Type: Literature (short)
Description: Do you really want to know what is behind the hollow wall?
The Hollow Wall
It was always unsightly, the faded paint and dark corridors never helped him get used to his home. The idea of moving out had crossed his mind more than once, but the house had been a major part of his life. He still remembered the long days his father would spend building this home... well, it used to be 'home. It was now nothing more than a tomb, his final resting place. His life was a tragic comedy, he clung onto what he hated most to lose what he loved most. His wife, his children, his friends, his sanity.
Day in and day out he would talk to himself, reassure himself that he has a purpose, a reason to continue. Keeping a steady job was near impossible for him, leaving his house bared too much of a strain, then again so was staying in it.
"I will find true love."
"I will find true happiness."
"I will find true salvation."
It was another slow, dreary day. He ran his fingers along the walls, feeling the old paint crack against his fingers. A song comes to mind, tapping the melody of the song on the walls he notices a section sounds hollow. Stop. Why would it be hollow there? Knocking on the wall, thoughts go through his mind...
"Could this be it?"
"Could this be my destiny?"
"Could this be my happiness?"
Confident that whatever was behind the wall would finally put his hard days at ease, he grabbed a crowbar from the shack. Coming back with the tool in his hand he pries the boards away.
Could this be it?
His determination grows rapidly, he pries away faster and faster, the number of boards he pries open increases, and increases.
Could this be it?
Stop. He peers in the hole. Tears fall down from his eyes.
Could this be it?
He falls to his knees and his head hangs. A smile grows on his face.
"What was inside the hole?"
"Nothing."
