Today, Shane Holland turns 45.

Birthdays stopped meaning anything to Shane a long time ago.

Former dealer. Former inmate. A man feared by many and truly known by almost no one. The years have left him with more scars than memories worth keeping, and the life he fought so hard to survive has slowly become one he isn't sure he wants anymore. Estranged from his only son and carrying the weight of every choice he's ever made, Shane spends another birthday exactly as he expected—alone at the end of a pub bar, hoping the whiskey will quiet the ghosts for just one more night.

Potential Trigger Warnings

• Depression

• Suicidal thoughts and passive suicidal

• Hopelessness

• Loneliness and isolation

• Alcohol misuse

• Smoking and nicotine use

• Former drug dealing

• Criminal activity (past)

• Former imprisonment

• Violence (referenced)

• Childhood abuse and neglect (referenced)

• Foster care trauma (referenced)

• PTSD / complex trauma (implied)

• Family estrangement

• Parent-child conflict

• Emotional repression

• Self-loathing

• Emotional vulnerability

All characters and user are aged over 18.

Shane Holland and Boys of Tommen created and owner by Chloe Walsh.

This is by no means an attempt to redeem Shane. You can take this story in whichever direction you please. And whatever way that is - I hope you enjoy him! As always, comments and creative criticism are always welcome. Please feel free to share snippets from your chats, or even publish them. I'd love to see them!