The bells are clanging loudly. The old styled bells echo throughout the school. Thank God that must mean we are finally in summer break. I feel sort of empty. I always was a bit of an outcast. I get up from my desk and gather my things from the lift open lid. I find a way to stuff my backpack full. Books, lunch pail, report card and exams. I brought home most of my goods yesterday. I had a lot in the wood shop and in the art class.


I walk out and don't bother anyone as I manage to slip through the crowds unnoticed. Advantages to being like a ghost. I think to myself. I slip out the front door. Everyone is bustling to their cars and busses. I of course am walking over to the bike rack. I haven't had a part time job yet, so I haven't managed to get a car.


I feel like the day was just ridiculously slow. Even if I did fall asleep in my final class. I don't know why they don't start school a bit later. I think. I yawn before I magae to hook my bike lock back together, and free it.


BEEP! SCREECH!


A car slams on its breaks and misses a student in the road. Thankfully they didn't get hit. Talk about a close call with death. I think.


"Are you alright?!" I hear someone run up and ask them.


I just sneak away silently. No words spoken. I head left and go towards home. The walk is short. The town isn't anything spectacular. I finally get to the corner of my street and walk right up to the porch steps.


"It's convenient to be close to school. Thankfully I won't have to go until September. Then I can head into university." I talk to myself for a moment.


I head up the stairs. They creak with each step. I don't know when it was last checked or replaced. Dad's been gone for years now. I sigh as I lean to go through the door.


SNAP!


I fall one legged through my deck. I try to hoist myself back up with the one leg. I fall back into the hole. I can't seem to just lift my way out. Great. Just what I needed. I think to myself. No noise is inside of my home. Mom must already be at the bar. She works there as a second job. Since dad isn't around, she's got to pay the bills alone. She also doesn't want me to work yet. That's the hard part. I know I can help.


"So I'm alone... great..." I say as I dig in my pocket for my flip phone.


I go through my contacts and call mom. It rings. A second time. Forwarded to voice-mail. She didn't answer.. great. I think.


"What now..." I look around for something I can grab onto. I need up and to cover this hole so mom doesn't fall too.


It's at times like these, I wish I had a friend. I can handle being alone, but this stuff seems to always either happen to me or around me. I sigh. I eyeball the doorknob. What if...I think as I jump with the leg in the hole, lifting with my other to hoist me up.


I slap my hands around the doorknob and pull myself up a bit more. I slip my foot away from the hole. I groan.


"So what am I supposed to fix you with?" I ask myself as I stare at the hole infront of me. "Either way, mom's gonna be some upset." I say. I go to the backyard and look in our shed.


"No plywood.." I look around seeing the blades and tools. I'm surprised ad didn't take this stuff. I think to myself.


My phone rings. I dig it from my pocket. Sure thing, mom is calling back.


I flip the phone open. "Yeah hey." I say.


"What's going on? You called me. I'm at work." Mom says harshly.


"I kind of fell through the front porch." I say.


"I'll leave money after work on the counter so you can pickup plywood later. I used the last sheet on a few jewelry boxes I sold." She says.


"Alright. Sounds good. I'll catch ya later mom." I say.


"Night, sleep well, don't stay up too late. Oh, there are fast fry steaks in the fridge if you want for dinner." She says.


"Okay, thanks. Later." I hang up.


What a weird call. When did she start making jewelry boxes? I wonder. I put my key into the door and walk into the house.


Emptiness. That's all there us to greet me. An empty home. No friends. Although, I have the attic.


I spring up the stairs without thought. I know where I want to be. I have been reading some of the stuff dad left. Alot of it was grandpa's. I never got to meet him. Grandpa spent his life traveling the world.


I catch my breath after I reach the old ladder hatch. I let it down. I pull the ladder and straighten it. I climb up quick as I can. Up into my haven I go. I flick the light on.


The shadows run from the light and I can see clearly as I half crouch into the attic. I scramble over to the chest against the backyard wall. The cobwebs around me don't bug me. I just open the chest and start by gathering through my grandfather's stuff.


When I move a picture from the bottom, there's a note I didn't notice before. I must've rummaged through here a hundred times and didn't see it.


"That's... new..." I say quietly. I open the envelope.


When I pull the note from its envelope. The note is coffee stained and tattered. The ink is somewhat hard to read. I take out the matches and candles from the chest. I set both of them down and light them. I can see it a bit easier now.


'Dear Steven,' the note starts.


"It's Steve." I say as I read on.


'I am proud to announce you as a death soldier, a Reaper will come to fetch you soon.' I stop.


"This has to be a joke. Maybe a prank mom is trying." I say.


'I'd like you to also know, you examiner upon arrival will be your father.


Come to us soon,


Draco Ustiven


General Of Deaths Army third division.' The note ends.


I take the knife from in the chest and cut the note. I fold it then go to repeat the action. I accidentally slip, cutting my hand lightly.


"Ow! Son of a bitch!" I exclaim.


When I look, blood is on my hand and the note stuck to it. I wave my hand. The note hits the flame of the candle. It begins to burn as my blood burns with it. Smoke fills the attic as I wave my arm and pat out the note. Although it was a pointless attempt, it lays in ash now.


"Who put that there? That's not a joke mom would make..." I say to myself.