Janus: Welcome To Hollowbrook

By Mychal Johnson and Dion Bowen

"Everyone has two sides, and you only know the person as they are in your presence. Outside your presence, it's only to your imagination."

 

Janus is a thrilling ride of the unknown and a lot of missing pieces to a mysterious puzzle about Tebow and his return to the City of Hollowbrook. Tebow returns back to his hometown years after his parents' brutal murder to seek justice for the cold case. To his surprise, their police department isn't as willing to assist as he may have thought they would have, they would rather it have remained closed. With no assistance from the authorities, he decides to take it into his own hands and self-investigate the case himself. He will soon learn that his old city and neighborhood of Hollowbrook isn't the same innocent self-proclaimed safe place to live as it may seem from the outside looking in. Throughout his return he will reunite with old friends, some rivals, his favorite uncle and also possibly find love within one of his old classmates.

 

The city of Hollowbrook is a place where fun, family and mystery share the same residence. The city is served and protected by the Kansas City police department led by Detective Barnes and rookie Detective Smitty. The sweet old lady Karen, also President of the HOA always provides the fun and family events for everyone. While the gorgeous Michelle Youngh with the "h" provides eye candy and the beauty of every man's dream. Though the city of Hollowbrook is beautiful and bright like a freshly minted gold coin, there is always a flip side.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Altruistic Views LLC
• Release date: Aug 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201096922

Book preview

Chapter 1: Welcome to Hollowbrook

Tebow throws his head back as he laughs wildly with his football teammates. Sweat drips down his temple as he wraps his arms around his friends while they walk towards the school parking lot. Some of his teammates are unsuccessfully trying to impress the cheerleading team, which only makes him laugh harder.

Tebow, over here! Donna, a close friend of the family and girlfriend of his Uncle Arb, calls out as she rolls down her car window from the parking lot. He scans for her car stalled near the exit. Tebow waves to his friends as he heads towards her car, in the corner of his eye he notices his classmate, Crista giving him a funny look. She’s smiling from ear to ear and playing with her hair, causing the teenage boy to pause as he stares at her. He reaches for the car with his hand hovering over the door handle when Crista tilts her head sweetly to one side. Tebow reciprocates with a smile as she waves and sways her hips.

Are you coming in, lover boy? Donna sings with a raised eyebrow.

What are you talking about? Tebow laughs and lies back as he settles in the car. The two teens lock eyes as Donna starts to drive away.

She seems nice. I think she likes you, Donna continues with a smirk.

Who? Crista? He replies casually with a slight grin. Tebow won’t deny that Crista is pretty but to Tebow, they are just classmates. Changing the subject, he tells Donna excitedly, I actually have some news I want to tell you.

What is it? Tell me, tell me! Donna chatters in one breath as she taps her fingers on the steering wheel impatiently.

I just got an offer from the University of Georgia! He exclaims as he jumps in his seat and shakes the car.

That’s amazing! I’m so proud of you, Tebow. The University of Georgia is going to be so lucky to have you, she squeals in glee.

Mom and Dad are going to lose their minds when they find out! He says as he stares out of the window, dreaming of college football.

Tebow, falling further into his daydreams of college, turns up the radio and leans back in his seat to get comfortable after a long day of practice. Images of a much bigger campus, the loud noise of the huge crowds, and scoring touchdowns fill his mind. He’s so giddy that he can barely contain himself as he smiles so wide his cheeks hurt. He has been passionate about football and attending UGA since he was a kid.

After a few minutes of driving, they approach his neighborhood: a gated community named Hollowbrook and pass a sign reading A Safe Place to Live as they enter. Donna stops in front of Tebow’s house, a nice three­bedroom home with a special decor on the exterior.

You’re gonna love college. It’s really one of the best times of your life, Donna explains excitedly.

I can’t believe I get to play at my dream school. I can’t wait to tell Dad! The teenager is filled with joy as he shuffles his duffle bag to one shoulder to unlock the front door. Tebow enters and immediately sets aside his gear and backpack on the ground. He calls out to his parents but there’s no response.

Mom? Dad?

Usually, Tebow would find his parents somewhere downstairs laughing at some lame joke his dad has said, but today the home is completely silent. Donna stands nearby the doorway as Tebow makes his way through the hallway into the living room calling out to his parents. Tebow finds it odd no one still hasn’t responded even though their cars are in the driveway as he heads into the kitchen.

