HOLLOW

Ravenswood had the kind of quiet that lived deep in its bones. It wasn’t the stillness of emptiness, but the gentle hum of a town where nothing really changed. The streets were narrow, lined with aging brick houses and front porches draped in flowers. By dawn, the bakery already smelled like bread, and old Mr. Barlow was always the first to open his shop at the corner. Everyone in Ravenswood knew everyone. Not in the way of gossip alone, but in the way where lives were laid together, birthdays shared, front doors never locked, summer fairs that pulled the whole town into a single heartbeat. The Alvarez family and the Daniels had been neighbors for as long as anyone could remember. Elena Daniels and Amara Alvarez were born just two weeks apart, and the town liked to joke that they were practically twins. Their mothers had grown up together, their fathers worked for the same construction company every summer, and their families shared barbecues, holidays, and fights over board games that lasted hours. Amara had always been the louder one with her wild hair, bright laugh, the kind of presence that left echoes. Elena was her balance: calm, quiet, the steady anchor Amara always returned to. Their friendship was stitched into everything Ravenswood was. That morning, as the church bells rang eight times, the girls sat on the front steps of Elena’s house, sipping from mismatched mugs. The end of summer hung in the air soft, golden, and a little bittersweet. You ever think about leaving this place? Amara asked, pulling her knees to her chest. Elena shrugged. Every day. Same. Amara tilted her head, staring at the street like it might answer her. But college isn’t far away. It’s still in-state. We’ll come back every weekend. Elena smiled. We say that now. Amara reached over and shoved her shoulder lightly. “Hey. Don’t ruin the moment.” Their parents were in the backyard, setting up for the small barbecue they’d promised for weeks. Their mothers’ laughter rose above the radio playing old songs, and their fathers argued over who made better ribs. It was familiar. Warm. Safe. Ravenswood’s sky turned pale blue, streaked with the pink of early sun. The town felt eternal, like it would hold its people forever. Amara leaned her head on Elena’s shoulder. “This place better not change while we’re gone.” Elena looked out at the street, the old oak tree, the kids riding bikes, the neighbors waving from their porches. She didn’t know why, but something inside her stirred. Yeah, she whispered. “I hope it doesn’t.