Hollow Groves was built on bones.
The wind blew through my hair as I learned on the railing of the ferry taking us to the Hollow Groves. I couldn't see much of anything, fog surrounded us like a weighted blanket. All I could catch was a glimpse of the dark water. Much like the ferry guide who wouldn't shut up how haunted these islands were.
The first island we apparently passed by was the Catacomb Tunnels, then the Unmarked Graves, next the Mines, and a fourth island that is apparently forbidden to talk about. Currently we were headed towards the Tourist Attraction island.
"The Hollow Groves are falling apart." Terry the enthusiastic tour guide only confirms our suspicions.
My dad, the architect, thrives on establishing new structures while demolishing old ones. It's a challenge to him. Dad is all about starting over which is why he divorced mom I guess.
"You're in my seat." Adam, my older brother, informed me.
I looked around, my eyes falling on the empty seats on the ferry surrounding us. Ever since the move Adam had to leave his girlfriend behind and made a point in to annoy me to take out his frustrations.
"Go pick on Noah." I gestured to our little brother, who was very happy to move in contrast to Adam, and currently annoying Terry.
"You're in my seat." Adam repeated, as I moved over a seat just in time for dad to squish in between us.
"I should have left you two to swim to the islands instead." Dad joked.
"It's not too late, Hannah." Adam motioned to the deep waters.
"Ha. Ha." I responded lamely.
Uncomfortable silence fell upon us as we ventured further into the thick, heavy fog. The fifth island finally came into view. I expected a grand theme park, spooky decked out streets ready for Halloween, as told by Terry. Instead dull, boring docks appeared, along with the most mundane farmland and no tourist attraction. It wasn't much which is why dad took the job I suppose. It was a ghost town and an opportunity for dad to rebuild the foundations.
"Do you think we'll get to live right above a witch shop? Or perhaps even.." Noah rambled on until Adam cut him off, "Or a boring farm. By the looks of it this place ain't much." Adam said disappointingly, as if he read my thoughts.
We weren't going to live in a busy tourist attraction after all. This land was completely deserted. Where was the carnival I was promised? Or the psychic witches? And there was even no tacky haunted house was in view that Adam and Noah were excited about?
"A farm house in the middle of a corn field!" Dad presented proudly.
Before me was exactly that beyond the docks. A century old, beaten down farm house in the middle of a corn field in the middle of nowhere.
As my brothers and I grimaced, Dad was practically beaming at the opportunity. I could already hear my fathers thoughts ready to take on the challenge and flip this 'tourist attraction' inside out.
"I can make this work." Noah said hopefully.
"Welcome to my humble abode!" Terry approached.
"Wait... Your place?" Adam asked Terry.
"Never mind." Noah retorted.
I sighed at our failure of an adventure that dad promised. "It's ours. For now." Dad added.
I could feel the raging heat between Adam and Noah's ugly disappointment seeping from them. As well as my sunken face due to our new living situation. This was when Terry stated there was pizza waiting for us in the barn next to the house.
"Race you." Adam took off leaving Noah and I behind.
"Ugh!" An exasperated noise came from him. "So not fair!"
"Come Bill, we have lots to talk about." Terry nodded towards dad.
Dad waved goodbye as he followed Terry to the farm house as I was left wondering why my brothers were so annoying. My mood was as sour as the atmosphere. Everything in this town seemed sketchy, leaving a cold chill down my spine. Nonetheless I followed the trail leading to the barn.
"I swear it's colder in here than outside." I hear Noah's complaint as I entered the empty barn.
"Did you know Terry is also the mayor?" Adam informed us, shoving two slices down his throat.
"I thought he was just the ferry guide?" I comment, joining my brothers and grabbed a slice for myself.
Adam chewed with his mouth open, "I guess he's both?"
"Why would the mayor of Hollow Groves personally escort us?" I thought aloud. "That doesn't make any sense!"
"Heck do I know?" Adam shrugged.
Noah tried playing a video game on his mobile but received no service, followed by a frustrated Adam who now couldn't call his girlfriend. I groaned too. Not knowing what else to do without any phone service. Suddenly the barn became even more spine chilling. Noah was right, it is getting more cold in here than outside.
Through the midst of my brothers complaints and shouts of agony due to no service, I heard another voice coming from the corridor.
"Be quiet!" I cursed at them, whispering.
"What are you on about now?" Adam said when surely enough, they heard the voice too.
Then came a gruesome shuffling followed by muffled whispering. Next came the shadow.
"Dad." Noah started. "That's not funny!" Noah thinking it was our father trying to scare us. Whoever it is, it was working.
"Knock it off, dad!" Adam joined in.
The shadow remained far too still, Dad was always moving. "It's not dad." I whisper.
Suddenly fear settled within us. Being so far away from civilization in the middle of nowhere without any supervision was beginning to take a toll on our minds and deep into our bones.
Manic laughter came from the shadow that appeared on the barn wall and before I knew it, Adam took off towards the maniac. "Enough of this!"
Noah bravely chased after him leaving me stunned and with a second shadow.