Dad! Tebow happily exclaims as he enters the kitchen.

His throat immediately shuts and his lungs refuse

to breathe at a sight he never expected. His father sits on a kitchen chair by the back door with his head leaning against the wall and his eyes looking blankly in the distance. There’s blood spatter on the wall around him and a gaping red hole through the center of his forehead.

Tebow can feel his shoulders shaking as his body refuses to move forward. His adrenaline continues to rush through his body as he hears Donna’s footsteps getting closer. Thoughts of worry for his mother immediately consume Tebow’s mind. He pushes past Donna before she sees his father and sprints up the steps to check his parent’s bedroom for his mother. Tebow is praying to find his mother safely, but all he can hear is Donna shrieking for bloody murder in the kitchen. He sprints through the bedroom door without knocking and finds her peacefully lying in the bed on her side with her back turned to him. A sigh of relief washes over the teenager as he carefully walks towards her to confirm she’s okay.

Mom, something happened to Dad, Tebow cries out to his mother desperately.

Tebow’s heart drops when he sees her pillow soaked in blood and her eyes open, just like his father’s. Her body lays limp with a gunshot wound through her temple and stains of blood dried down the side of her eyes. His mouth drops and his eyes bulge out of his sockets, becoming blurry with tears. The teenager collapses to his knees with his chest on fire as tears stream down his face. His throat is closing up, making it impossible to breathe.

He falls forward onto his hands and finds an unfamiliar coin on the ground beside his mother’s bedside. Tebow picks it up, examines it closely, still unsure of what the coin means and pockets it away.

Tebow looks back up at his deceased mother’s body and reality suddenly comes crashing down on him all at once. He isn’t sure how much time has passed when a police officer enters the room and directs him to leave. The officer grips Tebow’s arm and slowly guides him downstairs onto the front lawn. There are police vehicles and an ambulance parked on the street with blue and red flashing lights everywhere like it’s the Fourth of July. Donna is surrounded by officers being questioned on the lawn. The street is chaotic with cars rumbling, neighbors looking curiously, sirens blaring, and officers grunting, but everything goes radio silent for Tebow when he sees a large, black body bag on a stretcher pass him.

A man in a navy­blue suit approach alongside Tebow and puts his hand on his shoulder. Hi son, I would like to speak with you, my name is Detective Barnes. I’m sorry to hear about your parents, but I’m going to need you to answer some questions for me. Do you think you can do that?" He questions calmly. Tebow’s eyes pan from the stretcher to his Uncle Arb who is scanning the crowd as he smokes a cigarette outside of the garage.

Son? The detective repeats as he tries to get Tebow’s attention.

Uh, yesss sir? The teen stutters as he averts his attention to the detective.

I know this is all really difficult, but do you know anyone who would have wanted your parents dead? There seems to be no sign of forced entry, so it may be possible your parents knew the assailant, Detective Barnes explains and studies the teenage boy’s face carefully.

U­um, he fumbles as he tries to process the news. Tebow’s brain short­circuits like a waterlogged computer when Uncle Arb abruptly interrupts the conversation.

That’s enough. We won’t be speaking until a lawyer is present, you hear me? Uncle Arb orders as he points his finger at the teen.

Lawyers won’t be needed, the detective reasons, but he senses a feistiness from Uncle Arb so he lets it go. "If you remember anything, you can call me anytime.

Here is my card."

Uncle Arb wraps his arm around his nephew’s shoulder and guides Tebow away as he accepts the business card. The two stops in the middle of the driveway as the ambulance siren continues to scream like the sounds of screeching tires. Ironically, Tebow is thankful for the noise as it’s the only thing louder than his raging thoughts. His parents’ bodies are loaded before the paramedics shut the doors and pile into the vehicle. He reads the side of the ambulance, which states Brookfield Hospital, and makes a mental note before following Uncle Arb’s lead away from the scene.

10 Years Later

Tebow’s heart stops when someone rests their hand on his shoulder and shakes him awake. Instantly, he shoots up in the passenger seat fully alert. His buddy George pulls his hand back once he sees Tebow is awake and parks the car at a local diner.

