it took to be like them? Why did I have to figure everything out on my own? Is that how life works?

Feeling sad, I crossed my arms. My life felt like a series of battles. I'm not perfect; I've done bad things... but it was for survival. Maybe I had the chance to fix my life and do what's right, but my heart didn't know how.

I accepted the life the world gave me, but deep down, I knew I could be more.