We’re here, he tells Tebow as he pulls into a parking spot in front of the diner illuminated by bright, flashing lights.

Thanks, man, Tebow says before resting his hand on his friend’s shoulder. Hey, and good luck with your promotion.

Appreciate it. Quid pro quo, George smiles as he says their code word.

After a quick goodbye, Tebow steps out of the car alone and takes a deep breath before entering the diner. Immediately inside he sees a table with familiar faces. At the head of the table is Detective Barnes, the man who was at the forefront of Tebow’s parents’ murder case seated with a man who Tebow has never seen before, and a waitress standing beside them as she takes their order. Tebow hasn’t spoken to anyone in Kansas City over the last ten years after his parents’ investigation was closed inconclusively, so he keeps his head down to avoid making eye contact and takes a seat at the counter.

Detective Barnes and his friend’s laughter fills the diner as Tebow pulls out the coin he found the day of his parents’ murder and twirls it between his fingers.

Hi sir, are you ready to order? A voice appears from behind.

Yeah, I’d like–

Wait! Hey, Tebow? It’s me, Crista! Crista interrupts as she looks at him in amazement while he calmly nods. Wow, it’s good to see you. You look great. She smiles brightly with a similar twinkle in her eye like the last time they saw each other as she leans close to him with her notepad to her chest. How’s everything been with you? I haven’t seen you in a while, she says, still shocked but pleasantly surprised.

Things are good. I just got back recently to visit my Uncle Arb. How are you?

I’m doing just fine, nothing too special. Actually, my best friend Sarah has been hanging out with your Uncle Arb lately so she tells me about his crazy dating adventures all the time, Crista comments with a girlish giggle.

Sarah? Sarah who? I can’t recall. Tebow squints in confusion.

She was tall, really pretty, Crista explains but it’s too vague for him to remember so he shakes his head. She had a rose tattoo on her shoulder.

Still not sure but umm do you happen to know where Uncle Arb lives now? He questions.

Yeah, he’s probably at home right now too, if he’s not out chasing some girl, she jokes and smirks at Tebow.

Could you do me a favor and give me his address? It would be a blessing if you do!

Sure. Here! Crista says as she scribbles down his address on her notepad and tears it out to hand to him. "Do you need a ride? Crista asks.

You can borrow my car as long as you promise to pick me up from work after. Tebow opens his mouth to speak, but she slips behind the counter into an employee only room before he can respond. When Crista emerges, she tosses a pair of car keys to Tebow. Here. my shift ends at 5pm.

He waves to her as he pushes out of his seat and heads to the parking lot to find her car. Tebow inputs the address into his phone and sees Uncle Arb’s home is not that far from the diner. He starts up the car and drives through the city to a quaint condo community with a security guard stationed at the front. Tebow pulls up to the security box to pass through, but the guard has a mean look on his face and stares at him as if he is a criminal.

I’ve never seen you here before, he grunts.

I’m here to see Arb Tebow Tebow explains and points inside.

Does he know you’re coming? The guard narrows his eyes, searching for the lie.’

No, but– He stutters as his plan to surprise Uncle Arb begins to backfire with the unexpected strict security.

Then you’re not getting in. The guard steps in front of the car and motions Tebow to leave.

With a heavy exhale, Tebow gets back into Crista’s  car and begins to drive along the perimeter of the community to look for another way inside. A few blocks down, is the back entrance and a woman walking her dog headed in the same direction. He parks the car and briskly follows after her. Inside of the community, all of the condos look exactly the same with beige walls, front­facing windows, and brown doors like some sort of themed maze. Tebow wanders around aimlessly looking for his uncle like a needle in a haystack.

He notices a postal guy handing a package to a resident, who doesn’t fully close the door behind themselves when the smell of bacon and eggs catches his attention. He follows the scent up to the open door to ask the resident if they can assist him with finding Arb, when he peeks his head inside, Tebow sees a middle­aged man dancing with a spatula in hand. The man turns to his side to grab salt from the cabinet when Tebow realizes it’s his Uncle Arb. He slightly closes the door and knocks softly.

Arb opens the door. T! Uncle Arb exclaims as he registers it’s his nephew. Tebow enters the condo as Arb pulls Tebow into a bear hug before